Actress JODIE FOSTER is facing fresh speculation over her sexuality after paying tribute to "my beautiful Cydney" at a recent Hollywood awards ceremony.

The Oscar winner, 44, appeared to confess her love for film producer Cydney Bernard in her acceptance speech after being presented with the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award at the Women In Entertainment breakfast in Los Angeles last week (04Dec07).

She told the crowd at the Beverly Hills Hotel, "(Thank you to) my beautiful Cydney who sticks with me through all the rotten and the bliss." Foster has, in the past, refused to talk about her private life, even refusing to comment on rumours her two sons - Charles, nine, and Kit, six were conceived via a sperm donor.

But a close friend of the star believes Foster decided to ‘come out’ because she no longer fears the effect her sexual orientation could have on her Hollywood career.

The pal says, "I think Jodie just wanted to thank one of the most important people in her life. She wants to be treated like everybody else and has been in movies long enough not to be unduly worried about the effect it’s going to have on her career."