Akon Defends Ye Post-Hitler Comments ... Doesn't Affect Me 🤷🏽‍♂️

Akon is still backing Kanye West, even after the guy proclaimed his love for Hitler and Nazis -- going so far as to say, he isn't offended ... 'cause the remarks aren't aimed at him.

The singer sat for an interview with Sky News this week ... during which he said he supports Ye's right to speak his mind and say whatever he wants to say, regardless of how much it might piss off society -- which is apparently how he's framed this saga in his mind.

While Akon says he would make sure to give KW his own POV against Ye's argument about liking Hitler -- in a debate, it seems -- he still doesn't like the idea of shutting the dude down and smothering out his speech just because what he's saying is objectionable to some.

That last part is incredibly telling, and something the journo caught onto -- asking Akon if it troubles him that Kanye makes objectively horrid comments, period ... with Akon responding, "Not really, because those comments don't really affect me personally."

12/1/22
FROM THE MOUTH OF YE
InfoWars

In other words ... not my group, not my fight. That certainly seems to be the vibe Akon is projecting here -- and, as you can imagine, he's getting torn to shreds on Twitter over it.

Now, Akon is defending himself. He wrote, "I clearly do not agree with  Kanye’s remarksI about Hitler. I am simply saying that everyone should have the right to their own opinion. Doesn’t mean we will always agree." Sounds like Ye still has one person who'll tolerate him.

Big Daddy Kane Our 'New Jack City' Play ... Will Host Mario Van Peebles Soon!!!

DOING THE ORIGINAL JUSTICE
TMZ.com

Big Daddy Kane is starring in a theater production of 'New Jack City' -- which he says is touring now ... and which is going to be hosting the director of the cult classic in due time.

We got the rap legend in New York this week ... where our photog chopped it up with BDK about the Je'Caryous Johnson's 'NJC Live on Stage' -- a Broadway-like play that brings the movie to life in front of audiences all these years later.

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Check out the clip, 'cause Kane's got some cool insights for us -- including the fact that actor Allen Payne (who played Gee Money in the OG) is reprising his role in this new cast!

Not just that, but Kane says Mario Van Peebles -- who directed 'New Jack City,' and also acted in it as the cop who was out to bring down Wesley Snipes' operation -- will be coming to check out the show when they come to L.A.'s Orpheum Theater in late January.

The reason that's significant -- beyond the fact that it's awesome to host MVP at all -- is 'cause Big Daddy is actually playing his character from the movie ... AKA, Stone. Kane says Mario's swinging by to take it all in, and maybe give him some notes on performance.

Ya gotta wonder if Wesley himself has caught wind of the play and if he's curious to give it a peek. He hasn't said anything about it, from what we can tell, on social media thus far.

'New Jack City' is in town from Jan. 20 through the 22nd, and tickets are on sale now.

Steve Aoki Old Cake-Throwing Vid Surfaces ... Wheelchair 'Boy' Wanted It

An old video of Steve Aoki chucking a cake at a guy in a wheelchair is making the rounds again -- and while people are already quick to dogpile him ... the outrage should stop here.

The Fight Club Videos Twitter account surfaced a clip Friday that's taking off right now on the bird app -- it shows the famed DJ throwing a pastry out into the crowd (like he normally does) and hitting a dude who was raised up in a wheelchair ... right in the face.

The Twitter account that posted this -- which literally just aggregates and publishes crazy clips -- described this incident in rather ominous terms ... and without any context whatsoever. They wrote, "Steve Aoki (DJ) threw a cake 80 ft and hit boy in wheel chair."

First, this is an ancient video from 2013, when SA performed at the Veld Music Festival in Toronto. And more importantly, this is not a "boy" -- AKA, a child -- but rather ... a grown-ass man. He also wasn't the victim of anything, as Twitter is apparently quick to assume now.

There were some who saw this -- again, out of context -- and assumed what the Fight Club account floated was accurate ... and that he'd intentionally aimed to hurt this disabled person. That, or they presumed Steve didn't realize the damage he may have inflicted.

Fortunately, that's not even close to the truth at all ... if you watch the full clip, which Steve posted himself back then, you'll see the man asked to be hoisted up and wanted the cake.

Steve simply obliged, and even snapped a shot with him afterward. So, it was all kosher.

Crisis (and potential cancelation) averted, y'all.😅

Juice WRLD Day Festival Lineup Includes ... Trippie Redd, G Herbo, Cordae, Etc.

Juice WRLD would've turned 24 Friday, and while his memory lives on through his family, friends and fans ... there's a massive tribute show on the horizon in Chicago, his hometown.

December 8 marks the third anniversary of the rapper's death, and will also be the day the United Center will fill up with supporters passionately celebrating what's being deemed as "Juice WRLD Day."

TMZ Hip Hop has learned the lineup is jampacked -- DDG, Trippie Redd, G Herbo, Cordae, Lil Tecca, Ski Mask the Slump God, Lucki, Sleazyworld Go, Tana and Bankrol Hayden are all in ... repping for the 999 movement this year.

Bankrol tells TMZ Hip Hop, “Juice WRLD has always been a big inspiration to my music and helped me through my toughest times. Opening up for Juice in 2018 to now performing at the celebration of his legacy means the world to me.”

Juice’s personal friend and collaborator DJ Scheme also tells TMZ Hip Hop the event is truly important because it flips a negative situation into a positive occasion, saying, “On the day he passed away, we get to celebrate it in a positive way so his supporters never forget his main ideal ‘999.’”

Juice died from an accidental drug overdose of oxycodone and codeine in 2019 at just the age of 21 ... but his popularity remains unchanged.

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He finished 2022 with over four BILLION streams on Spotify alone.

'Mary Sue' Twitter Thread Sparks Debate ... On Unlikeable Female Leads

The reason there's so many unlikeable female leads is because Hollywood is all in on "Mary Sue" -- so says one writer ... whose hot take is getting blasted as straight-up misogyny.

A fella named Joshua Lisec -- who's ghostwritten a ton of books over the years -- took to Twitter this week to outline a very long argument he firmly believes in ... namely, that the literary "Mary Sue" archetype is alive and thriving in modern-day entertainment, despite the fact people aren't really into these strong fictional heroines who kick ass out of nowhere.

His words ... not ours.

Essentially, this boils down to characters like Rey (Daisy Ridley, 'Star Wars'), Galadriel (Morfydd Clark, "Rings of Power"), Carol Danvers (Brie Larson, "Captain Marvel") and even Bo Peep (Annie Potts, "Toy Story 4") and others who start out in a new plot as bad to the bone ... despite a lack of training/backstory to explain how they came to be so strong.

Now, whether that definition of a typical Mary Sue actually applies to the above-mentioned characters -- and other female leads in action movies in general -- is what's at debate here.

Lisec's thread has gone viral, with a ton of backlash coming his way for what a lot of people claim is a convoluted and long-winded way to say ... he simply doesn't like women, and can't stand the idea of a female character being anything other than a damsel in distress.

There are others poking holes in his theory ... at one point during which he makes comparisons to classic male leads whom he thinks were properly fleshed out (Luke Skywalker, etc.) Some are offering examples of countless traditional male heroes who've emerged with unexplained powers ... noting Mary Sue is a dog whistle to attack women.

As for why this convo is even taking place ... well, it appears there are some, like Lisec, who feel there is, in fact, a push from Hollywood lately for "strong female leads" to replace hero roles that would otherwise go to men. The forthcoming 'Indiana Jones' flick appears to be setting up Phoebe Waller-Bridge's character for exactly that (the "new Indy" post-Ford).

This isn't a sentiment that's super fringe either ... Emily Blunt has denounced the "strong female lead" label -- basically saying it was being done to death, and that she's over it.

The discourse, per usual, rages on.

Chrisean Rock Appears to Admit ... She Gave Blueface Two Black Eyes

Chrisean Rock appears to have admitted to hitting Blueface ... which left him with two black eyes that she proudly showed off to their followers.

The volatile couple were both featured on a recent IG Live stream from Blueface's account, during which he said Chrisean was "10-1" but had not yet taken "his belt." While it's unclear what exactly he's referring to, Chrisean seemed to suggest it was about their fights.

She showed off a photo of Blueface from her phone -- flashing it to his own phone so the IG Live crowd could see it -- and it looks to show the rapper with a couple of shiners.

Chrisean is definitely trying to one-up Blue here, saying he looks like a raccoon there. BF, meanwhile, laughs it off ... noting he took it like a "snack" (champ?) and that he didn't even hit her back, as if that's something to be commended.

He goes on to say that if he hit her like that, she'd go to sleep ... and kinda gives himself a pat on the back for not retaliating. In the end, he tries to kiss and make up, but Chrisean isn't having it -- making for a super awkward interaction and a lot of tension.

It's more of the same from these two, frankly -- an apparently toxic relationship that seems to include violence ... allegedly from both sides.

Remember, it wasn't too long ago that Chrisean showed off what she claimed were injuries at the hands of Blueface -- only to take it back completely some 24 hours later. Their apparent nonstop ups and downs certainly seem to be laced with mutual combat, which we've seen on camera time and again.

It's just the latest example of what one can only describe as a ticking time bomb -- which is going to be aired for all to see in a new reality show they're shooting, "Crazy in Love."

Stars and Scars You Be the Judge

Kanye proved this week his bigotry knows no bounds, and that 'GMA' romance is must-see TV!!! So, we gotta ask ...

The Media Should Stop Covering Kanye ...

Kim Should Get Judge To Deny Kanye Custody

Whose Side You On?

'GMA's Amy Robach And T.J. Holmes ...

I've Banged A Co-Worker ...

Cancel Balenciaga ...

Will Smith Kissing Jada's Head ...

Hotter Soccer Dude ...

If I Could Only See One Upcoming Movie ...

Elon Musk Set to Drop New Batch of #TwitterFiles ... On Hunter Biden Laptop

Elon Musk is doing a new file dump that he says reflects Twitter's alleged efforts to suppress stories about Hunter Biden's laptop in 2020 ... causing a lot of outrage in right wing circles.

The Twit in Chief is set to follow up with another day of #TwitterFiles Saturday, which took the bird app by storm over the past 24 hours ... this after the initial batch detailed alleged correspondence between former Twitter staffers and execs, suggesting they were censoring negative HB news.

Specifically, the internal emails cited by journo Matt Taibbi show how Twitter's ex-head honchos apparently went out of their way to hide links to a story by the New York Post.

Published about a month before the election, it was touted as a bombshell report -- which purported to describe messages the NYP says it retrieved from Hunter's forsaken laptop ... and one of those seems to indicate Ukrainian gas bigwigs were trying to meet President Biden via his son, who was in business with these folks at the time (around 2015 or so).

When this went live in 2020, any attempts to tweet links to the story were barred en masse on Twitter ... and now, these #TwitterFiles pretty much seem to confirm it was, in fact, a coordinated effort in-house. The more troubling part, though ... some of the emails appear to imply that Twitter was actually in touch with Biden's campaign team ... and conceding to their requests to kill the story, as they claimed the information had been hacked/stolen.

Twitter obliged, citing its terms and conditions to justify the move -- not to mention the fact the info discussed hadn't been independently verified -- but since then ... a majority of the materials on the laptop were authenticated as legit. The laptop was also deemed abandoned property after somebody turned it into a shop in 2019 ... eventually finding its way into the hands of conservative operatives who ran with it and publicized its salacious contents.

In the end, however, the Hunter Biden chatter really amounted to nothing in the big picture.

There's been a lot of handwringing in and around the GOP over this for a full two years -- but now that these apparent revelations are coming to light ... many are calling for congressional hearings and investigations into what they characterize as corruption/election interference. Basically, their argument is ... Twitter blocked something that could've, perhaps, swung the election in Trump's favor -- and they're calling on POTUS to answer for it.

Of course, people on the other side are calling this a big nothingburger -- but time will tell if anything comes of it. Meanwhile, Elon's just wielding his big free speech stick.

Noodle the Pug TikTok Famous Dog Dies at 14

Noodle the Pug -- who took TikTok by storm over the past year-plus -- has died ... this according to his owner.

Jonathan Graziano announced the news Saturday, saying Noodle passed overnight while in his arms. He extends thanks to everyone who tuned in to watch his pooch on the platform and for welcoming both of them into their lives ... noting Noodle brought a lot of joy.

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JG added that Noodle had a helluva run, and mentioned this in his caption ... "It has been the privilege of my life to care for Noodle these past 7 years. The sweetest man there has ever been and will ever be."

The pug was famous for a "No Bones Day" gag that Graziano would do daily ... which basically amounted to seeing if the dog wanted to get up for the day and do stuff. He'd lift Noodle up and gauge whether he'd stand on his own or not -- if he flopped, it's "no bones." If he stayed up, it meant Noodle had bones for the day ... an indicator for the rest of TikTok.

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Naturally, the internet is in mourning ... with many pointing out just how pure Noodle's interactions were, and how well Graziano interacted with him for hilarious content. The pet owner is said to have adopted Noodle some 10 years ago, so they had a long relationship.

Noodle was 14.

RIP

White Nationalist Nick Fuentes Food Fight at In-N-Out ... Hold the Ketchup, Hold the Soda

TOTALLY UNCALLED FOR
TMZ.com

Nick Fuentes found out the hard way he's not welcome in Los Angeles ... 'cuz the white nationalist just got in a food fight with a couple at a famed In-N-Out Burger.

Check out the video, obtained by TMZ, showing Nick holding a large cup ... without warning he pitches it across the Hollywood restaurant early Saturday morning. Liquid from the cup showers everyone in its path ... and the doused diners look at Nick in utter shock.

Another video captured the moment Fuentes left the joint before the situation escalated ... as he's walking out, one patron mocks him for supposedly misidentifying himself, shouting, "F--k Nick Fuentes. You racist!!"

CALLED OUT AT IN-N-OUT
TMZ.com

Eyewitnesses tell TMZ ... Fuentes and a friend were eating when a couple approached them and got into a dispute. It's unclear what the beef was about ... but, as you know, Nick has been in the news lately with Kanye West spreading antisemitic hate everywhere they go ... so just use your imagination.

Anyway, the couple got so pissed they threw ketchup-filled paper cups at Fuentes, splashing him with the condiment. The man and women then turned to walk out ... that's when Nick lost it, tossing his drink at them.

We're told the drink missed the couple. Nick left with his friend about 5 minutes later.

Police were not called.

Christian Pulisic Assist in Return, But U.S. Loses Eliminated From World Cup

UPDATE

8:53 AM PT -- The U.S. men's soccer team is headed back to the USA, losing to the Netherlands 3-1 at the World Cup and failing to reach its first quarterfinals since 2002.

UPDATE

The game got off to a rough start for the Americans. Just 10 minutes in, Netherlands forward Memphis Depay scored the game's first goal. Despite several opportunities, the U.S. failed to score in the first half. Then, with only seconds remaining in stoppage time before the break, Netherland’s Daley Blind scored a backbreaking second goal for his country.

UPDATE
UPDATE

The U.S. made a late run, thanks to a Christian Pulisic assisted goal, netted by Haji Wright at the 76-minute mark.

UPDATE

Unfortunately for the USA, the Netherlands scored another goal just minutes later, essentially sealing the American's fate.

UPDATE

The United States outshot Netherlands 17-11. They also had 8 shots on target, compared to the Netherlands 6.

Christian Pulisic made his triumphant return to the field Saturday ... this after the U.S. soccer star was seriously injured while scoring the winning goal against Iran in the USMNT's previous World Cup game.

Pulisic didn't seem too hobbled as the U.S. started playing against the Netherlands during its round-of-16 matchup in Qatar. Christian seemed spry and aggressive, but he missed a few opportunities to put some goals on the board. At half, the Netherlands has already taken a 2-0 lead over the U.S. after scoring right before the halftime whistle.

As we reported, Pulisic suffered a pelvic contusion Tuesday after crashing into the goalie as he scored the game-winner against Iran, propelling the U.S. to a 1-0 victory. Initially, the word was he had suffered a groin injury ... but he later clarified, "I didn't get hit in the balls. I'm alright. It was very painful. That bone is there for a reason to protect you and I hit it well. I was sore."

Pulisic -- known as Captain America for his team leadership -- sent Iran home from the tournament by scoring the goal, but he was in too much pain to celebrate in the moment.

He told reporters Thursday ... "I realized the ball went in. I was a bit confused because the guys around me — I think they were just trying to keep a distance and make sure I was OK. But it didn't really feel like a celebration, so I was worried about offsides ... You never know nowadays, so I wasn't sure what was going on. But I mean, I knew it went in."

Christian also posted a Snapchat of himself smiling in a hospital bed after suffering the injury with a caption ... "So f---ing proud of my guys I'll be ready Saturday."

Originally Published -- 7:49 AM PT

'GMA' T.J. & Amy Our Lovin' Won't Slow Down ... Just 'Cuz Everyone Knows

'GMA' hosts T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach may have stunned the public and gained a whole lot of unwanted attention when their relationship was revealed to the masses ... but they've got no plans to slow down on their romance.

Sources close to the couple tell us ... while both T.J. and Amy, as well as their estranged spouses, are less than thrilled about the heightened scrutiny, they know it's only temporary. For that reason, we're told, T.J. and Amy remain committed to growing their relationship.

Our sources also say the pair's coworkers at 'GMA3' have remained unchanged in their day-to-day interactions with the anchors ... so there's not an issue there either.

Funny enough, Amy's parents are in NYC visiting this weekend -- a trip that was booked before the story of their relationship became public -- so we're told there's a good chance they'll hang with T.J.

Both Amy and T.J. have deleted their social media accounts, but our sources say it's not because they're ashamed of their relationship ... it's more to blunt the online harassment and nasty comments from trolls.

T.J. and Amy have, mostly, remained silent ... but T.J. joked Friday about wanting to extend the week, while Amy said he was speaking for himself ... sounds like she's more than ready for the weekend.

TMZ broke the story -- ABC does not plan on disciplining either anchor -- they're both adults in a consensual relationship with the same role at 'GMA3.'

Kim, Khloe and Serena Glam Squad Hits Up Art Basel Parties!!!

Kim Kardashian is somehow compartmentalizing what has to be an excruciating time for her -- with Kanye's hateful rants -- because she partied Friday night like she didn't have a care in the world.

Kim, Khloe and Serena Williams went club hopping Friday night in Miami for the kickoff of Art Basel weekend.

EYES FOR KHLOE

They hit up a party where Travis Scott and 50 Cent performed. Khloe was having an especially good time ... 50 was singing right at her. Jonathan “Foodgod” Cheban and restaurateur David Grutman also joined in on the fun.

As for Kim, not a stitch of Balenciaga in sight ... she's traded it in for some pretty awesome duds.

TMZ broke the story ... Kim has turned thumbs down on an offer to be the face of Balenciaga in 2023, and she's made it clear, she's not wearing the brand for now. This is all fallout from the ad campaign with the BDSM stuffed bear.

Nick Cannon Fighting Pneumonia in Hospital ... 'I Guess I'm Not Superman'

Nick Cannon just had a major health SCARE ... landing him in the hospital with pneumonia.

The "Masked Singer" host posted a photo of himself in a hospital bed, wearing a face mask, gown and beanie.

The father who has welcomed 11 kids with 2 on the way casually revealed his diagnosis to his millions of IG fans ... "It's just pneumonia, nothing I can't handle. Okay, so I guess I'm not Superman."

Then Nick became more serious, making a veiled reference to his 10-year battle with the autoimmune disease lupus ... "I promised myself I would never be back at this place again… great lesson to take care of YOU or YOU won't be able to take care of everyone else."

Nick said he didn't want prayers or well wishes...he just needs some much-needed rest and he'll be back "stronger than ever."

What's more ... Nick is currently on his "Cannon Wild 'N Out" tour and performed a sold-out show Thursday night at Madison Square Garden in NYC. He reflected, "Now I'm all alone in a tiny hospital room. Life is definitely a rollercoaster!"

Feel better, Nick!!

Britney Spears From Scum to Love ... Praises Jamie Lynn in Birthday Post

Britney Spears has done a shocking about-face ... praising a family member, no less her sister.

Britney marked her 41st birthday with a message to Jamie Lynn ... "It’s my b-day but you’re my heart so I’m thinking about you … congratulations on being so brave, inspiring, and showing guts and glory in your show 🎉 !!! You ain’t alone … if anybody knows what that feels like … I get it 🤧🤧🤧 My baby sister !!! I love you !!!"

This is a 180 from Britney's tirade against her 31-year-old sibling, whom she called "scum" after J.L. released her memoir.

Britney has gone on a tear against her entire family over the last year. She was enraged her mom and Jamie Lynn didn't help her 86 the conservatorship.

Britney had called Jamie Lynn, who's appearing on Fox's "Special Forces," her "selfish little brat" sister, as well as regretting she didn't slap her little sis.

Whatever's changed ... well, maybe it's true -- time heals all.

BTW, it's worth noting -- while Brit seems to be sulking in their rocky past, Jamie Lynn is on to bigger and better things in her own life. After dropping her memoir earlier this year, she's now one of the contestants on FOX's new reality competition show, 'Special Forces: World's Toughest Test.' She's one of 16 celebs pushing themselves to the limit in military exercises.

JL is certainly a key figure this season, so it'll be interesting to see how she holds up -- and if any talk of Britney is mentioned. The new series hits airwaves on Jan. 4.

Aerosmith Nixes Las Vegas Show At Last Minute ... After Steven Tyler Mystery Illness

Aerosmith called off their concert Friday night in Las Vegas ... this after Steven Tyler had fallen ill.

The legendary rock band was set to perform at Dolby Live at Park MGM as part of their "Deuces Are Wild" residency ... but Steven got sick about 2 hours before they were to hit the stage. It's unclear what the medical issue was that benched the band.

The group posted a statement to Instagram ... "It is with great disappointment that we are forced to cancel tonight's show in Las Vegas due to Steven feeling unwell and unable to perform. He is expected to make a full recovery for Monday night's Las Vegas show. We sincerely apologize for the last-minute notice." All tickets will be refunded.

Back in May, the singer also experienced health problems ... Steven voluntarily went to rehab after relapsing on pain meds following foot surgery.  As a result, Aerosmith was forced to cancel the first leg of their Vegas residency over the summer. They started performing again in September.

Get well soon, Steven!!

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