Bradley Cooper-My Life As A Single Dad

After a roller-coaster year, the star’s begun to carve out a new life with two-year-old daughter Lea

He couldn’t wipe the smile offhis face. Two days after they went trick-or-treating in matching little old lady Halloween costumes, Bradley Cooper bundled up daughter Lea, two, in a puffy yellow jacket and hoisted her onto his shoulders for a dinner-and-dessert outing with pal and A Star is Born co-star Dave Chappelle in New York City on November 2.

‘Bradley and Lea love being together,’ says an insider. ‘Spending time with her has completely changed his life and perspective.’

Indeed, friends are seeing a whole different side of Bradley lately. After a year of highs and lows – including his split from Lea’s mum, model Irina Shayk – the star’s settled into a new normal in which his daughter is the main focus.

‘Bradley’s gone through a lot,’ the source admits. ‘Over the past 12 months, he’s released a successful, award-winning movie, endured a highly publicised break-up and had a failed romance with Lady Gaga. Now he’s starting over, leading a quiet life as a single dad – and, honestly, Bradley seems happier than ever.’

APPLE OF HIS EYE

He owes it all to Lea. Following his parting of ways with Irina, 33, in May, Bradley, 44, moved to a townhouse in New York’s West Village. There, he’s carved out a new life that allows him to spend ample time with his little girl, thanks to the joint custody arrangement he and Irina negotiated. ‘He loves planning a day with Lea – packing snacks, putting her down for naps, the whole thing,’ says the source.

‘They take long walks, go to the park, play with dolls, and he loves reading to her. Lea is his priority.’