Turgeon-Steffman / Splash NewsJames Franco can take heart.
While his pals busily prepare to skewer him at his upcoming Comedy Central Roast, the Hollywood hunk has at least one person in his corner: a mystery blonde he cozied up to during a shopping excursion in New York City on Tuesday.
Decked out in a Miami Beach T-shirt, jeans, black combat boots, hat and shades, Franco and his unidentified lady friend were photographed holding hands as they checked out the Star Struck Vintage Clothing boutique in the West Village.
While his gal-pal browsed the racks inside the shop, the 35-year-old actor hung around the doorway, apparently listening to some tunes on his cell phone and holding a gray sweatshirt.
The multihyphenated liberal-arts geek was just a stone's throw away from the Greenwich Village-based campus of NYU, where he attended grad school not too long ago and taught film classes.
Franco has been linked to a series of beauties over the years, including Whatever It Takes costar Marla Sokoloff, whom he dated for five, as well as actress Ahna O'Reilly. Though last October, he actually took time out of his ever-busy schedule to smack down reports in an article he penned for The Huffington Post that he was dating his Spring Breakers costar Ashley Benson.
While the tabloids continue speculating about his love life, the Oscar nominee is gearing up for a rough night enduring jokes (pot and then some) made at his expense by the likes of such pals as Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill and Danny McBride at his Comedy Central Roast.
But at least he's able to laugh at himself—as he does ever so well in this promo that hit the web recently.
Franco's roasting is set to air on Labor Day after which Comedy Central will premiere his aptly titled documentary, Franchophrenia, which he directed, on its digital and video on-demand platforms.
In the meantime, check out his promo below!