Julia Roberts & Danny Moder step out for a rare photo op together: conspiracy?

Isn’t this bizarre? We rarely get paparazzi photos of Julia Roberts these days, and magically this weekend there are all of these photos of not just Julia, but Julia with her husband Danny Moder. And they’re holding hands and walking arm in arm and stuff. Weird! Is this some kind conspiracy pushback that I’m unaware of? I see blind items about A-list actresses and their low-key husbands all the time, and most of the guesses are always about Julia Roberts or Nicole Kidman. Has there been some kind of major “maybe Julia’s marriage is in trouble” rumor out there, and this is the photo-op pushback? Or am I simply too much of a conspiracy theorist for my own good?

Anyway, yes, Julia and Danny were spotted in Santa Monica on Saturday. Apparently, they had lunch with friends and then went for a surprisingly pap-friendly walk around Santa Monica. What game are you playing, Julia?!?! Alternate theories: one, Julia is trying to remind people she’s still around, maybe because she wants a particular role or project. Two, Julia is about to commence on some kind of huge comeback, and these are the first steps towards easing herself back into the game. That might be it, actually? I could see Julia making an appearance at the Oscars next weekend, then following that up by signing on to some huge role, then she’s part of the big prestige picture August: Osage County, which comes out this fall/winter, and there will be an Oscar campaign for that. And then next year she has another prestigious project, The Normal Heart. So is this The Year of Julia? I wouldn’t hate it. Julia brings out strong opinions and she’s almost always a good interview, and she’s as big of a narcissist as all of the current greats – Julia could out-narcissist Beyonce. I’m just sayin’.

Come on, Julia! Make a comeback!!

PS… I hate her outfit. Those jeans are incredibly unflattering and that whole shirt/jacket combo is terrible.

Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.

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94 Responses to “Julia Roberts & Danny Moder step out for a rare photo op together: conspiracy?”

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  1. RocketMerry says:

    “[…]most of the guesses are always about Julia Roberts[…]”

    It could be about a Blind. The last Blind strongly assumed to be about Julia was of an actress who “methodically” bedded every single costar.
    Even if it isn’t her, I can see a pubblicist suggesting a photo-op, just to diffuse rumours.

    • brin says:

      Too bad they didn’t dress better for it (can anybody spare some change for them)?

      • Abra says:

        Haha this! I’ve said before that she dresses like a bag lady.

      • Azurea says:

        Can I just say that I hate ballerina flats in public?

      • DreamyK says:

        Her outfit is strangely reminiscent of Jennifer Garner, isn’t it? Interesting. I’m assuming that she’s trying to adopt a wholesome mom image..but to what end?

        I feel badly for her..those lips that readily smiled are so grim now and completely unattractive.

    • Gemini08 says:

      I would have believed that ten years ago but I don’t see that so much now.

  2. allons-y alonso says:

    “Julia is trying to remind people she’s still around…”

    Damn it! And I had just finished repressing the annoying presence that is Julia Roberts too…

  3. MollyB says:

    Huh. I kind of like that jacket/shit combo but then, I really like stripes.

  4. marie says:

    damnit, I thought she had gone away for good..

    • Polk8dot says:

      With all her money, you’d think she’d be able to afford a stylist and/or a personal shopper.
      The jacket looks mehhh up front, but in the two pics where she is twisted sideways, it shows off as cheap and rag-like. Why would she EVER buy something so fugly? Why would she wear it 10 years later, when it is showing the side-effects of hanging in the closet for a decade without a cover, washing or ironing?
      I understand a ‘star’ trying to project the image of ‘I’m just too big to pay attention to such unimportant things as casual clothing’, but when you go out in public? FFS, show some effort!

      And the jeans seem to be sliding off her hips. There is way too much bunching in front and along the seams for it to be just bad fit. I think she must have lost some weight recently, and these are ‘old size’ jeans that she wears intentionally as a quick reminder of weight loss to herself and to us.

      I was soooooo happy she was MIA for the last few years. And seriously, when you’re in public and showing off for the papps, at least TRY to look like you don’t hate each other, like you can stand to be in the same city let alone house.

      • Me Three says:

        I guess I’m a nut but I like her and I really like that she isn’t “put together.” She looks like she’s comfortable and what’s wrong with wearing ballet flats in public? Frankly, I’m tired of seeing women killing their feet, hips and legs in 6 inch shoes with jeans so tight their v jay jays must be gasping for oxygen! She’s a refreshing change.

    • nikko says:

      I was hoping she was gone for good too. I don’t think she’s that good of an actress. Plus, I don’t like the way she treats her brother. That’s how she got started was because of him. What does her husband do? Is he a free loader like Jessica Simpson’s boyfriend. Both of them look downtrodden. I think J & J like that type of man so they can have control of the relationship. Their providing the assets, so they have the power.

  5. Cece says:

    If she’s trying to convince the world that all is good in her marriage, you would think that she would actually appear happy. She looks miserable, so I vote no on that theory.

    I’ve never found her to be talented, so I could care less about any comeback. She was a star back when little was asked of actresses except being pretty, and now the talent pool is far deeper.

    • SamiHami says:

      Not trying to defend JR or her marriage, but I just have to point out that not walking around with silly grins doesn’t mean that the marriage is unhappy (not that I care; I don’t have a dog in that fight).

      But as a long-time married person, I can say that my hubby and I don’t walk around all moony-eyed constantly, but we are very happy together.

      • Cece says:

        I was only suggesting that IF this were a PR move to show everyone that their marriage is intact, you would think that they would try to look happy. Since they do not look particularly happy, I assume that this not a PR move for the marriage, one of the theories expressed above.

      • Me Three says:

        Thank you! Maybe their facial expressions are reflecting the fact that they aren’t enjoying having someone follow them around? Is it always that so and so star has an agenda when they are out in public? I don’t get the snarkiness about this woman. She’s still very beautiful and usually leads a very private life with her family. Guess I don’t get the comments about her. And I suspect if she was looking at her hubby with Nancy Reagan love, she’d be dumped on for being fake.

  6. Lily25 says:

    Why is it that everytime a celebrity is photographed it’s called a photo-op? It’s ridiculous to claim that celebrities can keep out of photos forever. It’s propably exhausting to keep hiding from them. It’s just easier to say screw them and just do what you want. Besides Julia spends most of her time in I think New Mexico. Not everything is a conspriracy.

    • e.non says:

      agree… besides, if she was so devious so preplan this pap outing, wouldn’t she have been dressed for it.

    • Jayna says:

      I agree.

    • Happymom says:

      They live in LA. She has a vacation home in New Mexico, but their primary residence is LA.

    • yolo112 says:

      I completely agree. Why can’t it just mean that they are out and about and happened to get papped?? Why is there always some ‘theory’ or conspiracy’?? Are famous people not allowed to roam the streets and do normal things that we do??? lol..

    • Me Three says:

      Thank you Lily. Have been saying the same thing. I just don’t get the comments about her. You’re right. She’s hardly ever in the public and when she does appear, she’s attacked for being a publicity hound. And the expressions on their face tell me that they are not thrilled with being followed around by the paparazzi. I don’t know how mega stars like Julia Roberts can stand having every move photographed. And, while I would agree that her outfit isn’t perfect, it’s real and looks comfy. I don’t think she has to look like “Julia Roberts” every day of her life. I like that she’s not always in thick makeup, wearing 6 inch heels with pants so tight you can’t breath and her “girls” hanging out of a see through top and black bra. It’s kind of refreshing!

      • kim says:

        the public hostility towards julia really ramped into high gear when she launched her campaign against her current husband’s wife because said wife wasn’t granting a divorce quickly enough to suit her. it grew with continued displays of ugly behavior — parking her gigantic SUV across the disabled spaces in the grocery store lot, cursing at people who look her in the eye, and annoying the living hell out of all of her neighbors.

  7. The Wizz says:

    LOL since when was Nicole Kidmans husband low key? He’s a judge on Idol isn’t he?

  8. India says:

    Danny Molder always looks so sloppy. I have never seen him look together.

  9. Bored suburbanhousewife says:

    Something about all the PDA from a normally publicity shy couple makes me suspicious.

    Jeans make her legs look short.

  10. T.Fanty says:

    I always here so many stories about what a raging bitch she is, but she rarely shows it publicly. I think she would be less annoying if she just let it out in the open. After years of watching her movies, I might finally be entertained.

  11. MrsBPitt says:

    ugh…I wasn’t missing Julia at all…I don’t think her talent is as big as her ego…

  12. Jayna says:

    Come on. They are probably out around town all the time. Just don’t get papped like other stars because they live low profile lives. He does work for a living and so does she, taming them away for months at a time. Plus they have their New Mexico home.

    • Shiba says:

      She HATES the paps – this is totally staged, she is on her best behavior. And what’s with this new & improved Mr Julia Roberts lately? Danny Moder never used to even go to events with Julia, much less casual photo ops…he looks like a whipped dog in pics of the two of them (no offense, just how I see his body language.)

      • gogoGorilla says:

        Agreed. Their body language is all “clingy desperation” to me. It reminds me of when they first got together and she would do pap shots so his wife would see them.

        PS: The jeans wouldn’t be so bad if they were longer. Hate the shoes, shirt, and coat/thing.

  13. epiphany says:

    Never, ever, in 20+ years have I understood why everyone raves about this woman’s beauty – not even close!
    Don’t know what they’re seeing that I don’t see.

    • Hautie says:

      What I find odd, is that she was cute in her 20’s and mid 30’s… in a normal girl way. Nothing breath taking beautiful, yet still a cute girl.

      But dang. She has gotten down right homely in the last decade. And her over bite more pronounced.

      Plus she insist on wearing her hair in a unflattering cut, with that big ass center part.

      Then again, I find this hair style/look ugly on everyone.

      Maybe if she dug the old set of hot rollers out of the closet. And put a little body in her hair. It would make a huge difference.

    • GoodCapon says:

      She’s okay from the nose up.

      It’s her lips and very wiiiiide mouth which annoys me to no end. Especially when she’s laughing and you can see practically see every teeth she’s got – it’s very gauche.

    • Miss Jupitero says:

      I never found her to be beautiful per se, but she has a gigantic mouth and gigantic smile that photographs well. A lot of things that look dazzling on the screen look kind of freakish in real life.

    • Polk8dot says:

      I think it is the combination of mouth/nose that is not working.
      Her nose has very wide nostrills. When she’s smilling, either close- or open-mouthed, the proportions equalize.
      But when she’s pouting, or giving us that ugly ‘O’ open mouth, the nose immediately turns her looking ‘horse-y’, and the teeth only exacerbate that effect.
      Yeah, can’t stand her, so it does not make me feel bad picking on her 😉

    • Me Three says:

      Wow! I’m not a huge fan of Julia’s but I do think she’s a beautiful woman. And, the fact that everything about her isn’t fake and isn’t perfect is one of the things I like. Looking at the new crop of women coming up in Hollywood, they all look exactly alike. They’ve all had boob jobs in their teens and 20’s. They all are already doing Botox. They have cheek fillers because they’re so thin, they need the boob jobs and fillers to keep them from looking anorexic. And, they spend their off time posing on the covers of magazines with most of their clothing removed in order to somehow separate themselves from the rest of the pack who are all doing the same thing.

      Julia may not be a Meryl Streep but she never professed to be anything but a rom com actress who did good. And dumping on her appearance in the way that so many are today just makes me sad. She’s a beautiful woman who seems very comfortable with herself. And that, is a rare thing today!

  14. pretty says:

    I thought the thumbnail was Linday Lohan. Because of that ridiculous protruding lips. hahahaha

  15. Skaffie says:

    i really dont like her.yuck.

  16. bea says:

    I am not a fan and her RIDICULOUS short-sleeved pea coat reminded me why.

  17. Leah says:

    A low Vera.

    • Cece says:

      + 1, but no one seems to remember that this douche got together with Julia when his wife was pregnant, and that Julia Roberts started a campaign against the wife.

      Low class, both of them.

      • Dawn says:

        Yep, I have no respect for her at all. Never saw the great appeal of her other than she has a great laugh. I think she is really a cruel person and has done lots fo bad stuff to others to get and keep her fame. And she calls her brother the biggest A-hole on earth..I think it runs in the family.

      • Miss Jupitero says:

        This put me off JR permanently. I really hate infidelity. This is also my reason for being off Natalie Portman.

      • Runs with Scissors says:

        Who did Roberts and Portman cheat on?

    • Christin says:

      Of all the men she dated, lived with, got engaged to, etc., she goes after this guy, who was already married (and she was in a relationship, too). She was really smug about the whole thing. Had she been a poor non-celebrity, would he have left his wife?

      Even if trouble in paradise arises, she would probably never admit it. She made too big of a fuss to land him.

    • Caroline-Vivienne says:

      What a bitch.

  18. The Original Mia says:

    Oh goodie! Wasn’t just me wondering WTF? when these pics appeared. Something is up. Career-wise or marriage scandal, I don’t know but she guards her privacy far too fiercely for this to be by chance.

  19. Nev says:

    she’s developed an “intensity” that is off-putting over the years…nah.

  20. Feebee says:

    She was in LA on the weekend?…. oh, okay… um, what else is happening?

  21. T.C. says:

    Julia only comes out to be pap’ed when she’s got a movie to sell. She’s so obvious. Obnoxious woman.

  22. j.eyre says:

    I have two theories – one practical and one romantic:
    Practical – the Oscars. As soon as I saw the header I thought “she must be presenting” And given her hierarchy, it’ll probably be a big award.

    Romantic- the weather. It has been really cold for LA for a long time and this weekend we had about 4 hours a day of lovely spring weather. Something about it made you want to wrap your arm around your other and stroll.

    • Miss Jupitero says:

      I’m curious about the Politics of Presenting, how competitive it is, and how that pecking order works.

      I always had the impression that it was about honoring established insiders, but lately I have had the impression that it is also a major publicity opportunity for the lesser knowns, or maybe people pitching for a comeback or more visibility. Do presenters have the same status and perks as honorees?

    • Miss Jupitero says:

      That horrific frigid weather has been all over. I crawled under my duvet with my cat. I long to be able to just walk outside again without feeling like I’m north of the Wall (Game of Thrones reference).

    • j.eyre says:

      I am not really in the know about Hollywood politics – I am just picking up some bits and pieces. I think presenting or anything to do with the Oscars is very political – if you get to attend, if you get to present, what you get to present. But you have to be relevant and Julia has been MIA for a while. They start closing the streets today to get ready – I just assume everything that happens this week is done in preparation for the Oscars. Maybe these shots have nothing to do with it.

      Re: Oscar presenters – do we know why Hemsworth is not presenting with the Avengers? He’s in town and I don’t think he is filming anytime soon?

      Re: the weather – it has been glorious. You never get this much cold for so long. And we have no idea how to handle it. I almost got frostbite the other morning running and I was wearing gloves. This is an LA I can get on board with (I am from the San Francisco area). Cold is good for cuddling and sun is good for strolling. Gotta love it.

      • Mia 4S says:

        @J.eyre that’s a good question about Hemsworth since as I recall he is not filming right now. Hopefully it’s some major post production stuff or a family commitment because the other possible explanations are…not promising.

      • Miss Jupitero says:

        I thought that was odd about Hemsworth as well– pretty much all of the Avengers are on. I can imagine his wife isnot happy at all about this.

        Post production work? Maybe, but I seriously doubt that he or anyone in Hollywood would let *anything* get in the way of attending the Oscars.

        Can you imagine any actor with ambitions saying “Aw gee, can’t make it. Gotta be up early the next morning.” Didn’t think so.

      • j.eyre says:

        See, I went completely optimistic – like he is getting his own spot at the Oscars – with Charlize or the other one from SWATH. And then, of course, I went to “maybe Thor and Loki will be together” Fairly certain none of this is happening but a girl can dream, yes?

        His Spielberg is indefinitely on hold, he just signed on for the Mann project and I think they are past post with the racing movie (seriously, what would they need to do more?)

        Elsa has to be pitching a fit about now. Maybe he needs a quiet place to get away from her screaming… and a nice bosom to rest upon…

      • Miss Jupitero says:

        The thought occurred to me that there might be a surprise Thor/Loki moment. Otherwise it just seems weird that both of them would’ve left out.

  23. Jennifer12 says:

    I don’t like her, but the pea coat and shirt are fine. The problem is the capris and flats. That outfit needed regular jeans and boots. She’s, what- 45? 46? I have no issues with age, but she seems to still think of herself as a cute young ingenue (sp?) as opposed to an actress approaching 50. Her superiority complex is really off putting.

  24. epiphany says:

    Everything these people do is calculated – not just Roberts and Moder, but every celeb out there. Of course they knew they would be papped. They dressed down deliberately so it wouldn’t look like they were expecting to be photographed. Image is everything with these people – actors, singers, anyone in the public eye has it drilled into them from Day One that how things look is infinitely more importnant than how things are. Every time you see a couple like Moder/Roberts on a seemingly innocent public stroll, remember that, and view through a very cynical lens. Truly happy, secure people have no concern about what total strangers think of them – which is why so few happy, secure people are in show business!

  25. Mitch Buchanan Rocks! says:

    She looks a little like Jessica Chastain.

  26. teenydj says:

    My two year old just pointed over my shoulder at the photo of Julia Roberts and said “horsie!” I am the proudest mom that ever lived right now.

  27. taxi says:

    His hair is nasty. Her outfit is absurdly unbecoming.

  28. Liberty says:

    Well, now I am expecting a Julia Roberts/Jen Garner/Katie Holmes “three sisters” movie and Lifetime channel style series.

  29. JC says:

    She’s so obnoxious. I can’t with her.

  30. brin says:

    CDAN has a blind today about an imploding marriage and happy family photo ops..now I’m sure it’s them.

  31. India says:

    Her great laugh is so fake and put on. Yes, she used to be cute/pretty in the ’80’s but that’s all changed with her nose slimming plastic surgery and the major duck lips. She’s probably also had a couple of face lifts. Ruined.

  32. Mia 4S says:

    Oh something is up! Whether it is just a “hey look I still exist” or a preemptive strike on something, hmmmm. I admit I cannot stand her, especially after that whole “a low Vera” grossness; but even if you are a fan you have to admit the whole strolling after lunch with a pap clearly there is not her MO. Also, nobody walks in LA. 😉 Oh now I am curious.

  33. RHONYC says:

    maybe she’s documenting her weight loss…those hips were spreadin’ w-i-d-e for a min.

    also, her man is so teeny (and ‘not’ in a sexy, cool, svelte Kevin Bacon sort of way), it looks like she’s about to pick him up like one of their kids and carry him on her hip.

    weirdness 😯

  34. That is pretty crazy that they were out an about. Well good for them to finally let themselves be seen but it is interesting of why know after so long!

  35. SamiHami says:

    “Julia could out-narcissist Beyonce. I’m just sayin’.”

    No argument that JR is a narcissist, but is it even possible to be worse than Beyonce? I dunno…

  36. Lea says:

    She is looking so much like Eric these days. That boney face? Yikes!

  37. Quinn says:

    She always looks incredibly unpleasant. Her ship sailed a LOOONNNGGG time ago…get over yourself.

  38. Gemini08 says:

    I actually groaned when I saw the photos for the first time.I honestly wouldn’t mind if she never made another film. Her ego has gotten ginormous. She used to hide it better but I don’t think she cares anymore.

  39. blonde on the dock says:

    This is mean to say. But she always looks dirty and unwashed to me. I don’t really like her in interviews or movies for that matter. She could very well be a nice person but I just get bitch vibe.

  40. Jayna says:

    When Julia was in her twenties to about thirty-three she had something. She was a naturally pretty girl with pretty doe eyes and a great toothy smile and great laugh and a beautiful mane of hair. In certain movies she just had something on screen special. Others she was a dud. There seemed to be no in-betweens.

    But she doesn’t grab me in her forties.. Girlish Julia was special on screen. More mature Julia can’t pull off a lot of the roles. The Eat, Love, Pray she looked so dowdy in Italy. Could she have dressed any more frumpy? In The Closer, she ruined what might have been a good movie with Jude Law, Natalie Portman, and Clive Davis. They were all terrific. She was so flat in her acting I could never buy those two guys being obsessed with her.

  41. Christin says:

    Perhaps she just decided put on her best Pippi Longstocking shirt and show how her “investment” is doing. Or, maybe they didn’t park in a handicapped spot and had to walk a few extra steps.

    Then again, maybe she’s trying to get some work in the pipeline, since all she appears to have in pre-production for 2013-14 is a TV MOVIE. Or maybe her ego cannot stand not being photographed during Oscar season.

    If only 10 percent of the stories about her are even partly true, it doesn’t paint a nice picture of her. The documented “A Low Vera” and handicapped parking incidents of recent years were enough for me.

  42. Sarah says:

    I seriously think I had the exact same jacket from Banana Republic sometime in the mid-90s. Vintage? 😉

  43. 730People says:

    She is a master at manipulating the press. Remember when she was dating her now husband but he was not divorced. She did it then. Then she had the nerve to talk badly about Angelina with her relationship with Brad.