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Kellyanne Conway's teenage daughter isn't gonna be getting any breaks on her 'American Idol' journey ... according to Ryan Seacrest, who says it's talent or bust.

We spoke to the 'AI' host Wednesday in NYC, and asked if Claudia Conway had gotten a free pass to be on the show (or a shot at it, at least) because of her family name and clout ... on TikTok and elsewhere.

Ryan tells us that's not the case -- or not to his knowledge, anyway. He does concede there was a lot to talk to her about because of her history and ties to Donald Trump ... but when we pressed, RS says however far she goes should be on merit.

With that said, he did kinda throw up his hands ... noting that he's just the host of the show and doesn't have a whole lot of say on her advancement. That'll ultimately be up to her, the judges, the audience ... and probably a lot of executive producers.

Another little tidbit he shared about his time with the kid ... her dad, George Conway, is apparently the one who was with her for this 'Idol' audition she went to recently. Ryan even says Claudia called her pops a great coach -- how 'bout that?!?

Claudia already put a spotlight on George during her trip, and he seemed more than game to get on one of her TikToks and play along with the lip-syncing and dancin'. So yeah, it's clear he supports her all the way -- no word if Kellyanne's on board.

Anywho ... when we tried opening the convo about what Claudia's 'Idol' audition might mean for her mom and Trump supporters, Ryan wisely bid us adieu 👋🏽.

Missy Elliott's helping dreams come true for a bride-to-be on a tight budget ... by covering the cost of the wedding dress she'd been eyeing.

Ireanna Bradshaw's getting married in March, but she and her fiance, Roderick Purdie, are also trying to move into their own place while planning the wedding, and long story short ... the costs were pilling up.

Ireanna shared that she found her dream dress -- a beautiful floral plus-size style from David's Bridal for $1,300 -- but didn't think she'd be able to afford it ... and that's when Missy stepped in.

The rapper congratulated Ireanna, but also followed up with a message saying "Your Dress is paid for now." Sure enough, Ireanna tells us she was in a restaurant with her mom when she saw Missy sent the money in full ... and broke down in tears.

Ireanna says Missy's been an inspiration for a long time -- one who helped her love herself and be open to love ... which brought her to Roderick.

She says without the financial gift she would have had to settle for a simple white dress or something much cheaper. Ireanna tells us Missy "literally made it possible for me to have my dream dress and be confident on the most precious day in my life."

Cori Bush got elected to represent Missouri's 1st congressional district ... but she's also reppin' working-class folks who can't afford a designer business wardrobe.

We got the Congresswoman-elect out in D.C. Tuesday and asked about the response she's received since revealing she's hitting up thrift shops to get the professional clothes needed for her new job.

Bush tells us her situation has resonated with people who come from regular means like her and helped them feel heard ... and she's happy it's also made them feel like thriftiness is nothing to be ashamed of.

The incoming Missouri Representative isn't the only bargain hunter on Capitol Hill either. All 4 members of "The Squad" have shared tips for dressing on a budget, with AOC suggesting ... "Thrifting, renting, and patience as you get your closet together sis."

More celebrity firepower is being added for the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. fight -- with Ne-Yo being tapped to perform the National Anthem before the main event, TMZ Sports has learned.

We told you at the beginning ... the people behind the event were laser-focused on bringing in top-level talent to up the entertainment value surrounding the fight, and they're delivering -- with Lil Wayne, French Montana, DaBaby, YG, Wiz Khalifa and more set to perform during the November 28 fight at Staples Center in L.A. (available through PPV on Triller).

Now, Ne-Yo has signed on to perform the Anthem -- a lifelong dream for the performer who's been a hardcore Mike Tyson fan since he was a kid.

“Opening for a fight of this magnitude is an honor and I can’t wait to witness one of the most noteworthy nights of the decade," Ne-Yo says.

"I may be performing, but I am a fan at the end of the day and I look forward to witnessing this once in a lifetime lineup.”

In fact, Ne-Yo told ESPN back in 2012 Tyson was his favorite athlete growing up.

"The guy was unstoppable when he was on top of his game," Ne-Yo said in 2012 ... "Nobody could touch him."

Ne-Yo has also said he's a massive boxing fan ... and had long hoped to be apart of a major boxing super fight -- so, mission accomplished!!

There's more ... we're told legendary ring announcer, Michael Buffer -- the "Let's Get Ready To Rumble" guy -- has signed on to work the event, as well.

As for 54-year-old Mike and 51-year-old Roy ... they're both in incredible shape -- and have vowed to try and knock each other out when the bell rings.

Los Angeles native Karyn Parsons shot to stardom when she was only 26 years old after she landed the role of the ditsy cousin Hilary Banks -- whose shopping addictions and overindulged upbringing were the root of her comical character -- on all six seasons of the classic '90s family sitcom "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."

Karyn Parsons shared the screen with an epic cast including Alfonso Ribeiro as the preppy brother, Carton Banks, Tatyana Ali as the little sis, Ashley Banks ... and obviously Will Smith as the Fresh Prince.

Parsons can also be spotted in the movies "Major Payne" and "Class Act."

Bobby Brown has lost another child ... his son Bobby Brown Jr. has died.

A source close to the family tells TMZ Bobby Jr. was found dead Wednesday in his home in the L.A. area. Police are still at the house, and our sources tell us, at this point, they do not believe there was foul play involved.

It's another horrific tragedy for the singer and his family to endure. Bobby Jr.'s half-sister Bobbi Kristina died when she was just 22 years old after she was found lifeless in the bathtub of her Georgia home.

She was on life support for several months before she passed in July 2015. The coroner determined Bobbi Kristina's cause of death was drowning in the tub while she had toxic levels of cocaine and alcohol in her system.

It was an eerily similar death to her mother, Whitney Houston, who had died 3 years earlier from an accidental overdose while in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Jr. is one of Bobby's seven children. He was 13 when he, along with Bobbi Kristina, appeared on the family's short-lived Bravo reality show, "Being Bobby Brown."

His mother is Kim Ward, who Bobby dated off and on for 11 years before he got engaged to Whitney.

Bobby Jr. was only 28.

RIP

A guy who wanted to chow down at an IHOP without a face covering wouldn't take "no mask, no service" for an answer -- because cops say he went to town on the staff with a knife.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... this wild incident went down Tuesday in Queens where surveillance video captured the horrifying scene. At first, you see the customer in the waiting area with another guy -- although, we're told there were at least 3 men who rolled in together.

Looks like a staffer's telling him to mask up, which seems to piss him off. He gets up to argue, and appears to leave the building -- but when the whole crew comes back, he's way more agitated.

The video shows the guy who allegedly refused to put on a mask storm back into the IHOP and charge past a table and other waiting customers ... apparently trying to get at someone off-camera.

While trying to get a hold of that person, the guy reaches over and grabs something from his friend -- cops say it was a knife -- and then chases some workers through the restaurant. Toward the end of the video, he actually swings at someone before booking it.

According to our sources, the man swung at a 40-year-old female employee and cut her arm, which required stitches.

Sen. Lindsey Graham says his fist bump seen 'round the world -- with VP-elect Kamala Harris -- oughta prove he won't treat the incoming administration as enemies ... with one huge caveat.

We got the South Carolina Senator Wednesday on Capitol Hill, and he dished on that viral moment captured between Harris and him on the Senate floor Tuesday ... her first day back after her successful campaigning with President-elect Joe Biden.

While many found their brief, quasi Covid-safe exchange shocking ... Graham tells us the American public's got it all wrong. He says the notion he wouldn't work with a Biden-Harris administration just because they're Dems is nonsense.

He added he actually likes Kamala a lot ... and told us why. However, he also dropped a big IF on us as far as reaching across the aisle.

Sounds like Sen. Graham and co. are holding out hope President Trump can still overturn the election results ... even though Trump's string of failed lawsuits make it all but a done deal.

With that said, LG seems to be signaling he'll have an open mind once the drama comes to a final conclusion.

Travis Scott wants to make sure he not only gives back to his community, but helps to put kids on a track for future success -- and he plans to do both through his own nonprofit.

Trav just launched The Cactus Jack Foundation ... and its first order of business is rolling out the Waymon Webster Scholarship, named after his grandad -- who's an HBCU alum.

In light of that, this scholarship is going to be exclusively available to students currently enrolled in a handful of HBCUs -- namely, Morehouse College, Howard University, Texas Southern University, Grambling State University (where his mom went) and Prairie View A&M University ... that's his grandfather's old stomping grounds.

The scholarship will cover tuition costs for students who are facing financial hardship and who are affected by the pandemic -- Travis will handpick the recipients.

Travis tells TMZ ... "My grandfather wanted me to take it all the way through college, I feel there is a power in education so to be able to give someone the opportunity to fulfill that dream as my papa thought for me is amazing."

He's also partnered with The Parson's School of Design to bring a Cactus Jack program to the city of Houston and will offer an online certification program to students around the county through scholarships.

The rapper dropped out of the University of Texas as a sophomore to pursue his music career, but he clearly still sees the value in higher education.

Ryan Dorsey has filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of Naya Rivera's son ... claiming the boat Naya was in before she drowned was unsafe.

Naya's ex-husband filed the docs Tuesday on behalf of his 5-year-old son Josey Hollis Dorsey, claiming Ventura County is responsible for her death because the boat Naya and Josey were on in Lake Piru did NOT comply with safety standards.

In the docs, filed by Ryan's attorney Amjad Khan and obtained by TMZ, Ryan claims the boat was “not equipped with a safely accessible ladder, adequate rope, an anchor, a radio or any security mechanisms to prevent swimmers from being separated from their boats, nor any flotation or lifesaving devices" in violation of California law.

Ryan's claiming the boat drifted away from Naya and Josey when they jumped into the lake for a swim ... and proper safety equipment could have prevented that. The suit claims the boat was "rocking back and forth forcefully in the current and wind."

Ryan also claims in the suit there were no signs warning of the dangerous conditions of the lake -- and the person who rented the boat to Naya didn't warn her to wear the life vest that came with the boat.

As you know ... Naya and her son were reported missing on July 8. Her body was found in the lake on July 13. Josey was able to get back in the boat, and when authorities arrived for a check, he told them he and his mom were swimming and he didn't know what happened to her. She had disappeared below the surface.

According to the suit ... at least 26 other people, from children to fit adults to elders, some wearing life jackets and others not, have drowned in Lake Piru since its recreational facilities opened.

Lots of folks are about to be giving thanks to Walmart ... the retail giant is hooking up free Thanksgiving dinners, and they're pretty easy to snag.

Here's the deal ... Walmart's teamed up with a bunch of brands to offer cash-back rebates for Thanksgiving meal staples like turkey breast, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans, crispy fried onions and cream of mushroom soup.

Hungry folks can wash it all down with a free Coke, just like the Pilgrims did.

All ya gotta do is select from a fixed menu of 9 products from Butterball, Campbell's, Coca-Cola, French's, Great Value, Idahoan and McCormick at your local Walmart or online ... and then head over to Ibotta to get the refund for the meal.

To get the dough, ya gotta scan your receipt or link your Walmart Grocery account with the Ibotta app or website and boom ... turkey dinner, winner winner!!!

There is a limited selection, but with so many hurting economically during the pandemic ... this is pretty clutch.

LeBron James is taking a page out of Michael Jordan's book ... by investing a huge chunk of change in a new tequila company!!!

King James -- who's always been outspoken about his love for wine -- is switching gears and joining forces with Lobos 1707, which launched Wednesday.

Bron revealed his decision to get involved in an interview with WSJ Magazine ... saying he tried the product on vacation in Italy and instantly fell in love.

"If it’s organic to who I am or what I’m doing, then it’s a lot easier for me to be a part of something," LeBron said.

"I was in a perfect place in my life. Me and my friends were trying different tequilas. I actually bought a place with Maverick Carter in Cabo a few years ago. There’s obviously a big tequila heritage there."

The move adds to Bron's growing list of business ventures -- including Blaze Pizza, SpringHill Entertainment and more.

And get this -- LBJ gave a sneak peak of his new product when celebrating with his Lakers teammates at Nobu shortly after winning the NBA title ... so ya know it's championship material.

The Lobos tequila will run from $45-$150 depending on which bottle you get -- Lobos 1707 Tequila, Joven; Lobos 1707 Tequila, Reposado; Lobos 1707 Tequila, Extra Añejo; and Lobos 1707 Mezcal Artesanal.

Of course, MJ recently got involved in the booze biz as well ... launching the Cincoro tequila brand with Jeanie Buss and Wes Edens.

James could barely contain his excitement on Twitter, saying, "We live!!! We’re excited to have all of you, your family, and friends around the table. And if we run out of room… we’ll just build a bigger table!"

This is a real hoot -- a baby owl found nestled in the freshly cut Rockefeller Center Christmas tree should be soaring free in no time.

According to the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center in New York ... one of the workers who helped transport the giant tree from Oneonta to NYC last week discovered the bird and took it in.

His wife contacted the nonprofit org to ask if they could rehabilitate the owl and they said yes, so the husband put it in a box and made the delivery.

It seems the owl's a bit of a Christmas miracle too, because Ravensbeard says it's a saw-whet owl -- the smallest species in the northeast -- and babies are typically born in the spring, not November.

The baby bird was badly malnourished, so the wildlife center gave it some fluids and has been feeding it all the mice it can handle ... and it's now in good shape.

Ravensbeard says once the owl gets a clean bill of health from a vet, it will be released back into the wild to continue on its journey. And fittingly, it's been named "Rockefeller."

Speaking of which, it seems Rockefeller the owl made out better than its former home -- the tree lost a lot of greenery on its way to placement in Rockefeller Center for the holiday season.

Take a look ... 2020 strikes again.

A white woman had the audacity to show up to her Black neighbors' front door with a Taser in hand ... and then scold them for "acting like Black people."

This went down Monday in the NorCal city of Discovery Bay ... in a gated community. The Jones family says their neighbor -- an older white woman -- wandered up to their porch with her dog in one hand and stun gun in the other!

You have to watch the conversation she has with Gerritt Jones -- which he recorded on a security cam -- and see how much restraint and respect he showed, despite not receiving any himself.

Long story short, the woman accused him and his family of letting their pit bull roam free and allowing it to go after her tiny pooch ... something Gerritt denied. The woman tries telling him to keep their dog inside, but Gerritt says he's gonna continue walking his dog, because he has every right to do so.

That's when the woman started telling Gerritt he's got a Black family in an all-white neighborhood ... and they should act accordingly. One of Gerritt's family members started recording on her phone, and you can see this woman's stun gun front and center. When asked why she had it, she claimed it was protection from their dog ... which wasn't outside at that time.

Dr. Dre hasn't been acting like he's concerned about the coronavirus pandemic, so he shouldn't get special treatment in his divorce proceedings ... that's what his estranged wife thinks, anyway.

Nicole Young wants her ex to sit for a deposition, in-person, despite COVID-19 restrictions -- and according to new docs, obtained by TMZ, she's not buying his claim it has to be done remotely due to the virus.

Dre's stated he wants his depo done via Zoom to keep himself and others safe ... but in the docs, Nicole claims Dre has "freely entertained" multiple people at home and elsewhere ... and participated in several social functions "without implementing even the slightest amount of social distancing protocol."

Nicole claims Dre's been seen with musicians and techs without social distancing and "entering and exiting the homes of multiple women around the Los Angeles area."

As for why she's pushing the matter ... Dre's estranged wife believes an in-person depo is necessary to deter him from possibly being coached, and her legal team says they need to be able to see how he reacts to questioning.