THE THREE FACES OF PUFFY

NO MORE ROOM FOR J.LO IN PUFFY'S HEART
After weeks of speculation, the two-year relationship between Sean "Puffy" Combs and Jennifer Lopez has officially ended. A Puffy spokesperson broke the tearful news to the world on Valentine's Day (2/14). Publicist Nathalie Moar said in a statement: "Mr. Combs confirmed that he and his love, Jennifer Lopez, have, in fact, broken up. Mr. Combs is confirming this today as he wanted to put all the rumors surrounding their relationship to rest. At this difficult time we ask that you respect his privacy." Lopez's spokesman, Alan Nierob would not confirm or deny the breakup, but noted the well-placed source of the information. "Puffy Combs put out a statement confirming the demise of their relationship. I don't know anything about it. It's been read to me." On a related note, The New York Post has announced massive Page Six cutbacks in the wake of the relationship's demise.

THE WRITE STUFF
What's the best way for the Puffster to mend his broken heart? File a lawsuit. The hip-hop impresario is suing a music journalist who allegedly agreed to co-author Puffy's autobiography but never delivered. According to the suit filed Tuesday (2/13) in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, Rolling Stone writer Mikal Gilmore accepted $325,000 for the project, which was to be published by Random House's Ballantine Publishing Group. While work was to begin in March 2000, the suit alleges Gilmore's attorneys told Puffy April that Gilmore would simply serve as a consultant. Gilmore is the brother of serial killer Gary Gilmore, the first man to be put to death when the death penalty was reinstated in 1977. Said Gilmore of the lawsuit: "Next, I'm going to take money for not doing Suge Knight's bio."

THIRD PUFF PIECE ON A SINGLE MATCH IS BAD LUCK…
Meanwhile, Puffmeister is still involved in a little thing called a criminal trial. On Wednesday (2/14), the rapper's driver took the stand, stating Puff and driver Wardell Fenderson didn't know how to open the secret compartments installed in the Lincoln Navigator. Head chauffeur Bill Williamson told the jury Fenderson, who was on duty the night of the shooting at Club New York, had watched him open the system, which involved the ignition, radio and temperature controls and a hydraulic latch, but never operated it himself. During testimony last week, a N.Y.P.D. officer stated he believed the compartments were designed to hide guns. Defense attorney Benjamin Brafman contended it was to store cash, jewelry and items of similar size to that of an automatic weapon.

NOT BEATING THE RAP
Rapper DMX plans to surrender to authorities in upstate New York and could begin his 15-day jail sentence as early as next week. DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was sentenced for driving with a suspended permit, making an illegal lane change and marijuana possession near Buffalo, NY, in March 2000. He then failed to appear in court, prompting an arrest warrant. The rapper is currently in California for promo work, but his attorney says he'll return to New York immediately. DMX will miss the Feb. 21 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, for which he is nominated for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Solo Performance. Said his spokesman: "This is the first year he is nominated in two categories but ... he understands he's a person that is admired by millions and he wants to set the proper example. He draws the line, though, at doing a duet with Jimmy Sturr."

POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE AND ROCK & ROLL
Bono will make a special appearance at Harvard University in June. The U2 frontman will speak to seniors during the school's "Class Day" festivities. According to the university, the address evolved from Bono's relationship with economics professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, with whom the singer has worked to promote debt relief for Third World countries. Reports had circulated that Bono would be the class of 2001's graduation speaker and an honorary member of the graduating class. Said a Harvard spokesperson: "There's no sheepskin for Bono, but there'll be plenty of potatoes."