Kobe Bryant Memorial Souvenirs Hit eBay ... Insane Prices

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Monday they were mourning. Tuesday they were trying to cash in.

Several people who attended the Kobe Bryant memorial at Staples Center are selling souvenir items from the event ... from ticket stubs to program booklets ... and the asking price is in the THOUSANDS of dollars.

We've already found a handful of listings on eBay from people selling their memorial pins, shirts and other items. Most of the listers claim they personally attended the event.

The average starting bid for the Kobe Memorial bundles are around $3,000 -- with a $5,000 "Buy It Now" price.

One seller listed an official Kobe shirt (size XL) from the memorial -- and after receiving 76 bids, it sold for $2,025!

Remember, most fans were only able to get tickets to the event by entering a random drawing. If they were selected, they had the option of buying tickets for either $24.02 or $224 each, with the money going to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.

Some fans flew from around the country to be at the event -- and they could be selling the giveaways to help offset the travel costs.

Other people feel it's BAD FORM to auction off items from a memorial event -- and those people have been very critical of the sellers.

One thing is for sure ... Kobe items are in huge demand right now -- from autographs to game-worn jerseys and even his 8th-grade yearbook. And, as long as there are people willing to shell out the cash, there will be no shortage of supply.

Andrew Gillum I Trust the Process in Defeating Trump ... But Don't Count on Me for VP!!!

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Andrew Gillum's not hung up on the "electability" of Bernie Sanders or other democratic candidates for Prez, because he thinks it'll work itself out ... but he's NOT down with signing on as VP with any of them.

We got the former candidate for Florida governor Tuesday at LAX ... and he says he trusts the process of our nation's voting system in choosing the right person to go against Donald Trump.

As he puts it ... voters aren't casting their ballot for a candidate they think is going to lose the presidential race.

So, we ask Andrew how he'd feel about getting involved in the race himself -- as the Dem's candidate for Vice President -- and he shoots it down ... saying he's trying to help everyone on his side.

Check it out, though ... Gillum's got a compelling reason for declining the honor of Veep ... but he doesn't QUITE say it's completely out of the question.

In fact, as far as hypotheticals go ... he admits it's a doozy.

Never say never, right?

Thomas Markle Meghan is Insulting Queen Elizabeth!!! My Daughter Keeps Dumping Everyone

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Meghan Markle's dad is pissed at the way she's treating Queen Elizabeth, and the entire Royal Family, but he isn't surprised -- in fact, he claims it's just her MO.

Thomas Markle was out Monday at an Office Depot in Rosarito, Mexico, when he was asked if his daughter has the right to use the term "royal" as part of her brand. He unloaded on Meghan and Prince Harry, for that matter, flat-out saying they "don't have a right to speak to the Queen the way they've spoken to her."

He was clearly referring to Harry and Meg's claim the Queen has no ownership of the word "royal" ... after she blocked them from using it in their Sussex Royal brand.

Pops Markle didn't stop there ... he went on to say Meghan's disrespecting the British people as a whole, and then got very personal. You gotta see it, because it's clear there's a ton of bad blood over how he feels Meghan's treated him, her mother and, yes ... the Windsors.

As we reported, Thomas said he will NOT stop making money off his, albeit strained, relationship with Meghan and his connection to the Royal Family. It's pretty clear he's on the Queen's side post-Megxit but this is about as raw Thomas has ever been.

So much for that whole blood thicker than water stuff. Not so much in Markle clan.

Kobe Bryant Helicopter Co.'s Insurance Won't Cover Lawsuits ... $50 Million's a Drop in the Bucket

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Kobe and Gigi Bryant's family along with those of the 6 other passengers on the doomed aircraft ... may all end up suing Island Express -- which owned the helicopter -- but aviation attorneys tell us there won't be enough money to go around.

Sources familiar with Island Express tell TMZ, the company had liability insurance coverage totaling $50 million. Our sources say that's not an unusual figure, but given the number of people Island Express transports on a single helicopter and the fact rich celebrities used the service ... the number is low.

Our sources say a more appropriate amount of coverage for the company would have been closer to $100 million. As we reported, Kylie Jenner -- a 22-year-old billionaire -- also recently took the same Island Express helicopter that crashed.

Vanessa Bryant is asking for both compensatory and punitive damages. In terms of compensatory damages, Kobe's family alone might be entitled to hundreds of millions of dollars because his earning potential was enormous. On top of that, punitive damages could take a judgement into the stratosphere.

And, remember, other passengers left behind spouses, children, and promising professions, and they'd be entitled to untold millions as well.

The question ... with hundreds of millions of dollars in possible payouts, who gets what out of a $50 million pot? Fact is, judges have a tremendous amount of discretion in the decision how to distribute insurance proceeds in such cases.

So far, Vanessa Bryant is the only family member who has sued, but our sources say some of the other family members have already lawyered up. More lawsuits are certain to come.

As for Island Express, it seems inconceivable it will remain in business. Matt Drummelsmith, president of Aviation Specialty Insurance, tells TMZ, given the fact the crash was almost certainly caused by pilot error, it's highly unlikely the company could get insurance again and that puts them out of business.

Tom Brady 'Deeply Affected' By Kobe Bryant's Death ... 'So Many Tears'

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Tom Brady says Kobe Bryant's death has kept him up at night and brought him to "so many tears" -- and now he's opening up about why the "real superhero" meant so much to him.

TB12 didn't just love Kobe as an athlete -- but he respected him as a father, husband and businessman ... and says Bryant was an inspiration.

The NFL star penned a very long statement about how he's been processing Kobe's death -- while paying tribute to everything Bryant stood for.

Here's Tom's statement in its entirety ...

"I have been deeply affected by the passing of Kobe, Gigi and the others in that tragic flight weeks ago," Brady said.

"Since then, I've witnessed the well deserved outpouring of love and support for the families that had so much left to give, and it’s helped me reflect and gain perspective. I know that love and peace and joy will always endure. And in this tragedy, I have learned so much."

"Why has this touched me in the way it did? Why has it kept me up at night, and brought me so many tears?"

President Trump The Cauliflower Conspiracy!!! Ex-Dr. Cops to Health Tactics

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President Trump isn't nearly as healthy as his former physician would like, even after the good doc admittedly tried to slip POTUS some white stuff -- that's right -- CAULIFLOWER!!!

Former White House physician Ronny Jackson is coming clean about what Trump would likely consider a wide-reaching conspiracy ... to make him healthy. Jackson told the New York Times, "We were working on his diet. We were making the ice cream less accessible, we were putting cauliflower into the mashed potatoes."

That's right ... a dirty spuds substitute slipped right under the President's nose, and into his gut. No reaction from the White House yet after Jackson's bold confession.

Jackson stepped down from his position to run for Congress in Texas, but before his departure he was on Trump's favored list. You might recall, following Trump's 2018 physical ... Jackson said the Prez had "incredible genes" and could live to 200 ... IF he had a better diet.

He also said he was going to help Trump lose 10 to 15 pounds with the help of an exercise bike. How's that worked out?

Jackson admits, "The exercise stuff never took off as much as I wanted."

Go figure. Good luck serving Trump Shepherd's pie at the next state dinner.

Kobe Bryant 8th Grade Yearbook Hits Auction Block ... Signed 'How Bout Those Lakers' As 13-Year-Old

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Kobe Bryant was purple and gold as a 13-year-old -- signing his middle school friend's yearbook with "How bout those Lakers" -- and now the book can be yours.

Iconic Auctions has the super-unique piece of memorabilia on the auction block ... and it's pretty amazing.

In 1992, Kobe -- who just returned to the U.S. from Italy -- attended Bala Cynwyd Middle School in Pennsylvania ... where he played on the basketball team.

Bryant arrived midway through the school year, so he didn't have a standard school photo. He only appeared in the boys' basketball team photo.

When yearbooks were issued, Kobe's buddy asked him to sign the autograph page ... and what Mamba wrote was pretty prophetic.

"In a few years you probably will be dunking on me. Not!! How bout those Lakers. Your friend Kobe Bryant #24"

Kobe was just 13 years old in 1992 ... and wasn't a member of the Los Angeles Lakers (or the NBA) until June 1996.

Of course, Bryant -- even back then -- wore (and signed) one of the numbers, #24, that would eventually hang forever in the rafters of Staples Center.

Iconic tells us they expect the yearbook to sell for over $20k ... when the auction closes this weekend.

Jamie Foxx 'Just Mercy' is Important for Our Culture ... So is Michael B. Jordan!!!

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Jamie Foxx says "Just Mercy" -- the movie he stars in with Michael B. Jordan -- is more than just a movie ... because it's inspiring some real-world change for the better.

We got the actor -- who plays wrongly condemned death row inmate Walter McMillian in the film -- outside Mr Chow Monday night in Bev Hills. He tells us since the movie -- which is based on a true story -- came out, 100 lawyers have gone to Alabama to work pro bono to save people from death row.

Jamie says it's no coincidence, they're following in the footsteps of the film's hero, Bryan Stevenson -- a lawyer and social justice activist, played by MBJ in "Just Mercy." Foxx says the role speaks volumes about Jordan's commitment to elevating black culture.

As Jamie puts it ... Michael B. Jordan can do any movie he wants, but he chooses ones that speak to his people and shine a light on important issues.

Foxx says there's still a lot of work to be done and, despite criticism, it's still important to do "the slave movie." Watch and let him explain.

Kobe & Gigi Bryant The Grove Shines Nine Rays of Light ... For Special Tribute

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LIGHTS TO THE HEAVENS

The Grove honored Kobe, Gigi Bryant and the 7 other lives lost in a tragic helicopter crash by doing something it had never done in its 18-year history ... shutting off its famed rooftop sign and blasting a special lights tribute.

The famed L.A. mall beamed 9 rays of light Monday as the sun set ... and they joined together as one in the heavens to honor the victims from the January helicopter crash. Billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso, who owns The Grove, said it's the first time The Grove has EVER turned off its famous Grove sign.

L.A. and the rest of the world said one last goodbye to the NBA legend and Gigi on Monday in front of a packed Staples Center crowd. We got Caruso leaving Craig's later that night and he said the tribute was a one-night event.

Caruso also tells us how he got the idea to honor the victims. Our guy asks Caruso if The Grove will erect a Kobe statue ... and Caruso's response should come as no surprise.

BTW ... Kobe was no stranger to The Grove. He'd drop into the mall's famed Nike store every now and then. He also had a meet and greet at the mall's Barnes & Noble when he was there to promote his book "The Mamba Mentality: How I Play" in 2018.

#MambaOut

'Bachelorette' Alum Chad Johnson Arrested for Domestic Violence ... Allegedly Fought with GF

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Ex-'Bachelorette' star Chad Johnson is under arrest after police investigated a couple of alleged fights between his girlfriend and him ... TMZ has learned.

LAPD took Johnson into custody Monday evening, and according to law enforcement sources his current GF, Annalise Mishler, called 911 because he was at her apartment and they'd gotten into a heated argument.

Annalise told cops Chad -- known as the bad boy from JoJo's 'Bachelorette' season -- was also at her apartment on Sunday, but she says that time things got physical. She claims Johnson was drunk and not only punched a hole in her wall, but also got physical with her.

Officers who responded Monday to Annalise's home, found she had visible red marks on her face. That was enough for cops to arrest Johnson, and according to our law enforcement sources, he's been booked for felony domestic violence and robbery.

We're told the robbery charge stems from Annalise's claim Chad snatched her phone away from her while she was calling 911.

Long before she called cops ... Annalise had put Johnson on blast on social media. Mishler, who is a YouTuber, posted a video Sunday night to her IG ... showing the hole she claims her BF punched in her wall.

She also posted video allegedly showing Johnson screaming at her, saying "I hope you f**king die" after she'd kicked him out of her place.

He told TooFab he hadn't had a drink in 2 months, but "Had a little relapse. Well, I wouldn't call it a little relapse. Big relapse." He apologized for getting so drunk he didn't remember seeing Annalise, but also denied getting physical with her.

Zayn Malik & Jake Paul Beef Sparked by Hotel Run-In ... No Bad Blood Lingering

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Jake Paul and Zayn Malik's online shouting match -- via Gigi Hadid -- got started with what sounds like a hard snub to come get crazy with the YouTube broskis.

Sources close to Jake tell TMZ ... both he and Zayn were staying at the same hotel in Vegas over the weekend, and they were even on the same floor with rooms next to each other. We're told that after the fight, Jake was making his way back to his room when he spotted  Zayn and co. getting off the elevator. Jake asked if they were partying, plain and simple.

Now, what happened next is a little hazy -- because what we're hearing from Jake's side sounds much different than what we've heard from Zayn's side of things. Per our Jake sources ... Zayn fired back with a rude line ... "IDGAF if you have a good night."

We're told Jake was taken aback by the abruptness of the remark, but he let it go and just went to his room and kept raging with his brother, Logan, and their friends. At the fight, Jake almost got into it with a member of the crowd ... seems it was that kinda night.

Jake Paul
CRAZINESS IN THE CROWD

Anyway, we're told Jake ran into Zayn again in the hotel hallway a bit later and attempted to clear the air about their spat. But, according to his account, Zayn got even testier ... yelling at Jake and asking "Who the f*** do you think you are?!" It didn't end there.

Our sources say Zayn even challenged Jake, asking if he wanted to "test" him. Doesn't sound like things got to that level -- but clearly, the feud spilled onto Twitter ... and roped in Gigi.

She stepped in on behalf of Zayn and shut Jake down, calling him "ugly" and "irrelevant." We're told Jake doesn't hold a grudge, acknowledging they were both in the wrong ... and that booze was likely a factor on both sides. The implication ... Zayn was drinking too.

It doesn't appear that people close to Zayn agree with that characterization though -- we're told Jake was drunkenly pestering Zayn to come party, even though Zayn had already said no. No mention of ZM boozing -- just JP. In other words, this was a one-way street.

Whatever the case, here's to hoping they can bury the hatchet ... or avoid each other, at the very least.

Machine Gun Kelly & Sommer Ray Sunset Strip Concert Hookup ... Proof's in the Video!!!

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Machine Gun Kelly and one of the hottest chicks in the Instagram modeling game are dating ... or at least it looked like they were at a Sunset Strip gig.

MGK's been spending a LOT of quality time with IG model Sommer Ray. We got video of them looking very couple-y Sunday night when they hit up Rainbow Bar & Grill. Kelly was performing there, and we're told they looked very much into each other. That looked obvious when they were getting cozy in the crowd, and holding hands while they walked around the crowded club.

That Sunday Funday wasn't their first hangout either. Just last week, they hit up the Bahamas with a few friends ...including IG influencer, Brother Nature.

They actually met a few years ago. MGK and Sommer appeared on Nick Cannon's hit MTV show 'Wild 'n Out' back in December 2017. They were on the same team and it seemed even back then Sommer was smitten ... judging by how she checked him out from head to toe during one part of the show.

BTW ... Sommer has nearly 25 million IG followers. That number significantly dwarfs MGK's following of 5.6 million, but c'mon ... cut the guy some slack. No matter how dope your music is, it's hard to compete with bikini beauties on the Internet.

Neither is stating publicly yet if they're a couple, so for now ... let your eyes be the judge.

Don McLean Loved Tyson Fury's 'American Pie' ... 'A Thrill For Me to See!'

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MUSIC TO MY EARS

Don McLean says he saw Tyson Fury sing his #1 song, "American Pie," after beating Deontay Wilder in Vegas Saturday night ... and tells TMZ Sports he thought it was AWESOME!!!

After Fury got the TKO against Wilder in the 7th round, he took the mic during the post-fight interview and said, "I said I'd sing a song tonight didn't I?!" ... and delivered his version of McLean's 1971 classic "American Pie!"

"He did very well," McLean tells us, "I would say he's the #1 bar room singer. Excellent job!"

McLean says he was even more ecstatic when the WHOLE CROWD joined the new heavyweight champ ..and they also KILLED IT -- word for word!

"The thing that knocked me out was that everybody, all the old folks, young folks, everybody knew all the words. Kind of a thrill for me to see that!"

And, he hopes Fury does it again 'cause he's down to get in the ring and sing with him ..."That would be fun!"

"I'm looking forward to hear him do it again and winning again!"

McLean is actually on tour right now, so we asked since Fury got some time now, if he can join him ... and ya gotta hear what he says!

Lil Nas X 'Tree House' Music Vid Underway ... Just as Elaborate, Per Usual

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Lil Nas X got his week started with what looks to be a brand new music video -- and like he has in the past ... it seems he's about to wow us with a crazy production.

The rapper was filming Monday atop a parking structure in Downtown L.A., where a set had been built resembling an intricate tree house of sorts. It ain't your usual kid-built MacGyver job either ... the "houses" almost look like apartments.

Check it out ... you see people coming in and out of the entrances, including LNX who had an interesting outfit on -- blue coat, brown pants, and polka-dotted shirt underneath. Feels like this thing could get pretty wacky.

Remember, Lil Nas is known for his over-the-top music vids -- which are top-notch and pull out all the stops on visual effects, props, set design, costumes ... and of course, animals.

His most successful song and video to date is "Old Town Road," which has racked up over 440 million views on YouTube. His other videos haven't really come close to that, but they're just as highly produced and elaborate. Based on what we see here, he's keeping that going.

The big question, of course, is what song this could possibly be for. He already did videos for his 3 big singles off his debut EP, "7," and has recently teased "new bangers" in 2020.

Hmmm ... the anticipation is killing us. We see you though, Nas X 👀

Guess Who This Giddy Girl Turned Into!

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Before this smiling sweetie in suspenders would grow up to become a television star ... she was raised in L.A. by her parents, who are Hollywood hotshots themselves.

She made her acting debut at the ripe old age of 3 in a movie written and directed by her father, which was his only feature film. She would continue to play parts for her dad on TV, where he was a much bigger player ... and still is.

After years of other relatively small roles, she landed a big one for a TV series in 2009 ... and would go on to star on the show for all 7 of its seasons, winning 2 Teen Choice Awards along the way.

She also earned a Vision Fest Award for Best Acting by a Female Lead in a movie called "Consent" ... and starred in an acclaimed sci-fi film in 2018.

It seems like much greater things are on the way for this gal too ... and that's no lie.

Can you guess who she is?