Despite splitting with Marilyn Manson, Evan Rachel Wood says the rocker still holds a place in her heart. “I’m always going to love him and respect him,” she told Usmagazine.com Sunday at Hollywood Life’s Behind the Camera Awards in Hollywood. Asked how she is feeling, she told reporters, “I’m doing fine, you know, as best as can be expected.” She denied reports that they called it quits after Manson kicked her brother Ira out of his guest house. “You know, it’s not the nasty thing everybody thinks it is,” she said. “We’ve both got incredible things going on right now. He’s making an amazing album – I’ve heard some of it, and he should be very proud of it. You know, I’ve got [the upcoming drama] The Wrestler going on, and I’m focusing on that,” she added. Of the split, she said, “It’s not a bad thing. It’s life – it happens. But now, it’s like the story that comes right after the breakup [is]: Who am I dating now?” she said. “So right now, I’m just enjoying being on my own. It’s just not in the cards right now.” She denied reports that she is romancing Mickey Rourke, her co-star in The Wrestler. “Everybody thinks we’re dating, and we’re not. Spread the word – I’m not dating Mickey Rourke!” she said. “You know, we developed a close friendship. He’s a great guy, a talented guy. He’s been through it all, and [we had] such intense shoots, I think, because we played father and daughter [in The Wrestler]. I think he’s just kind of trying to take me under his wing.

OY! I’m so glad all of this nonsense has been straightened up. Despite the fact that she sounds like she is still pining for her lost relationship with MM, I think it’s best that she stay away from much older men … at least for a little while. I really hope she’s not getting involved with Mikey Rourke … he is like the ungoth but just as crazy version of Marilyn Manson. ERW is such an amazing actress … it’s a shame to see her running after the crazy sort of guys that she is so attracted to. I doubt that dressing like Dita von Teese is going to win back Mr. Manson … hello, he divorced her, remember? In any event, I wish her luck … with her taste in men, she’s prolly gonna need it.

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]