Controversial S#!T

Leslie Van Houten -- a former member of the Manson family -- has been released from prison after more than 4 decades behind bars.

The convicted murderer walked out of a California facility Tuesday after successfully receiving parole earlier in the month ... this after Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would not challenge her release, despite doing so 3 different times throughout his tenure as Governor.

Van Houten was convicted of 2 counts of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder way back in 1971 for her involvement in the grisly 1969 LaBianca murders here in Los Angeles ... when Leno and Rosemary LaBianca were stabbed to death at their home. Van Houten said she held Rosemary down while someone else stabbed her, and later admitted she stabbed her as well after Rosemary was dead.

In the years since her conviction ... Van Houten's attorneys have said she was young and brainwashed by her cult leader, Charles Manson, at the time -- arguing she had been rehabilitated.

More importantly, Van Houten's lawyers have said she does not pose a threat to society anymore ... and it seems a handful of parole boards agreed with that, signing off on recommendations that she oughta be released, in spite of her life sentence.

Like we said, Newsom has shot her down time and again ... with his argument being, the nature of her crime should prevent her from ever enjoying a free life. But, after his last rejection ... she appealed his decision in court, and they ended up siding with her.

The governor's office said trying to fight it was a losing effort, so they were going to drop it.

Now, at age 73 ... Van Houten's back on the outside, and it'll be interesting to see what she does going forward. At first, she'll be sent to a halfway house where she'll learn basic skills and get up to date on all the new technology that's come out since she was imprisoned.

Van Houten is said to have been a constructive prisoner over the years, having found faith and showing an eagerness to teach/learn. She's also expressed remorse about her role in the murders.

Gunna appears to be having the last laugh at critics who thought his plea deal in the YSL trial killed his career.

The newest Billboard Hot 100 update showed Gunna's latest album single "Fukumean" planted at #8 -- his first Top 10 as a solo artist!!!

Gunna's been mostly mum on social media, but he did plenty of celebrating while shooting the "Fukumean" music video.

The visual features him doing it big on a yacht with friends, girls, and plenty of party favors ... y'know, all the finer things freedom has to offer.

Folks like Boosie Badazz might hate to see it, as some artists have been vocal about feeling like Gunna sold out Young Thug to save his own skin in the YSL RICO case.

YK Osiris and Def Jam are no longer in biz together, TMZ Hip Hop has learned ... after the label dropped the "Worth It" singer from his contract back in December.

Sources with direct knowledge say the split left no bad blood between either camps, both teams just acknowledged the relationship ran its course. Obviously, his recent controversy with Sukihana played no role in the separation, either ... as the decision was made well before.

YK signed to the label back in April 2018 and released 1 album the following year ... the gold-selling "The Golden Child" which produced the 3x platinum single "Worth It."

The whirlwind success perhaps stunted his career growth. YK's openly admitted to blowing through the millions he earned at Def Jam.

On Tuesday, YK made his debut as an indie artist with the emotional track "Dear Fans."

Def Jam also bulked up today ... adding Issa Rae's Raedio label into its fold.

Fran Drescher's Hollywood union is about to head into a strike this week -- which is why her members are pissed over her chillaxin' in Europe ... just a day before s*** hits the fan.

SAG-AFTRA actors seem to be furious after seeing their President hobnobbing in Italy Monday ... next to none other than Kim Kardashian, who's catching a lot of heat amid the ongoing writers' strike (more on that later).

Fran posed for a cozy pic with Kim at a Dolce & Gabbana event -- which KK posted -- and now SAG members are calling Fran out for what they perceive as not taking their own looming strike very seriously. On its face, you can't blame 'em ... 'cause the clock's ticking.

If a deal isn't reached between SAG and movie studio bosses by midnight tonight, actors of all ilks are expected to walk off sets/hit the streets in a new wave of picketing that could rock the industry ... even more so than it already has with writers fighting their own fight.

While SAG itself as an org has actually defended Fran being in Italy -- saying she was there working as an ambassador on behalf of Dolce and Gabbana, which was know by the negotiating committee -- that hasn't appeased the rank and file. SAG says Fran has been in negotiations every day in person or over videoconference and will be returning to LA tomorrow.

Several SAG members blasted this photo ... saying Fran appears to not really care about the fact that actors/her members are about to be out of work. Rather than trying to hammer out a new contract, they say she's just having the time of her life halfway across the world.

There's another element of criticism ... pointed at Kim. As you know, she's in the new season of 'American Horror Story' -- which had already been written before the writers' strike -- but she's been labeled a scab by some ... seeing how she's crossed the picket line and continues to work with Ryan Murphy -- who's also caught a bad rap in this whole saga.

The fact Fran's sidled up next to her specifically doesn't sit well with a lot of actors, and the consensus seems to be ... at the very least, this is not a good look at such a crucial time.

Rep. George Santos ain't Rosa Parks, despite comparing himself to the civil rights pioneer  -- so says the icon's niece ... telling GS to keep her name out of his mouth.

Rhea McCauley tells TMZ ... she felt it was totally inappropriate for Santos to compare himself to her aunt, saying it's apples to oranges when it comes to the situation. She also says other family members related to Parks are pretty pissed about his remarks too.

The NY congressman name-dropped RP in a recent interview he did, where he referenced Sen. Mitt Romney telling him to sit toward the back during Biden's SOTU earlier this year ... this after he'd been exposed as having told several different lies before getting elected.

Santos said he didn't appreciate a white man (Romney) telling a Latino gay man that he didn't belong somewhere -- then saying Rosa Parks didn't give up her seat way back when.

In other words, he seemed to be suggesting ... he wouldn't either, likening himself to her.

McCauley says she and the rest of the fam are ticked off that Santos even brought her up, pointing out that his juxtaposition here isn't even historically accurate -- namely, on account of the fact that Parks was fighting against segregation ... and that George seems to be airing out a petty feud between himself and another politician. Not really the same thing.

One Peso Pluma fan is learning the hard way the singer's security team doesn't mess around -- 'cause the fan got crushed while pulling an onstage prank!!!

The linebacker-worthy leveling went down this weekend at the Mexican singer/rapper's Palm Desert, CA concert ... and you can see the fan sneak onto the stage behind Peso's back as he and the band prepared to take their final bow.

Peso didn't see the guy creeping up, but one of his security guards did, and reacted accordingly ... knocking the guy on his back with a vicious shoulder charge!

What's even crazier, the bruised fan might be thinking it was all worth it ... because Peso actually helped the fan to his feet, hugged him and even kissed him on the forehead.

Peso is on top of his game … his new album "Génesis" just topped the Latin Billboard chart, which might explain the fan’s excitement.

50 Cent is forecasting a grim future for Los Angeles over its no-bail policy ... going so far as to say the City is "finished."

The New York rapper posted the biting message on Instagram, writing, “LA is finished watch how bad it gets out there. SMH [shaking my head].” He accompanied his one-liner with a Fox 11 Los Angeles post detailing the reinstatement of the policy two months ago.

Per the reg, the L.A. County Sheriff's Department will no longer detain people accused of battery, vandalism, theft, narcotics use and other non-violent offenses. Plus, anyone arrested for these crimes will automatically be released without paying bail and before arraignment.

You may recall ... during the COVID pandemic, L.A. imposed a no-bail rule to prevent overcrowding in jails for fear of spreading the virus. In July 2022, the policy expired ... but now it's back.

Clearly, Fitty is no fan ... and he certainly isn't mincing words.

Jussie Smollett is carrying on with his life with good pals in his corner like Taraji P. Henson -- even though, in reality, he's far from out of the woods in the legal world.

The embattled actor was in L.A. Saturday with his ex-'Empire' costar during what appears to have been a hike -- or at the very least, something active. In any case, they hit up a little pop-in restaurant right after ... and then parted ways with a sweet little hug goodbye.

A couple of takeaways here ... one, Taraji is continuing to stand by Jussie's side -- which she's done from pretty much the beginning of this saga. So, her support is unwavering.

The other observation one can glean from this is that Jussie truly is trying to move on and put the whole Chicago case behind him by hunkering down on the West Coast ... this despite the fact that there's an ongoing appeal, which he may very well lose once it's heard in court.

As you may remember, Jussie was convicted in December 2021 for lying to police about the hate crime he claimed was committed against him -- and he was sentenced to 5 months in jail.

He'd actually started serving that time, but was quickly sprung pending his appeal ... which his team filed almost immediately. Since then, he's been free to roam around, it seems, and the case is still dragging on -- with a recent hearing just last month ... but no real update.

No word on when exactly we're going to get some closure on that matter, but in the meantime ... Jussie's been busy working on movies and whatnot. In fact, he was recently seen on a film set with none other than Vivica A. Fox -- yet another defender of his.

Victor Wembanyama was asked point blank this weekend if he has any plans to apologize to Britney Spears after one of his bodyguards swatted at her -- and his response is telling.

The young basketball phenom was making the rounds in Vegas Saturday for NBA Con, and it looks like Wemby stopped off at a local gym to say what's up to some young hoopers/adoring fans ... who were absolutely mobbing the guy on his way out of there.

Check out this footage -- obtained by TMZ -- and you'll see what we mean. There's kids all over the place following him as he proceeds to an exit ... and they're vying for autographs.

Interestingly, this is actually a similar vibe to the scene he found himself earlier in the week when Britney attempted to get his attention ... and it also looks like he's rolling with the same security detail -- including, perhaps, the exact gentleman who made contact with BS.

The difference here, it seems, is that Wemby and his crew are a lot more relaxed this time around ... even though you could argue this is more hectic of an environment than when Britney rolled up on him. Watch his bodyguard -- a lot less handsy, but ever watchful.

Then, comes the huge question from someone in the crowd ... who asks Wemby straight up if he wants to say sorry to Britney over what happened -- something she's asked for herself.

There's been different accounts as to whether the security guard in question made amends afterward -- we've heard he did actually come over to apologize to her, but a statement she released suggests otherwise ... as she appears to want more from Wemby and the Spurs.

In any case ... the guy doesn't answer the question here, and simply keeps on going. Assuming he heard it -- frankly, who couldn't have at that volume -- ya gotta figure this means he ain't planning to say more than what he's already said on the matter.

Even when he addressed it with the media, VW didn't seem to show much remorse over the incident -- saying he was pretty unaware of what was going on until after the fact. What he did say, which other video we've obtained contradicts, is that he was grabbed from behind.

Florence Pugh is apparently gonna be in scenes for the upcoming "Oppenheimer" movie where she'll be in her birthday suit ... and it seems she's getting the party started early.

There's a new report out that gets into the purported nitty-gritty of Christopher Nolan's new flick -- and in it, Florence and the lead star, Cillian Murphy, are said to be getting hot and heavy pretty often on-camera... in a way CN's never quite attempted before in his work.

Here's how the Guardian describes it ... "Although Nolan is usually, shall we say, antiseptic in his approach to romance, Oppenheimer represents a significant shift." They add, "It features prolonged full nudity for Murphy and Florence Pugh, who plays Oppenheimer’s ex-fiancee, as well as sex, and there are complicated scenes with Emily Blunt, who plays his wife, 'that were pretty heavy.'" In other words, it sounds like we're gonna be seeing a lot of skin.

Welp, that's definitely not something Florence has any problem with ... as she just recently proved at a fashion show in France this past week, where she was rockin' a sheer gown.

More importantly, FP wasn't wearing a bra or anything underneath -- so her breasts were exposed ... and she wasn't shy about it one bit! Of course, her outfit turned heads.

We've actually seen Florence wear something like this in the past -- namely, about a year ago when was at yet another Valentino fashion show in Europe. There, too, she was sporting a braless, sheer look ... and just like here, she was flaunting her body without reservation.

Florence actually blasted trolls who made fun of her for that, calling them out for body-shaming. Considering what she wore this year -- not to mention the forthcoming "Oppenheimer" scenes -- it's safe to say FP is comfortable in her own skin and then some.

Speaking of "Oppenheimer" ... it's finally getting a last push of interesting press in the final sprint before it comes out -- this after "Barbie" has virtually eaten all the attention thus far.

Jonah Hill's alleged dirty laundry is getting aired out by an ex -- who's posting what she claims are a ton of old texts from him ... and painting him as a toxic partner.

Surf instructor Sarah Brady -- JH's former flame of about a year from back in 2021 -- is dragging the actor publicly on her Instagram account ... and she's not holding anything back in her repudiation of him as an alleged "misogynist narcissist," as she puts it herself.

Sarah has thrown up several text messages that she attributes to Jonah, and if they're to be believed ... it appears he was often concerned/upset about her posting photos of herself.

You can hop onto her IG Story for yourself to see the full characterization she's putting out there -- but bottom line ... it doesn't make Jonah look good at all. Sarah suggests Jonah was manipulative and controlling in their relationship ... and hurls even more allegations.

A lot of the alleged texts she posted appear to show Jonah as constantly bickering at her over a number of things -- whether it's photos of herself surfing, how she handles herself in social situations or even what a therapist she was seeing apparently thought of him.

She also blasts his understanding of "boundaries" ... and suggests he would often gaslight her to keep her under his thumb. BTW, the two of them would hit public events together -- and were photographed as a pair a handful of times.

That's what makes his even uglier -- now, she's even throwing around the word "abusive" to describe their dynamic ... although in a screenshot of a DM she posted, she makes it clear that the alleged abuse she claims she endured with Jonah was emotional, not physical.

Now, since Jonah and Sarah parted ways ... he has moved on with a woman named Olivia Millar, with whom he now shares a child. The couple welcomed a baby this past May, although the sex and name have yet to be revealed. Welp, Sarah's got thoughts on that too.

She says she hopes her ex -- obviously referring to JH -- has a girl, so that he can learn to become a true feminist. Sarah thinks the fact he calls himself a feminist now is laughable.

One last dig she takes at Jonah stands in a photo she posted on her main timeline. It's a black and white shot of her, and it's one she claims Jonah was not comfortable with.

Sarah says, "reviving a pic I took down by request of a misogynist narcissist." In other words, she's alleging he actually asked her to take it down and leave it down, and that she did.

Jonah doesn't actively use social media, and does not appear to have responded to everything Sarah's claiming about him (a fair amount, no doubt). We've tried reaching out to his camp a couple different times now ... but so far, haven't heard anything back.

Manson family killer Leslie Van Houten's recent whiff of freedom will not be snuffed out by California Gov. Gavin Newsom ... he says he won't appeal her upcoming parole.

Newsom's office announced the decision in a Friday afternoon news dump, saying the governor would not challenge an earlier appeals court decision clearing the way for Van Houten's release.

73-year-old Van Houten has been in prison for decades ... after being convicted for the August 1969 stabbing murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca.

Newsom's office says he's reversed her parole grant three times since taking office and he's disappointed the appeals court ruled for her to be granted parole. The governor claims he would be unlikely to succeed in challenging her release this time.

Remember ... Van Houten claimed she was immature and brainwashed by Manson as a 19-year-old when she stabbed the LaBiancas to death in their Los Feliz home.

Lena The Plug says the ridicule her husband Adam22 is facing after she filmed a porn scene with another dude is absurd ... and she's defending his honor, insisting he's the opposite of a "simp."

We got Lena in L.A., outside Whole Foods, and she says while she's mostly been getting praise for shooting her first scene with Jason Luv, Adam's become the butt of the joke ... and she says her man doesn't deserve that kinda slander.

Lena believes there's a big double standard at play here, telling us she and Adam have had hundreds of threesomes with other women and no one had any problem with that.

However, she did cop to having mixed feelings about Adam watching her romp with Jason.

FYI, Lena and podcaster Adam22 do the "Plug Talk Podcast" together, where the couple interviews a woman and then hooks up with her. They've been doing that for years, but this is the first time Lena has ever filmed with another dude.

The timing of Adam being comfortable with her sleeping with another man is so interesting... because the two just got married a few months ago in Italy.

Regardless, Lena says she's seen a spike in profits on her OnlyFans after the encounter, adding her first-ever scene with someone other than Adam is something her fans have been begging for, and it doesn't sound like this will be the last time.

As we reported, Adam was getting called "Simp of the Year" after Lena teased her scene with Jason, and he even spoke out last weekend about why letting his wife film with a fellow adult film star was a great career move.

Britney Spears and NBA phenom Victor Wembanyama have critically different accounts of what went down before his security guard slapped her, and video of the incident, obtained by TMZ, supports Britney's version.

Check out the video ... you hear Britney approach Victor outside Catch restaurant in Vegas Wednesday night, screaming in a British accent, "Sir, Sir!"

Britney reaches up and taps Victor on his left shoulder. This is important because Victor described Britney "grabbing" him. The video does not support that claim.

You then see Victor's security slap her hand and either his hand struck her face or he made contact with her hand and the force of impact caused her hand to hit her face.

Either way, you hear the slap. As the police said, it does not appear he struck her intentionally ... it was more him swatting her hand away.

Britney's glasses flew off, but she did not fall as she indicated.

After the slap, you hear Britney clearly upset, screaming, still in a British accent, "That's America for you. F*** you all!"

Britney and friends went to dinner after the incident ... where a witness tells us she seemed super pissed.

As we reported, the Metro PD has closed it's investigation and no charges will be filed against Victor's security.

Originally Published -- 10:53 AM PT

Cardi B is shutting down the notion she's always using a ghostwriter, saying she actually pens her raps ... including her latest, greatest collaboration!!!

Spotify's Head of Urban Music Carl Chery reacted to Cardi's new "Point Me 2" feature with positive praise ... "I don’t care who writes it. Cardi B is hard AF!" ... but the "Bodak Yellow" rapper got wind of his comments and dared him to pull up to the studio to see the magic pen for himself!!!

She also posted the track's credits to prove there weren't any extra names clouding her greatness!!!

On Friday, the "Point Me 2" video made Cardi a music trending topic once again and her presence shined the spotlight on Fendi Da Rappa, a rising Chicago spitter who just signed with Irving Azoff's Giant Music.

The song is already doing well on iTunes and is nearing one million YouTube views in just 24 hours.

The Victor Wembanyama security guard accused of slapping Britney Spears during a wild incident in Las Vegas on Wednesday night will NOT be charged with a crime, cops say.

According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept. ... an investigation into the allegations concluded on Friday morning -- and "no charges will be filed."

No further details regarding the police probe were revealed.

TMZ broke the story ... Spears had attempted to get Wembanyama's attention while outside of Catch restaurant in the ARIA Hotel -- but in an effort to keep the singer away from the San Antonio Spurs star, Wembanyama's security guard struck her in the face.

Spears claimed she was hit with such force, it rocked the glasses off her head ... and nearly knocked her to the ground.

She demanded an apology ... while her husband, Sam Asghari, said he wanted to see the guard punished.

For Wembanyama's part, he said he had no idea it was Spears who wanted his attention until several hours later.

The No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft also told reporters Thursday that the whole incident with the guard was kicked off because Spears "grabbed" him from behind.

Spears, though, refuted that claim ... and said she simply "tapped him on the shoulder."

Photos we obtained from inside Catch later in the evening show Spears was visibly agitated at her table -- and according to one eyewitness, she seemed to be in shock ... and, at one point, made a beeline for the bathroom.

Spears has yet to publicly comment on the results of of the police findings.

Originally Published -- 9:32 AM PT