Celebrity Feuds

2/8 -- AMI has responded to Jeff Bezos, and it sounds like his claim has shaken them. The company says, "American Media believes fervently that it acted lawfully in the reporting of the story of Mr. Bezos. Further, at the time of the recent allegations made by Mr. Bezos, it was in good faith negotiations to resolve all matters with him."

They continue, "Nonetheless, in light of the nature of the allegations published by Mr. Bezos, the Board has convened and determined that it should promptly and thoroughly investigate the claims. Upon completion of that investigation, the Board will take whatever appropriate action is necessary."

6:11 PM PT -- Ronan Farrow says AMI also attempted to blackmail him "and at least one other prominent journalist involved in breaking stories about the National Enquirer's arrangement with Trump."

The Pulitzer Prize winner says he "fielded similar 'stop digging or we'll ruin you' blackmail efforts from AMI." He says he did not engage AMI on the topic.

Jeff Bezos is sick of playing games with the National Enquirer -- he's released a series of letters it sent him, threatening to blackmail him over photos he and his lover sent each other.

The Amazon honcho says the Enquirer's parent company American Media Inc. (AMI) is threatening to publish photos he exchanged with Lauren Sanchez if he doesn't shut down investigations into AMI's ties to President Trump and the Saudi government.

Remember, Bezos owns the Washington Post, which has been all over the Trump administration's Saudi ties since its journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, was murdered last year.

Bezos says he also hired a private investigator to find out how the Enquirer obtained his text messages to Sanchez ... which it published last month. He's now gone fully on the offensive by releasing

, threatening to publish new explicit photos of Bezos and Sanchez, if he and WaPo don't back off.

As you can see in the emails, the Enquirer execs claim to have sexually explicit images sent between Jeff and Lauren ... including his naked bathroom selfie, several shirtless snaps of Jeff and sexually suggestive images of Lauren.

Bezos makes no bones about it ... calling it blackmail, but adding AMI miscalculated his reaction. He says he'd rather risk the public embarrassment than give in to the extortion attempt.

We reached out to AMI for comment ... no word back yet.

As we reported, the world's richest man is divorcing his wife, Mackenzie Bezos -- which he announced in January, the day before the Enquirer published its story about his relationship with Sanchez.

Originally Published -- 2/7 4:28 PM PT

Ariana Grande says the guy who runs the Grammys is a liar for claiming she was just too frazzled to pull it together and perform on Sunday night's show ... she says it all fell apart because he utterly disrespected her.

Ariana has been promoted everywhere as one of the highlights of the show -- on TV commercials, a billboard on Hollywood Blvd., buses, and on and on. Yet, sources connected to the Grammys show tell us, Ariana never made a deal to show up or perform.

The deal she wanted was to perform her massive, #1 hit, "7 rings." We're told the show's producer, Ken Ehrlich, told Ariana that song wouldn't connect with the audience, so he asked her to choose a different song. Ariana felt strongly "7 Rings" was what people wanted to hear, and when Ehrlich wouldn't budge, she said she'd take a pass.

Fast-forward to Thursday, when Ehrlich gave an interview to AP, saying Ariana backed out because she "felt it was too late for her to pull something together."

We're told Ariana is enraged, because she actually continued to talk to the Grammys and offered to perform a song Ehrlich wanted, as long as she could sing "7 Rings," but he still wouldn't budge. She then said sayonara and, days later, Ehrlich came back and said fine, do a medley that includes "7 Rings" ... but by then, Ariana was done with him. In other words, we're told she feels like Ehrlich is lying because he knows he made a mistake and is looking for cover.

As for why she thinks he made a mistake ... "thank u, next" the album drops Friday, and it's expected to be the best-selling album so far this year, and for Ariana not to appear on the TV show will look ridiculous.

Blac Chyna's personal life is a mess right now and, until she gets it together, Dream should stay with Rob Kardashian ... and that's coming from Chyna's own mother.

Chyna's mom, Tokyo, tells TMZ ... her daughter's on a downward spiral, following recent incidents involving cops at her home and, of course, her short-lived relationship with rapper Kid Buu -- who allegedly got violent with BC. Mom's also concerned about his rap sheet.

Tokyo didn't mince words -- "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see something is terribly wrong."

As TMZ first reported ... an anonymous person called cops last month, saying Chyna was intoxicated and neglecting Dream. Cops later determined everything was fine ... besides BC having a falling out with her makeup artist.

There was also Chyna's fight with 'Love & Hip Hop' star Alexis Skyy over Rob -- and the cherry on top for Tokyo ... BC's fling with Kid Buu.

You'll recall, she jetted off to Hawaii with her new BF. Our Rob sources said he had no idea, and couldn't reach his baby mama when it came time to hand off Dream. Chyna disputes that.

Of course, Chyna's vacay went to hell when she and Buu got into a fight. Cops were called, but neither was arrested. As we told you, Chyna's now ex-BF has faced allegations of physically abusing a woman before.

All the drama makes Tokyo think BC's judgment is clouded, and it's in Dream's best interest to be with dear ol' Dad.

However, like any mama bear ... Tokyo's still defending Chyna against Kid Buu and has a stern warning for him. Watch.

Bow Wow might have to give up all of his personal belongings ... after getting royally OWNED in an epic rap battle on 'Wild 'N Out.'

TMZ got this clip of 'Wild 'N Out' cast member Conceited delivering a cold-hearted diss, aimed right at Bow Wow's jugular -- clowning him about how a couple of his exes ended up with Future.

His opening line -- "I think all your exes are psychics by the way they keep seeing the Future." The crowd ate it up, and it got worse from there. Watch ... BW looks pissed.

If you didn't know, Conceited's shot is touchy because it's totally true! Bow Wow was once engaged to Ciara ... they broke up, Ciara started dating Future and, of course, had a son with him. Later, Bow Wow dated Joie Chavis and had a daughter with her. When they broke up ... you-know-who swooped again, and also had a kid with Joie.

The episode -- airing this Friday at 8 P.M. on MTV -- was clearly taped before Super Bowl weekend when Bow Wow and his current GF, Kiyomi Leslie Holden, were both arrested in Atlanta for allegedly beating each other.

5:38 PM PT -- Offset just responded to CB's challenge ... saying "coke head don't want" smoke.

Chris Brown is going after Offset as their beef over 21 Savage continues to escalate ... with CB challenging Offset to a fight, and telling him to suck his d***.

Chris went NUCLEAR after the Migos rapper called him "lame" for posting a meme poking fun at 21 Savage for being from the United Kingdom.

Breezy launched an explicit series of insults at Offset, saying ... "F*** YOU LIL BOY ... SENSITIVE ASS N**** ... IF YOU A REAL MAN FIGHT ME. Oh and another thing, SUCK MY D***!!!!"

CB came back for seconds, because he hurled more insults ... adding this on top of his prior barbs, "If he don't get his EARTH WIND AND FIRE pootytang space suits WEARING CAP ASS LIL BOY da f*** out my comments and off my d***."

As you know, Offset and 21 have been close for years ... and it seems Offset isn't taking crap from anyone making fun of his boy for getting detained by ICE, a saga that's revealed 21 is actually from the UK and not from Atlanta.

Rap superstar 2 Chainz says he feels he's been getting "sh*tted on" by the NBA for years -- and it reached a boiling point this week when he was NOT selected for the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.

And yes ... he's serious.

The NBA announced the celeb team on Wednesday -- and while it includes people like Dr. Oz and Bad Bunny ... 2 Chainz didn't make the cut. He vented on Wednesday:

"HEY @nba YOU HAVE NEVER REACHED OUT FOR ME TO PLAY AND TO CLEAR SOME THINGS UP BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE IVE BEEN GETTIN SH*TTED ON BY THE LEAGUE SINCE 2013."

Chainz thinks he's been blacklisted by the league, stemming from a 2013 incident when someone in his camp allegedly hurled an insult at a female NBA staffer.

"He was wrong and I apologized on this behalf," 2 Chainz said. However, Chainz doesn't feel like the NBA accepted his apology because he's still treated like a 2nd class celebrity.

"IM ONE OF @nba BIGGEST SUPPORTERS and BARELY GET 'COURTSIDE' TIX."

By the way, Chainz is a LEGIT baller -- he played college ball on scholarship at Alabama State from 1995 to 1997.

He's not the only celeb upset at the All-Star snub -- Lil Rel is also pissed ... telling TMZ Sports that he's also got the resume to be in the game ... but his phone never rang either.

"I've starred in a basketball movie, got my own show, was in the biggest Netflix film and nothing. WTF. LMAO!"

Jake Paul wants to fight Soulja Boy for $20 MILLION ... and he's telling TMZ Sports that he'll cough up his own 20 milli to make it happen!!!

ICYMI -- the social media superstar and rapper traded jabs in an Instagram Live session last week ... with Soulja offering Paul a HUGE chunk of cash to get him to square up in the ring.

Paul tells us this was no publicity stunt -- he really wants a piece of Pretty Boy Swag ... and as for the money, he'll have no problem putting up the $20 milli if Soulja can't swing it.

FYI -- you're sitting down, right? -- Paul can put his money where his mouth is. The dude reportedly made $21.5 million in 2018 alone, according to Forbes.

Of course, Jake knows his way around the ring ... he easily handled Deji in his first YouTube super fight and called out Chris Brown right after taking him down.

Clearly, Jake will happily settle for Soulja Boy.

The Game went after Tomi Lahren in a big way, going after her for cracking jokes about 21 Savage's ICE arrest ... by going on a raunchy, profanity-laced rant.

The rapper directed a sexually explicit series of insults Tuesday at the conservative Fox News contributor, after Lahren mocked 21's arrest Sunday by tweeting a reference to his hit track, "Bank Account" ... "I got one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight ICE agents ready to deport ya."

Game's clearly not down with Tomi's attempt at humor, saying ... "21 Savage gettin detained by ICE is not funny nor anything for ya middle of the mall clip in wearin’ h** a** to be joking about."

The Game goes on to sling A LOT more mud ... and it's pretty nasty.

He closed out his rant by adding ... "Here's some advice: stay out the tanning salon, you're starting to look like a sick tangerine. #FreeDaReal #21 [Someone please recommend a good burn center for her] #ThanksInAdvance"

Game's not the first to fire back at Tomi -- Cardi B shot back, "Don't make me get my leash."

As you know, the 2 women already had beef.

Nicki Minaj also blasted Lahren, saying ... "Your obsession w/our culture is scary to say the least. I hate giving you the attention you so desperately crave. Laughing @ ppl getting deported as if your ancestors discovered America. Are you Native American? You fkn clown."

DeSean Jackson hated his one season with Chip Kelly SO much ... the dude says he's trying to forget it even happened -- telling TMZ Sports, "Sh*t, it wasn't good."

Of course, Chip's disastrous run as the Eagles coach is back in the news this week after Michael Vick said he legit CRIED over the way Kelly handled Philly's QB competition in 2013.

When we got D-Jax out at the EA Sports Madden Bowl event in Atlanta on Thursday night ... he backed up his former teammate -- saying playing for Chip sucked.

"He broke up a team that we felt could've done something special for a long time. So, I don't respect him."

In fact ... the 3-time Pro Bowl receiver tells us he's trying to block out that whole part of his NFL career -- saying it pisses him off remembering it.

"I really just try not to say too much about him, because that's a part of my life where it's kind of just some bull stuff that happened through that period."

FYI ... Jackson DID have the best year of his career under Chip in 2013 -- posting 1,332 receiving yards and 9 TDs.

Conor McGregor better keep his head on a swivel ... 'cause Khabib Nurmagomedov's manager says a rematch is going down ON SITE ... telling TMZ Sports, "This dude better beef up security everywhere he goes."

We spoke with Ali Abdelaziz about the state of the rematch after the Nevada State Athletic Commission handed down the punishments for the post-UFC 229 brawl ... and Ali says it's going down whenever, wherever.

"This fight will happen in the street, in the parking garage, under a bridge ... this sh*t is not over. It's not. Especially when you keep running your mouth."

Conor's been vocal on social media since the NSAC hearing ... saying he threw the last punch and continuing to go after Khabib's guys.

Ali's not fazed by the smack talk ... and gives a bit of his own.

"Conor McGregor is a f**king full-blown, piece of sh*t, scumbag. That's what people want."

Of course, Dana White told us last month the rematch "should" happen in 2019 ... that is, if these dudes don't find each other first.

Travis Scott might be in Atlanta prepping for the Super Bowl ... but his music is alive and well in L.A., thanks to A$AP Rocky and Drake.

A$AP played to a sold-out crowd at The Forum in Inglewood Thursday night, and his fans went nuts when Drizzy made a surprise appearance. Bringing out all-star guests isn't so unusual at hip-hop shows ... but, what was really shocking was the song they performed together -- Travis' "SICKO MODE."

You'll remember ... back in 2015, someone got it twisted and confused Travis with A$AP. Trav was PISSED and unleashed on the poor sap ... but if last night's show made it clear, there's no beef when it comes to Travis and A$AP.

10:21 AM -- Didn't take long for Lisa to respond to Kyle's comments ... telling TMZ it's funny that someone with 2 shows and a business empire would need to be paid to attend Andy's baby shower.

Lisa tells us she actually met with Andy before the shower prior to hitting up Vegas. She also says where she's headed next ... making it crystal clear Lisa's paying no attention to her castmates reading into her absence.

Kyle Richards is spilling the beans -- there IS in fact drama behind Lisa Vanderpump skipping Andy Cohen's baby shower ... and it might be all about the Benjamins.

Kyle was leaving Il Pastaio in Bev Hills Wednesday and didn't mince words when asked why Lisa was MIA from Andy's baby shower. As we reported ... a HUGE number of Housewives showed up for the shindig.

As for Lisa ... she was in Vegas on a business trip as she prepares to launch a new restaurant inside Caesars Palace.

But, her absence only fueled the rumors she might bail on the show. Lisa's begged to differ in the past, but her 'RHOBH' castmates have taken notice how she's isolated herself ... and they're pissed.

Check it out ... Kyle also spills tea on any potential replacements should Lisa bounce.

Tyrese is furious that his ex-wife left their daughter with a friend while Mom was out of town -- and now she's gotta explain herself or a judge is going to punish her.

In a new court filing, obtained by TMZ, Tyrese claims his ex, Norma Gibson, left the country for a few days in early January while their daughter, Shayla, was supposed to be in her custody. Tyrese says Norma pawned the kid off to a classmate for a one-night sleepover, while she jetted off to Trinidad.

Presumably, that means Norma left Shayla with a friend on her final day of custody ... because Tyrese says Shayla was back under his care the following day.

He says he learned about the sleepover after the fact -- without a heads-up from Norma -- and claims that by doing what she did, Norma violated a court order from 2014 that gives him the right of first refusal in this type of situation.

Translation ... if you're leaving town without our kid, you have to let me know first. A judge already said so.

Tyrese is also pissed about alleged old social media posts that he unearthed from 2017 that feature Shayla, which he says is another violation of their previous court order.

A judge granted Tyrese's request -- and now, Norma must appear in court to justify her actions. If she doesn't, she risks being held in contempt of the court ... and having to pay Tyrese's legal and attorney fees.

Blac Chyna thinks Rob Kardashian was making a big stink over her trip to Hawaii because he's upset she was with a new man ... although, that relationship has clearly gone down the toilet.

Rob was super pissed Sunday after he couldn't get a hold of anyone to drop off Dream ... because Chyna unexpectedly booked it to Hawaii. Sources close to Chyna say Rob's anger is rooted in good old-fashioned jealousy over Kid Buu.

TMZ broke the story ... cops rushed to a Honolulu hotel Monday after Chyna and Kid Buu got into a violent argument where she allegedly scratched him, and he allegedly threw her against a wall and choked her. It seems that their relationship is now over and out.

We're told Chyna insists at least one of her nannies was at her L.A. home, and Rob did NOT try reaching out like he claims he did. If Rob would've just texted or gone there and knocked on the door ... he could've left the baby with Chyna's employee -- something she says he's done before.

Our Chyna sources say she's been absent during her time with Dream in the past, and notes there's nothing in their current custody agreement that requires her to be there all the time when it's her turn to care for Dream.

Speaking of that custody agreement ... sources familiar with the negotiations tell TMZ there's a new deal on the horizon, which will see Rob paying significantly less than his staggering $20k/month in child support. We're told it could be cut in half if things go according to plan.

As for Chyna's explanation for why she jetted off to Hawaii without telling Rob ... we're guessing he won't be happy to hear it. And, a judge might not be either.

11:15 AM PT -- The Game's brought Kylie Jenner into the mix, too ... and apparently did it on the same track.

DJ Akademiks shared another clip of Game's song Saturday, in which he raps about taking care of Kim's youngest sister. The lyrics go ... "Her sister made a billion in makeup. I used to make her Frosted Flakes when she wake up."

Still no response from Kanye or anyone in the Kardashian-Jenner clan ... but now there's another layer.

The Game had plenty of people in his ear telling him to drop the graphic lyric about sex with Kim Kardashian West ... but the rapper stuck to his guns, despite risking very personal relationships with the Kardashians.

Sources close to Game tell us ... the single he just unveiled was wrapped weeks ago. The line that's causing friction ... "I held Kim Kardashian by the throat, n****. I made her swallow my kids until she choked, n****."

We're told before debuting the track, Game had both close friends and business partners urge him to 86 the Kim lyric -- because of a possible/likely ferocious reaction from Ye -- but he wouldn't budge.

Our Game sources say he was advised, at the very least, to reach out to Kanye before dropping the track, but Game didn't feel a heads-up was necessary. We're told that, at the end of the day, Game chose to rap his truth regardless of the consequences.

You'll remember ... Kanye came down hard on Drake and Nick Cannon last year for bringing up ANYTHING about Kim Kardashian.

Can't imagine the Game lyric is sitting well with Ye. So far, no reaction.

Meek Mill and The Game sure know how to bury the hatchet in a big way -- throw down the shovel and hit the studio, which is exactly what they've done ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close both MCs tell us that they recently got together to collaborate on new music -- this is after Game officially announced their two-year feud was over.

We're told Meek flew out to L.A. last week to record a new song for Game's forthcoming album. Our sources say the get-together proved to be super productive ... not just musically, but in repairing their once-fractured relationship. We're hearing Game and Meek chopped it up and even had a good laugh over the 2016 beef ... which seemed nasty at the time.

If you'll recall ... Game thought Meek had ratted him out to Sean Kingston after Sean was robbed one night in the summer of '16 at an L.A. nightclub they'd all attended. Game says Sean told him Meek claimed Game was behind the robbery ... which Meek denied.

It was basically a case of he said, he said and he said ... and in the midst of all of it, some harsh diss tracks were exchanged between Game and Meek.