Scarlett Johansson's Agent Blasts Disney for Shameless Attack Over 'Black Widow' Lawsuit

Scarlett Johansson's agent is joining in on the war with Disney ... blasting the Mouse House for "shamelessly" attacking her over her "Black Widow" lawsuit.

Bryan Lourd, one of the head honchos at the powerhouse agency CAA, just went to bat for his client and said Disney "shamelessly and falsely accused Ms. Johansson of being insensitive to the global COVID pandemic, in an attempt to make her appear to be someone they and I know she isn't."

ScarJo's rep also took a huge issue with Disney spilling the tea on her salary in their response to her lawsuit. Lourd said, "The company included her salary in their press statement in an attempt to weaponize her success as an artist and businesswoman, as if that were something she should be ashamed of."

The "Black Widow" star has done nine Disney movies ... but the relationship's reached a boiling point after she claimed in a lawsuit Disney violated her deal when it simultaneously released "Black Widow" in theaters and on Disney+ ... which cut into her backend because her salary was tied to how well the film performed at the box office.

Lourd added, "The suit was filed as a result of Disney's decision to knowingly violate Scarlett's contract. They have very deliberately moved the revenue stream and profits to the Disney+ side of the company, leaving artistic and financial partners out of their new equation. That's it, pure and simple."

The CAA honcho goes on to say this "direct attack on her character" is beneath the company. For its part ... Disney issued a blistering statement ... saying ScarJo's lawsuit holds no weight.

TikTok Influencer GF Excited for Their First Date ... Before Fatal Shooting in Movie Theater

The father of the 18-year-old girl fatally shot this week is opening up about her excitement for her first date with a TikTok star ... which ended with the tragic shooting as they watched the new 'Purge' movie.

Rylee Goodrich's dad, David, said she curled her hair all pretty, and her night out with TikTok influencer Anthony Barajas was going to be their first date without friends in tow. David said he could tell his daughter was "so f***ing happy" and could tell she "really, really liked this boy" and that he "really, really liked her" too.

David told Daily Mail the teen couple hit up her favorite BBQ joint before heading to the movie theater in Corona, California to watch the new horror film, "The Forever Purge."

Rylee's father said she met Anthony on Fourth of July weekend, and he admits initially rolling his eyes when he learned Anthony was a TikToker -- with nearly a million followers -- but warmed up to the kid after he came home from Hawaii with souvenirs for the Goodrich fam.

As you might know, Rylee was shot in the back of the head as she and Anthony sat in the theater. She was instantly killed, while Anthony was shot through his eye. He's hospitalized on life support.

David said Rylee texted her mom shortly before the shooting, saying the movie was boring and stupid ... and that was the last they heard from her.

Police have arrested 20-year-old Joseph Jimenez for murder, attempted murder and robbery. He stole Rylee's wallet. Cops say it appears unprovoked, and don't believe Jimenez knew Rylee or Anthony.

Kanye West Bringing ‘Donda’ Party Back to ATL … But It Needs New Twist

UPDATE

4:29 PM PT -- Kanye's team just sent out an official release for the event, it'll happen Aug. 5 at 9 PM with creative direction from Demna Gvasalia. Tickets will run from $30-$75.

UPDATE

Gvasalia's name might ring a bell, he's currently the creative director of Balenciaga and the founder of Vetements.

Kanye West is hosting another album release for his upcoming "Donda" album at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta ... but he's still brainstorming on how to make the event unique to fill new seats.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ … Yeezy and his production team locked down Aug. 5 at MBS for another "Donda" album release on the eve of the album drop. We're told stadium employees have been hired on ... and plan to work it the same as last week.

However, we're told Kanye and co. are working to figure out how to make this experience different from the first, which as we first reported, broke the Apple Music Global Livestream record with 3.3 million viewers.

Our sources say CAA and Live Nation are putting pressure on Ye and his production company to make the second "Donda" event different ... because some fear it won't be easy to sell tickets in the same market if this show's a carbon copy of the first.

We're told it's unclear what Kanye plans to do the second time around -- he could go with a new stage or new musical arrangement -- and Yeezy is known to change his mind at the last minute ... so right now, anything is possible.

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WORKIN' THE CROWD
TMZ.com

There's a lot of directions Kanye could go ... while many felt his first "Donda" event was innovative, some say it was essentially just Ye standing around and playing the album for his estranged wife, Kim Kardashian.

As you know ... Kanye's been living in the stadium as he finishes up the album, so ya gotta think he knows the place inside and out, and that could come into play as he tries to switch things up for this event.

Stay tuned ...

Originally Published -- 4:29 PM PT

'Bachelorette' Ali Fedotowsky I Have Shingles at 36 ... And I'm Done Hiding It

'Bachelorette' star Ali Fedotowsky just got very personal with her followers, revealing why she's been hiding her face recently on social media, sharing she's been diagnosed with shingles.

Ali admits she's been using sunglasses and even her own hair to cover up patches of the painful rash in photos lately, saying, "I don’t really know why I wanted to hide it. I think it’s mostly because I didn’t want the added stress or pressure of the Internet while I was trying to rest and heal."

The reality star acknowledges that while she's young compared to other people who are diagnosed with shingles (50's/60's) -- she believes it was brought on by stress in her life -- and wants to help other young people detect it early for better treatment options.

Ali posted a series of videos, showing the early spots she got on her forehead and describes those first symptoms as itchy and tingly. The spots eventually worsened, swelling and impairing her vision.

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Ali first appeared on season 14 of "The Bachelor" in 2010 was later named the lead of season 6 of "The Bachelorette." She accepted a proposal from Roberto Martinez, but the two called it off a year later. She went on to marry Kevin Manno in 2017, they have 2 kids.

She finishes her post with, "I’m trying to limit the stress in my life and hoping my vision clears up. Today the swelling is down a lot so I’m grateful for that!"

METAL CHURCH SINGER MIKE HOWE Death Ruled Suicide

Metal Church's late frontman Mike Howe took his own life ... according to the cops who found the rocker's body.

A spokesperson for the Humboldt County Sheriff's Dept. tells TMZ ... Mike's official cause of death was determined to be asphyxia due to hanging. Officially, authorities are calling it a suicide.

As we reported ... cops got the call Monday just after 10 AM in Eureka, CA for a report of an unexpected death at a home. When deputies arrived at the scene, we're told they found Mike dead.

The Sheriff's Dept. also told us alcohol and drugs were not believed to be factors in the 55-year-old singer's death, and no controlled substances or paraphernalia were found in the home where he died.

Mike joined Metal Church in the 1980s and helped record the band's third album, "Blessing in Disguise," which included one of their most famous songs, "Badlands."

Metal Church released 2 more studio albums before breaking up in the '90s, but the group ultimately reunited, and in 2015 Mike rejoined his bandmates.

Sharon Stone I'm Refusing to Film a Show Until Everyone on Set's Vaccinated!!!

RUNNING FOR A REASON
@Membership First / Twitter

Sharon Stone is taking a stand, demanding vaccinations on the set of a new project ... but as a result, she says she's "being threatened" with losing that job.

Sharon isn't naming names yet, but says it's a show shooting in Atlanta, which she calls "a good job" she really wants to do. However, she's insisting on the same precautions Sean Penn recently did for one of his sets. The difference is ... Sharon says she might get cut.

Stone is running for an actors' union position ... a seat on SAG-AFTRA's national board of directors, and according to Deadline she laid out the COVID testing nightmare in a campaign video. In another campaign vid she reveals a health insurance nightmare that's prompted her to run -- "I lost my vested insurance after 43 years in the business because of Covid. I was $13 short and, you know, I don’t really think that that is reasonable for any of us.”

As for the COVID testing -- Stone reportedly blames the Producers Guild of America for not guaranteeing everyone working on her potential show is vaccinated. It's a very personal issue for Sharon.

AUGUST 2020
WE DESERVE BETTER

As we've reported, her family has been ravaged by COVID-19. Last year she tearfully revealed her grandmother and godmother both died in the pandemic. Her sister and sister's husband, Bruce, also battled the coronavirus, but survived.

Sharon is running for the SAG-AFTRA position on the same ticket as union presidential candidate Matthew Modine and Joely Fisher, who is running for treasurer.

AEW's Chris Jericho Attacked By Pizza Cutter ... In Wild, Bloody Match

Chris Jericho had his face grated by a pizza cutter in the middle of a wrestling match Wednesday night ... and the entire scene was both bloody and gruesome.

The shocking moment all went down as the wrestling superstar was taking on Nick Gage in an AEW event ... and scripted or not, Jericho sure seemed to be in a world of pain as he was getting cut by the kitchen utensil on his forehead.

As part of the match -- dubbed a "No Rules" one -- both dudes were getting after each other ... and both guys were bloody messes by the end of it all.

At various points during the bout, Jericho slammed Gage through a glass pane, and even hit the wrestler in the head with light tubes.

But, the most insane moment had to be when Gage rolled a pizza cutter over Jericho's face ... because, well, watch the clip -- it's gnarly.

Interesting note, a Dominoes pizza ad played on screen during the pizza cutter stunt ... and the pizza giant is PISSED.

How pissed? They're reportedly mulling pulling ads from the AEW broadcast!!

As for the match, Jericho went on to win the event despite it all ... and afterward, he showed off the damage done to his face in a bloody selfie.

"Much respect to [Nick Gage]," Jericho said, as blood had dried all over his grill. "he is TOUGH AF!! But I’m INSANE...."

No kidding.

'Top Gun: Maverick' Lewis Pullman Dude, I Puked So Much ... Filming Flight Scenes!!! 😅

CRUISIN' TO THEATERS SOON
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"Top Gun: Maverick" star Lewis Pullman has a weak stomach ... a plausible explanation/justification for puking his guts out while filming his flight scenes.

We got the actor arriving at LAX Thursday and it seemed like an appropriate place to talk about his fear of heights. It certainly raises the question ... why on earth did he take on the role of Bob the pilot trainee for the T.G. sequel?

Lewis concedes .... at first, he didn't think the film was for him. But, he was later inspired by one Tom Cruise and his fearlessness when filming some of the baddest scenes on the planet.

Nevertheless, Lewis says his stomach could only take so much. And, he couldn't help but hurl, over and over ... and over.

Lewis gives us the lowdown on why the flick's release date has been pushed. Yep, you guessed it -- COVID. But, he also says there's more to it.

Aaron Rodgers & Packers Breakup Coming After '22 Season ... Says LeRoy Butler

TIME WILL TELL
TMZSports.com

The marriage between Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will last two more seasons before it ends ... so says Green Bay legend LeRoy Butler.

"After '22," Butler tells TMZ Sports, "I think [Rodgers] will be gone to wherever he wants to go and they'll be glad to get rid of him at that point."

It's a pretty bold prediction from the ex-Packers star safety ... because after Rodgers' candid meeting with reporters on Wednesday, many believe he's absolutely gone after this season.

PART OF THE CONVERSATION
Green Bay Packers

If you missed it, Rodgers ripped Packers execs for not giving him more say in team decisions as well as not extending his contract when he says he initially asked for it all in February.

The writing seems to be on the wall that he'll be traded as soon as this season ends because of it ... but Butler tells us he thinks it'll play out differently.

LeRoy says he doesn't think Jordan Love will be ready to take over in 2022 ... and that'll lead to more offseason drama followed by yet another year of Rodgers under center.

"I think they'll go through this same thing again -- it'll be just as toxic," Butler says. "But, at the end of the day, I think Aaron will be the quarterback for '21 and '22."

As far as any other scenario -- like the Packers trading Love and extending Rodgers' contract -- Butler just doesn't see that going down.

"You would have to fire [general manager Brian Gutekunst]," Butler says. "There's no coming back from that."

Bottom line ... Rodgers' days in Green Bay appear to be numbered -- so enjoy #12 while you still can, Packers!

Guess Who This Bottle Baby Turned Into!

Before this bottle baby was strutting down some of the most famous runways in the fashion industry, she was just another sippin' sweetie growing up in Los Angeles, California.

This blue-eyed girl is best known for having her face on the cover of magazines all over the world -- including over 30 editions of Vogue. Usually, you can catch this model serving looks with her celebrity sister in angel wings walking down the Victoria's Secret stage.

Recently, this model gave birth to her very own cute kid with her boyfriend ... and former One Direction member.

Can you guess who she is?

NBA Pays Tribute To Terrence Clarke ... With Honorary Draft Pick

Incredibly emotional moment at the 2021 NBA Draft ... when commissioner Adam Silver selected the late Terrence Clarke with an honorary pick on behalf of the league.

19-year-old Clarke -- a star for the University of Kentucky -- was killed in a tragic car accident back in April ... just months before he was set to become a rising star in the Association.

Clarke's name was still called Thursday night ... with Silver paying tribute before the 15th pick was made.

"His extraordinary talent, commitment and dedication to the game deserved to be recognized on this stage," Silver said.

Terrence's family was in attendance at Barclays Center for the honor ... with his mother, brother and sister receiving NBA-themed draft hats and walking on stage.

Silver continued ... "To the 3 of you, and to all those who knew and admired Terrence, please know that he will forever be part of the NBA family."

Clarke's mother was deeply emotional as she reached the stage ... hugging Silver as the entire room gave a standing ovation and chanted Terrence's name.

Clarke -- a projected to be a first round pick -- was beloved by the basketball community ... and had a bright future ahead on and off the court.

RIP.

Kim Kardashian Beauty Brand Fires Warning Change SKKN Trademark Or Else

Kim Kardashian's just hit a speed bump as she tries to trademark "SKKN" for her new beauty line ... seems there's another brand claiming they've already locked down the name.

Lawyers for Beauty Concepts LLC fired off a cease and desist letter to KK's legal team, claiming since July 2017 it's provided salon and skin care services under its SKKN+ brand name, owned by Cydnie Lunsford.

In the letter, obtained by TMZ, Beauty Concepts says it also operates a website and social media handles using the same block letters. What's more ... Beauty Concepts claims it applied to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office back in March to register the SKKN+ logo.

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The company claims it's invested considerable time, effort and money to develop and market its SKKN+ services over the last 3 years, and Kim's play for the same name would cause confusion in the marketplace.  Them's magic words, because it's the basis on which the Patent and Trademark Office would reject an application.

Kim's attorney, Michael G. Rhodes, tells us, "We certainly appreciate and support small businesses, and our hat is off to Ms. Lunsford. But the question at hand is one of trademark law and we’ve not done anything deserving of legal action by her."

He continues, "We are disappointed that she has chosen to run to the media knowing that we were scheduling a call for tomorrow, requested by her attorney. So while disagreeing with the letter, we’re hopeful that we can smooth things over once both sides speak.”

In the legal letter, Beauty Concepts says Kim's trademark application for "SKKN" is a ripoff of their innovative moniker and simply adding "By Kim" does little to differentiate the brands.

What's more ... Beauty Concepts says it has used the SKKN+ name for 3 years before Kim's company applied for its trademark.

As we've reported ... in addition to filing for the trademark, SKKN.com and @SKKN social media handles were all locked down by Kim's team in December 2020 ... indicating this had been in the works for a while.

Beauty Concepts wants Kim K's company to back off ... or else.

J Lo & Ben When Dessert Lands in Your Lap!!! Super Handsy Meal in Italy

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez can't keep their eyes, hands -- and lots of other things -- off of each other during their vacay ... even while seated in a busy restaurant!

The couple's nautical trek along the Italian Riviera stopped Wednesday in the town of Nerano, where they had a super romantic meal -- and it's not the setting that made it romantic. It's the fact J Lo -- in a very revealing red and white bandeau top -- planted her famous asset right in Ben's lap.

Apparently, there's a chair shortage over there. Not that Ben was complaining -- if you're into love and whatnot, there's plenty of it on display in these pics.

Everyone's (well, almost everyone's) favorite reunited lovers snuggled, kissed, hugged, laughed and generally looked happy as hell ... while their fellow customers enjoyed plain ol' culinary delights.

BTW, anyone else seen something odd going on with these 2 this week? While there's been no lack of PDA during their Mediterranean yacht holiday, we have noticed something is missing -- Affleck's tan!!!

Dude's been on summer vacay for nearly a week now, and we've yet to see him take off his shirt. Try some sunscreen, Ben ... live a little, bro!

Russell Westbrook Traded To Lakers ... In Blockbuster Deal

LeBron James is getting another superstar on his squad ... and it ain't Lola Bunny -- Russell Westbrook has been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster deal!!!

The rumors had been swirling for weeks ... with many expecting the Lake Show to try and bring in another piece to help the King and co. return to the NBA Finals.

Now, it's become a reality -- with LA sending Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell and a 2021 first-round pick to the Washington Wizards in exchange for the 2017 MVP, according to ESPN.

It's a HUGE move -- Brodie is a triple-double machine ... averaging 23 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists on his 13-season career.

It also allows Westbrook -- who is a Southern Cali native -- to return back to his roots and play for his hometown!!

LeBron has yet to address the trade ... but he's hosted Westbrook at his L.A. crib in the past, so we're sure he's all for bringing in another friend.

Now, the question is, does this new Big 3 dethrone the Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden as the most dangerous trio in the game right now???

Better Big 3?

Scarlett Johansson Lawsuit Disney Fires Back You Have Callous Disregard for COVID Problems

UPDATE

2:14 PM PT -- Disney just issued a blistering statement regarding the lawsuit, attacking ScarJo and saying the suit itself holds no weight.

UPDATE

The spokesperson says, "The lawsuit is especially sad and distressing in its callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Disney has fully complied with Ms. Johansson’s contract and furthermore, the release of Black Widow on Disney+ with Premier Access has significantly enhanced her ability to earn additional compensation on top of the $20M she has received to date.”

Scarlett Johansson is going after the Mouse House ... she's suing Disney, claiming the simultaneous release of "Black Widow" in theaters and on Disney+ violated her deal, and cost her serious money.

In legal docs, obtained by TMZ, the "Black Widow" star claims her contract with Disney stated the movie would be exclusively released in theaters. Problem is ... Disney broke that deal, she says, when the movie was made available in theaters and on its streaming service.

Scarlett says her salary was tied to how well the film performed at the box office. But, the actress claims, releasing the film on Disney+ meant fewer butts in movie theaters ... which cut into her backend.

Other studios have dealt with similar issues and given their stars additional compensation to make up for their backend loss, and you gotta imagine Scarlett's lawyers and Disney's lawyers tried settling this before she filed her lawsuit. She says she tried settling, but she was pretty much ignored.

Her argument is pretty clear ... the contract says the movie would be released exclusively in theaters, so Disney violated it by putting it on its streaming service. What's more ... Disney presumably benefited financially by getting additional subscribers, while Scarlett was aced out of what she would have made had theaters been the only game in town.

"Black Widow" grossed $80 million in domestic box office opening weekend. It grossed another $78 million overseas and $60 million from home purchases on the streaming platform.

We've reached out to Disney, so far no word back.

Originally Published -- 11:19 AM PT

'BIG BROTHER 2' WINNER DR. WILL KIRBY FILES FOR DIVORCE

Dr. Will Kirby, famous for being one of the best "Big Brother" winners of all time, is pulling the plug on his marriage ... because he just filed for divorce.

The 'Big Brother 2' champion filed divorce docs Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court after nearly 4 years of marriage to Erin Brodie ... according to online records.

It's unclear what led to their split, but in a joint statement to TMZ, they say ... “While we are exploring what our future will look like, our relationship is stronger than ever, just not in a traditional sense. We remain committed to being the best parents to our two children and supportive of each other as we navigate through this transition.”

TMZ broke the story ... Dr. Will tied the knot with Erin back in October 2017 in an intimate, all-white affair in Malibu.

In addition to winning the second season of 'Big Brother,' Will also won the celebrity edition of "The Price is Right" in 2016 and his estranged wife won the reality show "For Love or Money" back in 2003.

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