Usher Wants to SETTLE With Ex In Wake of Jet Ski Tragedy

Usher has changed his tune and now wants to up his ante to settle his epic child support/custody war with Tameka Raymond after the jet ski accident that left his stepson Kyle brain dead ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected with the couple tell TMZ ... Usher spoke with Tameka over the weekend and suggested that they settle up, but he did not significantly change his offer -- 50/50 custody with a very slight increase in child support. Tameka said no way.

But apparently Usher softened after the conversation, because our sources say he met with his lawyers earlier this week and instructed them to craft a new proposal that would give Tameka "a majority" of custody, though the sources did not specify the exact breakdown. We're told Usher is also raising his child support offer "significantly."

As for Usher's motivation ... we're told he's very conscious that Tameka is suffering and it's not a good move to continue the fight under the circumstances.

We're told the offer has not been presented to Tameka yet, but our sources say she's open to a "reasonable settlement."

Calls to lawyers on both sides have not been returned.

Kristin Chenoweth Hospitalized After Accident on 'Good Wife' [PHOTOS]

Kristin Chenoweth was rushed to a New York hospital after she was injured on the Brooklyn set of "The Good Wife" Wednesday afternoon ... and TMZ has obtained dramatic photos of the actress being treated on the scene.

A source connected to the production of the CBS show tells us ... Kristin was struck by a piece of lighting equipment that collapsed because of a large gust of wind.

We're told Kristin immediately fell to the ground ... and smacked her head on the concrete during the fall.

Someone on the set called 911 around 5:07 PM ET to report a woman who had been hit in the head by a scaffold.

TMZ spoke with a witness who was on the scene who says, "That area is a vortex for wind ... and a big gust of wind blew the lighting off the scaffolding."

The witness tells us Chenoweth was hit "square in the head" and appeared to be "knocked out cold." The witness says, "I thought she was dead at first."

Paramedics treated Kristin on the set ... fitting her with a neck brace and putting her onto a stretcher. She was quickly taken away from the set in an FDNY ambulance and was admitted to a nearby hospital.

A rep for the New York Fire Dept. tells us ... Kristin is being treated for "minor injuries" connected to the accident.

Kristin seems to be accident prone ... she injured her neck during the pre-Broadway engagement of "Wicked" in 2003.

Then, in 2006 she fell off an elevated section of the stage during a rehearsal of the Broadway revival “The Apple Tree.”

And in 2011, Kristin injured her back on the set of “Glee” when she tumbled down a set of concrete stairs.

Kate Upton NO Liquor in My Box at Tigers Game!!

Kate Upton sucking down an ice cold beer at a baseball game might be every man's fantasy -- but the 20-year-old supermodel says she was NOT boozing illegally ... despite a suspicious video clip.

Kate was at a Detroit Tigers game on July 6th -- in Tigers ace Justin Verlander's luxury suite -- when TV cameras spotted her toasting friends with a sudsy beverage.

We all know the formula -- baseball game + luxury box + sudsy beverage = BEER!

But Kate's rep insists that's not what happened ... telling TMZ underaged Kate was not drinking beer, and was only there to take in the game with a friend. The rep would not say what Kate was drinking.

A rep for the Tigers assured us "all patrons who appear to be under 30 years old are ID'd."

No doubt, Kate looks way under 30.

As for Kate being in Verlander's box, and the rumors they're dating -- her rep refused to comment.

Wynonna Judd I Wanna Foreclose On Ashley's Dad

Another sign of turmoil in the Judd family -- country singer Wynonna Judd is declaring war on her ex-stepdad, Ashley Judd's father ... and has now taken steps to foreclose on the guy's house.

Wynonna filed the lawsuit against Michael Ciminella in Kentucky, claiming she loaned him $200,000 back in 1994 ... a loan he secured against his house ... and he still hasn't repaid the debt.

Now, Wynonna claims the loan has swelled to $242,317 with interest and late fees -- so she's asking a judge to let her foreclose on Ciminella's house in order to get her money.

To clarify -- Michael was married to Wynonna's mother Naomi Judd from 1968-1972, during which the couple had Wynonna's half-sister Ashley (the actress). Wynonna's biological father was never married to Naomi.

The lawsuit's the latest example of a major fissure in the Judd family -- just last month, Wynonna married her boyfriend at her Tennessee home ... and neither Ashley nor their mother were invited to the wedding.

A judge has yet to rule on the lawsuit. Calls to Ciminella were not returned.

Peyton Manning Scores Sprawling Mansion In Denver ... For Millions

Peyton Manning is taking his first big step as a brand new Denver Bronco -- TMZ has learned, the star quarterback just purchased a multi-million dollar mansion in a ritzy suburb outside the Mile High City.

Real estate sources tell TMZ, Peyton -- who split with the Indianapolis Colts earlier this year -- closed the deal Monday for the 16,000 square foot home in the exclusive Cherry Hills Village, agreeing to pay $4,575,000.

The house has 7 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, 7 car garage, a gated entrance, a panic room ... and a freaking elevator.

But Peyton won't have a problem affording the place -- the guy signed a 5-year contract with the Broncos on March 20th ... worth $96 MILLION.

Tebow, who?

Luke Bryan Yes, I Checked My Watch During National Anthem

Country singer Luke Bryan admits ... he was reading from his hand and his watch while performing the National Anthem at the MLB All-Star game yesterday ... and says he can explain the whole thing.

Bryan came under fire from critics who claimed checking one's watch while singing the Anthem is plain disrespectful.

But Bryan went to his Twitter page moments ago hoping to clear things up.

Bryan wrote, "I did check my watch because I knew the stealth bomber would fly over 2 minutes in and I knew a [sic] started a little late."

As for reading lyrics off his hand, Bryan says, "I had a few keys words written down to insure myself that I wouldn't mess up. I just wanted to do my best. I promise it was from the heart."

"If I offended anyone with my approach I sincerely apologize. Anytime I sing the anthem it is an honor and my heart beats out of my chest."

Robin Thicke SMASHES Porsche into Parked Car

This is not the kinda hit Robin Thicke is looking for -- the singer slammed his high-end sports car into another car on Sunset Blvd last night.

According to law enforcement ... Robin told cops another car cut him off as he was leaving Chateau Marmont ... forcing him to swerve his black convertible Porsche into a parked car.

Robin's ride sustained serious damage to the front and back end ... but we're told no one was injured in the wreck. The parked car, a Volkswagen, was also towed from the scene.

We're told police do not believe alcohol or drugs were involved, and there is no criminal investigation. An officer even gave Robin a ride to his nearby home.

Jessica Alba Belly Nice Bikini

Jessica Alba let all her bronzed gorgeousness hang out in a sexy two-piece bikini while soaking up the sun in Italy on Tuesday.

Just like Scarlett Johansson, the 31-year-old mother of two can definitely stomach the European heat.

Scarlett Johansson Bikini Superhero

It's no secret what Scarlett Johansson's super powers are ... looking ridiculously hot in a sexy wet bikini.

The 27-year-old showed off her Black Widow curves while on a yacht in Italy with a super buff man friend on Monday.

Here's rock solid proof why Scarlett is worth every penny of the $20 million she's reportedly banking for the "Avengers" sequel.

Suri Cruise Triggered Divorce Settlement

Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise went from zero to nuclear war in an instant when she filed divorce papers, but it was little Suri who became the peacemaker ... sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ.

Our sources say ... a week ago Thursday, after Katie filed, the hostility between the two was palpable and Suri became a weapon. Katie wanted to strip Tom of all decision-making power in Suri's life, and Tom responded by unleashing the biggest legal guns around to fight her.

We're told what turned everything around was a series of conversations that Suri would be irreparably damaged by parental warfare. It registered big time with both Tom and Katie, and it allowed their lawyers to strike a deal in what could be record time for this type of divorce.

Fact is ... it generally takes celebs in these high-profile divorces a lot longer to realize how bitterness affects small kids, so credit to both.

Kris Humphries I Can Make You Famous, Bro

Kris Humphries believes he's the next Kim Kardashian -- as in, dude believes he wields the power to make someone famous with the snap of his finger ... and last night, he tried to prove it.

Humphries was leaving AV nightclub in Hollywood around 2 AM ... when we asked him about the baby mama drama in his life. But Kris wasn't in the mood to discuss parenthood ... instead, he promised to "blow up" our photog (in a good way) by taking his pic and posting it to Twitter.

Kris -- who was very nice BTW -- took our guy's pic and was ready to tweet at him ... but there was one really big problem ... you can't tweet at a guy who doesn't have a Twitter. Bummer.

As for Kris' whole "Is my ex-gf pregnant?" thing ... just doesn't seem like he cares.

B2K Singer Nearly Slices Off Hand In Freak Hotel Accident

B2K singer Raz B nearly died Sunday in China -- after accidentally falling through a glass door in his hotel room ... slicing his wrist wide open ... and losing a SCARY amount of blood.

Raz -- who had been performing in Shanghai before the accident -- tells TMZ, he tripped hard inside his room ... and when he tried to break his fall, he crashed through a sliding glass door.

Raz says the broken glass caught his wrist and ripped it to pieces, tearing through ligaments, nerves, tendons ... right down to the bone. (We've seen a graphic close-up of the injury, and decided to spare you the visuals. You're welcome.)

Raz says he immediately began gushing blood and quickly passed out. Someone else in the room then alerted the hotel, and an ambulance was called.

Raz was rushed to Huashan Hospital Fudan University, where doctors operated to repair his mutilated wrist -- a grueling procedure that took roughly 5 hours.

Raz was released from the hospital Monday. He has since canceled his remaining tour dates -- for now.

Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes DIVORCE SETTLED!

10:44 AM PST: Tom's longtime lawyer, Bert Fields, just told TMZ, "The Tom Cruise-Katie Holmes case has been settled with a signed agreement. Tom is really pleased we got there, and so am I."

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have SETTLED their divorce ... this according to Katie's lawyer.

Jonathan Wolfe tells TMZ, "This case has been settled and the agreement has been signed. We are thrilled for Katie and her family and are excited to watch as she embarks on the next chapter of her life."

TMZ reported in the last few days lawyers for both sides were in a marathon negotiation -- trying to end what began as a divorce war.

As we reported, one condition Tom had for settling was "meaningful, significant" contact with Suri.

Wolfe added, "We thank Tom's counsel for their professionalism and diligence that helped bring about this speedy resolution."

Tom and Katie Joint Statement -- We're TRYING to Play Nice

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have released a joint statement about their split ... insisting they are committed to working together to do what's best for Suri.

The statement reads, "We are committed to working together as parents to accomplish what is in our daughter Suri's best interests."

"We want to keep matters affecting our family private and express our respect for each other's commitment to each of our respective beliefs and support each other's roles as parents."

The statement reinforces what we already told you ... Tom and Katie have called a temporary truce while their lawyers try hammering out a settlement and end this thing as soon as possible.

Justin Bieber 911 You've Never Heard of a Fisker?!

Justin Bieber called 911 minutes AFTER he was pulled over for driving 80 mph on an L.A. Freeway last week to report FIVE paparazzi who continued to chase after him ... and TMZ has the recording.

During the call, Justin tells the operator, "I have like 5 cars following me."

He continues, "They are driving really reckless."

When the operator asks Justin for his last name, the singer answers ... "ummm, Johnson."

The operator then asks Mr. Johnson to describe his car ... to which Justin replies, "A Fisker."

The operator, who's obviously not a car person asks, "What kind of car is that?"
Justin: "Ummmm ... a Fisker."

The operator then asks Justin if he is the same person who was previously stopped on the 101 Freeway. Justin says he was ... but explains, "They're the ones that are driving recklessly now, I'm just trying to like not have them be on my tail right now. "

Bieber continued, "Before I was driving fast so I could get away from them and got pulled over myself."

The operator told Justin officers had been dispatched to help him out.

LA96.3 FM aired the 911 call this morning.

As we previously reported, Bieber had been cited for going 80 ... but the person who initially called the cops on the singer, L.A. City Councilman Dennis Zine, said he believed Bieber was going at least 100 mph and was dangerously weaving in and out of traffic.

Zine -- a former LAPD motor officer -- told TMZ Bieber was driving so recklessly, he's SHOCKED the singer didn't crash and kill anyone. In fact, Zine said Bieber belongs behind bars.

Tom Cruise There's NO Settlement Without Suri

Tom Cruise has made one thing VERY clear -- Suri is the deal-maker and the deal-breaker in his divorce with Katie Holmes ... this according to sources very familiar with the situation.

As we first reported, lawyers for both sides are trying to pound out a settlement. We're told Tom has insisted that the settlement provide "meaningful, significant contact with his daughter." As one source put it, "She is the primary concern in his life."

Sources connected with Katie tell us they have made it clear that Tom will be able to spend time with his daughter when he finishes his movie shoot in the Rockies.

Lawyers for both sides have been meeting for hours a day. Sources say they even met for a full business day on Saturday. And, we're told, they are not just trying to hash out a temporary truce -- these are settlement negotiations for the entire divorce.

Sources say both sides are negotiating custody, visitation, support and property settlement.

One caution -- we're told the negotiations are still "in flux" and it's possible things could fall apart. But for now, no one is rushing to court.

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