Mariah Carey No Beef with Jay-Z ... Left Roc Nation for More 1-on-1 Time!!!

Mariah Carey's looking to downsize and try something new -- that's the real reason she's parted ways with Jay-Z's Roc Nation, not any personal feud ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the situation tell us ... Mariah prefers to work with a smaller team where she has more personal time with managers, and Jay's powerhouse agency has a more wide-ranging business model.

We're told at Roc, artists like Mariah could have 20 or more people working on her team in various departments -- marketing, social media, music, merchandise, etc. -- and she simply felt it was time to pare down to a more intimate team.

Our sources say there was no "explosive argument" between the 2 music legends as reported by some outlets -- something Mariah shot down on Twitter. We're told they actually decided a couple months ago to amicably end the business relationship that started in 2017.

Carey's joining Range Media Partners, a move we're told also coincides with her manager Melissa Ruderman doing the same thing. Ruderman left Roc in early 2021 to become a partner in the music division at Range, and we're told she's still going to be working with Mariah.

Range is no small agency, but our sources say it uses smaller teams of skilled managers for clients ... which is exactly what Mariah wants these days.

Some of Range's other clients include Anna Kendrick, Bradley Cooper, Naomi Ackie, Michael Bay, Emilia Clarke, Johnny Depp, Taron Egerton, Michael Fassbender, Tom Hardy and Keira Knightley -- all big names in TV and film, but now they've got a music icon too.

Margot Robbie Beach Home Construction Full Steam Ahead Amid homeless Encampments

Margot Robbie and her hubby are building a beachfront home smack in the middle of a homeless encampment that has overrun the area ... but they are undeterred.

The Aussie actress and her mister, Tom Ackerley, are knee-deep in construction at their Venice Beach house ... which is chock-full of dirt, debris and Caterpillar machinery all about the grounds.

The 2-story property -- a double lot no less -- when completed will be worth upwards of $15 million ... a stone's throw away from the famed and touristy Venice boardwalk.

Lately, it's been looking a lot less touristy because of the homeless crisis in the area ... as tent cities piled up along the walkway for miles during the past year-plus of the pandemic. It's so bad it's become a humanitarian crisis, and there's also been an alarming crime surge that goes along with it.

No matter for Margot and Tom ... because they seem dead-set on finishing what they started there and moving right on in.

Fact is ... they've probably poured a ton of cash into the project at this point, and they bought the property before the problems exploded during the pandemic.

Polo G Buys Massive Estate Outside L.A. 'Hall of Fame' Worthy???

Polo G's set to have a big June -- his new album drops this week, and he just dropped nearly $5 mil on a huge mansion near L.A.

The rapper's the new owner of a massive 7-bed, 8-bath home in the San Fernando Valley, which is described as a car collector's dream estate. It's unclear how many rides Polo's working with, but the nearly 1-acre lot features a whopping 36 parking spaces, including a 14-car garage!!!

So, parking ✅

As for the Mediterranean-style house itself ... it's almost 11,000 sq. ft. with a rotunda entry that leads to a vintage-looking staircase. There's a custom wine closet and bar, formal dining room and a billiard room all on the main level.

The kitchen and bedrooms are enormous and boast all the expected luxuries, and of course ... the outside's incredible too. The pool, spa, BBQ area and lighted tennis court are all surrounded by stone terraces and patios.

We're told Polo G bought the place for $4.885 million. Emil Hartoonian, Bryan Castaneda and Andrew Mortaza of The Agency held the listing ... and Daniel Dill of WEA repped the "Pop Out" rapper.

G's new album, "Hall of Fame," comes out Friday and includes his highly-anticipated collab with Nicki Minaj on "For the Love of New York."

Like we said ... big month for Polo.

Barack Obama Cancel Culture is Dangerous But My Daughters' Generation Gets It

JUNE 2021
DON'T GO OVERBOARD
CNN

Barack Obama says flatly ... cancel culture has become a dangerous weapon in America, but he sees a silver lining.

Obama talked about what he calls the dangers of demanding human perfection during an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper. His take ... "At least in conversations with my daughter, I think that a lot of the dangers of cancel culture and we're just going to be condemning people all the time, at least among my daughters they will acknowledge sometimes among their peer group or in college campuses you'll see folks going overboard."

As for Sasha and Malia, he adds, "But they have a pretty good sense of look, we don't want, we don't expect everybody to be perfect."

That said, he went on to say cancel culture has its place when there is cruelty or discrimination, and he believes young people are leading the charge to correct such injustices.

Obama tells Cooper ... his daughters and their peers don't simply accept stuff like the criminal justice system being tainted by racism or people being discriminated against based on their sexual orientation -- they know it's wrong and are trying to change it.

OCTOBER 2019
GOTTA DO BETTER

As you may recall ... Obama's slammed cancel culture before, back in 2019, but he referred to it as "woke" culture and made it clear he doesn't believe it equates to activism.

Sounds like he thinks folks -- especially the younger ones -- understand this today.

Liam Payne 'Severe' Suicidal Thoughts ... Pills, Booze In His 1D Days

Liam Payne says he was going through an addiction hell while he was a member of One Direction, and he's also opening up about suicidal thoughts.

The singer was on Steven Bartlett's "Diary of a CEO" podcast when he said there was a time while the band was on tour that he was heavy into alcohol and prescription drugs.

He points to pictures of himself on a boat where he looks bloated ... calling it his "pills and booze phase." Liam added, "My face was 10 times bigger than it is now. The problem was, the best way to secure us was to lock us in a room, and what is in the room? A minibar."

Liam said that environment quickly lent itself to throwing a huge party for 1 "that seemed to carry on for years." When asked if the drinking and drugging led to suicidal ideation, Liam admitted ... "Yeah. There is definitely some stuff I have never spoken about to do with it. It was really, really severe."

Liam was 16 when he joined One Direction ... which became the biggest boyband in the world after their 2010 launch on "The X Factor." They split up in 2015.

As we reported, Liam also told Bartlett he and model Maya Henry ended their 10-month engagement. But, it wasn't all bad news, as Liam revealed he's now 1 month sober.

Jim Fassel Ex-NY Giants Coach Dead At 71 ... Michael Strahan Mourns

Jim Fassel -- the former NFL head coach who led the NY Giants to Super Bowl XXXV -- has died ... and his ex-star player, Michael Strahan, is heartbroken.

Fassel passed away Monday in Las Vegas after suffering a heart attack following chest pains, his son, John, told the L.A. Times.

And, when Strahan was asked about his former coach on "Good Morning America" on Tuesday ... the ex-pass rusher explained he was crushed to learn of the passing.

"Just a great man, great coach," Strahan said of Fassel. "And, he will be missed. But, I was definitely shocked this morning to find out this news and I just wanted to send my love and condolences to his family."

Strahan continued, "Great man. I enjoyed every minute with him as my coach and after my career when we continued to stay in touch and talk."

Fassel joined the Giants as an assistant coach in 1991 and later became the head coach in 1997, when he won NFL Coach of the Year honors.

Fassel eventually took Strahan and the G-Men to Super Bowl XXXV in the 2000 season ... where they lost to the Baltimore Ravens.

Fassel was fired in 2003 after piling up a career 58-53-1 record ... but he still went on to be an offensive coordinator for the Ravens before wrapping up his coaching career as the head man for the United Football League's Las Vegas Locomotives.

He was 71 years old.

#RIP

R. Kelly Top Attorneys Bail Before Federal Trial Begins

R. Kelly's 2 lead attorneys are jumping ship ... they officially want off the case just as his federal trial is approaching, and it means he could have some serious legal shuffling to do ... TMZ has learned.

Attorneys Steven Greenberg and Michael Leonard -- who've been with Kelly for years -- filed documents late Monday requesting to withdraw from the singer's federal case. Their reason for wanting to pull out is all about a clash with other members of Kelly's legal team.

Greenberg and Leonard tell TMZ ... "We refused to try a case with lawyers who don’t have the appropriate level of experience and skill because that is not in the client's best interest. It is a shame that lawyers can’t suppress their own egos or self interest and do or act in the client's best interest."

The remaining Kelly attorneys with whom the old ones clearly have beef are Thomas A. Farinella and Nicole Blank Becker ... and they have a different view of how this went down. They tell us, "The only comment we have at this time is that Mr Kelly terminated both lawyers prior to filing their motion."

Now, the judge would have to sign off before Greenberg and Leonard could be fired, and that hasn't happened ... yet.

Either way, this power struggle on his legal team comes at a crucial time for Kelly. His federal trial -- which includes charges of racketeering, sexual exploitation of a child, kidnapping, forced labor and bribery -- is set to begin August 9.

Greenberg and Leonard tell us they want out because, in their opinions, Farinella and Becker don't have enough experience with federal criminal cases -- but they add, "We wish Mr. Kelly nothing but the greatest success."

Kelly has remained in custody while awaiting trial, and although he's filed several motions to get out on bail -- citing things like fear of catching COVID -- the judge has repeatedly turned him down

He's also facing separate charges of sexual abuse in the state of Illinois, Leonard is not on that case, but Greenberg is, and we're told he plans to withdraw from that one too.

'Pioneer Woman' Ree Drummond Nephew Caleb Charged with DWI ... Asleep at Wheel, Cops Say

'Pioneer Woman' Ree Drummond's nephew, Caleb, is facing a DWI charge after cops say he was tipsy and fast asleep in his vehicle when they arrested him ... just a month after a nearly fatal wreck.

According to docs, obtained by TMZ, cops say they got a call around 5 AM on April 17 about a Ford truck at a dead stop at a traffic light in Osage County, OK -- and it had been that way for at least 3 cycles of the light.

Cops say when they approached they found Caleb sleeping behind the wheel, and even though they knocked on his window numerous times ... he didn't respond.

When cops opened the driver's door they say there was an overwhelming odor of booze coming from Caleb, who finally woke up. Amazingly, cops say his truck was still in drive and he'd dozed off with his foot on the brake.

All of that would have been bad enough, but then cops say they found an open beer, cool to the touch and practically full ... plus a box of ammo and a loaded 9mm handgun.

According to the report, Caleb struggled to get the truck in park, and actually put it in reverse initially. When he stepped out, he lost his balance and cops say he had "thick slurred speech, red bloodshot eyes." When they asked for his driver's license, cops say he handed them a credit card.

Caleb also failed field sobriety testing, and said, "I know I shouldn’t have been driving,” and “I’m glad I wasn’t caught a few hours ago” ... according to cops.

He was arrested and prosecutors have charged him with driving while impaired and open container, both misdemeanors. We're told his BAC was .05. It should be noted, Caleb was not hit with any weapons charges.

As we reported ... Caleb's arrest came just over a month after he was involved in a scary wreck on Ree's ranch that easily could've claimed his life. Ree's husband, Ladd, was driving the other truck involved in the crash, and fractured his neck.

Dana White Floyd Mayweather Should Retire ... Undecided on Logan Paul in UFC

HANG UP THE GLOVES
TMZSports.com

Dana White tells TMZ Sports ... he hopes Floyd Mayweather finally hangs up the gloves after his exhibition with Logan Paul.

... but as for Logan Paul fighting in the UFC one day, Dana ain't exactly saying no!

INTERESTING!!!

First, Floyd ...

"I would love to see Floyd retire," White tells us ... "He's had an incredible career and to do these type of fights, it's silly."

Now, to Logan ... who has repeatedly said he would kill for a shot to fight in the UFC since he has a legitimate wrestling background and feels he could actually compete in the Octagon.

So, Dana ... would you ever sign Logan Paul to a UFC deal?

"I don't know man ... I don't know."

"Here's the thing, not to say that I haven't taken a guy in that's been 0-0 into the UFC and done those types of fights before ... I don't know."

White is obviously referencing CM Punk, the former WWE superstar who got 2 fights in the UFC despite no prior professional MMA experience. Punk lost both of his fights in a lopsided fashion.

But, White respects Logan's work ethic and athletic ability -- as well as his marketing power ... and says there will always be a market for famous people to get in the ring.

"Imagine if Kim Kardashian wanted to fight Amanda Nunes ... how big do you think that fight would be?!"

"What do you think Kim Kardashian would make if she fought Amanda Nunes ... probably more than anybody's ever made, ever!"

There's more ... we also talked about that STACKED card for UFC 263 this weekend featuring the Israel Adesanya vs. Marvin Vettori and the return of Nate Diaz!

OCTAGON TALK
TMZSports.com

Diaz is taking on Leon Edwards -- and White says if Diaz can defeat the #3 ranked welterweight, he would be right back in the conversation for a title shot!

Guess Who This Tee-Ball Tot Turned Into!

Before this tiny tot was known for being a professional basketball player, he was just another cute kid up next at bat on his little league team.

This famous sporty stayed focused on his basketball career and went from a college athlete to an NBA player in 2009, when he joined the Los Angeles Clippers. He was named rookie of the year following his start in the NBA.

Even though the name of this tiny tot's tee-ball team is a mystery ... we do know that he's been on some big-named NBA teams including the Detroit Pistons and also the Brooklyn Nets!

Can you guess who he is?

Mike Tyson Impressed With Logan Paul ... Fight Badou Jack Next!!!

TRY THIS ON FOR SIZE

Mike Tyson says he was shockingly impressed with Logan Paul's performance against Floyd Mayweather on Sunday ... and thinks he's actually ready to take on a pro fighter in a sanctioned bout!!

In fact, Mike has a fighter in mind -- 37-year-old Swedish pro boxer Badou Jack, a former 2 division champ with victories over guys like Marcus Browne, Adonis Stevenson, Jean Pascal, and most recently, Dervin Colina.

Jack is a legit contender who is still pursuing titles ... and Mike thinks he'd be a good test for LP ... if he's serious about continuing his boxing career.

"I'm trying to get Logan Paul to fight Badou Jack," the champ said on IG Live with former boxer Zab Judah on Monday.

"I wanna see what he says about that."

Jack "The Ripper" is a beast -- he's 6'2" with a 30-3-3 record (14 wins by knockout) ... and previously held the WBC super-middleweight title.

So he's WAY more experienced than the YouTuber-turned-fighter ... but Tyson says that's the type of fighter Paul needs to be into ... and Judah agrees.

"Yeah, that's a real fight now. He fights Badou Jack, Logan Paul is gonna be in a big fight," Judah says.

"That's a whole different fight. You fight that guy, Badou is gonna give you a fight. Badou coming to fight! That's all Badou do is fight!"

So ... is Logan gonna listen to Iron Mike and take the challenge?? Fingers crossed!!

Ellie Kemper Denounces White Supremacy ... In Wake of Involvement in Controversial Pageant

Ellie Kemper's finally addressing photos of her in a debutante pageant run by an organization rooted in racism ... saying she should've done more homework on the group.

The actress -- known for "The Office," "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" and "Bridesmaids" -- is apologizing one week after the pics resurfaced showing her being crowned in 1999 as the new Queen of Love and Beauty at the Veiled Prophet Ball in St. Louis.

At the time, Ellie was a 19-year-old freshman at Princeton, and said, "The century-old organization that hosted the debutante ball had an unquestionably racist, sexist, and elitist past. I was not aware of this history at the time, but ignorance is no excuse. I was old enough to have educated myself before getting involved."

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

When the pics of Kemper resurfaced, activists pointed out the pageant had been organized by heads of major banks and corporations who refused to hire Black men.

Ellie added, "I unequivocally deplore, denounce, and reject white supremacy. At the same time, I acknowledge that because of my race and my privilege, I am the beneficiary of a system that has dispensed unequal justice and unequal rewards."

The pageant was established in the late 1800s by a former Confederate officer in St. Louis, which is Ellie's hometown.

Part of the tradition includes the winner being crowned by a so-called "Veiled Prophet" in an outfit that largely resembles the KKK's white robes ... though that connection has since been refuted after historians reportedly noted the pageant's outfit goes back to the 1870s while KKK members didn't start wearing white robes and hoods until the early 1900s.

For what it's worth, the org behind the pageant finally started accepting Black members in 1979.

Kid Rock Hurls Homophobic Slur Onstage

6/5/21
CAMERA SHY
TMZ.com

Kid Rock dropped a homophobic slur like it was nothing while rocking the mic at a bar in Tennessee, and ranting about people recording him with their phones.

Seems the singer wasn't feeling the fact audience members had whipped out their iPhone cameras Saturday night when he took the stage at FishLipz Bar & Grill in Smithville, TN. He looked directly into one phone and barked, "F**k your iPhone, yeah!"

Kid then hurled the slur as he screamed, "You f**king f*****s with your iPhones out!!!" He also mocked fans recording him by pointing directly at his crotch, and telling them to post his junk.

We're told security at the joint was going around telling people to put down their phones ... but Kid Rock decided to take matters into his own hands.

Apparently, he hasn't been paying attention to concert crowds for the last 10 years or so -- 'cause it ain't like smartphones just came out. Of course, Kid's got a habit of blurting out whatever he's feeling while onstage.

NOVEMBER 2019
ROCKIN' AND ROLLIN'
TMZ.com

You'll recall he torched Oprah, Joy Behar and others during a 2019 booze-fueled rant at one of his shows. This latest verbal attack didn't seem nearly as drunken, but it's every bit as foul.

Nelk Boys Donate $100K for Reward in Road Rage Killing ... Police Arrest 2 Suspects

UPDATE

3:54 PM PT -- We've obtained the mug shots for Eriz and Lee ... cops say they followed the two out of a restaurant before making the arrest.

UPDATE

YouTube stars Kyle Forgeard and Steve Deleonardis added 6 figures to the reward in a fatal freeway shooting case in California ... and soon after, cops arrested 2 suspects.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... the Nelk Boys recently donated over $100,000 to boost the reward for info on what police are calling a road rage killing -- one that left a young boy dead.

6-year-old Aiden Leos was shot and killed May 21 on the 55 Freeway in Orange, CA while on his way to kindergarten with his mother ... and we're told the Nelk Boys felt heartbroken for the single mom and wanted to help find her son's killer.

Our sources say the Nelk Boys, who live in Orange County, hit up the District Attorney expressing a desire to raise the reward for information on the case ... donating $100,000 along with their partner John Shahidi on May 30 as the reward swelled last week to at least $500k.

By Sunday, the California Highway Patrol said they had arrested 2 suspects, 24-year-old Marcus Anthony Eriz and 23-year-old Wynne Lee, near where the shooting happened. The CHP says the pair are expected to be charged with murder.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the reward is for the arrest and conviction of the young boy's killer, so it will be a while before any reward or part of the reward is paid out.

We're told law enforcement is still investigating.

Originally Published -- 12:18 PM PT

Safaree to Erica Mena Keep the House, But ... Don't Take the Kids Away From Me!!!

Safaree's down to let Erica Mena have exclusive use of the home they share but he does NOT want her to have primary custody of their children.

The "Love & Hip Hop" star just threw down the gauntlet in his response to Erica's custody request in their divorce. According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Safaree says he wants joint legal custody, meaning he wants a say in parenting decisions for their infant daughter, Safire, and their second baby due next month.

What's more ... Safaree says he wants consistent and uninterrupted parenting and visitation with his kids. He says this is in the best interest of the kids.

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As far as Erica's request to have exclusive use to the home they currently share ... Safaree seems open to it if he can be removed from any liability involving the property through a refinancing of the mortgage ... and assuming he gets his cut of any equity in the property.

Safaree also wants to maintain exclusive possession of their individual vehicles, and be allowed to maintain all personal property acquired during the marriage individually. As far as alimony goes ... he wants the court to deny her any, and he wants the court to determine any child support obligations for them.

As we reported ... Erica filed for divorce in May, just a few months shy of their 2-year anniversary. She wanted primary custody of the kids, but Safaree's not giving that up without a fight.

Trevor Noah Back together with minka kelly ... That Didn't Last Long!!!

Trevor Noah and Minka Kelly are back on, it seems ... and they're not trying to hide it either after what appears to be a very short break-up.

The 'Daily Show' host was out and about with his on-again, off-again actress girlfriend all over NYC this past weekend ... taking public strolls, grabbing grub and even going out for a spin on their bikes.

On that middle activity ... we got this evidence -- a pic of them on a double date at Tribeca sushi joint Sushi Azabu. Hard to make out it's Minka, but eyewitnesses at the restaurant said it was her. Plus, we know they were out for a very public walk together in NYC the day before.

Like we mentioned ... Trevor and Minka's reported split was quite brief. Word was that they'd broken things off just a few short weeks ago ... and that each party was going their separate ways, this after less than a year of dating in the middle of the pandemic.

Seems they've got some unfinished business. As for whether this is just them keeping things friendly, or a full reuniting -- their reps aren't saying.

However, spending back-to-back days together sure feels more like rekindling than a copacetic hang. Just sayin' ...

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