Ben Askren Updates Fans From Hospital ... After Lung Transplant

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COUPLE CLOSE CALLS, BUT I'M HERE
Instagram / @benaskren

Former UFC star Ben Askren was deeply emotional as he addressed his serious health battle for the first time ... saying the experience was almost like watching his own funeral.

The 40-year-old shared a video from his hospital bed on Wednesday ... revealing he doesn't remember anything that happened in the entire month of June -- but after reading his wife's journal, he understands what he went through was nothing short of a movie.

Askren said he "only died four times" as he dealt with severe pneumonia ... a condition that ultimately required a double lung transplant.

Hugh Grant Tennis Is Fine ... But I Love Sleep, Actually!!!

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Hugh Grant might need to sip from a chocolate river to pep himself up a bit ... 'cause not even a Wimbledon quarterfinal matchup could seemingly keep the "Wonka" actor awake.

Cameras caught the veteran actor in the stands ... chin resting high on his chest, head cocked slightly to the side.

He's breathing deeply ... and, he's not holding a phone in his hands -- so, he's not just checking his email in between points. Quite frankly, it looks like he's out like a light -- though we can't say for sure.

LeBron James Mega-Mansion Taking Shape

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WORK IN PROGRESS
BACKGRID

The King's new palace is taking shape ... check out some recent images of the mega-mansion LeBron James is building in Beverly Hills -- it's getting closer and closer to completion.

The latest video of the Southern California property was shot a couple weeks ago ... and it shows the home LBJ will one day move into is going to be a massive one.

There appear to be two structures on the 2.5-acre land ... and both look like they'll have plenty of space for the James Gang, their cars and a friend or six.

Luigi Mangione How's My Prison Yard Pose?!?

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Luigi Mangione looks like he's fitting in at the Brooklyn detention center where he's awaiting his murder trial ... because he's posing with some fellow inmates -- and his latest photo goes hard.

Check out this new pic of Luigi mugging for the camera in the yard at MDC Brooklyn ... he's crouching down in front of a brick wall, smiling and throwing up a shaka hand sign.

Luigi's got a watch on his wrist and he's wearing gray and white sweats ... with white socks and what appear to be loafers.

Harry Jowsey & Leah Kateb's Prime Day Picks Are Too Hot to Handle!

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Reality stars Harry Jowsey and Leah Kateb know all about searching for the perfect match ... and they're not too bad at finding the perfect Amazon deals either.

With Prime Day 2025 in full swing, Harry and Leah rounded up their favs that you're gonna want to add to your cart, ASAP. And, better yet, they're almost all on sale right now!

Whether you're on the hunt for a portable phone charger that'll keep you going during your next summer adventure or wireless headphones that'll make your next flight fly by, they've got you covered. And for even more deals, check out Harry's storefront and Leah's storefront too!

Harry's Picks: BISSELL Little Green Max Pet

For a deal that doesn't suck on a vacuum that excels at it, you can't go wrong with the BISSELL® Little Green® Max Pet SmartMix Portable Carpet and Upholstery Deep Cleaner.

Ex-NBA Player Ben McLemore Sentenced To 8+ Years In Prison ... For '21 Rape Conviction

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Former NBA player Ben McLemore was sentenced to 100 months in prison after he was convicted of raping a woman in 2021 when he was hooping for the Trail Blazers.

The more than 8-year sentence was handed down on Wednesday, a week after a jury found the former Blazers guard guilty of sexual assault and rape in a Clackamas County courtroom.

The incident happened in October 2021 at the home of former Blazer's player Robert Covington, where McLemore was accused of raping a 21-year-old woman during a party.

Diddy Trial Chills Male Sex Workers ... Beware of Bedroom Police!!

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Diddy's criminal trial exposed the underbelly of the male sex work industry in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and beyond ... and now some male escorts who were hired by Diddy say they're fearful and worried about how they operate moving forward.

One sex worker connected to the Diddy case tells TMZ ... there's a fear in the industry regarding what happened with Diddy at trial and it's changing how he conducts business.

The guy tells us he's being extra cautious with new clients, and is doing a heavier screening process to guard against Johns who are big mouths on social media, or those who might be more likely to out a sex worker online.

Michael Knowles Trump Wants to Talk About His Wins ... Not Epstein Files He Can't Release!!!

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DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH
TMZ.com

Jeffrey Epstein's "client list" may in fact actually exist, and Donald Trump's pissed because he can't expose it to the world ... this according to conservative commentator Michael Knowles.

The Daily Wire host stopped by "TMZ Live" for a weekly chat about politics with Harvey and Charles ... and, the trio discussed the president lashing out at a reporter who asked about Jeffrey Epstein.

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SERIOUSLY, GUYS?!
Fox News

ICYMI ... on Tuesday, a reporter asked about a Justice Department memo asserting there's no Epstein client list, and no evidence he was murdered in his jail cell prior to his trial.

Pete Davidson & Elsie Hewitt July 4 Means Love, Laughs ... and Smokin' Hot Bikini Snaps!!!

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Pete Davidson and girlfriend Elsie Hewitt had a busy Fourth of July ... which we now know was filled with a mixture of super sweet and very sexy moments.

The model just posted a series of IG snaps ... most from a few days ago -- but Elsie captioned the gallery "some happi & grateful moments that got me thru a weird chaotic month" -- so some must've been from June.

As you can see ... she shared loved-up moments with Pete ... and she also dropped a couple of fire snaps that showed off her toned bikini body and highlighted her busty assets.

Lara Trump Shows Off Rock-Hard Bod On A Paddleboard ... Check Out The Photos!!!

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President Trump's son, Eric, and his wife, Lara, are taking some R&R in Rhode Island with Lara hitting a lake on a paddleboard and in a bikini — and did she ever make a splash!

Lara — the daughter-in-law of Donald Trump — flaunted her perfect bod in a hot little two-piece Tuesday, while standing on her paddle board in the Great Salt Pond off Block Island, RI.

Of course, Lara — the former co-chair of the Republican National Committee and current Fox News host of "My View With Lara Trump," promoted DT's controversial renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, wearing a baseball cap stenciled with the words, "Gulf of America."

Big Sean Don't Know What Y'all Heard ... My Abs Are 100% Real!!!

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Big Sean felt compelled to chime in after his six-pack abs became subject to internet debate ... his washboard stomach may have increased its load, but he's denying medical magic had anything to do with it!!!

The Detroit rap star reacted to a nutritionist influencer's accusations he had been taking steroids, which resulted in the well-sculpted gut he's sporting -- accusations that have been ripping through hip hop for a few years now.

Sean Don has picture proof that he was cut up before the social media era, but his counterparts -- such as Drake and French Montana -- haven't been so lucky with the internet's judgement.

Hailey Bieber I'm Squeezing the Hell Outta My Hot Girl Summer!!!🍋

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Hailey Bieber may be laying on the PDA with hubby Justin after a rough patch -- but she quickly snapped the spotlight back with some sun-soaked, solo summer glam.

Check out this IG photo drop -- Hailey was living her best life in Mallorca, lounging on a yacht in an itty-bitty bikini, flaunting that flawless tan and toned bod ... basically giving us all a front-row seat to her envy-inducing summer.

If you didn’t catch the theme -- it was all yellow, baby! From the bikini to the robe to that lemontini in hand, Hailey was clearly serving golden hour realness ... all a slick and sunny plug for her new Peptide Lip Tint flavor.

Auburn LB D'Angelo Barber Arrested For Possession Of 2.5 lbs Of Weed, Gun

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D'Angelo Barber -- a redshirt freshman on the Auburn Univ. football team -- was arrested on Monday after cops said they found pounds of weed, scales and a gun in his truck during a traffic stop in Alabama.

The Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force said in a statement Barber and his passenger, Marcell Brewster, were pulled over in Dadeville on U.S. Highway 280 at around 9 AM for a traffic violation.

Law enforcement stated officers developed probable cause to search the guys' ride ... and they say 2.5 pounds of marijuana, marijuana packaging, THC vapes, digital scales, $1,897 in cash and a Glock 19 were ultimately discovered.

Gisele Bündchen Splashin' With Joaquim & Kids In Costa Rica

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Gisele Bündchen and boyfriend Joaquim Valente are turning up the heat this summer ... playing in the waves in Costa Rica and looking stronger than ever.

In new pics, obtained by TMZ, the couple is seen frolicking in the waters off Santa Teresa, on the Pacific Ocean side of Costa Rica, on June 27, along with her children. The model is spotted rocking a chic blue bikini with white polka dots, looking as stunning as ever.

An eyewitness tells us Gisele and Tom Brady's kiddos -- Benjamin and Vivian -- were all smiles as they played in the sand with Joaquim ... taking turns racing one another along the beach.

LiAngelo Ball Files To Divorce Rashida Nicole

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LiAngelo Ball has filed for divorce from Rashida Nicole ... just days after the influencer announced she was pregnant with the couple's child.

Court records, obtained by TMZ Sports, show the "Tweaker" rapper requested the split at a Southern California courthouse on July 3.

It's unclear when the two actually tied the knot -- though we did see the duo leaving the same SoCal courthouse back in February wearing all-white outfits and carrying a large envelope.

Randy Couture Airlifted To Burn Center, Suffers Serious Injuries ... After NHRA Practice Crash

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UFC legend Randy Couture was airlifted to a burn center with serious injuries after crashing during practice runs at a racetrack in Kansas City ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Couture -- who was slated to make his National Hot Rod Association racing debut this year -- was involved in an accident during preparation on Tuesday ... resulting in first- and second-degree burns, trauma injuries and smoke inhalation.

The 62-year-old fighter, actor and Army vet completely wrecked the car he was driving at the time of the incident ... although it's unclear what caused it.