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Scarlett Johansson appears to be backtracking on her feelings about withdrawing from a movie where she was playing a trans person ... now saying she outta be able to play whoever the hell she wants.

ScarJo opened up about politically correct casting to As If magazine (without directly mentioning her now-debunked role in "Rub and Tug"), saying ... "You know, as an actor I should be allowed to play any person, or any tree, or any animal because that is my job and the requirements of my job."

She added, "I feel like it’s a trend in my business and it needs to happen for various social reasons, yet there are times it does get uncomfortable when it affects the art because I feel art should be free of restrictions," going on to say ... "I think society would be more connected if we just allowed others to have their own feelings and not expect everyone to feel the way we do."

Her thoughts on the issue are catching fire on social media (in a bad way) -- folks are tearing her apart for apparently believing she was perfect for the "Rub and Tug" role, with some folks calling her privileged and tone-deaf.

Interestingly enough, Scarlett's been involved in other casting controversies as well -- including in 2017 when she starred in "Ghost in the Shell," which was originally written with an Asian protagonist when it debuted as a Japanese manga series.

When she was called out for getting involved in that production, she apologized and said and she never wanted to feel like she was playing a character that was offensive to others.

Fast-forward to 2018, when she pulled out of "Rub and Tug" and issued a mea culpa of sorts, implying she'd learned a lot from the trans community about the importance of casting trans actors in trans roles ... contradicting what her rep said earlier about non-trans actors playing trans people to critical acclaim.

Now, it seems like she's flip-flopping again ... and it ain't going well. Tell us how you really feel, ScarJo.

Ezekiel Elliott is now at the center of a criminal probe after the security guard he pushed down changed his mind and pressed charges against the NFL superstar.

The guard, Kyle Johnson, recently filed a criminal complaint with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. It's unclear what exactly he's alleging, or if Zeke's been taken into custody yet ... but his camp is already pushing back against this latest development ... claiming extortion.

The running back's lawyers, Scott Rosenblum and Jason Lampert, issued a statement Saturday saying, "Over the course of the past several weeks, Mr. Elliott has been the target of extortion." They added, "Kyle Johnson’s filing of a criminal complaint against Mr. Elliott in connection with the Las Vegas incident is the latest attempt to do so. Mr. Elliott and it his team are in contact with all of the proper authorities and are fully cooperating with them in their investigations."

TMZ broke the story ... Zeke shoved the security guard down to the ground at EDC earlier this year after getting into an argument with a woman he was there partying with. He was handcuffed by police at the time, but was NOT arrested because Johnson didn't press charges.

Seems like he's had a change of heart now -- despite saying he'd let the whole thing go if he got a legit apology from the Cowboys star. He'd claimed that Zeke's initial apology was BS, saying it wasn't sincere and that eye-contact wasn't made.

WWE Wrestler Jeff Hardy -- aka Brother Nero -- was arrested down in South Carolina for allegedly being drunk in public. 

Jeff was arrested and booked Saturday for public intoxication and impairment in Myrtle Beach, where he posed for this mug shot. Jeff's distinguishable features are on full display -- his large gauges in his ears, and his unique facial hair make him stand out like a sore thumb among the weekend lineup for MBPD. 

It's unclear what exactly led to his arrest -- we're working on getting more deets -- but we're told he was released at some point Saturday on less than $200 bond.

Jeff is currently dealing with a knee injury -- for which he underwent surgery earlier this year and is recovering -- that's kept him out of the ring for a bit. He normally wrestles as one half of the Hardy Boyz for the SmackDown brand of the company. 

Jeff was arrested for a DWI last year in North Carolina after he was reportedly involved in a car crash, and allegedly blew a 0.25 BAC. 

Beth Chapman is about to get a final farewell in the Rocky Mountains -- her Colorado memorial service is just getting underway ... and TMZ's got you covered. 

The reality TV star is being memorialized Saturday afternoon at the Heritage Christian Center in Aurora, CO -- where her husband, Dog the Bounty Hunter, as well as friends, family and loved ones are gathering to say goodbye for the last time in the wake of Beth's tragic death last month. 

In fact, a line was already forming out the door before the ceremony got started at 2 PM CT. Looks like people were willing to wait it out in the hot sun. 

As we first reported ... Beth's family are expecting a massive turnout and have been coordinating with local hotels and law enforcement to make sure the ceremony goes off without a hitch. 

This will be Beth's second memorial -- Dog put together a public gathering in Hawaii shortly after her death -- and this time it got organized and coordinated by 'Facts of Life' star Kim Fields, who was a fellow worshiper at Beth's church in Aurora. 

We're told Kim felt God calling her to take on the planning for Beth's service, even though the two women never actually met. 

Beth's memorial will feature some video messages from a bunch of her celeb friends -- including Wynona Judd, who unfortunately isn't going to make it in person. 

No doubt, there will likely be some words imparted from those in the room as well -- not to mention a speech by Dog himself. 

We'll be posting updates as they happen ... stay tuned. And if you wanna watch the memorial live, check it out here. 

R. Kelly's behind bars thanks in large part to his own inner circle -- enablers and ex-employees who handed the feds videos of Kelly having sex with underage girls, according to the attorney for multiple alleged victims.

Gerald Griggs -- who represents Joycelyn Savage's family among others -- tells TMZ the federal investigation run by the Northern District of Illinois uncovered over 20 videos of Kelly engaged with minors.

Both Griggs and our federal law enforcement sources tell us the tapes show multiple victims ... and prosecutors confirmed with multiple witnesses the girls were underage. Griggs says several of Kelly's enablers -- past and present -- flipped and turned over the tapes to investigators. He says those videos were exactly what the feds needed to secure indictments for sex crimes, including child pornography.

We broke the story last month ... an ex-employee testified the singer regularly recorded his sexual encounters with underage girls, and believed the feds got their hands on some of that video.

As we reported ... Kelly was arrested Thursday after a federal grand jury handed up a 13-count indictment, including 4 counts of producing child pornography and 2 counts of receiving child pornography.

Of course, he's facing another 5-count federal indictment out of the Eastern District of NY which includes racketeering and 4 violations of the Mann Act. Prosecutors in Brooklyn want to keep Kelly locked up until his trial too.

Meanwhile, Joycelyn's parents say they're desperately trying to get in touch with her and get her help ... and won't feel any vindication over Kelly's arrest until they do.

Serena Williams fell short at Wimbledon Saturday ... losing in straight sets.

Serena was looking for her 24th career Grand Slam win, and her 8th Wimbledon victory, but it was not to be. Romanian Simona Halep beat her handily ... 6-2 and 6-2.

This is Serena's 3rd Grand Slam loss in a row. What stings even more ... had she won she would have tied Margaret Court's all-time record which was set back in 1968.

As for Simona ... she's on a roll. She won the French Open last year. 

Shawn Mendes certainly insinuated he was not dating Camila Cabello, but who's you gonna believe ... him or your lyin' eyes???

Check out this vid of Shawn and Camila making out at Dottie's True Blue Cafe Friday in San Francisco.

It did seem all too coincidental that Shawn and Camila were all over each other at the exact time they released their song, "Senorita," but they seem to be all over the place -- L.A., SFO, etc, and they're all over each other!!!

Shawn's in San Fran because he's got a concert at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum tonight and tomorrow. He's currently touring the U.S.

We're guessing he's comping Camila.

Climb aboard and get ready to catch a glimpse at who's enjoying a summer at sea!

From celebs such as Olivia Culpo and Rita Ora to Larsa Pippen and Jospehine Skriver, these sexy stars have set the scene this season and are having yachts of fun while they're at it!

Summer just isn't the same on land, so these ladies have shipped themselves off to the open waters to get a taste of some seaside serenity. 

Wynonna Judd is super sad she can't be there to perform at her late friend Beth Chapman's final send-off ... but she's still making her presence felt from afar. 

Beth's memorial service is going down this afternoon in Colorado ... and she was a huge fan of Wynonna's music and the 2 got close, so the family asked the country music icon to come and sing. 

Unfortunately, Wynonna's on tour and can't be there to support a dear friend ... so she's giving Beth's family permission to feature her music during the service, including Beth's favorite Wynonna song, "Rescue Me."

Wynonna posted a tribute to Beth right after her death. 

Beth's memorial service, which is being planned by reality star Kim Fields, will feature video messages from some of Beth's celeb friends ... and Wynonna is part of it.

A$AP Rocky is in desperate straits in Sweden, and America's got some new heros. So, we gotta ask ...

TMZ Sports has obtained video showing Mark Rypien's wife desperately crawling on the ground in pain after she was struck by the former Super Bowl MVP in a domestic violence incident. 

The footage was shot June 30 around 5:45 PM in Spokane, Washington -- where cops were called to respond to an incident involving the 56-year-old NFL legend and his wife. 

Mark told cops at the scene that he had hit Danielle Rypien because she was covering his eyes while he was driving and he was scared. He told cops he "knocked the wind out of her."

You can see in the video Danielle is clearly in pain and struggling to breathe as she crawls on all fours from the vehicle to a nearby grass area ... where she eventually collapses. 

Medical personnel later responded and evaluated Danielle -- determining she did NOT need emergency medical attention so she was not transported to a hospital. 

Mark was arrested for assault/domestic violence and pled not guilty. He was released without bail and is due back in court later this month. 

Danielle issued a joint statement with Mark supporting him and insisting he did not commit a crime and she does not want him prosecuted. 

Danielle also stated that she believes Mark suffers from CTE brought on by the hits he took during his NFL career -- and suggests the brain injury is to blame for his violent outburst. 

We also obtained the 911 calls made by multiple witnesses -- who all describe the terrifying scene in detail.

DMX is off the hook for a potential probation violation ... the feds found no wrongdoing on his part when he and his entourage mistakenly drove away from a restaurant in someone else's Corvette.

TMZ broke the story ... DMX and his crew left a Los Angeles restaurant in another diner's car following a mix-up with valet, and the car was reported stolen. But, the bigger issue for DMX was a question of whether he was behind the wheel. 

The feds felt X could've violated probation in his tax evasion case if he was the one driving the "stolen" Vette.

X's attorney, Murray Richman, tells TMZ ... DMX met with his probation officer and everything is fine. We're told the rapper's in the clear as far as a potential probation violation goes.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York -- which prosecuted DMX for tax evasion -- declined to comment on its investigation. 

Chandler Parsons is giving TMZ Sports an oral history of his participation in the epic twerk fest with bikini models on the yacht in Ibiza ... and he's insisting there was no hooking up going on.

Suuuuuure.

"It wasn't what it looked like. Just some friends hanging out on vacay," Parsons says.

Riiiiiiiight.

"It wasn't even like that. we really just chillin', hanging out."

Mhm, okay, Chandler. Whatever you say.

The NBAer says he and Blake Griffin are just buddies with the incredibly attractive women ... and they were all just relaxing and enjoying themselves and NOT BANGING, despite both being single and super rich.

If Diddy's really going to bring back his hit reality show for MTV, Day26 wants to know ... are we in this together?

We got 4 of the 5 members of the R&B group that formed at the end of "Making the Band 4," and along with getting geared up for a tour this fall, Willie Taylor tells us the fellas would love to be involved in Diddy's revival of the classic competition show. 

Willie says he can't speak for the other groups that formed from the show -- like O-Town, Da Band, Danity Kane and Donnie Klang -- but Day26 is "still making moves" and could serve as excellent mentors for new talent competing to make the band.

He says fans would also love to see what the group's been up to over the past decade, and Qwanell Mosley goes a step further ... telling us fans would be disappointed if they're deprived of some Day26 action.

Diddy made a surprise announcement about a possible 'Making the Band' reboot Monday, but expressed reservations about it ... and called on the public to let him know if they really want him to bring it back.

He says MTV's on board, and like the lyrics of their first hit track, "Got Me Going" -- the Day26 guys seem to be feenin' and dreamin' of the old days too.

Don't let these two almost identical images of actor Seth Rogen distract you from the real mission at hand. We've made some sneaky switches to this photo and it's up to you to hunt them down!

The comedian was spotted in Beverly Hills, California, earlier this week, attending the Global Press Conference to discuss his role in Disney's upcoming film "The Lion King." In the film, Rogen voices the animated warthog, Pumbaa. Take a good look around and see if you can figure out the differences between these two super similar snaps!

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