If you're seeking divorce advice in Pasadena while struggling with a paternity dispute, you are not the only one. In fact, questions of paternity are not that uncommon for divorcing couples. High-profile paternity cases (think Eddie Murphy and Melanie Brown) have been on the rise for a couple of years. According to reports, actor Ryan Phillippe is the latest Hollywood star to be embroiled in a very public paternity case.
Phillippe, who divorced Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon in 2006, started dating actress Alexis Knapp in June 2010 and broke up with the starlet in October. Just as the tabloids started following Phillippe's on-again off-again relationship with Mama Mia star Amanda Seyfried , news of Knapp's pregnancy exploded. Speculation ran rampant who the father could be as both Phillippe and Knapp remained mum on the topic. Then last week, Knapp's camp said that Phillippe was indeed the father. Alexis' mother Marjorie Knapp told RadarOnline, "She told me right away that it was Ryan's. They were in a relationship."
Sources close to the family told People magazine that Alexis Knapp will not be pressuring Phillippe for financial or parental responsibility.
"She has never asked Ryan for any help, nor does she expect it," said a representative for Knapp. While a paternity test will indeed be taken, Knapp's rep says Alexis will not be speaking to the press about this sensitive subject. "Alexis has maintained her silence and will continue to do so. Any 'source' claiming to have been her or her camp up to this point is false. She continues to appreciate the love and support of her family and friends."
Marjorie Knapp adds "the bottom line is that it's not about how you get here on earth. ... We will welcome the baby."
Alexis will be seen in So Undercover with Miley Cyrus this Thanksgiving.
Phillippe has two children with Witherspoon, who is set to marry talent agent Jim Toth in the upcoming weeks.