Athletes

Karl-Anthony Towns hasn't been touring venues and tasting cake -- he had his hands full winning a championship!!

The Knicks star, fresh off delivering New York its first NBA title in 53 years, revealed he put wedding planning with fiancée Jordyn Woods on the back burner while he was laser-focused on hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

"I need to start planning. I need to start there. The only thing I've been planning this whole time was an NBA championship," Towns told us of his upcoming nuptials from a Raising Cane's restaurant in Times Square in Manhattan.

Rashee Rice is out of the slammer after completing a 30-day sentence for a probation violation ... and by the looks of it, he couldn't wait to get the heck home.

News reporters were camped outside the Dallas County Jail on Tuesday for the Kansas City Chiefs star's exit ... but those hoping for a comment from the 26-year-old were left empty-handed.

Fox 4 captured the scene ... showing Rice walk backwards and only turn around when he reached for the door with a smile on his face.

Former 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star Kim Zolciak’s boyfriend, Kyle Mowitz, is not only helping her pay her monthly bills ... he's also covering her sessions with a psychic ... at least according to Kyle's estranged wife.

Jillian Green -- who's in the midst of a nasty divorce from Kyle -- makes the claims in new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, as part of their ongoing court case.

Jillian, who previously said Kyle was spending wildly on Kim, claims he's covering her bills related to her trying to get a read on her future with a psychic ... as well as laser treatments, facials, rent, vacations, mattresses for all her children, and legal bills she racked up in her divorce from Kroy Biermann.

Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance on the "New Heights" podcast ... but it came with a twist ... 'cause she ended up feeding soon-to-be-hubby Travis Kelce a forkful of spaghetti in front of a live audience!

The popstar popped up during Travis and Jason Kelce's live recording at The Orpheum Theatre in L.A. ... a clip played showing Taylor making airplane noises as she stuffed some pasta into Travis' mouth.

When Taylor appeared on the screen, the crowd absolutely ate it up ... kinda like Travis did with Taylor's spaghetti. As she fed him she joked, "It's landing. It landed safely."

Taylor's cameo was part of a playful segment where 'New Heights' producer Brandon Borders roasted Travis over Taylor airplane-feeding him food ... and then -- plot twist -- the screen cut to footage of Taylor actually doing exactly that, complete with full airplane mode commitment.

Tragedy struck a bachelorette party hosted by Tyrese Haliburton's fiancée, Jade Jones, in St. Barts earlier this month when one of her friends died ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ Sports ... 26 year old Makenzi Kern passed away unexpectedly from health complications ... and the family does not suspect that foul play, drugs, or alcohol contributed to her death.

We're told the family is distraught by the loss.

Tyrese Haliburton’s fiancée, Jade Jones, and her girlfriends were all smiles at her Bachelorette party before tragedy struck and one of the guests, Makenzi Kern, died. 

Jade and her girlfriends posted countless photos of their celebration in St. Barths starting on June 2. 

In snaps, Jade was seen laying on a white bed with balloons spelling out "Bride." The group posed for photos in front of a pool with the beach in the background, while holding drinks. 

The ladies of "The View" aren't giving UFC fighter Josh Hokit a pass ... coming together to torch his controversial Michelle Obama remark ... and the reaction it got from the crowd.

Sunny Hostin led the discussion, arguing comments like Hokit's are rooted in ugly stereotypes historically used to paint Black women as masculine and unattractive.

She took issue with audience members laughing at Hokit's insult ... and with President Trump appearing to smirk.

Ana Navarro piled on too ... blasting the idea of hosting a UFC event at the White House as part of America's 250th birthday celebrations ... saying it hardly reflects the country's ideals.

Jemele Hill says UFC Freedom 250 was far from a knockout event ... telling us it felt more like a Trump rally than a party for all Americans.

The sports journalist joined us on "TMZ Live" Monday and ripped this weekend's UFC event at the White House.

While Jemele says there were good moments, overall it didn't feel like a "correct" representation of America, telling us ... "Everything about this felt gaudy. It felt narcissistic. It was like Temu Wrestlemania to me."

Jemele brought up Josh Hokit's "disgusting" and transphobic comment about Michelle Obama, noting he has a history of offensive remarks and was still selected to represent Americans through this platform.

Rosie O'Donnell says UFC fighter Josh Hokit taking a shot at Michelle Obama embodies what Donald Trump supporters are all about.

We caught up with Rosie in NYC on Monday, and she blasted Hokit ... saying his comments reflect the kind of rhetoric she associates with Trump voters ... who she rips as racist, homophobic, and deeply un-American.

Rosie's vitriol wasn't just reserved for Hokit or MAGA ... she also went off on the Prez.

Aldon Smith spent the final hours of his life giving back ... delivering pizzas to homeless people in California.

Pastor Scott Wagers tells TMZ ... Bay Area business owner Amir Shirazi surprised him on Saturday when he showed up with the former NFL star and a bunch of pizzas to give out to unhoused people in San Jose.

Wagers works with an outreach organization, The Mercy Mobile of Silicon Valley, helping out the area's homeless population ... and he tells us Aldon wasn't acting strangely when he saw him.

The pastor tells TMZ ... "Aldon was a very gentle, friendly guy. Nothing seemed off other than maybe seeming a little tired."

Mikal Bridges is still on cloud nine -- enjoying a few adult beverages and jammin' out to pop rock -- two days after the Knicks won their first championship in 53 years!!!

The usually reserved 6'6" wing player went live on social media on Monday, and it was a vibe ... at one point asking himself, "It's 11 AM. What the f*** am I doing?" before asking for another shot.

Among the topics Mikal covered was the possibility of his teammate getting a statue outside the Garden.

Ilia Topuria is admitting half of his fight against Justin Gaethje was literally a blur -- claiming he lost sight in both eyes before the 3rd round ... but he's not using it as an excuse for the outcome.

El Matador just broke his silence on his stunning loss to the Highlight on the White House South Lawn at UFC Freedom 250 ... first congratulating his dance partner for backing his trash talk leading up to the bout.

"You said you'd leave your mark on my face … and you did," Topuria said.

Big Red's ready for the big day -- Andy Reid was recently fitted for his tuxedo ahead of the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wedding!!

The Kansas City Chiefs head coach hit up a local tailor with GM Brett Beach and head trainer Rick Burkholder last week ... showing the Super Bowl winner trying on his snazzy outfit for the July 3 extravaganza.

Peters Clothiers says Reid will be rocking a completely custom suit ... confirming that the dress code is far from casual.

Former NBA Star Dwight Howard says his wife is a master of lies and manipulation ... and alleges she tricked him into marriage with false claims about her fertility ... at least according to new legal docs obtained by TMZ.

Dwight filed court docs requesting a protective order against Amber -- also known by her stage name Amy Luciani -- claiming they have had a rocky relationship for years … which led to him filing for divorce.

He said Amber started a “crusade of lies and defamation” against him … costing him job opportunities. He said she is also spreading lies about him to his family, friends, and the mothers of his children.

A video of Aldon Smith getting a haircut just days before his death has surfaced online, showing the former NFL star in a reflective mood during a routine barbershop visit.

In the clip, Smith is seated in the barber’s chair as he chats casually with his barber. At one point, he mentions he’s "had better days," but doesn’t go into detail when asked further.

Smith appears hesitant to elaborate, saying he’s been dealing with something he’s "had to deal with" his whole life, and noting he’s currently struggling with how things are unfolding, without providing specifics.

Jalen Brunson is making it clear he’s got Monica McNutt’s back after she caught heat from Taylor Swift fans during the NBA Finals ... and he has a message for the Swifties.

Following the Knicks’ championship-clinching Game 5 win, Brunson took a moment to address the controversy surrounding McNutt’s comments about Swift during the Game 4 broadcast.

Brunson, who was seen celebrating with McNutt courtside, bumped into her during the postgame excitement before turning his attention to the online backlash.