Who is Lydia Hearst's New Boy, Joe Barney (Joe Freimuth)?

by J. J. HUNSECKER · January 30, 2008

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    So who is this Joe Barney figure we've been hearing about lately whose the new beau of socialite and heiress Lydia Hearst? Well, apparently Barney is the musical persona of Joe Freimuth. So Barney is Freimuth, and Freimuth is Barney. Think Finkel and Einhorn from Ace Ventura Pet Detective.

    Ace Ventura Pet DetectiveIn any event, the 6'0" 185 lbs. Joe, that is Freimuth, was a former Duke University hockey player and personal trainer. Now he is Joe Barney, an aspiring musician and socialite significant other. According to the observer, Lydia and Joe both attended Wilton High School and recently linked up after re-bonding at their five-year high school reunion. Joe's Myspace page reads, "My EP, Love So Far, will be released on iTunes in about two weeks." (Jan 14th) I wonder if this song will include a tincture of Lydia, his muse. (And btw, how many others has she held that title for?)

    [The Factory 2.0, Without Warhol]