WWE's Matt Riddle JFK Sexual Assault Claim Triggers Internal Investigation
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Matt Riddle claimed an NYC airport cop sexually assaulted him during a confrontation -- and while he seems to have taken it back, an investigation is now underway ... TMZ has learned.
The WWE wrestling star posted a shocking allegation Sunday, taking to IG to throw up a photo of a Port Authority police officer at JFK ... and attaching a scathing caption. He claims to have been touched inappropriately by this cop but doesn't go into too much detail.
What he does say is that he told this officer "no," but alleges the man proceeded to do something out of bounds to him anyway. FWIW, Riddle has since deleted the IG post.
Now, as far as what led up to this and what exactly went down ... we have some answers. Law enforcement sources tell us Port Authority officers got a call for a disorderly person who was deplaning, and they met him in the terminal. As it turns out, that was Riddle.
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We're told the cops talked to MR -- as well as other witnesses -- and he seemed apologetic in the moment. No police report was filed, and everyone was free to go without incident.
It's because of this that our sources say the Port Authority was shocked by Riddle's claim ... as, from their view, nothing went down to warrant such an accusation. Still, we're told the department is taking his claim seriously ... and an internal probe has been launched.
The last thing Riddle had to say about this was not great. He says, "Finally leaving JFK and I never wanna come back here again." Ring Side News first reported the confrontation.
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Drew Barrymore Anuncia el regreso de su talk show... Pero el sindicato de guionistas se enfurece
El popular programa de entrevistas de Drew Barrymore volverá a la televisión, a pesar de que todavía hay un par de huelgas en marcha... y un gremio la está llamando traidora.
La ex estrella infantil anunció el domingo que la cuarta temporada de "The Drew Barrymore Show" reanudará pronto su producción, algo que ella sabe va a irritar a los escritores, pero que defiende como necesario, al tiempo que promete cumplir con las normas de huelga.
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Drew escribe: "Tomé la decisión de retirarme de los premios de cine y televisión de MTV, porque yo era la presentadora y entraba en conflicto directo con la huelga de los estudios, streamers, cine y televisión. También fue en la primera semana de huelga, así que hice lo que consideré apropiado en ese momento para solidarizarme con los guionistas. Y para que quede claro, nuestro programa de entrevistas terminó el 20 de abril".
Luego, contraatacó: "Sin embargo, también estoy tomando la decisión de volver por primera vez en medio de la huelga por nuestro programa, que lleva mi nombre, pero es mucho más grande que sólo yo. Soy dueño de esta elección. Estamos en el cumplimiento de no discutir o promover el cine y la televisión que está en huelga de cualquier tipo ".
Ella explica que la gente, al parecer, necesita el show y escribió: "Nos lanzamos en vivo en medio de una pandemia mundial. Nuestro espectáculo fue construido para tiempos delicados y sólo ha funcionado a través de lo que el mundo real está viviendo en tiempo real. Quiero estar ahí para ofrecer lo que los escritores hacen tan bien, que es una forma de unirnos o ayudarnos a dar sentido a la experiencia humana."
Drew termina con esto: "Espero una resolución para todos lo antes posible. Hemos atravesado tiempos difíciles desde que salimos al aire por primera vez. Y por eso doy un paso adelante para empezar la cuarta temporada de nuevo, con astuta humildad."
Si leemos entre líneas, parece que Drew va a seguir adelante sin ningún guionista, al menos por ahora. Mientras ella dice que van a estar en el cumplimiento, el WGA dice que ya está violando las normas de huelga por seguir adelante ... alegando 'TDBS' es un programa de huelga.
Un directivo de la WGA dice a THR: "Se ha mantenido fuera del aire desde que comenzó la huelga el 2 de mayo, pero ahora (por desgracia) ha decidido regresar sin sus escritores. El sindicato ha hecho y seguirá protestando ante cualquier serie en huelga que continúe su producción mientras dure la huelga".
Dato curioso: "The Drew Barrymore Show" es sólo uno de los dos programas diurnos de entrevistas (el otro es "The Talk") en los que trabajan guionistas sindicados. La CBS, la empresa matriz, dice que su programa no realizará ningún trabajo de redacción cubierto por la huelga de la WGA, incluido el material literario.
El estreno de la cuarta temporada está previsto para el 18 de septiembre. Veremos qué dice Drew al respecto en vivo, si es que dice algo.
Blueface Child Services Called Over Video With Strippers, Son
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Blueface videos showing his young son hanging around exotic dancers at home are getting a lot of attention ... including from cops and the Department of Children and Family Services.
Law enforcement tells TMZ ... sheriff's deputies have been called to the rapper's Los Angeles-area home a whopping NINE times since May, with the most serious call for a DCFS investigation into Blueface bringing strippers around his kids.
After Blueface posted footage of him asking his son if he was gay while women stripped in a nearby room, we're told DCFS got wind of the video and launched an investigation, which led to sheriff's deputies being called to the home.
We're told Blueface still has his son, and it sounds like the DCFS investigation hasn't moved forward ... in part, because no one answered the door or picked up the phone when deputies were called to the house.
Law enforcement tells us other calls to the house include noise complaints for loud music and barking dogs.
So, cops frequent Blueface's place a lot ... but the stripper videos with his son are the most concerning.
Over at Blueface's party house in the San Fernando Valley, we're told cops have been there multiple times about parties and fights ... with Blue's neighbors making the complaints.
As for Blueface's alarming videos with his kids, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services won't comment on specific cases, but tells TMZ ... the safety and well-being of the county's 2 million children and youth is its highest priority.
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Elon Musk Slams CA Bill ... Addressing Trans Kids in Family Court
A new California bill headed to the govenor's desk will force judges to weigh which parent is better affirming their kids' gender during a nasty divorce ... which Elon Musk thinks is BS.
The Twitter/X chief lashed out online Friday, denouncing the proposed law as an "outrage" -- this as word came down that Cali's State Legislature had passed the controversial legislation -- AB 957 -- after it got voted on through in the State Assembly by a wide margin.
This bill is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 8, 2023 @elonmusk
What it would actually mean is that if you disagree with the other parent about sterilizing your child, you lose custody.
Utter madness! https://t.co/Mn2KcXCwUL
He wrote, "This bill is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. What it would actually mean is that if you disagree with the other parent about sterilizing your child, you lose custody. Utter madness!"
The new bill pertains to family court -- basically, judges will now have to take into consideration where a child is better suited to live if the parents are fighting over custody ... and gender affirmation is going to be a new key criteria in making that determination.
It's not the only thing a judge will mull over, but it will officially be part of the list -- so if one parent is resisting their child transitioning ... that could spell trouble in front of hizzoner. BTW, what the "affirmation" actually amounts to is vague and not clearly defined in the bill.
This is California State Rep. Lori Wilson, who wrote AB 957: "Parents affirm their children. Typically it happens when their gender identity matches their biological gender. But when it doesn't, the affirmation starts to wane... Our duty as parents is to affirm our children." pic.twitter.com/KP2Z9sksmp
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) September 8, 2023 @greg_price11
Clearly, Elon feels a certain way about it -- echoing conservatives who were also angry ... not to mention certain advocacy groups who've been protesting this thing for months. The reason it's interesting this is coming from Elon, though, is because of his own family history.
It's no secret EM has a transgender child -- 19-year-old Vivian Jenna Wilson, who was born as a biological male but has since transitioned to female. By most accounts, she doesn't have the greatest relationship with her dad ... and he blames a Cali school system for that.
In a recently released excerpt of his forthcoming biography, Elon revealed that part of the reason he even decided to take over Twitter was because of what he believes happened to his child ... namely, as he characterizes it, brainwashing at a famous ritzy school in L.A.
Elon says his kid has been turned against him thanks to "woke" ideology she was subjected to -- and now, he even goes so far as to claim she embraces Marxist/Communist views.
With this in mind, it's perhaps no surprise he has strong feelings -- especially when you consider he shared/shares custody of 6 of his children with their mom, including Vivian.
As for what happens now with that bill, Gov. Newsom has until Oct. 14 to sign into it law. He doesn't appear to have commented yet -- but the safe bet is ... dude's gonna stamp it.
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Ashton Kutcher & Mila Kunis Address Masterson Backlash ... Why We Wrote Letters
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have felt all the blowback to their apparent support of Danny Masterson as he was getting sentenced to prison ... and they're clearing the air.
The celebrity couple -- who both starred with Danny on 'That '70s Show' -- have been getting crucified online after it came out they each wrote letters to the judge in DM's sentencing hearing ... in which they said he was of good character, and deserved mercy.
Of course, a lot of people didn't take too kindly to that ... and it seems Ashton and Mila are fully aware of that, 'cause they just posted an apology video explaining their intentions.
Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis Sent Danny Masterson's Judge Letters of Support Before Sentencing
Check out how they break this down for yourself -- MK and AK say their letters weren't meant to discredit the verdict reached against Danny, nor was it intended to push back against what his two accusers in this case had alleged against him ... namely, rape.
They say all they were trying to do was lay out who they personally knew Danny as, and what their experiences were like with him -- this after being asked by his family to do so.
Mila and Ashton say they advocate on behalf of victims of sexual abuse, and apologize to anyone who was hurt by their actions. This last point is interesting, Ashton specifically was getting called a hypocrite -- on account of his work combatting human trafficking.
His testimony to Congress a few years ago -- where he passionately laid out his mission to protect victims of abuse -- has been making the rounds anew ... and drawing side-eyes.
It'll be interesting to see how the public takes this mea culpa. Fact is, a lot of the dynamics of the show back then are under a microscope right now in the wake of Masterson's imprisonment -- including a look back at how Topher Grace was portrayed at the time.
BTW, it's worth noting ... Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp -- who played Red and Kitty Forman, respectively -- also wrote letters to the judge on behalf of Danny ... but haven't received nearly as much backlash as Ashton and Mila did over the past 24 hours.
The other prominent cast members -- including Laura Prepon and Wilmer Valderrama -- have remained silent.
We covered it all on the latest episode of The TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms.
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Topher Grace ''70s Show' Isolation Vindicated ... After Masterson Sentence
Topher Grace was once labeled an outsider on the set of 'That '70s Show' -- but after Danny Masterson's imprisonment this week ... many are saying he was right to steer clear.
There have been a lot of reactions in the wake of DM getting sentenced to 30 years behind bars Thursday -- this after he was convicted of raping 2 women back in the early 2000s ... and one of those is a re-examination of Topher's rep as a cast member on their sitcom.
This was well-documented at the time -- especially on E!'s True Hollywood Story ... essentially, it was known that Topher simply wasn't all that close to the boys in the cast. While Ashton Kutcher, Wilmer Valderrama and Danny would hit the town together once cameras stopped rolling ... TG kept to himself, and would just go home after work.
The way he was portrayed back then was ... not that great. Topher was often painted as a snob and it sounds like people thought he felt he was too good for Danny and co.
For years, Topher Grace was depicted like he was a stuck-up asshole for not being besties with the rest of the That '70s Show cast, but guess who didn't write a letter in defense of a rapist this year... pic.twitter.com/fqnkOl27Z1
— 𝒥𝒶𝓈𝓂𝒾𝓃🐷 (@jasminpigemoji) September 8, 2023 @jasminpigemoji
Now, though, after his one-time costar is being sent to the slammer ... Twitter/X is making Topher trend all over again -- pointing out he was, perhaps, wise to keep his distance.
A lot of people also seem to find it funny that him being a mere introvert -- and maintaining a work-life balance -- was met with raised eyebrows by folks on the production ... as if that was abnormal. In 2023, it appears more people can relate to his 9-5 attitude than back then.
Of course, the Topher analysis is also being held in stark contrast to what Ashton and his wife/costar, Mila Kunis, did in this whole saga ... namely, going to bat for Danny in court.
You'll recall -- it was revealed they wrote separate letters to the judge ahead of Danny's sentencing hearing, explaining why he was such a great guy ... and asking for leniency. Take a look online, and you'll see they're getting crapped on big time for sticking by him.
Now, while Topher has yet to publicly comment on the Masterson scandal -- it appears his feelings are being telegraphed elsewhere ... specifically, from his wife Ashley Hinshaw.
She took to IG and wrote, "To every rape victim that is [re-traumatized] by witnessing society debate and focus their attention on what is going to happen to the RAPIST...I see you." Seeing how they're in the same household, it's safe to say Topher might feel the same.
Things sure do come full circle, don't they?
We covered it all on the latest episode of The TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms.
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New Mexico Gov. Defends Suspending Carrying Guns After Albuquerque Violence
New Mexico's governor temporarily banned Albuquerque's citizens from carrying guns in public -- this after a surge in shootings -- and defended her controversial decision on video.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham made the move Friday, issuing an order to suspend open and concealed carry of firearms in this one city specifically -- for a total of 30 days -- after citing a public health emergency pertaining to the number of gun violence incidents of late.
The story that broke the camel's back ... the shooting death of an 11-year-old boy on Wednesday named Froylan Villegas -- who was killed after leaving a park with his family, which police now say emanated from a road rage matter. He got caught in the crossfire.
Tragic as that is, many are outraged ... calling the Gov's order a blatant violation of the Constitution. She disagrees with that -- explaining to the press Friday why she felt she had the unilateral power on this issue ... noting not every Constitutional right is absolute.
Check out how she explains this ... Gov. Lujan Grisham says she has a duty to protect the people of her state, and if gun violence starts to present a serious public health problem -- she says she's within her right and powers to do what she needs to stop the bleeding.
Worth noting, NM is an open-carry state in general -- meaning people can walk around with pistols in their holster in most public areas ... so that's why it's ruffling a lot of feathers.
As far what repercussions people face during this month-long ban ... it's not all that serious -- they amount to civil penalties and a fine of up to $5,000. So we'll see who abides or not.
Interestingly enough, some law enforcement leaders have already publicly said they are not going to enforce what the governor is asking for here ... and, of course, legal challenges in court are expected to be filed in the coming days as well.
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Zach Bryan Applauded By Police Org ... For Apologizing After Arrest
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Zach Bryan's praises are being sung by an organization that advocates for cops nationwide ... this after the country singer apologized for his behavior during his recent arrest.
Retired Sgt. Betsy Branter Smith, a spokesperson for nonprofit org National Police Association, tells TMZ ... what officers appreciate is that Zach came out quickly to say sorry for what went down, adding his apology felt very earnest.
Smith isn't alone here -- she says other cops she's talked to are feeling the same thing about Zach's apology.
According to Smith, it isn't uncommon for officers to run into folks with an entitled attitude, similar to Bryan. But, she's grateful a celeb of Bryan's status is showing it's okay to admit fault and say they support the police.
TMZ was first to obtain the report dash cam footage of Bryan's arrest, where he stated, "f***ing cops are out of hand, truly," and stated the officers were a bunch of middle-aged white dudes arresting people.
Sgt. Smith is letting Bryan's comments slide, though, adding, "This is a very frustrated young man and he had some inappropriate things to say, but he complied with the officers. He didn't try to fight them or attack them. He mouthed off. And he apologized."
She says some country stars have lately been speaking out against law enforcement, so Zach's apology video was refreshing -- moving forward, Smith hopes he'll use his status to help support American police officers.
As we reported, Zach took all the blame in his explanation video ... posted after his dramatic arrest that went down in Oklahoma on Thursday.
For more on Zach's arrest, check out the latest episode of TMZ Live. Now available on all podcast platforms.
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Sean Strickland Natan Levy Should've Beaten Troll More ... 'Carve A 'J' In His Forehead'
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Sean Strickland is upset Natan Levy didn't really kick the crap out of his troll last month ... telling TMZ Sports if he had been in the same situation, he would've straight-up carved a "J" on the guy's forehead with his elbow.
Levy, who's Jewish, knocked the dog snot out of a social media heckler in Las Vegas in August after the guy had defended an antisemite in an exchange on X ... but Strickland says he wished the beatdown had gone even further.
"Like, if that was me, broken bones in the face, blood," the UFC star said. "But, Natan's a nice guy. I think we're gonna have to work on him to be a little bit more savage."
Strickland, who's teammates with Levy at Xtreme Couture in Nevada, said the troll's actions were so disrespectful, he would've tried to permanently scar the guy if he were wearing Natan's gloves.
"Like if it was me," Strickland said, "I would've tried to carve a big ol' f***ing 'J' in the forehead."
Of course, Strickland hasn't had much time to devote to the issue recently ... he's been preparing for a title fight with Israel Adesanya that will go down later Saturday night.
He told us of the tilt that he's preparing for it the same way he gets ready for all of his fights -- as if it might be the last of his career.
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Polo G Legal Drama Delayed My Album ... But Won't Affect Touring Schedule
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Polo G's September 15 release date for his upcoming "Hood Poet" album is no longer a thing ... having endured not one, but two eye-popping arrests in the last few months that have prevented him from promoting the music.
The Chicago rap star made the somber announcement Friday, calling it a minor setback.
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Sources close to Polo tell TMZ Hip Hop ... as of now, the album delay won't affect his current touring schedule.
He's scheduled to perform in New Mexico in October, blitz through Europe for much of November and also has a concert in Canada in December.
AUGUST 2023
Polo's wild chain of events last month got us to this point. We broke the story ... Polo and his brother Trench Baby were arrested twice in a 24-hour span around August 23, resulting in a gun possession charge for Polo and a robbery charge for his brother.
Cops claim they found tons of guns and even a small bag of drugs following their raid of Polo's home.
Delaying the album while he gets all this legal drama squared away definitely sounds like the best move.
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Danny Masterson Ashton Kutcher & Mila Kunis Sent Letters to Judge ... Vouching for 'Dear Friend' Before Sentencing
Danny Masterson had 2 of his "That '70s Show" costars in his corner ahead of his sentencing ... Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis wrote letters of support for the actor.
The letters, obtained by Tony Ortega, were sent to Judge Olmedo before Masterson received his 30-year to life sentence in L.A. -- and both outlined the long-running friendship they've shared with the actor, going back to them working together on the sitcom.
Ashton says, "Danny has been nothing but a positive influence on me. He's an extraordinarily honest and intentional human being." He goes on to gush over Masterson's ability to be there for him over the years, citing Masterson as the reason why he never slipped into the "typical Hollywood life of drugs."
He even recalls a time when Masterson came to a random woman's defense as she was getting berated by her boyfriend at a pizza parlor, ending the letter by saying, "having his daughter raised without a present father would [be] a tertiary injustice in and of itself."
Mila echoed Ashton's claims, adding it has been a "privilege" to be a part of Masterson's life ... and saying his role as a dad and husband has been "nothing short of extraordinary."
As we reported, Masterson was sentenced to three decades behind bars on Thursday for his two rape convictions.
His team told us they spotted "a number of significant evidentiary and constitutional issues" in the trial and will be bringing up these arguments on appeal. We also learned he's being watched like a hawk while locked up for signs of mental distress.
We covered the story on the latest episode of The TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms.
Do you believe 30 years is a fair sentence for Danny Masterson? Sound off by answering the question in our game below.
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Ashton Kutcher y Mila Kunis Le envían cartas al juez Pidiendo por un "querido amigo"
Danny Masterson tuvo a 2 de sus compañeros de reparto de "That '70s Show" en su esquina antes de su sentencia, Ashton Kutcher y Mila Kunis escribieron cartas de apoyo al actor.
Las cartas —obtenidas por Tony Ortega— fueron enviadas al juez Olmedo antes de que Masterson recibiera su sentencia de 30 años a cadena perpetua en Los Ángeles. Ambos destacaron la larga amistad que han compartido con el actor, la cual se remonta a cuando trabajaban juntos en la comedia.
Ashton dice: "Danny no ha sido más que una influencia positiva para mí. Es un ser humano extraordinariamente honesto y bien intencionado". Continúa elogiando la capacidad de Masterson para estar a su lado a lo largo de los años, citando a Masterson como la razón por la que nunca cayó en la "típica vida de drogas de Hollywood".
Incluso recuerda una ocasión en la que Masterson salió en defensa de una mujer cualquiera que estaba siendo reprendida por su novio en una pizzería, y termina la carta diciendo que "criar a su hija sin un padre presente sería una injusticia terciaria".
Mila hizo eco de las afirmaciones de Ashton añadiendo que ha sido un "privilegio" ser parte de la vida de Masterson, y diciendo que su papel como padre y esposo ha sido "nada menos que extraordinario."
Como informamos, Masterson fue sentenciado a tres décadas tras las rejas el jueves por sus dos condenas por violación.
Su equipo nos dijo que habían detectado "una serie de importantes problemas constitucionales y de pruebas" en el juicio y que plantearán estos argumentos en la apelación. También nos enteramos de que está siendo vigilado como un halcón mientras está encerrado para detectar signos de estrés mental.
Cubrimos la historia en el último episodio de The TMZ Podcast, disponible en todas las plataformas de podcast.
Cardi B No Regrets Over Mic Throw 🎤💥 'Bitch' Wasn't a Fan, She Meant to Hit Me!!!
Now that she's cleared of any potential charges, Cardi B is popping her ish over that Vegas mic-throwing incident, and she's standing by her actions!!!
Cardi popped up on "The Breakfast Club" Friday, and recalled the violent July incident with much detail ... but admitted she was initially quiet because she thought the incident would land her in jail!!! 😬
TMZ Hip Hop broke the story, Cardi was cleared in August after the criminal investigation determined there was no reason to charge her.
7/29/23
Cardi recalled the scorching Vegas temperatures playing a factor in her asking the crowd to splash her with water, while also warning them not to hit her face.
After performing several songs Cardi says she was met with a face full of ice and thinks the fan did it on purpose, so she retaliated by throwing the mic like a javelin.
7/29/23
Cardi said she reviewed the footage and claimed she saw the woman intentionally aiming at her face, so she has no regrets about setting it off!!!
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Maren Morris Jabs at Jason Aldean's 'Small Town' ... Major Shade in Teaser
Country singer Maren Morris is firing shots at Jason Aldean, or it sure seems like it ... because she referenced his hit song, "Try That in a Small Town," in a teaser for her new music video.
Maren shared a quick clip Thursday night from what appears to be a video for a new song, which shows a glimpse at a miniature billboard reading, "Welcome to Our Perfect SMALL TOWN From Sunrise to Sundown."
She captioned the post, "I'm done filling a cup with a hole in the bottom." Unclear if those are lyrics to the song or not, but it's obvious she's taking a dig at Aldean.
As we reported, JA came under fire in July for the 'Small Town' music video imagery -- showing riots and Black Lives Matter rallies -- and the song's lyrics, which some feel promotes vigilante violence. He insisted he didn't have racist intent, and denied the song was an attack on BLM.
He ended up having to remove BLM rally news coverage from the video after not getting permission to use it.
BTW, Maren's shade might not just be at Jason -- she got into it last year with his wife, Brittany, who thanked her parents for "not changing my gender when I went through my tomboy phase." For all we know, her upcoming vid might be a shot at both Aldeans.
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US Open Protester Glues Feet To Floor ... Delays Coco Gauff Match
A protester glued his bare feet to the concrete in the stands of the US Open on Thursday night ... and it caused such a commotion, it delayed Coco Gauff's huge semifinal match for nearly an hour.
The bizarre scene unfolded just minutes into Gauff's tilt with Karolina Muchova at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York ... when a quartet of environmental activists created a massive ruckus in the crowd.
The four, wearing tees with the words "End Fossil Fuels" printed on them, began chanting, leading authorities to quickly spring into action.
Three of the four were taken into custody after just a few moments without issue ... but the fourth required about 49 minutes of attention to remove due to the glue at the bottom of his feet.
Fortunately, officials were able to eventually extricate the man ... and play resumed.
Gauff ended up shaking off the delay no problem ... beating Muchova to advance to the tournament's final. She'll meet Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday to play for the championship.
The protest, of course, was hardly the first one major tennis has seen this year ... back in July, several people rushed the court at Wimbledon, hurling confetti all over the place.
More disruption at #Wimbledon! Another Just Stop Oil protester gets onto Court 18 with a jigsaw and confetti! @BBCSport pic.twitter.com/A1H2OmXANY
— Sanny Rudravajhala 📻📺📝 (@Sanny_Rudra) July 5, 2023 @Sanny_Rudra
At the Open on Thursday night, the protesters reportedly said they were upset with the event due to some sponsors that they claimed have helped contribute to global warming.
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'One Chip Challenge' Company Pulls Chip From Stores ... After Teen's Death
Paqui, the company responsible for the viral "One Chip Challenge," is yanking the product off of store shelves ... in response to a teenager who died after eating the product.
The company has a statement at the top of its website, saying the challenge "is intended for adults only, with clear and prominent labeling highlighting the chip is not for children or anyone sensitive to spicy foods."
Paqui says it's seen an uptick in minors jumping in on the challenge, despite the warning label on the packaging -- adding the company's now "working with our retailers to remove the product from shelves."
The company is even offering refunds to folks who have already purchased the challenge. Unclear if it's the end of the product, or if the plan is to ditch the product and come up with a new option ... but Paqui says the product already adheres to food safety standards.
As we reported, 14-year-old Harris Wolobah died in Massachusetts last week -- according to his mother, his passing was a result of complications he suffered from consuming the chip at school.
While Harris' official cause of death is still pending, his mother claims the school contacted her on Friday about a stomach ache he had after eating the Paqui chip, but allegedly was feeling better when he got home. However, she says he collapsed and was rushed to a hospital not long after, where he was pronounced dead.
Harris' mom has been pointing fingers at Harris' school -- mainly for not taking him straight to the hospital when his stomach started hurting, which potentially could've saved his life.
For more viral news, tune in to the TMZ Verified Podcast. Dropping every Thursday on all podcast platforms.