Celebrity Justice
Birkhead Pulled the Plug

TMZ has learned that the relationship between Larry Birkhead and Debra Opri was kaput several days ago, and it was Birkhead who ended it.

Today Opri has said that there were things Birkhead wanted her to do that made her uncomfortable. We know Birkhead is saying it was he who was uncomfortable for various reasons.

TMZ is aware of multiple reasons why the two parted company. As we first reported, they were butting heads over various issues for weeks. Because of confidences, TMZ cannot be more specific. But we know that last Tuesday, Birkhead sent Opri an e-mail discharging her.



Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Anna Nicole Smith


Reader Comments

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1. Good, I never cared for her in the 1st place. I hope all of this mess gets worked out soon, it's gone on for far to long.

Posted at 11:57AM on Mar 16th 2007 by Mrs. Scott

2. Again....very stupid move Larry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 11:58AM on Mar 16th 2007 by Mike in FLA

3. Opri was probably trying to get LB to accept a deal from HK$ to take the baby and cut Stern in on any future inheritances the baby might get. I don't think LB is going to make any settlements. That baby is his, and he's entitled to get her without strings attached, meaning, NO DEALS with HK$...

Posted at 11:59AM on Mar 16th 2007 by PeaceFrog

4. Kuddos to Birkhead - Opri is a loud mouth bull dozing man wanna be! AND she was always up Birkhead's azz!!!! I even saw at the funeral where Opri - twice - rubbed Howard to "act" like she cared to console him. Opri is a show boating HORRIBLE excuse of a lawyer! She disgraces all lawyers and is what gives lawyers a bad name. Actually to her the truth is irrelevant, it's how you present the truth. Birkhead made the right move!!

Posted at 11:59AM on Mar 16th 2007 by VJ

5. Obviously, there were conflicting opinions on how the paternity suit should proceed. Maybe Opri wanted more time in the spotlight and Larry feels every day that goes by he is losing precious time with his possible child. The merry-go-round has been going on even before ANS passed away. Wonder who he's got lined up?

Posted at 12:01PM on Mar 16th 2007 by TEAMBIRKHEAD

6. Oh wow!! I hope it's not because Debra Opri refused to "make a deal" with Howard K. Stern regarding handling Dannielynn's financial affairs and Larry Birkhead wanted her to. I'm afraid that's what it is though. Birkhead is going to get burnt if agees to anything with Stern. Stern is bad news (and that's an understatement).

Posted at 12:02PM on Mar 16th 2007 by JulieS_22

7. I feel bad for that baby. She needs some stability in her life. When is she going to get it?

Posted at 12:03PM on Mar 16th 2007 by Dottie

8. Debra seemed like it was all about money to her. Don't give Stern anything, regardless of how much longer it takes for Larry to get the baby back. Debra is probably a great attorney but she she seemed to lack diplomacy. - Larry is probably willing to let Stern have something just to put an end to it all.

Posted at 12:03PM on Mar 16th 2007 by Libby

9. Larry may be betting on a sure thing: HKS will be in JAIL.

Posted at 12:03PM on Mar 16th 2007 by Libby

10. I pray that Larry did not make a deal with stern. Deb was fantastic in the media for him & she was furious when rumors spread HE MADE A DEAL! If anything I believe Larry couldn't handle her strength.

Posted at 12:04PM on Mar 16th 2007 by Gladys M. Neldon

11. I would've DISCHARGED that mouthy beotch after I heard the first disgusting comment outta her BIG mouth!!

Posted at 12:05PM on Mar 16th 2007 by Patty

12. Opri was one of the attornies that represented the gloved one, Michael Jackson. What does that tell you about her.
Good riddance to her. There are plenty of other good attornies out there that will gladly
represent Larry Birkhead. Hurry up already and get the DNA so we know once and for all
that that creap Howard Stern isn't the father...like anybody with common sense doesn't already think that.

Posted at 12:06PM on Mar 16th 2007 by Chris

13. Good for Larry. He probably just wants to settle this thing once and for all, and Opri just wanted to drag it out. She was such a publicity whore. I bet things happen very quickly now in terms of Larry getting Dannielynn. And in terms of Larry trying to cut Howard in on future inheritance, it can't happen. The money would be Dannielynn's, and Larry can't make deals to give it away on her behalf. It just doesn't work that way. It kills me how people can even make Opri being fired by Larry a result of something HKS did.

Posted at 12:06PM on Mar 16th 2007 by mimicoco

14. I think she was using this entire story for her own moment of fame. I think it may prove to be a good move for Larry, but who will represent him now??? He needs someone. I think Larry and HKS are speaking privately more than she would like. She is not in the inner circle as much as she would have liked. A loud pushy arrogant lawyer like that can cause more problems than good for Larry. It all is dependant on the Bahamas judge so now he has a Bahama lawer and that should prove to be for the best for him. I wish him luck. I like him. I think he is the real Father.

Posted at 12:08PM on Mar 16th 2007 by Lori

15. GEEE maybe Larry is SMARTER than I first thought!!!!!!

Posted at 12:09PM on Mar 16th 2007 by Patty

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