UNLV Removes Mascot Statue Over Confederate Ties ... School Nickname Next???
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UNLV has said adios to Hey Reb! ... the school just canned its famous on-campus mascot statue -- and now, its sports teams' nicknames could be next.
The university removed the heavy bronze bust -- which sat outside the Tam Alumni Center -- on Tuesday, with the school's president appearing to acknowledge it's because of its controversial Confederate ties.
Some video. pic.twitter.com/CC9NqoD36h
— Michael Lyle (@MjLyle) June 17, 2020 @MjLyle
"In recent conversations with the donor," President Marta Meana said in a letter to students, "We mutually agreed it was best to remove the statue and return it."
Meana seemed to strongly indicate the future of the school's "Runnin' Rebels" nickname and the mascot that comes with it could be in doubt as well.
"I have had discussions with multiple individuals and stakeholder groups from campus and the community on how best the university can move forward given recent events throughout our nation," she said.
"That includes the future of our mascot."
Of course, in the wake of George Floyd's tragic death ... protestors all over the nation have called for the removal of statues and figures that honor America's Confederate roots.
Sculptures all across the country have been torn down ... while NASCAR has even banned Confederate flags from its racetracks forever.
So, could this officially spell the end for the "Rebels" name at UNLV??
Stay tuned.
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Colorful Celebrity Quarantints ... Crazy Hairdos!
With salons and barbershops taking a backseat, these stars had to take matters into their own hands over the last few months ... and they got a little creative with the colors!
Stars like Taylor Swift, Ruby Rose and Shaun White spiced up their quarantine with these eye-catching colors ... and plenty of other celebs have joined in on the pigment creations to make their locks pop!
Get a good look at all the stars that shared their new 'dos by scrolling through our gallery of colorful celebrity quarantints ... maybe grab some inspo for your next look!
If you're not diggin' it ... It'll grow on you.
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'The Wire' Star Andre Royo Wife Files for Divorce Ending 22-Year Marriage
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Andre Royo -- best known for his role as "Bubbles" on "The Wire" -- is about to live life in the single lane, his wife's filing for divorce after 22 years of marriage.
The actor's wife, Jane Choi, filed the divorce petition in L.A. County Superior Court to end the marriage, citing irreconcilable differences ... this according to docs obtained by TMZ. She lists the date of separation as December 5, 2019. They were married on November 21, 1997.
It seems this divorce case has all the makings of a smooth sailing -- they have 1 daughter together but she's not a minor. Jane also checked the box blocking the court from awarding either of them spousal support.
Andre's got TONS of TV and film credits ... most notably during his 5 seasons on the hit HBO series. He's also appeared on "Fringe," "Party Down" and "How to Make It in America." He also appeared as Thirsty Rawlings on "Empire" ... playing Terrence Howard's character's attorney.
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Michael Jordan Rare Bulls Playoff Jersey For Sale Expected To Fetch $500K!!!
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One of the last Chicago Bulls jerseys Michael Jordan's ever rocked is about to hit the auction block ... and is expected to sell for half a MILLION dollars!!
The threads are from the '97-'98 Eastern Conference Finals -- MJ's last season with Chicago -- when his Bulls squad battled Reggie Miller's Indiana Pacers.
His Airness wore the jersey during game 3 AND 4 of the series ... May 23 and May 25, 1998. Jordan dropped 30 and 28 points ... but the Bulls took 2 L's -- tying the series at 2 games apiece.
Chicago ended up winning the series in a nail-biting 7 games ... regarded as one of the toughest playoff series throughout the Bulls' 6-championship run.
The super-rare jersey is about to hit the auction block at Goldin Auctions ... and GA believes it will sell for around $500k!
"We expect this to set the all-time record for most valuable Jordan Jersey ever sold,” Ken Goldin tells TMZ Sports.
After the 7-game war, the Bulls went on to beat Karl Malone and John Stockton's Utah Jazz team ... culminating with MJ's dagger J in Bryon Russell's face (yeah, push-off, we know).
The rest is history ... the Bulls 3-peated for a 2nd time and Michael retired from basketball.
22 years later, you can own a piece of that history ... IF you're rich enough.
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Sgt. Rita Lee Lance in 'Silk Stalkings' 'Memba Her?!
California native Mitzi Kapture was in her late 20s when she gained fame after landing the role of the sex detective, Sergeant Rita Lee Lance -- who solved crimes revolving around sex in the swanky Palm Beach, Florida neighborhoods -- on the late-night '90s crime drama, "Silk Stalkings."
Mitzi Kapture was cast on the CBS series alongside Rita's Captain, Harry Lipschitz, played by Charlie Brill ... and of course, her detective partner Sergeant Chris Lorenzo played by Rob Estes.
Kapture is also known for her character, Alex Ryker, on the classic beach babe show, "Baywatch."
More 'Memba Thems!
Beyonce & Jay-Z Sued Your 'Black Effect' Ripped Me Off ... In Effect, Without Pay!!!
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One of Jay-Z and Beyonce's songs, "Black Effect," leans heavily on a Jamaican artist, who claims she was never given proper credit or compensation ... despite being the leading voice on the track.
Dr. L'Antoinette Stines says she's renowned in Jamaica for "her artistry and wisdom" -- and to that point, she says the Carters sought her ought in March 2018 to provide dancers for a video promoting their upcoming tour.
According to a lawsuit, filed Tuesday in federal court, Dr. Stines claims she hooked 'em up with dancers, and then Jay and Bey wanted to record her views on love. She claims she was told the interview would be used in the video ... "for promotional purposes" only.
In the docs, obtained by TMZ, she says she was shocked when she heard "Black Effect" -- from The Carters' "Everything Is Love" album -- because the whole first minute of the track is just her voice.
Hearing herself on the song -- uncredited, mind you -- left Dr. Stines feeling "artistically raped" ... according to her lawsuit.
The doc claims a contract for her services was only thrust in front of her on the day of the shoot, and she alleges the Carters' reps told her not to worry ... after all, her interview would only be used for promotion.
So, she signed, but she's pissed she never got a chance to have it reviewed by her own lawyer -- and worst of all, claims she hasn't been paid a dime for her vocal work.
Dr. Stines is suing Jay and Bey for copyright infringement and violation of her right to publicity ... PLUS damages, of course. She also wants a writing credit, and everything that comes with that ... meaning, cash money.
We've reached out to reps for the Carters, but no word back yet.
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'Siesta Key' Star Alex Kompothecras Fired By MTV ... Racist Social Media Posts?!?
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"Siesta Key" star Alex Kompothecras got fired on what was supposed to be a big day for him and the MTV reality show ... TMZ has learned.
The show's star, Alex was fired ahead of Tuesday's season premiere ... and our sources say he got canned because of racist social media posts and comments that have only recently come to light.
Fans of the reality show quickly noticed Alex's air time was significantly reduced during Tuesday's episode, and his name was scrubbed from the opening credits ... and now we know what's behind the stark change.
Honchos at MTV tell TMZ ... "We’ve made the decision to cut ties with Alex and are editing the current season to minimize his presence. He will not be in future seasons of 'Siesta Key.'"
Siesta Key removed Alex & his gf bios from their MTV site, he removed them from his bios & unfollowed them, and the premiere is 54 minutes now instead of 2 hours 🥴🤔
— GamerVev (@GamerVev) June 16, 2020 @GamerVev
Wonder why Dee & Taylor’s were announced but his isn’t?
MTV also scrubbed Alex's bio from the show's website, and the season premiere was slashed by over an hour.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Alex is no stranger to controversy ... as we reported way back in 2017, Alex was tied to the fishermen responsible for a viral video of a heinous shark incident showing a shark on a fishing line being dragged behind a boat.
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Kobe Bryant HBO Orders Billboard Removal ... Covered Mamba Mural
A mural of Kobe Bryant is shining on CA unobscured once again ... TMZ Sports has learned HBO ordered the immediate removal of a billboard covering Mamba art in L.A. on Tuesday.
Our sources tell us shortly after an HBO ad was placed over a piece of artwork dedicated to the Lakers legend this week ... officials at the company called to have it taken down.
We're told HBO was NOT aware the billboard would be placed over the Kobe art ... and once it saw it was concealed, the network realized the look had to go ASAP.
Where there used to be a Kobe mural, there’s now an HBO billboard.
— patrick (@muldowney) June 16, 2020 @muldowney
It doesn’t even fully cover the Kobe painting. https://t.co/vOj0AW8lr5 pic.twitter.com/vhpaUYzYqx
Fortunately, we're told the signage was ripped away in a swift manner ... and the Kobe artwork was NOT damaged in any way.
It's good news for Los Angelenos ... who have taken every precaution necessary to preserve public Kobe tributes since the 41-year-old tragically died in a helicopter crash in January.
Remember, even amid chaos, rioting and looting during protests earlier this month ... not a single Mamba mural was touched.
However, we're told this specific piece -- which is located near the famous Grove shopping center in West Hollywood -- could be obstructed by ads from time to time in the future.
Our sources say the vendor who owns the mural has plans to hang billboards over it eventually -- so long as the Kobe art goes undamaged and can be seen by all after the campaigns end.
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Elderly Buffalo Protester Has Fractured Skull, Can't Walk After Violent Shove from Cops
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6/4/2020
The elderly man who was shoved to the ground by police officers in Buffalo was as badly injured as he appeared on camera -- he has a crack in his skull and, for now ... he can't walk.
Martin Gugino's attorney, Kelly Zarcone, says the 75-year-old suffered a fractured skull from the push and fall. She added that Martin is unable to get up on his own 2 feet for the time being while he recuperates. He was released from ICU last week, but remains hospitalized.
Zarcone also released a statement directly from Martin, who says ... "I think it's very unnecessary to focus on me. There are plenty of other things to think about besides me."
Buffalo protester shoved by Police could be an ANTIFA provocateur. 75 year old Martin Gugino was pushed away after appearing to scan police communications in order to black out the equipment. @OANN I watched, he fell harder than was pushed. Was aiming scanner. Could be a set up?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2020 @realDonaldTrump
This is the same peaceful protester President Trump recently suggested -- without evidence -- might've been an Antifa-tied provocateur there to cause dissent and chaos. Martin's lawyer shot that down as completely false and incredibly offensive.
Meanwhile, on the legal front, the 2 officers who were charged with second-degree assault charges have pled not guilty, and remain suspended without pay.
As we reported, 57 other Buffalo officers resigned from the Emergency Response Team involved in the Gugino incident. Buffalo's Police Benevolent Association said they stepped down because they were pissed their 2 comrades-in-arms were suspended.
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Netflix's 'Too Hot to Handle' Francesca & Harry ... Call It Quits
The so-called "it" couple from Netflix's "Too Hot to Handle" are on the outs ... Francesca Farago and Harry Jowsey have ended their relationship.
Francesca made the announcement Tuesday afternoon with a YouTube confessional she dubbed "Our Break Up." She was pretty emotional during the entire 5-minute video and she said ultimately what it came down to was this -- "He decided to break up with me because he couldn't do long distance anymore."
Francesca said she was obviously heartbroken about the ordeal ... adding she tried to make it work but in the end just couldn't make it work. The announcement comes less than a month after they hit up UCLA for a workout.
Francesca -- a model from Vancouver -- and Harry -- who hails from Australia -- were one of the couples that immediately hit it off on the show. But, their chemistry also cost the group some money since they broke a ton of the rules set from the get-go ... like making out and hooking up. If you're unfamiliar with the show, that's a huge no-no.
If these 2 crazy kids can't make it in this world ... what hope is there, really.
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California Gym Installs Shower Curtain Workout Pods ... After COVID-19 Closure
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Welcome to the future!!!
A gym in Southern California has installed workout pods made out of shower curtains to safely return from its COVID-19 closure ... and the scene is pretty surreal.
Check out photos of Inspire South Bay Fitness in Redondo Beach ... the new weight room looks a hell of a lot different -- and the gym says it's all in an effort to keep people healthy.
Peet Sapsin -- the facility's owner -- told KTLA the new setup took three days to put together ... but he believes it -- and other safety measures -- will allow customers to feel normal being back in a gym.
Peet says everyone that comes through the door will sanitize their hands, have their temperature taken, sign a waiver and then will be given a pod to lift weights in.
Peet claims the gym will only operate at about half capacity with the new setup ... but he adds, "now that we’ve come up with this solution, it’s a lot more affordable and, now, we can reopen back up a little more safer and healthier for our clients."
As we previously reported ... gyms in California were ordered to close up shop way back in March in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
But, government officials gave the green light to gyms to re-open just a few days ago ... and, slowly, fitness centers across the state are making moves.
So, could pod-workouts be coming to a facility near you in 2020??
Stay tuned ...
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Brian Austin Green Just Friends with Courtney Stodden Brewin' Ideas & Hanging!!!
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Brian Austin Green and Courtney Stodden are definitely together ... in the friend zone, we're told, but they are talking about getting creative.
Sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... Brian and Courtney are just friends who met about a month ago via social media. We're told the initial communication was about sharing ideas regarding the possibility of creating music together.
We're told after some friendly chats, they decided to meet up and hang out. And, they did ... hitting up a Mexican joint over the weekend in L.A.
It helps, we're told, they also share similar political views, the kind that makes them want to make a change that's bigger than themselves. For now ... it's platonic, but things could change. That's Hollywood, baby.
Courtney, of course, is fresh off her divorce and at the moment, we're told, she's committed to herself and not looking for a relationship. As for Austin, well, you know all too well.
As we reported ... his marriage to Megan Fox is currently in separation mode. It was clear things were off after photos of Megan and Machine Gun Kelly surfaced last month. Not long after, she appeared in one of his steamy music videos.
Hey, at least Brian's got some company now.
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Pete Buttigieg SCOTUS Ruling Wins Battle for LGBTQ+ ... But Not the War!!!
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Pete Buttigieg says the Supreme Court ruling making workplace discrimination against LGBTQ+ members illegal in the U.S. is a step forward -- but there's way more walking to do.
The ex-Democratic presidential candidate was on "TMZ Live" Tuesday to discuss the historic 6-3 decision SCOTUS handed down on the issue of civil rights at work. Pete says a lot of Americans might be surprised that, before Monday, it was still legal to fire someone based on their sexual orientation and/or gender identification.
He goes on to explain there was a huge sign of progress in that Trump-appointed conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch saw the Civil Rights Act and its workplace protections afforded to citizens naturally extend to gay and trans people too.
BTW, the President's other appointee, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, was one of the 3 dissenting votes.
Pete warned it's not time to fly victory banners just yet, because there are several outstanding issues for the LGBTQ+ community that aren't being addressed, and he detailed some of them.
Still, he says Monday's ruling should be taken for what it is -- a good omen for equality in America. True equality.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger I Won't Work Out at Gold's ... Because They're Not Wearing Face Masks
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Arnold Schwarzenegger is the most accomplished bodybuilder in the history of the sport, his gym -- Gold's in Venice -- is considered the mecca of bodybuilding ... so it's pretty stunning Arnold rolled up to the gym today but refused to go inside.
Arnold bicycled to Gold's Tuesday morning for a workout, now that the gym's back in business. He's there like clockwork when it's open, so Tuesday marked a big day for him.
When he got to the front desk he was informed people needed to wear masks when they entered and when they were in certain common areas, but they do NOT require members to wear masks when working out.
Fact is ... Gold's is complying with the law -- State regulations do not require people wearing masks when they lift, but Arnold's way more concerned about safety -- when people moan, grunt and handle the same weights, it's risky.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
The 72-year-old movie star/bodybuilder/politician, we're told, will stay clear of Gold's until people start wearing masks on the floor -- or when there's a vaccine.
The good news for Arnold -- he has a spectacular gym at home.
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Rayshard Brooks Emotional Atlanta Memorial Service
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Rayshard Brooks' family and friends honored him Monday night during a moving memorial service in his Atlanta neighborhood.
The event in southwest ATL, which lasted about 4 hours and saw 300 to 400 people show up to pay their respects, was held about 10 minutes away from the Wendy's parking lot where cops shot and killed Rayshard.
The police even stopped by for a minute, but they left before stepping foot outside their squad car.
Rayshard's family wanted the service to be a very positive, peaceful event celebrating his 27 years on Earth ... and it was. Folks were drinking, hugging and generally having a good time, but the tears were still flowing.
Family, friends and neighbors took turns holding the megaphone and sharing stories about Rayshard ... including a heartfelt speech from his cousin, Jymaco Brooks.
Mourners lit candles in front of his portrait and released balloons into the air, while also leaving trinkets at the base of the painting.
A funeral date has not yet been scheduled, as the family continues to work out logistics.
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Tom Brady Looking Pretty Buccin' Good ... Tampa Bay Uni Pics
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10:44 AM PT -- Brady and his teammate Rob Gronkowski were also spotted getting some reps in on Tuesday ... so it's a pretty sad day for Pats Nation all around.
Tom Brady was spotted practicing at Berkeley Prep this morning with his Bucs teammates - including Rob Gronkowski.
— WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) June 16, 2020 @WFLA
📹: Eagle 8 HDhttps://t.co/Lps3nTn13u #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/8oqwn6mx0N
Tompa Bay is officially HERE!!!
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released the first pics of Tom Brady in his new threads ... and the dude looks good.
It's going to take some time to get used to seeing TB12 in new colors -- after all, he spent 20 years in New England -- but now that we know what it looks like, we can finally start adjusting.
The Bucs have been hyping up the big reveal on social media ... and Brady finally decided to show the world what he looks like in red and pewter on Tuesday.
TB12 dodged a bullet, though ... with the Bucs deciding to go back to a more traditional look just in time for the legend's arrival.
Remember, #12 used to be occupied by star receiver Chris Godwin ... who willingly handed Brady his beloved digits for FREE!!
Let reality sink in, Pats fans. Your 6-time champ is gone.
Originally Published 10:07 AM PT