RICK CARUSO USC GRAD CEREMONY AXE IS A GOOD CALL!!!

GROW SOME BACKBONE
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Rick Caruso's calling USC's decision to nix its graduation ceremony amid a flood of pro-Palestine protests a masterclass in leadership -- something other universities are still scrambling to learn ... so he says.

On "TMZ Live" Friday, Rick -- a member of USC's Board of Trustees -- affirmed students' right to free speech ... but emphasized when expression veers into hate speech and bullying, university administrations must prioritize campus safety above all else.

RC doesn't beat around the bush ... telling us leaders need to show backbone and courage to make tough decisions, even if it means they won't be popular with everyone.

Model Grace Boor King Ryan's Nothing Like Social Media ... I'm Open To Dating!!!

CALL ME MAYBE
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Ryan Garcia might act unhinged on social media, but the boxing superstar couldn't be further from that in real life ... so says model Grace Boor, who tells TMZ Sports "King Ry" was the ultimate gentleman throughout their time together this week.

As we previously reported, the 25-1 fighter was spotted with several gorgeous women in Florida following his massive win over Devin Haney on Saturday ... one of them being Boor, a social media superstar with millions of followers.

4/23/24
HANGIN' OUT
Instagram / @graceboor

We spoke with Boor after Ryan flew to Miami to be with her ... and she's glad he made the trip -- 'cause they had a ton of fun.

DR. PHIL TRUMP'S JURY TROUBLING ... For Prosecution, Defense

BEWARE THE WEAPONIZED JUROR
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Donald Trump's hush money criminal trial in NYC could face an unfair playing field based on the jury -- but in terms of who it benefits, it's a crapshoot ... so says Dr. Phil.

The TV personality spoke to "TMZ Live" Friday about the 12 jurors who'll decide DT's fate -- the bios for whom have been released ... including their work backgrounds and their education. As it turns out ... this jury is full of a bunch of smart cookies.

There are two lawyers on the jury ... and Phil says that could both hurt and help Trump and co., depending on how they feel politically. Take a listen ... his analysis is kinda spot-on.

O.J. Simpson Cause Of Death Revealed

O.J. Simpson's official cause of death has been revealed ... one of the most infamous, high-profile Americans of all time died from prostate cancer, TMZ has learned.

Malcolm LaVergne, Simpson's longtime attorney and the executor of his estate, tells us he has received the death certificate for the disgraced former football superstar and actor, confirming our report that O.J. succumbed to cancer.

76-year-old Simpson died on April 10 after spending several months in hospice.

Soulja Boy TikTok CEO, Holla at Ya Boy!!! Sell to a Guy With Swag

GIVE ME A CALL!!!
TMZ.com

Soulja Boy is campaigning hard for TikTok, declaring he's the platform's best hope now that President Biden's put a ticking timebomb on it -- so, Soulja's screaming let's make a deal!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Soulja Boy this week on the heels of him speaking out against the legislation Biden signed to outlaw TikTok in America, if it doesn't divest from Chinese ownership.

WE'LL KEEP FIGHTING

TikTok's head honcho Shou Zi Chew vowed to fight to the very end ... a cause SB believes is hopeless, but tells us he's willing to take the reigns and keep the app in its original essence.

Kelly Oubre Jr. Cops Launch Internal Affairs Investigation ... After Car Accident

Kelly Oubre Jr.'s recent car accident has raised some questions within the Philadelphia Police Department ... and now, an internal investigation has been launched.

TMZ Sports has learned -- the PPD's Internal Affairs Division is looking into the handling of Monday night's crash involving Oubre and another driver ... specifically officers' response and actions while at the scene.

As we previously reported, cops told us Oubre's Lamborghini ran a red light and hit a 2023 Hyundai Elantra ... with both cars being towed from the scene.

BAM MARGERA ADDRESSES UK TOUR CANCELATION DRAMA ... Adamant He's Sober

BACK OFF, BOZOS!!!

Bam Margera's clearing the air about why his UK tour got the axe -- and while some have suspected it's all about him falling off the wagon ... he's saying he's clean and sober.

Here's the deal ... Bam's been across the pond lately for a string of Q&A gigs he'd booked through a promoter -- where he was scheduled to talk to audiences ... all of which recently came to a screeching halt after the peeps he was working with announced the rest of his appearances were cancelled.

There's been a lot of accusations and drama brewing in the background this past week -- with allegations that Bam was acting erratic and rolling with a new crew of misfits.

Karrueche Tran Reacts to Chris Brown, Quavo Feud

STAYIN' OUT OF IT
BACKGRID

Chris Brown and Quavo are currently tangled in a gnarly rap beef -- and it's all about Karrueche Tran ... who just addressed how she feels about it all on camera.

The actress spoke to a pap at LAX Thursday -- who asked her how she felt about the fact her two exes have been trading bars back and forth over the fact they each dated her at separate times ... and you can tell she wants to stay out of the drama.

At first, she claims not to have heard either Chris or Quavo's diss tracks yet -- but eventually caved and admitted she actually has when faced with a listening session on the spot.

O.J. Simpson Causa de muerte revelada

La causa oficial de muerte de O.J. Simpson, uno de los estadounidenses más infames de todos los tiempos, ha sido revelada: murió de cáncer de próstata, según ha averiguado TMZ.

Malcolm Lavergne, abogado de Simpson desde hace mucho tiempo y albacea de su patrimonio, nos dice que recibió el certificado de defunción de la deshonrada ex superestrella de fútbol y actor, lo que confirma nuestro informe de que O.J. sucumbió al cáncer.

Simpson, de 76 años, falleció el 10 de abril tras pasar varios meses en un centro de cuidados paliativos.

BOB BARKER HISTORIC ESTATE SELLS FOR Millions ... Well Over Asking Price!!!

Bob Barker's historic estate was listed for $2.9 million -- but whoever snapped it up ended up spending even more to buy it ... going well over asking.

Real estate sources tell TMZ ... interior designer Julia Dempster sealed the deal Thursday by plunking down a whopping $3,788,000 on the 6-bedroom, 6-bath Spanish Colonial Revival-style Hollywood Hills estate, this just a month after it hit the market.

We're told the estate had a staggering 250 showings, so it was clearly in high demand ... hence why Julia had to dig deep into her pockets to snag it. Now, she gets to sit back, relax and enjoy her new home, which is a true slice of L.A. history.

Ryan Reynolds Devastated by Crew Member's Death ... 'D&W' Team Rocked

update

2:35 PM PT -- Ryan just addressed Ray's passing himself, writing ... "RIP Ray Chan. Words are pretty inadequate in comparison to this loss."

He adds, "There's an incomparable reservoir of skill, tender grit and talent no longer with us. As Production Designer, he was as important a creative force on Deadpool & Wolverine as the writers, director and stars. I don't pretend to know every chapter of Ray's heart, but I know it's unusual to encounter someone with that level of artistry, who simultaneously moved through the world with such an indelible humanity."

Ryan says he last saw Ray 2 weeks ago, and the two of them shared a lot of playful banter. Sounds like RR was able to share fond memories with the guy -- something Ryan cherishes.

Stormy Daniels' Ex Yeezy Porn Won't Be Same Ole Same Ole ... Like Nothing Ever Seen

Kanye West plans to flex his creative muscles in his latest venture, which means you can expect his usual creative genius to be on display in the porn industry ... according to Stormy Daniels' ex, Mike Moz.

Moz is a vet in adult films -- he currently oversees production for Vixen Media Group -- but as TMZ first reported, he's in talks to come on board with Yeezy Porn. However that turns out, he's already convinced Ye could totally change the industry.

Mike tells us, "I’ve been having discussions with Ye about a potential collab between Yeezy brand and my team at Vixen Media Group. While it’s too early to give any details I’m excited about where Ye’s vision takes this."

Gypsy Rose Blanchard TikTok $$$ in Ryan's Account ... He Hasn't Reached Out

Gypsy Rose is missing a pretty big bag from her TikTok account -- several thousand dollars that ended up in her estranged husband's hands when she deleted her account.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Gypsy, who had over 9 million Tiktok followers, earned approximately $6,000 through the creator fund from all the videos on her TikTok page, an account she needed to connect to a PayPal a couple of months ago.

Since she didn't have a PayPal account, Gypsy hooked it up to her then-husband Ryan Anderson's account ... and she didn't really think about the money again.

Eddie Hearn, Haney's Promoter We Want A Rematch Vs. Garcia! ... On 'Even Playing Field'

THINKING ABOUT REVENGE
TMZSports.com

Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney II ... coming soon to a ring near you?!

Maybe, according to Haney's promoter, Eddie Hearn ... who tells TMZ Sports he hopes the two young stars can do battle once again.

"I hope so," Hearn, one of boxing's most influential and powerful promoters told us when we asked whether Ryan and Devin could run it back.

Los Angeles County D.A.'s Office Harvey Weinstein's Conviction Solid ... No Overturning Expected

Harvey Weinstein's guilty verdict in New York was overturned, but there's no way that happens here on the West Coast ... according to the L.A. County D.A.'s Office, that is.

While many are questioning whether Weinstein's L.A. conviction will hold up now that a NY appeals court tossed his conviction, the prosecutors who handled the case here in Cali aren't worried one bit ... telling TMZ its case was consistent with state law.

A rep for the D.A.'s office says California law allows "propensity evidence" in sexual assault cases subject to a judge's discretion ... and, the office used evidence of Weinstein's sexual assaults in other jurisdictions to make its case -- totally legal, according to them.

Kellie Pickler Late Husband's Assets Revealed ... 11 Guns, Multiple Knives

Kellie Pickler's late husband's assets have been revealed ... and he owned nearly a dozen firearms -- which is interesting in light of how he died.

Kyle Jacobs' assets were listed in legal docs, obtained by TMZ, pertaining to his probate case ... revealing a list of exactly what Jacobs owned at the time of his death.

Among, the items ... Rolex watches, musical instruments including guitars and violas, family photos, laptops, iPhones, custom knives, a gun safe -- and 11 firearms with firearm suppressors.

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