'365 Days' Star Michele Morrone I'm Coming Back for the Sequel ... And Raising $$$ for Charity

Published | Updated

Michele Morrone is coming back for seconds ... the "365 Days" star just announced he's on board for the sequel, and he's raising money for children in need in the process.

Michele, the Italian heartthrob who plays Massimo in Netflix's No. 1 movie, made the sequel revelation in a personalized fan video for HalaHi, which is essentially the Middle Eastern version of Cameo.

MM just joined HalaHi as a brand ambassador, and the company tells TMZ ... it only took him 24 hours to raise $14,000 for charity -- he's donating 100 percent of the proceeds from his $200 video shout-outs to help disadvantaged children.

HalaHi, which sells fans personalized videos from their favorite celebs, tells us Michele has been overwhelmed with requests ever since coming on board, with fans from all over the world clamoring for a special message from the hunk.

For those yet to discover Michele on Netflix's "365 Days," it's an erotic drama about a young woman from Warsaw who is imprisoned by a dominant Italian mafiaso, who gives her 365 days to fall in love with him.

The film makes "50 Shades of Grey" look like a children's movie ... and it's leading people all over the globe to fall for Michele.

BTW ... it's pretty BIG NEWS Michele is coming back for the sequel, because the end of the movie made it seem like this might be a one-hit wonder. Of course, people who read the book -- part of a trilogy -- won't be shocked.

Anyways, Michele's using his newfound fame for good use on HalaHi -- where, naturally, tons of fans want him to insert their names in his famous line from the movie, "Are you lost baby girl?"

Michele also says he's moving to Hollywood ... and shares his thoughts on being dubbed the sexiest man in the world.

Deion Branch I'm Predicting Huge '20 For Cam Newton ... 'He's Going To Erupt'

Published | Updated
Deion Branch
IT'S A GOOD MOVE

"You fittin' to get a monster!"

Former Patriots Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch says Cam Newton is going to go OFF in 2020 ... telling TMZ Sports the QB is poised for a huge season as Tom Brady's replacement.

"I think this guy's going to erupt, man," the ex-Pats wideout says. "I think this is going to be a crazy season for him."

As for why ... Branch tells us he believes Cam's going to come into New England motivated -- and says that should be a scary sight for the rest of the league.

"Right now, Cam feels like everybody is doubting him," Branch says. "That's a place you never want to see a true competitor, because you fittin' to get a monster!"

Of course, Cam hasn't been quite the same QB since his MVP season in 2015 ... mostly because injuries have hampered him throughout the last four seasons.

But, Branch says if Newton's healthy -- which he reportedly is -- the Patriots might find a seamless transition from TB12.

"This isn't fake, man," Branch says. "This guy is out here grinding. And, he's trying to show teams, 'Hey, I know what I can do. Just give me the opportunity.'"

"And, I think that's what Bill [Belichick] sat back and said, 'OK, I can give you the opportunity. Now go do your thing.'"

Guess Who This Cute Kid Turned Into!

Published

Before this class cutie was schooling the competition with her impeccable acting skills and Hollywood empire, she was just another young lady flashing a smile for a formal photo in Washington D.C.

Don't let the classic fashion fool you ... this A-list celebrity can still be seen wearing throwback threads in movies like "Hidden Figures" but is more frequently spotted in cool couture clothes for the cameras.

This smart young person is the proud owner of a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Critics Choice Award ... as well as holds a degree in theater from Howard University.

Can you guess who this impressive young person is?

Buffalo Police Lieutenant Calls Woman 'Little F***ing C***' ... As She Films Encounter

Published | Updated
The Buffalo Police Department once again is in the news and, once again, for all the wrong reasons ... after a lieutenant called a woman filming him a
VULGAR WORDS
UPDATE

5:04 PM PT -- We're told the officer has been suspended.

The Buffalo Police Department once again is in the news and, once again, for all the wrong reasons ... after a lieutenant called a woman filming him a "disrespectful little f***ing c***."

The incident unfolded Sunday at a 7-Eleven parking lot in Buffalo ... whereas many as 10 police officers responded to a call. The lieutenant -- Mike DeLong -- told the woman filming him they were responding to a man with 2 crack pipes who had allegedly attacked his mother.

The lieutenant can be seen telling the woman, "We have cameras too" before she tells him to get away from her. The woman, who posted the video to Facebook, asked the lieutenant if having so many officers at the scene was really necessary.

Check out the video ... you then see the lieutenant appear to walk away before saying, "You're a disrespectful little f***ing c***, that's what you are." The woman fires back, "Thank you, you're going to be viral." Unperturbed, the lieutenant responds, “I don’t care if I go viral, I really don’t.”

The woman who posted the video said she was pulling out of the 7-Eleven parking lot when she saw police cars roll up. She said she started recording because she saw 5 cops -- including a female cop with a baton in her hand -- walk toward the man in question. She said, "I was immediately concerned. I've lived on the westside of Buffalo for my whole life (pre-gentrification), I've seen people in my community battle substance abuse and mental illness. He seemed off, but I was not threatened by him in the slightest."

You can see in the video cops keep their distance before the man's eventually placed in a gurney and wheeled into an ambulance. The woman ended her caption with this, "Armed police officers should be able to effectively do their job without being threatened by civilians recording them."

The Police Commissioner has ordered an immediate internal investigation into the incident.

John Wayne Family Says He 'Was Not A Racist' ... Would've Saved George Floyd!!!

Published | Updated

John Wayne was NOT a racist ... at least according to his son, who just weighed in on the controversial debate about renaming the Orange County airport that bears his name.

John's son, Ethan Wayne, says he's trying to set the record straight on the famous cowboy actor, who some say is a racist and bigot and doesn't deserve to have his name on the SoCal airport.

Ethan says of his father ... "John Wayne was not a racist. I know that term is casually tossed around these days, but I take it very seriously. I also understand how we got to this point."

Remember, John told Playboy back in 1971 ... "I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility. I don't believe in giving authority and positions of leadership and judgment to irresponsible people."

The infamous quote is one of the reasons the Orange County Democratic Party recently passed a resolution, calling out John's "racist and bigoted statements" and demanding the O.C. Board of Supervisors rename the airport.

Ethan says in a family statement ... "There is no question that the words spoken by John Wayne in an interview 50 years ago have caused pain and anger. They pained him as well, as he realized his true feelings were wrongly conveyed."

He does not say his father was misquoted, and despite the words he spoke to Playboy ... Ethan goes on to say his dad "did not support 'white supremacy' in any way and believed that responsible people should gain power without the use of violence."

John's son is also invoking George Floyd's name to defend his father, saying ... "He would have pulled those officers off of George Floyd, because that was the right thing to do. He would stand for everyone’s right to protest and work toward change."

Ethan says his it would be an "injustice" to judge John based on a single interview and says the big picture paints a much different picture of dad, who he says "called out bigotry when he saw it."

John's son also points to his lasting legacy, the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, and says his name will always embody courage, strength and grit.

Cam Newton Touches Down In L.A. in Fresh Outfit ... After Signing with Pats

Published | Updated

Cam Newton has landed in L.A. just one day after signing with the Patriots ... and his new squad outfit is straight FIRE!!!

The 31-year-old QB was decked out in a plaid shirt with pink pants and a pink sweater around his neck ... lookin' like Easter in June -- but man, HE LOOKS GOOD!

While Newton didn't have much to say at LAX, he's gotta be stoked to sign with Bill Belichick's squad ... where some experts are now saying he puts NE back in legit playoff contention.

One more thing ... Cam was also sporting a mask and even though he forgot to cover his nose, it's more than Tom Brady seems to be doing with his new teammates out in Tampa Bay.

As we previously reported, Cam signed a 1-year incentive-based deal with the Patriots that's worth up to $7.5 mil if he hits all of his bonuses.

We'll end this post with a relevant quote from NFL legend Deion Sanders ... who famously dropped this pearl of wisdom back in the day:

"If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good. If you play good, they pay good."

George Floyd Murder Case Charged Ex-Cops Appear in Court

Published
Thomas Lane
COURT APPEARANCE
UPDATE

2:40 PM PT -- According to new legal docs ... ex-officer Kueng intends to plead not guilty to his charges, citing self-defense, reasonable force and authorized use of force during Floyd's arrest.

UPDATE

11:48 AM PT -- The pre-trial hearing’s over — all the ex-officers attended in person, except Chauvin, who appeared via video monitor from the prison where he’s being held. No pleas were entered, but much was discussed.

UPDATE

Judge Peter Cahill and the attorneys addressed the pretrial publicity, with the judge warning both sides to be careful with their comments about the case … but he hasn’t issued a gag order yet. The defense attorneys made it clear they will be filing motions for a change of venue.

UPDATE

Judge Cahill stated he’s also awaiting motions on whether the defendants will be tried separately or together in a joint trial. The defense says it plans to file motions for dismissal of charges in some cases, as well.

UPDATE

Finally, both sides discussed whether cameras should be allowed at the trial or not … the defense wants them, the prosecution has opposed. So far, the judge is sticking to no cameras, but says he’s still considering the issue.

UPDATE

Some of these topics will likely be addressed at the next hearing on September 11. The first day of trial is currently set for March 8, 2021.

The four former Minneapolis cops charged in George Floyd's alleged murder are back in front of a judge ... and it's the first time we're seeing two of them appear in court.

J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas K. Lane strolled into Hennepin County District Court Monday for a pretrial hearing, accompanied by their defense attorneys, and that's who you see in the video.

The other ex-officers, Derek Chauvin and Tou Thao, didn't post bond like their former colleagues and are still in jail. No cameras are allowed inside the courtroom for today's proceedings.

The last time we saw Kueng, he was shopping at a local grocery store -- he's out on a $750k bond -- when a woman recognized him and confronted him, shoving a camera in his face.

Lane, meanwhile, posted his $750k bail after his family started soliciting donations via a website they set up to raise dough for his legal defense.

Minneapolis Police 5/25/20
EXCESSIVE FORCE

Chauvin, who kept his knee pressed on Floyd's neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, is charged with 2nd-degree murder and 2nd-degree manslaughter.

Kueng, Lane and Thao are charged with two counts each -- one for aiding and abetting 2nd-degree murder and one for aiding and abetting 2nd-degree manslaughter.

Originally published -- 11:14 AM PT

NHL 26 Players Test Positive For COVID ... Since June 8

Published

The NHL is releasing its COVID-19 numbers ... with the league reporting 26 out of roughly 250 players have tested positive for the virus since June 8.

The NHL allowed small groups of players to start training at their team facilities earlier this month as part of its Phase 2 of returning to action ... and says it has handed out more than 1,450 tests during that period.

"All players who have tested positive have been self-isolated and are following CDC and Health Canada protocols," the NHL said Monday.

The news comes a week after the Tampa Bay Lightning had to shut down their facility after at least 3 players tested positive for COVID-19. The facility has since reopened.

"The NHL will continue to provide regular updates on the number of tests administered to Players and the results of those tests."

The league hopes to kick off Phase 3 in the next few weeks ... and hope to return to games shortly after.

Wayne Brady Little Richard Tribute a Family Affair ... Shout Out to My Ex-Wife!!!

Published

Wayne Brady says he knew he had to nail his Little Richard impersonation for the BET Awards tribute -- and he's giving props to his ex-wife and her BF for helping him pull it off.

Wayne joined us Monday on "TMZ Live" to talk about one of the highlights of Sunday night's show ... which was a virtual/at-home event for the first time. He said it was a blessing to honor the late rock 'n' roll legend, who he absolutely loved.

WB recalled the first time he actually got to meet Little Richard and work with him -- and it's obvious how much admiration they had for each other.

That's why Wayne knew the pressure was on to bring that live performance energy -- worthy of Little Richard -- even though it was pre-recorded ... and he revealed how he did that.

Talk about a progressive production -- Wayne told us how his ex-wife, her boyfriend, his daughter and a few others all came together to record the tribute in a COVID-safe environment.

Wayne says the final product just goes to show the pandemic can't stop him from doing what he loves to do.

He also told us why being a part of this year's award show was extra special to him. As he put it, BET and CBS made a huge statement about black culture's place in America.

Dr. Dre Wife Files for Divorce

Published | Updated

Dr. Dre and his wife of 24 years are ending their marriage ... she's filed for divorce.

Nicole Young filed the paperwork Monday, citing the usual irreconcilable differences as the reason for her split from the hip-hop mogul.

Dre married Nicole on May 25, 1996, and they have 2 adult children together -- a son named Truice and a daughter named Truly -- so they won't have to deal with child support.

Sources connected to Nicole say there is no prenup. Dre's net worth, according to Forbes, is estimated at $800 million.

Nicole is also seeking spousal support.

She was formerly married to NBA player, Sedale Threatt. Young works as a lawyer and is represented in the divorce by a high-powered celeb attorney, Samantha Spector.

We've reached out to Dr. Dre's rep. He had no comment.

Golden State Killer Pleading Guilty to 13 Murders ... Crimes 'Terrified' California

Published

The man known as the Golden State Killer will finally admit to the horrific crimes he committed in the '70s and '80s ... including 13 first-degree murder charges he's facing.

Joseph James DeAngelo Jr. is appearing in a makeshift courtroom Monday -- onstage in a ballroom at Cal State Sacramento -- where he will plead guilty to the 13 counts of murder and 13 counts of kidnapping for purposes of robbery.

DeAngelo's also expected to admit guilt to 62 other rapes and abductions during the plea hearing ... crimes for which the statute of limitations expired long ago.

Sacramento County Deputy D.A. Amy Holliday says prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty and expect DeAngelo to be sentenced to life without parole.

The 74-year-old former police officer's guilty plea comes after decades of mystery over the rapes and killings at his hands, which took place between 1973 and 1986.

DeAngelo's trail of terror led to monikers like the "Visalia Ransacker," "East Area Rapist," "Original Night Stalker" and finally, the "Golden State Killer," and left "communities terrified for years" ... according to prosecutor Thien Ho at Monday's hearing.

After more than a 40-year hunt, DeAngelo was arrested on April 24, 2018 after being ID'd by crime-scene DNA.

The Golden State Killer's crimes and investigation are the subject of the new HBO documentary, "I'll Be Gone in the Dark," which highlights the late Michelle McNamara's mission to crack the case and find him

Detroit PD Chief James Craig Cops Drove Through Protesters Because ... 'They Believed They Could Be Shot At'

Published | Updated
Detroit
MOVE IT OR LOSE IT
UPDATE

11:14 AM PT -- Detroit Police Chief James Craig just defended the officers involved in Thursday night’s incident saying they "did the right thing" after a crowd of about 25-30 people went from agitators to violent. He did not ID the officers involved.

UPDATE

Craig said the officers heard a loud bang — after the rear window was smashed — and “in their mind, they believed they could be shot at.” Craig also said the agitators yelled obscenities at them before some hopped on the hood of the car.

UPDATE
Detroit PD
COPS DID THE RIGHT THING
UPDATE

Then there's this ... Craig said, “There was information that officers reported several of the protesters were armed with hammers.” Craig couldn’t point out how many protesters were allegedly armed with hammers.

UPDATE

When the police cruiser took off, Craig said it maxed out at about 25 MPH and asked reporters, “What would you have them do?” Craig, who confirmed the officers involved remain on duty, said cops are also looking for a woman on a scooter who blocked a second police cruiser and hit the driver’s side tire. The incidents remain under investigation.

062920_detroit_police_protestors_4809832 :: 0_9ip89twq :: 0_u1soxsbm
OUTTA MY WAY OR ELSE

Yet another video showing a police officer mowing down Black Lives Matter protesters ... this time in Detroit where the cop in his cruiser's doing exactly that.

The horrifying incident unfolded late Sunday night in Southwest Detroit where protesters were peacefully demonstrating against systemic racism. They were heading back to Patton Park, where the protest began ... but met by cops who were determined to block them.

A tense standoff between protesters and the cop in his SUV followed. You can see the officer creep up in his car with protesters standing in front of the cruiser -- then the cop FLOORS it ... mowing down protesters along the way. You see a protester clinging to the hood of the SUV as the cop takes off.

A protester who says he was hit by the cop told the Detroit Free Press the cop "ran over a couple people's arms, feet. He ran over her phone. I think I was the last person on the car. I was just holding onto the car. I could feel him speeding up and then he did one of these and he flinged me off the car."

Medics treated as many as 10 people on the scene following the incident.

The Detroit PD says it's investigating the incident. This violent clash is reminiscent of what went down in NYC earlier this month when cops were seen on video driving their cruisers into a crowd of protesters behind a barricade.

Originally published -- 6:55 AM PT

St. Louis Protest Couple Points Guns at Crowd Marching by Their Mansion

Published | Updated

A married couple in an upscale area of St. Louis came out of their home strapped and pointing guns at protesters ... while barefoot, mind you.

The surreal scene went down Sunday evening in the Central West End neighborhood, as a crowd was marching to the home of Mayor Lyda Krewson to demand her resignation for releasing names and addresses of citizens who want to defund the police.

The couple, attorneys Mark and Patricia McCloskey, apparently felt threatened by the protesters and stepped outside brandishing firearms -- Mark with a semi-automatic weapon and Patricia with a handgun. Seems it was a split-second decision because they didn't even put on shoes.

In the video, at least, all the peaceful protesters remained on the sidewalk and didn't appear to trespass on the McCloskey's property. However, the couple told police the protesters entered their gated community by forcing their way through a gate marked "No trespassing." It's unclear if the sidewalk is public or private.

Fortunately, the act of intimidation from the barefoot Bonnie and Clyde only led to verbal spats with some of the reported 300 protestors.

One note of irony ... Mark and Patricia are personal injury lawyers who have exclusively represented people "seriously injured or killed as the result of the negligence of others" for the past 3 decades.

Broadway Closed Through End Of Year ... See Ya In January?!?

Published

The coronavirus pandemic is keeping the curtain closed on Broadway ... at least through the end of the year.

The Broadway League announced Monday all Broadway performances in New York City are on hold for the next 6 months and beyond due to COVID-19.

While there is no exact date for the curtain to open on Broadway, producers say they are now offering refunds and exchanges for tickets purchased to performances through Jan. 3.

The Broadway League says it's just not safe to host throngs of fans for indoor performances in the pandemic -- not to mention the cast, crew and orchestra -- so things remain in a holding pattern.

As you know ... Broadway has been shuttered since March 12, and the shutdown was previously extended through June 7 and then Sept. 6.

Now, all of 2020 is a wash for Broadway. Break a leg ... next year?!?

Colin Kaepernick Netflix Series Based on High School Years ... 'Colin in Black & White'

Published

Colin Kaepernick's origin story is getting the Netflix treatment -- in the form of a 6-episode series based on the QB's high school years.

Netflix says the scripted drama is called "Colin In Black & White" -- which will address the issues Colin had growing up as a Black man in an adopted white family.

"Too often we see race and Black stories portrayed through a white lens," Kaepernick said. "We seek to give new perspective to the differing realities that Black people face."

Netflix says 32-year-old Kaepernick is working alongside Academy Award nominee Ava DuVernay on the project ... and adds the script for the show was finished last month.

"With his act of protest, Colin Kaepernick ignited a national conversation about race and justice with far-reaching consequences for football, culture and for him, personally,” DuVernay said.

"Colin’s story has much to say about identity, sports and the enduring spirit of protest and resilience. I couldn’t be happier than to tell this story with the team at Netflix."

Kaepernick famously moved to Northern California when he was 4 years old after he was adopted by a white family ... and ended up being a star athlete in his teenage years at Pitman H.S. in Turlock.

Kap went on to play QB at Univ. of Nevada ... and later became a star for the 49ers -- before ending up as one of the key faces of the fight for social justice in America.