Controversial S#!T

Vivica A. Fox and Lance Bass both competed on "Dancing with the Stars" but didn't win, and they think they know why -- the judges hated their professional dancing partners!!!

Vivica, a 'DWTS' Season 3 alum ... and Lance, from Season 7, were sharing their experiences with Lisa Vanderpump on her new series, 'Overserved' ... when they made claims that call into question whether the 'Dancing' judges score strictly based on skill.

According to Vivica ... her dancing partner, Nick Kosovich, was one of the main reasons they got eliminated because he didn't "play the game" and "made too many requests."

Fox implies the judges -- who were Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli -- didn't like Kosovich, so they took it out on their dance scores.

The former 'NSYNC star had the same judges as Vivica, and he says they absolutely hated his dance partner, Lacey Schwimmer. He claims prior to the finale, one of the judges had a little to much too drink and even admitted all the judges despised her.

Lance and Lacey finished as runners-up.

Several White House staffers got the ultimate buzzkill when they were asked to resign or got demoted for smoking weed in the past ... even though they were told it would be no biggie.

Those are the claims being made about President Biden's administration anyway, and the firings reportedly even affected WH employees who lived in one of the 14 U.S. states where marijuana use is legal.

According to the report ... Biden's staff was subjected to background checks where they had to disclose their history of pot use, but some were told it would be "overlooked."

Apparently, that wasn't the case, as White House Director of Management and Administration Anne Filipic reportedly called up many of the workers and asked those who admitted to marijuana use to either resign or be placed in a remote work program.

The White House is disputing how many staffers were actually affected by the weed-related moves, but says ... "This decision was made following intensive consultation with career security officials and will effectively protect our national security while modernizing policies to ensure that talented and otherwise well-qualified applicants with limited marijuana use will not be barred from serving the American people."

As you may know ... marijuana is still illegal on the federal level -- despite being legalized all over the country at a state-level and in D.C. -- so critics of these reported firings say it unfairly targets younger people and those who come from states where it's legal.

The Georgia sheriff under fire for saying the Atlanta spa shooting suspect was having a "really bad day" is having a bad day himself ... he's OUT as the spokesperson for the case.

Captain Jay Baker will no longer be giving updates and briefings on the case, according to a CNN report from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.

Baker's been catching tons of heat for Wednesday's news conference, when he said shooting suspect Robert Aaron Long "was pretty much fed up and had been kind of at the end of his rope. Yesterday was a really bad day for him, and this is what he did."

Long has been charged with 8 counts of murder for Tuesday's mass killing of 8 people, including 6 Asian women. Long told cops his alleged attack on massage parlors was motived by his sex addiction, not racism ... a point that has left many unconvinced.

Meyers Leonard is free to stream on Twitch again -- we've learned his ban has been lifted just over a week after he used an anti-Semitic slur during a video game session.

Remember, the former Miami Heat player was playing "Call of Duty" on March 9 when he hurled the K-word at an opposing player.

Twitch immediately blocked Leonard from the platform -- and the NBA hit Meyers with a $50k fine and a 1-week suspension.

Leonard apologized for using the slur and he's been working with various Jewish leaders to educate himself about why the word is dangerous and offensive ever since.

Now, Leonard's Twitch account has been reactivated -- which means he can get back to playing games in front of his 69,000 followers.

So far, Leonard has not logged back on -- and we're told he doesn't plan on doing so for a while -- while he continues to focus on educating himself.

In the meantime, Leonard has been traded from the Miami Heat to the OKC Thunder (though the Thunder don't plan on keeping him) ... and Meyers' wife issued a statement thanking the Heat franchise and the fan base.

"Our experience with the Heat has been anything but ordinary. Yet, it was nothing but exceptional", Elle Leonard said in a statement on social media.

Amber Heard hasn't donated the full $7 million in her divorce settlement with Johnny Depp, but her vow to do so gave her credibility, and made Depp lose his defamation case ... that's his new legal argument, anyway.

Depp's lawyers are trying to appeal the ruling in his U.K. defamation case, in which he sued The Sun for libel over a 2018 article labeling him a "wife beater" ... but he took the L in November when the judge ruled there was evidence he'd abused Amber.

Amber was The Sun's star witness and took the stand to lay out her allegations of Depp's domestic violence during their marriage.

But, Johnny's lawyer, Andrew Caldecott, claimed in court Thursday that Heard's testimony was unfair because her promise to donate the $7 mil divorce settlement provided a "considerable boost to her credibility as a person" and "tipped the scales against Mr. Depp from the very beginning."

Translation: Depp's lawyer thinks the judge believed Amber because of her donation claims, but she hasn't actually donated all the money. In fact, he says she's only donated $100k of it ... so he thinks that entitles his client to a re-trial.

Here's the thing, though ... Heard's attorney responded to these claims already earlier this year. The lawyer, Elaine Bredehoft, admitted Amber has not yet fulfilled the entirety of the $7 mil pledge she made to the Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the ACLU ... but says that's only because Depp keeps suing her.

Bredehoft said, "Amber has already been responsible for seven figures in donations to charitable causes and intends to continue to contribute and eventually fulfill her pledge."

She adds ... "However, Amber has been delayed in that goal because Mr. Depp filed a lawsuit against her, and consequently, she has been forced to spend millions of dollars defending Mr. Depp's false accusations against her."

One of the first Britney Spears hearings since the release of a documentary about her conservatorship brought out a huge wave of #FreeBritney supporters ... but it looks like it was all for nothing.

Check out the scores of people who showed up to a courthouse in downtown L.A. Wednesday for a hearing in the case about hundreds of thousands Brit's trying to recoup for her conservatorship ... but nothing ended up happening on that front.

The judge continued the matter for another day -- and it looks like the whole hearing lasted about 20 minutes max. And, yet ... these folks were determined to have their voices heard. As you can see, the troupe showed up in force -- with signs and posters and even megaphones in hand.

It's unclear why they arrived for this one with such numbers ... it's the 2nd hearing since the release of 'Framing Britney Spears' on Feb. 5. On Feb. 11 -- the first such hearing following the controversial doc -- it was determined Jamie would stay on as co-conservator along with Bessemer Trust Company.

As for what was supposed to be happening today -- a judge could've officially weighed in on whether the estate could recoup the $308k Britney says her dad paid to her former business manager, Tri Star Sports & Entertainment Group.

Remember, Britney claimed after she stopped performing in early 2019 ... Tri Star allegedly asked Jamie for more dough, since the 5% commission they get from Brit is based on revenue from her getting on stage. They asked for $500k minimum per year, and Britney says Jamie shot 'em $308k and change ... without running it by her people, or trying to negotiate a better deal.

Meyers Leonard's time in South Beach is over -- the Miami Heat are trading the controversial center just one week after he spewed an anti-Semitic slur on a live stream.

The Heat are shipping the 29-year-old and a 2027 2nd-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Trevor Ariza, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski ... but OKC is not expected to keep Leonard once the trade is completed.

In other words, the Thunder didn't want Leonard ... the team just used his contract to make the trade work.

As a good faith gesture to the Heat, Leonard waived his no-trade clause to help get the deal done.

Remember, Leonard was handed a one-week suspension and a $50,000 fine by the NBA after he called an opponent a "f***ing k*** bitch" during a video game sesh on March 9.

The NBA also required Leonard to participate in a cultural diversity program as part of his punishment.

NBA commish Adam Silver condemned Leonard's remarks ... calling them "inexcusable and hurtful" ... adding, "such an offensive term has no place in the NBA or in our society."

Leonard apologized following the incident ... saying he did not know about the history of the slur, but did not want to use it as an excuse.

"I acknowledge and own my mistake and there's no running from something like this that is so hurtful to someone else."

As we previously reported, Leonard has been in touch with various Jewish groups and leaders from the community in an effort to educate himself about why the word he used is offensive and dangerous ... and we're told he's committed to continuing that work no matter what happens with his NBA career.

For now, we're told Leonard is staying in Miami to continue to train and rehab -- and continue his education with a broad range of leaders in the Jewish community.

There's a good chance Leonard doesn't play NBA ball again for a while -- he played in 3 games in 2020-21 and underwent season-ending surgery in February.

A retired LAPD homicide detective caught on video calling a Black man a "dumb n****r" after a minor traffic collision is prompting the police to review all 370 cases he handled during his career.

The man hurling racial slurs during the incident -- which went down last weekend in Santa Clarita, CA -- has been ID'd as John Motto. The LAPD says he's not currently a member of the force, he retired in May 2020 as a detective with the Operations Central Bureau Homicide.

The footage shows heated moments immediately after a car accident ... Motto got into an argument with the other driver, a Black man.

Motto claims the other driver used the n-word first, which he feels made it okay for him to then use it -- but Motto also added, "Go back into your little cage until the monkey controller gets here."

He's then used the n-word, again, to insult the other driver.

The LAPD says it's launched an internal investigation "to ensure there is no current Department nexus to this incident." It adds, "What is seen in the video is not reflective of the thousands of hard working and dedicated men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department."

President Biden says Gov. Andrew Cuomo should step down if the ongoing investigation finds his sexual harassment accusers are telling the truth.

Biden weighed in on the Cuomo controversy Tuesday during an interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos ... and he went so far as to say Cuomo could end up being prosecuted as well.

New York's Attorney General is probing allegations Cuomo sexually harassed a number of women, including 2 ex-staffers alleging misconduct ranging from an unwanted kiss to remarks about their sex life and appearance.

Before today, President Biden had said he didn't want to comment on Cuomo -- one of his close political allies -- until the investigation was completed.

For his part, Cuomo has denied the allegations ... but New York's 2 U.S. Senators, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, have called on him to resign ... as have several Democrats in the House, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

As we reported ... Cuomo doubled down on his denial earlier this month, after a new photo of him grabbing a woman's face surfaced. He vehemently denied touching anyone inappropriately, but acknowledged he might've been a little too chummy for comfort at times.

If the drama over the Grammys this year possibly had you thinking "What Would Tupac Do?" -- we got an answer from his own flesh and blood.

Pac's brother, Mopreme Shakur, tells TMZ his little bro would probably have a lot to say about all the mudslinging about music's so-called "biggest night" ... in fact, he'd likely be fighting tooth and nail to get the changes The Weeknd and others are demanding.

For starters, Mopreme agrees with what Tank told us Sunday about nominating ... namely, that many of the voters are out-of-touch old-timers who skim through to pick what they like. Mopreme tells us that's true ... adding that if Pac was alive, he'd feel the same way.

Not just that, but Mopreme assures us ... 2Pac wouldn't stay silent on the issue -- he'd be vocal and on the Recording Academy's ass about how artists are selected. Knowing Pac's rep -- and considering the guy never won a Grammy himself -- it's hard to argue with Mo's take.

Speaking of the crop of musicians that get the spotlight ... Mopreme had some thoughts on that too, saying Tupac would likely be lobbying for more up-and-coming artists to get nominated ... rather than deferring to mainstream artists by default, especially in hip-hop.

Mopreme says that's no shade to folks like Cardi B or Megan Thee Stallion -- but he gives us an example of someone who should be recognized on talent alone ... Samm Henshaw.

Artists like this truly deserve to be hoisted up by the Recording Academy, and Mopreme tells us if Pac was here -- he'd be pulling for them hard at every opportunity.

Long story short ... Mopreme tells us he's no stranger to perceived shadiness on the Grammy's part. He points to the fact that guys like his bro, Snoop Dogg, or even Busta Rhymes never got theirs in their prime. Shoot, just look at Nas ... he got his FIRST award on Sunday -- this despite the fact "Illmatic" exists. So, the point is well taken.

Donald Trump wants to go head-to-head with Meghan Markle for the Presidency, but first, he's doing something critics say he failed to do while in office ... and that's encouraging Americans to get the COVID vaccine.

Trump made it clear Tuesday he's siding with the Queen over Meghan, and says he's not a fan of Prince Harry's wife. In a telephone interview with Fox News' Maria Bartiromo, Trump said he wants MM to follow through with the political ambitions she reportedly has.

Not shockingly, 45 sees running against a political neophyte as the perfect incentive for his potential run to be 47.

As you know ... Meghan and Harry are beefing with the palace over allegations of racism within the Royal Family. Trump says the Queen is a "tremendous person," but he just doesn't like Meghan.

Trump also granted Dr. Fauci's recent wish, encouraging all Americans to get vaccinated for COVID-19 ... especially his supporters, the majority of whom say they won't get the shot, according to recent surveys.

Prince Harry's spoken with Prince William and Prince Charles about his bombshell interview with Oprah, but it didn't go very well ... according to Gayle King.

Gayle says conversations have begun between Harry and his family in an attempt to heal after the explosive allegations they made, but she's hearing the talks have been "not productive" so far.

Part of the problem -- according to the "CBS This Morning" anchor -- is that Buckingham Palace is giving Meghan Markle the cold shoulder, and not doing anything to give her a break.

Case in point -- Gayle and her CBS colleagues say the 2018 bullying claims against Meghan are being investigated, but there's no such known investigation into the allegations of racism against the Royal Family.

Rachael Kirkconnell is both disappointed and hopeful in wake of "The Bachelor" finale and her split from Matt James ... which was revealed in the "After the Final Rose" special.

Rachael says she wishes things turned out differently and says of Matt ... "I truly believe he was the love of my life." But, she says she respects his decision to break it off with her because of her history of alleged racism and believes "there is a reason for everything."

That's not the only reason for her sorrow, though. Rachael says she also feels bad because what was supposed to be a "monumental season" was overshadowed by her controversy. As we reported ... this led to host Chris Harrison defending her, then deciding to step away from his role after major backlash.

Rachael says this was all very unfair to the other ladies who were also vying for Matt's love. She calls them "some of the strongest, most brilliant, most extraordinary women" and adds that she was lucky to meet them ... and will continue to support them.

Finally, Rachael says she hopes this season will spark conversations and understanding about racial issues and "initiate change."

Prince Philip is finally heading home -- the Duke of Edinburgh was just cut loose from the hospital where he's been staying for damn near a month ... and seems to be in high spirits.

Queen Elizabeth's main squeeze was spotted Tuesday leaving King Edward VII's Hospital in London, where he was riding in the back seat and flashing smiles as paps fired off some shots ... this following a pretty lengthy absence out of the public eye. Remember, he was first admitted in mid-February.

The 99-year-old's hospital stay was, at first, said to be simply precautionary because he wasn't feeling well, but eventually, the truth leaked out -- he was battling an infection related to a pre-existing heart condition, for which he eventually underwent surgery.

Phil briefly visited a specialized cardiac care facility in St. Bartholomew Hospital, before coming back to the King Edward hospital ... where he finished out his recovery amid a lot of speculation about his health.

Of course, the guy has had regular visits to the doc over these past few years -- so the health scares happen from time to time. Still, this one stood out ... especially as his grandson, Prince Harry, went public with the family racism drama he says he and his wife, Meghan Markle, experienced during her early tenure with the Royals.

Matt was on 'GMA' this morning and spoke to Michael Strahan on how tough 'The Final Rose' was ... particularly how the last year and everything that happened in the country really weighed on him in dealing with Rachael.

The most controversial season in 'Bachelor' history has come to an end ... and the show's final couple is no longer together thanks to racist posts and photos that surfaced in the middle of the season.

Matt James picked Rachael Kirkconnell during Monday's 'Bachelor' finale, and though he didn't propose, the couple seemed happy about their future together.

However, after the show's production ended -- and before Monday's 'Final Rose' aired -- old social media posts with Kirkconnell and the Confederate flag, pro-Trump material and even photos of her at a college 'antebellum' party, celebrating the South's racist past surfaced.

Matt and Rachael came face-to-face in an awkward meeting where Rachael apologized and Matt shared the two were no longer a couple ... saying the reason for the split was the old posts and photos.

As we reported, Chris Harrison wasn't in the hosting seat either, replaced by Emmanuel Acho. Harrison came under heavy fire after defending Kirkconnell's past in a discussion with Rachel Lindsay, the show's first Black 'Bachelorette.'

It remains to be seen if Harrison will ever be back on the franchise ... he's already been replaced for the upcoming season of the "Bachelorette" by Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe.

Several players from the Norman High School girls basketball team have broken their silence about the racist comments directed at them by a game announcer ... and they're calling for action.

It's powerful stuff.

The players have teamed up with famous civil rights attorney  Ben Crump -- who has worked with the families of several high-profile victims of police or racial violence ... from Ahmaud Arbery to Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Jacob Blake.

Crump held a news conference Monday with several of the players and their families -- who all spoke out about Matt Rowan, the announcer who hurled the n-word at the team for their decision to take a knee during the national anthem.

As we previously reported, Rowan's comments were caught on a hot mic -- and people at home could hear him bashing the NHS players who were demonstrating to spotlight police brutality and racial injustice.

During his rant, Rowan said he hoped the Norman team would get their asses kicked on the court that night.

Rowen later apologized for his language -- and said he's a Type-1 diabetic who loses his ability to censor himself when his blood sugar is high, which he claims happened that night.

FYI, the Norman High School girls basketball team went on to win the Oklahoma 6-A state championship over the weekend.

The players say they were obviously hurt and shocked by the comments -- but they're proud of the way they stood together as a team and still WON the whole tourney!

Ben Crump says there are no plans to take legal action at this time ... but continued to praise the team for thriving in such a challenging moment.