Arrested Development star linked with DeGeneres

The demise of Ellen DeGeneres's relationship with Alexandra Hedison, reported Friday on Advocate.com, may have come about after DeGeneres became smitten with Arrested Development star Portia de Rossi, the New York Post's Page Six column reported Monday. The breakup came to light only days after The Advocate went to press with a "Best of the Year" cover article about DeGeneres and Hedison, which hits stands on December 21. The story, conceived some months ago, is built around an exclusive photo portfolio by Hedison depicting DeGeneres's day, and the interview was conducted on November 14. Hedison delivered the final image for the photo essay--a shot of DeGeneres at home, going to bed at night--the week of November 29. The story of DeGeneres's split with Hedison broke publicly on Friday, December 10. A source close to DeGeneres told The Advocate that day that "the decision to separate was made very suddenly," but said DeGeneres was not involved with any other woman. The Post reported that DeGeneres and De Rossi crossed paths and hung out at the VH1 Big in '04 awards and afterward. Hedison had stayed home from the event. The Post source said that DeGeneres, 46, and De Rossi, 31, first met at a photo shoot nine months ago. After the meeting, DeGeneres reportedly remained faithful to Hedison, whom DeGeneres had credited with "saving her life" after the turmoil of DeGeneres's breakup with Heche. De Rossi has never directly addressed her sexuality in the U.S. media, despite years of overseas coverage of her longtime relationship with Francesca Gregorini (stepdaughter of Ringo Starr). "Alexandra and Francesca are both devastated," a source close to both told Page Six. "Neither of them had any idea what was coming."