Alicia Keys LEGO Chain Gift Means ... Swizz Beatz Knows a Woman's Worth!!!
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Alicia Keys is legit OBSESSED with LEGOs ... and no one knows this better than Swizz Beatz, who dropped a king's ransom to gift her a colorful and ritzy LEGO-themed chain.
Celeb jeweler Elliot Eliantte tells TMZ ... Swizz reached out and said he wanted a one-of-a-kind chain worthy of Alicia's love for LEGOs -- plus it was for her 40th, so it had to be special.
As diehard Alicia fans know, building LEGOs is one of her favorite hobbies -- so what's better than a LEGO-themed link chain including her favorite colors?? Eliantte says he used around 65 carats of diamonds and sapphires to make it happen.
He's not saying how much Swizz dropped, but our sources say it's worth at least 6 figures. Important note: while the gems were arranged in LEGO form ... no actual LEGOs were used in the chain. Sorry, Alicia. 😔
It's okay, though ... one of her other bday gifts -- she turned 40 on January 25 -- was a Statue of Liberty LEGO set!!!
Can't say she's not proud of her hobby -- remember she rocked a LEGO-themed top during her 2013 "Set the World on Fire" tour.
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Kamaru Usman Put Me On 'Dancing with the Stars' ... I've Earned It!!!
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Kamaru Usman established himself as one of the greatest fighters ever ... and now the UFC superstar is looking to expand -- to the ballroom!!
Usman didn't just TKO Gilbert Burns over the weekend ... he made history. The Nigerian Nightmare broke GSP's record for consecutive welterweight wins in the UFC (Usman now holds the record with 13 straight).
Kamaru Usman returned the favor in Round 2 and dropped Gilbert Burns 😳 #UFC258 pic.twitter.com/rHHDIqbDTF
— ESPN (@espn) February 14, 2021 @espn
So, when TMZ Sports talked to the champ, we asked if he'd be interested in "Dancing with the Stars" -- and Usman made it clear there could soon be a mirrorball trophy next to his UFC belts.
"I do my thing! I do my thing! That's the thing with me, I understand that practice makes perfect and I'm disciplined enough to be able to train at it," Kamaru tells us.
"So anything, if I need to work at it, do the moves, learn 'em, boom! I'm in there! I can get it down."
Usman wouldn't be the 1st UFC star to be on DWTS ... Chuck Liddell was on the show in 2009 (he was eliminated 5th). Paige VanZant was a contestant in 2016 ... and nearly won the show, finishing 2nd.
Primetime TV isn't new to Usman ... he previously told us he'd like to be the 1st Black 'Bachelor' (Matt James ended up landing the gig after 25 seasons).
But, with all the drama surrounding the 'Bachelor' franchise (see Chris Harrison), Kamaru's looking for less TV romance -- and more dance.
"It's a tough one now because with the controversy going on, now it kinda soils the name, ya know?"
Don't worry ... we also talked to Usman about his beefs with Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington.
And, don't get it twisted, just 'cause Usman's looking to make a splash in the pop culture universe, he's still laser-focused on smashing Gamebred and Chaos.
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Rush Limbaugh Scholarship Created in His Honor ... For Kids of Fallen Police and Military
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An organization Rush Limbaugh supported and donated millions to will now pay tribute to him ... with a scholarship bearing his name.
Ed Boran and Sue Boulhosa -- President and Executive Director respectively of the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation -- tell TMZ ... it regularly gives $35,000 scholarships to children who lost a parent serving in the Marines or a federal law enforcement agency.
We're told MC-LEF will launch a Rush Limbaugh Memorial "Giant of Philanthropy" Scholarship that will go to 12 to 20 families who've lost loved ones ... with the same $35k award.
Ed and Sue say the initiative will start right away and last for years, and the families receiving the scholarship will be notified in a condolence letter saying Limbaugh was the donor. Typically, the letter says the scholarship was contributed by "our loyal donors."
We're told Rush donated around $3.5 million over the years to the org, along with regularly encouraging his radio listeners to donate as well.
MC-LEF was founded in 1995 and Rush was critical in its first 32 scholarships following the Oklahoma City bombing. Last year the org doled out 169 scholarships to more than 100 families.
As we reported ... Limbaugh died Wednesday of lung cancer. This MC-LEF scholarship named in his honor comes a year after former President Trump awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- the nation's highest civilian honor.
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Guess Who This Fairy Fan Turned Into!
Before this blonde baby with bangs was twinning with her A-list mother, she was just another fairy female playing with dolls in Santa Monica, California.
This cheesing chick showin' off her dimpled cheeks is known for being born into Hollywood with two famous parents ... who met just before scoring roles starring alongside each other in a cruel teen-romance drama in 1999. The pair eloped and had two children together before separating after 7 years of marriage.
Along with creating a sweet home for their daughter, her parents also named her after a famous 1940s actress.
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Nicole Young Hey Dre, Who's Been in My Closet??!!
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Dr. Dre's estranged wife is demanding access to their marital home because she's pretty sure someone's been wearing her expensive shoes ... and it ain't Goldilocks.
Nicole Young just filed docs in their nasty divorce war, asking the court to allow her access to the Brentwood home, where she used to live with Dre, because she's left a bunch of personal belongings there.
In the docs, Nicole says she left back in April 2020 with a "bare minimum" of her stuff. Nicole claims she had to get out in a hurry because Dre was drunk and yelling, "F**k you. Get the f**k out. Go to Malibu."
She left a ton behind ... according to Nicole, her loot includes designer and vintage handbags, couture clothing and 20 fur coats in a "cedar and temperature-controlled" closet. BTW, she says her regular closet and "boutique room" at the home is about 1,000 sq. feet!!!
Since she's left, Nicole says she's observed several different women posting photos and videos inside the house -- and she claims some of Dre's visitors might be wearing her stuff.
For instance, Nicole claims one of Dre's playmates posted a photo in his bathroom while wearing what appear to be her Chanel slides. She's also upset Dre throws huge parties -- like one he had in October for the NBA Playoffs -- because she thinks with all the drinking, it's just a matter of time before someone damages or takes her belongings.
Oh, and one more thing ... Nicole's worried Dre might pack up her remaining property and just send it to storage. She says that would be catastrophic for her furs, which must remain in that temperature-controlled closet.
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Tim Tebow I'm Retiring From Baseball ... 'Loved Every Minute'
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Tim Tebow's dream of becoming a major leaguer is coming to an end -- the football superstar-turned-slugger is officially retiring from baseball.
The 33-year-old Heisman Trophy winner joined the New York Mets in 2016 ... making it as far as the AAA level with the Syracuse Mets in 2019.
Tebow appeared in 287 games in 3 pro seasons in the Mets farm system ... earning 18 homers, 107 runs scored, 48 doubles, three triples, 107 RBI and 5 stolen bases.
Tebow released a statement on his decision to walk away from the sport Wednesday afternoon ... saying he's ready to pursue other dreams.
"I want to thank the Mets, Mr. Alderson, the fans and all my teammates for the chance to be a part of such a great organization," Tebow said.
"I loved every minute of the journey, but at this time I feel called in other directions. I never want to be partially in on anything. I always want to be 100 percent in on whatever I choose."
"Thank you again for everyone’s support of this awesome journey in baseball, I’ll always cherish my time as a Met."
TMZ Sports spoke to Tebow about his baseball career last month ... and he said he was still fully committed to baseball.
1/14/21
"For me, I'm super excited about spring training," Tebow said at the time. "So, that's where my focus kind of swirls right now."
It's unclear what changed his mind since we spoke to him a few weeks ago ... maybe he IS helping out Urban Meyer in Jacksonville after all??
Tebow's baseball career started off with a bang -- he hit a homer in his very first at-bat in the Mets' instructional league in 2016 ... and hit another dinger in his first professional at-bat with the Single-A Columbia Fireflies.
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Demi Lovato Opens up About Deep Addiction Struggles In Groundbreaking Documentary
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Demi Lovato is revealing for the first time doctors believed she only had 5-10 minutes to live when she overdosed ... and it's all part of one of the most anticipated documentaries of the year.
The singer says she suffered 3 strokes and a heart attack during the nearly fatal July 2018 incident. Demi opened up about it for her upcoming documentary ... which also features friends and family describing her struggle to survive. The project is directed by Michael D. Ratner.
Aside from her OD ... "Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil" highlights her rise to superstardom and her struggles with sobriety and mental health. A new trailer shows the film will also touch on her recent 2-month engagement to Max Ehrich.
As we reported ... Demi was hospitalized for about 2 weeks following her overdose, but continued to recover for months until she made her comeback live performance at the Grammys in January 2020.
She performed the single, "Anyone" -- which she wrote just 4 days before she OD'd -- and later said it was pretty evident the lyrics were a cry for help.
However, as it's suggested in the documentary, Demi was good at making everyone believe she was okay.
We're told Demi doesn't want to be the poster child for addiction and recovery, she just wants to tell her honest story. 'Dancing with the Devil' comes out March 23 on YouTube ... and the buzz is it's incredible.
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NFL's Vincent Jackson Autopsy Shows He 'Suffered from Chronic Alcoholism' ... Sheriff Says
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4:07 PM PT -- Seems the Sheriff may have jumped the gun by announcing the autopsy results on Wednesday -- because a rep for Jackson's family says they were told the official autopsy report will not be completed for weeks.
Here's the statement from the Jackson family -- "The official autopsy of Vincent Jackson has not been completed and the family has been told the full autopsy report will not be available for weeks."
So, why did the Sheriff publicly claim alcohol was a factor before the report was complete? That's unclear ... but we're told other officials working the case were also baffled by his decision to reveal the information before the autopsy is formally completed.
Ex-NFL star Vincent Jackson "suffered from chronic alcoholism" -- and it appears to have been a factor in his death, this according to law enforcement.
Sheriff Chad Chronister of the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office in Florida revealed the findings from Jackson's autopsy Wednesday on the "MJ Morning Show" saying -- "We got the autopsy report that will be released today showed, unfortunately, he suffered from chronic alcoholism. Just tragic!"
Sheriff Chronister says officials are still waiting on the toxicology report to come back before they can issue an official cause of death -- but he notes Jackson had "long-standing health conditions that contributed to his passing because of some alcohol abuse."
The 38-year-old NFL wide receiver was discovered Monday by a housekeeper at the Homewood Suites hotel in Brandon, Florida (located in the Tampa area) ... where he had been living since January.
The whole situation was bizarre considering Jackson made more than $70 million in his NFL career and was widely loved in the community by family, friends and law enforcement.
So, why was he at that hotel alone? Sheriff Chronister has a theory ...
"Well this is true speculation but what the family is telling me is that he suffered from CTE. They believe he had a lot of concussion problems and when you suffer from that, you're not yourself."
Sheriff Chronister continued, "[The family believes] wholeheartedly all of these actions are the result of what he suffered while he was playing in the NFL."
Jackson spent 12 years in the pros -- making 3 Pro Bowls during his time with the San Diego Chargers and the Tampa Bay Bucs. He formally retired in 2018 but last played in 2016.
Sheriff Chronister noted how involved Jackson was in the community.
"He would never say no! He's the person you would call 'Hey I have something we wanna do for a child in need, a family in need, a military member in need' and he was always there. I don't know how he balanced his schedule."
Originally Published -- 7:59 AM PT
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President Biden Getting Dragged Over Student Loans ... You Created This Mess!!!
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President Biden helped create the student loan debt crisis facing millions of Americans ... at least in the eyes of his critics, who now wonder why he's balking on coming to the rescue.
Bernie Sanders' former Press Secretary Briahna Joy Gray joined us Wednesday on "TMZ Live" and she dragged Biden for his renewed resistance to forgive $50,000 of student loan debt.
Briahna says Biden's largely to blame for a "toxic slew" of policies saddling millions of graduates with tons of debt, and she's puzzled why he won't just fix the crisis he helped set in motion years ago when he was a Senator.
During Tuesday night's town hall, the President firmly said he was only willing to forgive $10k for impacted students and ex-students. Senate Democrats -- including Sanders and Elizabeth Warren -- want the $50k.
Briahna also ripped into Joe's concerns about disproportionately helping folks who went to Ivy League schools ... and she tells us why she thinks he's taking a page from the GOP's controversial "welfare queen" playbook.
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Jeanette 'The Black Widow' Lee Billiards Star Diagnosed With Terminal Cancer
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Jeanette "The Black Widow" Lee -- one of the most famous billiards players EVER -- has been diagnosed with cancer ... and her friends say she now has less than a year to live.
The 49-year-old's awful diagnosis was revealed in a GoFundMe this week ... when Lee's family and friends explained docs recently discovered Lee has stage four ovarian cancer.
In the statement, Lee's family and friends said, "The cancer has fully metastasized into her lymph nodes and the prognosis is dire."
They added, "At this stage, her doctors say she has a few months to a year left to live."
Lee, though, says she's already started the process of fighting the disease ... and is vowing to take every step possible to ultimately beat it.
"I intend to bring the same resolve I brought to the billiards table to this fight," Lee told the American Poolplayers Association.
"Jim Valvano so eloquently told us to ‘Never give up.' I owe it to my three young daughters to do exactly that."
Lee began playing pool over three decades ago, and became one of the most dominant players in the sport in the 1990s. In fact, the former #1 ranked player got her spider nickname because her friends said she was such a killer on the table.
But, Lee -- who was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 2013 -- was forced to stop playing the game at a high-level years ago after battling the effects of scoliosis.
Now, Lee's family and friends say she's expected to undergo multiple surgeries in the coming weeks and months in an attempt to slow the cancer.
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'Selling Sunset' Star Christine Quinn is Pregnant!!!
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It looks like "Selling Sunset" star Christine Quinn will have a new storyline when the hit show returns to Netflix for season 4 ... 'cause TMZ's learned she's pregnant.
Sources close to the couple tell TMZ ... Christine and her tech millionaire hubby, Christian Richard, are expecting their first child together. Our sources say Christine -- who proudly wears the villain badge -- is well past her first trimester in the pregnancy.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
No word yet if they're having a boy or a girl. Christine and Christian's marriage in December 2019 was featured in the season 3 finale.
As true "Selling Sunset" fans know ... Christine, as is her nature, went all out with extravagant overtures at her DTLA wedding ... like wearing a glitzy black wedding dress and having black swans at the ceremony.
The news comes just months after TMZ broke the news that Netflix greenlit seasons 4 and 5 ... giving thirsty fans -- and the "thirsty bitches" -- something to look forward to when, if all goes well, filming starts later this spring.
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FKA Twigs Details Shia's Alleged Abuse ... In First TV Interview
FKA Twigs is opening up about the alleged abuse she suffered during her relationship with Shia LaBeouf ... claiming he'd force her to sleep naked and wake her up to berate her for no reason.
The singer-songwriter sat down for her first TV interview with Gayle King on the heels of the lawsuit she filed against LaBeouf in December for assault and sexual battery.
FKA Twigs tells Gayle that Shia would pick fights with her in the middle of the night, insult her by calling her "vile" and "disgusting" ... and essentially play disturbing mind games in an effort to control her.
She says the alleged domestic abuse built up little by little, to the point where LaBeouf made her feel powerless.
FKA also told Elle magazine, "It's a miracle I came out alive," referring to her relationship with LaBeouf.
As we reported ... she filed a civil suit alleging LaBeouf physically abused her, tormented her, and knowingly gave her an STI.
At the time, Shia told the New York Times ... "Although many of these allegations are not true. I am not in the position to defend any of my actions. I owe these women the opportunity to air their statements publicly and accept accountability for those things I have done. As someone in recovery, I have to face almost daily reminders of things I did say and do when I was drinking."
We've reached out to him about the new allegations ... no word back so far. FKA's full interview with King will air Thursday.
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Boris Johnson Cracks O.J. Simpson Joke ... After Glove Struggle At COVID Vaccine Site
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"Ah, like O.J. Simpson!"
That's how Boris Johnson chose to describe his struggle with a pair of latex gloves at a COVID vaccination site Wednesday ... and the British Prime Minister is now taking all sorts of heat for the quip.
The 56-year-old was out in Wales checking in on and helping out a Cwmbran vaccine center ... when he was handed a pair of mitts that were clearly just a little too small for his paws.
As Boris struggled to get covering over all five of his fingers ... he giggled, and then blurted out the O.J. joke.
People at the site laughed awkwardly at the comment ... with one of the workers adding, "Absolutely!"
The reference, though, now has Johnson in a bit of hot water ... with many wondering if a joke with roots in a murder trial is really the right move to make, particularly at COVID vaccine site.
"Johnson is the prime minister of the UK," one Twitter user wrote. "Is it too much to expect that he behaves with some dignity? Johnson's 'joke' is in severely bad taste."
Some on social media did find the humor behind the comment, however.
Still, Johnson has yet to address the remark since making it.
Begs the question now, will O.J. -- who LOOOOVVVVESSS attention -- respond?? Or is he still too busy searching for the real killer ...
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Rush Limbaugh Dead at 70
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10:27 AM PT -- Trump just paid his respects to Rush on Fox News, where he spoke for more than 20 minutes about the respect and admiration he has for the radio host.
He says he spoke with Rush a few days ago to check in on him, and says he was brave and courageous to the end. Echoing the words of Sean Hannity, Trump describes Limbaugh as "irreplaceable."
Rush Limbaugh -- one of the most listened to radio personalities for more than 30 years -- has died of lung cancer ... TMZ has learned.
The conservative firebrand host and political commentator died Wednesday. Rush first announced he was battling advanced lung cancer about a year ago, but it took a turn for the worse recently ... resulting in him missing some shows and his producers asking for prayers. His wife, Kathryn, announced the news on Rush's radio show Wednesday morning.
Limbaugh, who started his radio career in the 1970s, is best known for hosting "The Rush Limbaugh Show" ... which has been in national syndication since 1988 and made him one of the premier voices of the conservative movement for 3 decades.
President Donald Trump awarded Rush the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- the nation's highest civilian honor -- for his achievements in radio. Trump presented the award in an unprecedented move during the 2020 State of the Union address just days after Limbaugh revealed his cancer diagnosis.
Of course, Limbaugh's success in radio did not come without a lot of controversies, as his views on race, LGBTQ+ issues, feminism, sexual consent and climate change -- just to name a few -- have been widely criticized ... making him one of the most polarizing figures in America.
The same was true for Rush when he ventured to television, as evidenced by his very first appearance in 1990 as guest host for "The Pat Sajak Show." As Limbaugh was discussing affirmative action, he got jeered by the audience ... resulting in everyone being escorted out of the studio so he could finish the show solo.
Rush went on to host his own TV show from 1992-96, and during this time he was one of the most vocal critics of President Bill Clinton and influential figures of the "Republican Revolution," in which the party regained control of Congress in 1994.
Years later, in 2003, Rush found himself in the middle of a new type of controversy -- in the sports world -- after joining ESPN as a football commentator. Limbaugh made incendiary comments about Eagles QB Donovan McNabb, claiming he was overrated due to the media being "very desirous that a black quarterback do well." Rush resigned shortly afterward ... but there were plenty more controversies to come.
Rush joined "The Breakfast Club" this past summer to discuss George Floyd's death and the protests that followed, and he delivered more classic Rush takes ... including saying he doesn't believe white privilege exists.
Just months before that, in February 2020, Rush insisted COVID-19 was nothing to worry about, telling his audience ... "I'm dead right on this. The coronavirus is the common cold, folks." He claimed it was being weaponized to hurt Trump.
Among Limbaugh's other accomplishments in radio include his induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame and the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame ... and his show being named the most listened-to in the U.S. in 2019.
Rush also wrote 7 books ... his first 2 landing on The New York Times Best Seller list.
Limbaugh was married 4 times, the first 3 ending in divorce. He is survived by his current wife, Kathryn Rogers, who he wed in 2010.
Rush was 70.
Originally published -- 9:16 AM PT
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Nicki Minaj Driver in Father's Deadly Hit-and-Run Turns Himself In to Police
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2:23 PM PT -- We've just obtained Polevich's mug shot.
The driver wanted for striking Nicki Minaj's father in a deadly hit-and-run has turned himself in to police ... TMZ has confirmed.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... police arrested 70-year-old Charles Polevich, who cops believe is the person responsible for Robert Maraj's death. He's been arraigned and charged with 2 felonies -- leaving scene of incident involving death of a person and tampering with or suppressing physical evidence.
via Facebook uma tia de Nicki Minaj publicou que Robert Maraj (Pai de Nicki ) veio a Falecer , as informações ainda não foram confirmadas ! esperamos que Deus posso conforta o coração da Nicki e sua Família nesse momento 🖤💔 pic.twitter.com/UMA1iNproj
— Rick Maraj (@HomoMrs) February 14, 2021 @HomoMrs
According to the complaint ... Polevich allegedly hit Maraj with his 1992 white Volvo at the intersection of Roslyn Rd. and Raff Ave. in the village of Mineola. Cops say Polevich "then exited his vehicle stood over the victim asked him if 'he was ok,' walked and returned to his vehicle and fled the scene." Cops say Polevich then drove to his home "avoiding intersections and did conceal his vehicle in the detached garage at his residence."
We're told Polevich's bail's been set at $250k and that he had to surrender his passport and his travel has been restricted to New York.
TMZ broke the story ... 64-year-old Robert died after he was struck Friday evening on Long Island while on a walk. At the time, cops said the driver fled the scene without a meaningful description from witnesses. Robert was rushed to a hospital in critical condition where he died from his injuries.
Nicki and her father had been photographed together embracing over the years. It's unclear what Nicki's relationship was with her dad before his tragic death.
Originally Published -- 8:20 AM PT
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Bam Margera Booted from 'Jackass 4' ... Couldn't Abide by Conditions
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Bam Margera is off the "Jackass 4" project for good -- and it's all because he couldn't stay in line when it came to his addiction issues ... TMZ has learned.
Sources close to Bam tell us he was informed last week by producers that he would no longer be part of the movie going forward. The reason is he essentially broke his contract.
We're told the 'Jackass' family wanted Bam to be part of the movie from the get-go, but were worried things would go left because of his past substance use and erratic behavior.
I stand with Bam Margera pic.twitter.com/ZSTeCud1mj
— COKELOGIC 🐈 (@cokelogic) February 13, 2021 @cokelogic
So, in order to achieve what everyone wanted -- at first, anyway -- our sources tell us Bam was presented with a handful of conditions/restrictions he was told he needed to abide by in order to stay on the project. Long story short ... we're told he failed to meet his end of the bargain.
As for what he was supposed to do ... our sources say there would be routine drug tests -- including urine samples -- plus committing to staying sober, blowing into a breathalyzer, taking his medication and seeing a psychologist while on the job. It's unclear which specific condition was the final straw.
Bam alluded to some of these conditions in his OG rant, when he called for a boycott of "Jackass 4" and seemed visibly upset -- only to turn around 24 hours later and say he was getting help. Despite him suggesting things were fine again, we're told he's still fired.
Our Bam sources tell us they're quite worried about him, as the prospect of working on "Jackass 4" seemed to be keeping him on the straight and narrow for a good while -- now he seems to be off the rails again. We are told he now feels like he is being cut out of what he helped create. He's been posting/deleting disparaging "Jackass 4" posts on and off.
bam margera is basically chris chan if he accidently walked into a spencer's rather than a gamestop pic.twitter.com/j6ucOlEJ5Q
— SynthCool (@SynthCool) February 14, 2021 @SynthCool
The one question that remains to be answered ... how much, if anything, did the 'Jackass' team film with Bam already, and are they still planning to use any of that footage for the final edit?