TikTok Star Mya Johnson Shoulda Been Me on 'Fallon' ... But No Beef, Addison!!!
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One of the TikTok dance creators who didn't get credit last week in a controversial 'Tonight Show' bit has mixed feelings about what went down ... and her mom does too.
Mya Johnson tells TMZ ... she was initially excited to see her "Up" challenge -- which she choreographed with her friend Chris Cotter back in February -- made it all the way to Jimmy Fallon's show.
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But, Mya says she also couldn't help but wish she and Chris would have been invited on TV to perform their dance ... instead of Addison Rae.
As we told you ... Fallon and Addison are catching flak for their segment where she taught Jimmy how to do 8 popular TikTok dances, none of which she created.
People are upset 'The Tonight Show' didn't give proper attribution to the Black creators of the dances. Addison told us they definitely deserve the credit and she supports them, but her response has left people unsatisfied as well.
One of those people is Mya's mother, Candice Rangel, who says Addison's comments came off a bit insincere. However, she also doesn't believe Addison had bad intentions ... and offers suggestions for how she can make things right.
Mya, on the other hand, says there's no bad blood between her and Addison ... and she's down to collab with her in the future too.
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Kevin Durant Sorry People Saw Homophobic Slurs I Used ... 'Hopefully I Can Move Past It'
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3:50 PM PT -- Kevin Durant addressed the homophobic slurs he used in a private IG convo with Michael Rapaport -- explaining he's sorry people saw him use the language ... but didn't apologize for using the offensive words.
“I’m sorry that people seen the language that I used. That’s not what I want people to see from me. Hopefully I can move past it," Durant said Thursday afternoon during a media session with reports.
Nets head coach Steve Nash was also asked about the situation, and said the team has spoken with KD about the language he used ... but would keep the details private.
"First of all, it was a private conversation with him and the other party. We've talked about it internally but we'll keep all that stuff internal."
It's still unclear if the NBA will take action against Durant. We've reached out several times, but have not heard back from the league.
No, the NBA should NOT punish Kevin Durant for the homophobic insults he used in a private IG convo with Michael Rapaport ... so says P.J. Tucker.
"Of course not, he did nothing wrong," the Milwaukee Bucks player told us in Beverly Hills on Wednesday before taking on the L.A. Lakers.
"He didn't do nothing wrong."
Not everyone agrees with Tucker -- some people are VERY upset Durant used crude homophobic and misogynistic slurs to attack Rapaport in a private DM conversation the actor made public earlier this week.
I receive threats and disgusting messages DAILY, but never in my wildest dreams did I think @KDTrey5 would be among them. The 🐍 himself is now threatening me, bringing up my wife and wants to fight. This is supposed to be America’s sweetheart right? #ImDaRealMVP pic.twitter.com/l1VQfGMMRF
— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) March 30, 2021 @MichaelRapaport
Rapaport posted screenshots of recent conversations with the Brooklyn Nets star and said, "I receive threats and disgusting messages DAILY, but never in my wildest dreams did I think [Durant] would be among them."
"[Duant] himself is now threatening me, bringing up my wife and wants to fight. This is supposed to be America’s sweetheart right?"
The question now ... will (and should) the NBA get involved and take action against Durant, considering the league's recent push against hateful language directed at any minority group.
Remember, the NBA took action against Meyers Leonard who used an anti-semitic slur during a video game live-streaming session ... suspending him for a week and hitting him with a fine.
Sure, Durant's comments were intended to be private ... but fact is, they're public now.
For his part, KD has only commented once about the Rapaport convo -- saying, "Me and mike talk CRAZIER than this on the regular and today he's pissed ... My bad mike, damn!!"
Originally Published -- 6:10 AM PT
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MLB's Mike Yastrzemski I'll Now Stand For National Anthem ... After Kneeling In 2020
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Mike Yastrzemski says he will NOT kneel for the national anthem this season after taking a knee for the song last year ... the MLB star told reporters Thursday he feels he's already made his statement.
The S.F. Giants outfielder, who's the grandson of Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski, began demonstrating during the Star Spangled Banner after the MLB came back from its COVID delay last summer.
At the time, the 30-year-old wrote a powerful message on social media explaining his decision to kneel ... saying, in part, "By kneeling last night, I wanted to hold myself, and hopefully others, accountable that something needs to change."
He continued, "and I am willing to be part of the change because we all deserve the freedom that our veterans and active members have sacrificed their lives for."
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Yaz, though, says the kneeling will end when the Giants kick off their season Thursday night.
According to The Athletic's Andrew Baggarly, Yaz explained to reporters, "he knelt last year to spark conversation and awareness and let people know where he stands on racial justice and feels he's made that statement."
Yastrzemski -- who hit .297 last season -- is slated to bat second for the Giants against the Mariners on Thursday night.
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Saweetie Elevator Video Didn't Break Us Up ... 'Too Many Other Hurdles'
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Saweetie has broken her silence two days after TMZ posted video showing her and her then-boyfriend, Quavo, in an altercation inside an elevator.
Saweetie tells us, "This unfortunate incident happened a year ago, while we have reconciled since then and moved past this particular disagreement, there were simply too many other hurdles to overcome in our relationship and we have both since moved on."
As for the other hurdles ... when the two split last month, Saweetie accused Quavo, very publicly, of cheating. Quavo replied to the allegations with a tweet that read, "I had love for you and disappointed you did all that. You are not the woman I thought you were. I wish you nothing but the best."
TMZ broke the story ... the surveillance video, from inside an apartment complex elevator shows the former couple in a struggle over a box containing a video game console. Saweetie appears to take a swipe at Quavo first before he grabs her by the arm, knocking her against the back elevator wall and both hitting the floor.
Law enforcement sources tell us they want to meet with the couple, separately, to determine what led up to and what happened after the spat. It's possible both could be found to be in the wrong.
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Texas Deputy Under Fire for Punching Teen
A sheriff's deputy in Texas is under investigation after he was captured on camera threatening to beat the crap out of a teen ... and then actually did punch him in the face.
The disturbing incident went down last Friday in Harris County where a 16-year-old named Carlos and his buddy had just pulled into a gas station on their ATVs. The deputy beelined it for Carlos and asked him for ID, and things went south real quick.
You can see in the video, shot by Carlos' friend, the deputy initially tells Carlos to turn around put his hands behind his back. He started to do that, but took one step away, prompting the deputy to grab him and yell, "Don't run from me boy, I will beat your (expletive) right here."
Carlos appears to panic at that point and the deputy barks out, "Turn around and put your hands behind your back before I beat the (expletive) out of you. Don't be (expletive) stupid."
And, then ... bam, the deputy squarely punches Carlos in the head, knocking him to the ground. The deputy didn't let up either ... you can see him unload a few more punches while they're both on the ground. He eventually arrested Carlos for evading arrest.
Carlos told KTRK-TV he and his friends may have previously driven away from deputies -- you hear the cop reference that -- but adds, he didn't think getting gas would lead to a violent encounter with law enforcement.
We reached out to the Harris County Sheriff's Office and a spokesperson tells TMZ ... it's aware of the incident "in which one of our deputies used physical force and unprofessional language against a suspect at a convenience store." We're told the incident is under internal investigation, and the deputy's been placed on administrative duty.
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Lil Nas X Nike Gets Judge to Halt 'Satan Shoes' ... Company Responds
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1:19 PM PT -- MSCHF, the creative agency Nike's battling with, says it's surprised by the legal action the shoe giant has taken to stop the Satan Shoe ... because MSCHF claims Nike had no problem when it produced the Jesus Shoe last year.
In fact, MSCHF asks ... "who is Nike to censor one but not the other?"
Nevertheless, MSCHF says it has reached out to Nike to resolve the matter but has received no response. So instead, it says it is looking forward to working with Nike in court.
Unfortunately for fans of the Satan Shoe ... MSCHF says this means Lil Nas X will not be able to go through with his planned Twitter giveaway, at least for now.
Lil Nas X's "Satan Shoes" likely won't be on the feet of any of his fans soon, because Nike got a judge to shut down the selling of the controversial footwear ... at least temporarily.
The court granted Nike's request Thursday for a temporary restraining order against MSCHF -- the company producing the shoe inspired by the rapper -- which blocks it from fulfilling any orders.
As we reported ... Nike sued MSCHF earlier this week, claiming it has no connection with Lil Nas X's Satan Shoe and did not authorize the production of it.
Nevertheless, the devilish shoe still reportedly sold out of its 666 pairs produced within minutes Monday ... even at the hefty price tag of $1,018.
Due to the restraining order, MSCHF will not be allowed to ship them to customers awaiting the shoe that the creative agency put their blood, sweat and tears in ... literally blood!
FYI ... judges grant temporary restraining orders of this type when there's a high probability they will win when there's a full-blown hearing.
Originally Published-- 7:26 AM PT
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Greg Kelly I Smoked Weed in KY, Woke Up in Africa!!! Claims Hilarious Stoner Tale
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3:42 PM PT -- We got Greg in NYC who certainly didn't offer much detail, but definitely kept his message the same.
Even Snoop Dogg could learn a thing or 2 about marijuana from Greg Kelly -- that is IF you buy the Newsmax host's "don't do drugs" story ... but almost no one does.
Kelly is telling what he views as a cautionary tale about pot, claiming "SMOKING WEED (aka GRASS) is NOT a good idea." Okay, get past his use of the term "grass" ... he's a man of a certain age, after all.
Anyway, Kelly claims he "toked up" back in the day with some friends in Kentucky "and woke up 4 days later in Nairobi, Kenya. With no idea what happened." Say whaaaat, Greg???
Based on Twitter's response, the news anchor's marijuana warning went up in smoke. Very few people believe this actually happened, or ... if it did happen we've got a newsflash for Greg -- that wasn't weed you were smoking, bro!!!
Kelly even claims his alleged half-baked experience was worse than anything that President Biden's son, Hunter, went through. ICYMI ... Hunter just opened up about his crack addiction in a new memoir.
As for what the hell Greg "Smokey" Kelly might have really been puff puff passing? Well, he might wanna re-watch "Friday."
Now when friends ask, "how high?" ... just say Greg Kelly high. Thanks for the warning, Smoke Dog!
Originally Published-- 7:04 AM PT
Sharon Stone My Manager Said I Wasn't 'F***able' ... Then I Got 'Basic Instinct'
Sharon Stone claims her manager back in the day told her she wasn't sexy enough to get hired in Hollywood, then 6 weeks later ... she was cast to play one of the sexiest characters ever.
The actress says before she landed her famous role in "Basic Instinct," she was pretty shy and introverted. Stone claims this prompted her manager to tell her she wasn't "f**kable."
It's all detailed in her new autobiography, "The Beauty of Living Twice," and Sharon goes on to say her acting coach also badgered her to loosen up, asking ... "If you keep leaving your sexuality at the door, how do you expect to play anyone at all?"
She says 6 weeks after that, she was cast to star alongside Michael Douglas in the 1992 erotic thriller. Guess the acting coach did the job.
As we reported ... Stone previously revealed she was tricked into performing her notorious no-underwear scene in the movie by members of the production team.
She claims they ensured her "we can't see anything," and she didn't learn until later that she was duped ... and describes the experience as humiliating.
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Utah's Jordan Clarkson On Bird Strike Plane Emergency We Thought We Might Die
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Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson is opening up about the terrifying mid-air emergency on the team plane this week -- admitting several players were thinking, "This might be over for us."
As we previously reported, the Jazz team plane was forced to make an emergency landing Tuesday after striking a flock of birds -- which caused one of the engines to catch fire.
The plane landed safely -- and the Jazz eventually caught another plane to get to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies on Wednesday. After the game (the Jazz won), Clarkson talked about the plane incident and described a scary scene inside the aircraft where several players and staffers were pondering their own fate.
"I just remember walking back to my seat and as I got to my seat, I just hear a loud bang. Me and [Mike Conley] looked at each other and he was like 'Oooooh! Those are the birds!'"
"Then I turn and looked out the window and see the whole engine shaking and everything and then you see everybody in the back kinda like reacting to what's going on."
"A lot of people in the back that was sitting behind the engine, they seen a burst of flames so immediately they're probably thinking the plane is fully caught on fire and I see everybody kinda reacting towards that."
Clarkson says the "whole plane started shaking" -- and "a lot of us really came to like a point, at least 30 seconds in that flight, everybody came to the point where it was like, 'Man this might be over for us.'"
"It's sad to say that. I don't play with death or anything like that and it's something that we gotta push through and come together and keep going."
Clarkson said some players were so concerned "this might be really the end" -- and sent text messages to family and other loved ones.
Jazz star Donovan Mitchell did not make the trip to Memphis. The team cited "personal reasons" -- but Clarkson insinuated Mitchell was still shaken up from Tuesday's flight incident.
"I mean, it was a crazy situation. I understand fully why Don didn't come."
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Another Mass Shooting 4 Dead in Orange, CA ... Cops Drag Out Suspect on Video
10:26 AM PT -- According to the Orange PD, the alleged shooter's been identified as 44-year-old Aminadab Gaxiola Gonzalez. Police say Gonzalez's motive for the mass shooting was linked to a relationship with the business and the people in it ... it was not a random act.
The victims' identities have not been released, but cops say the child who was killed was a 9-year-old at work with his mother.
The alleged gunman who killed 4 people, including a child, in America's latest tragic mass shooting was apprehended by several cops after getting shot ... and the dramatic moment was caught on video.
Witnesses across the street from the office building in Orange, CA -- where the suspect allegedly opened fire around 5:30 PM Wednesday -- were recording as police officers swarmed and dragged the alleged shooter out.
The suspect sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to the hospital, though it's unclear if the wound was self-inflicted or at the hand of a responding officer.
In the video, the witnesses describe seeing a lot of blood and assume the suspect is dead. As the suspect's apprehended, it appears one officer kicks away a firearm.
Four people were killed in the shooting, including a child, and a fifth was critically injured. The identities of the victims have not been released. The suspect is also reportedly in critical condition.
The complex where the shooting went down houses multiple businesses, including an insurance company and a counseling center.
This is the 20th mass shooting in the U.S. since the Atlanta area spa attacks just 2 weeks ago, in which 8 people were killed.
Originally Published -- 6:56 AM PT
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Manny Pacquiao Asian Hate Crime Attackers Are Cowards ... 'Fight Me Instead'
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Manny Pacquiao is sick and tired of the violent attacks on the Asian community -- and he's calling out the coward perpetrators behind these awful crimes.
"Stop attacking Asians who can't defend themselves! FIGHT ME INSTEAD."
The 42-year-old boxing superstar continued, "We have one color in our Blood! Stop discriminating. LOVE AND PEACE TO EVERYONE!! #StopAsianHate."
Seems Pacquiao has finally seen enough after a 65-year-old Filipino-American woman was pummeled in broad daylight by a large man, in an horrific incident captured on video.
Besides being one of the top boxers in the world, Manny is also a Senator in the Philippines, where he was born and raised ... and clearly he felt compelled to issue a public statement after the wave of anti-Asian incidents making headlines around the world.
There has been a surge of hate crimes directed at Asian people in the U.S. over the past few months -- including a horrific incident in Atlanta where a gunman stormed multiple Asian-run spas and murdered 8 people.
Back in February, the Philippine Embassy in the U.S. issued a statement that advised Filipinos to use "utmost caution" due to the rise of anti-Asian attacks in America.
"Those who experience attacks are advised to immediately call 911 to report these incidents."
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North Carolina Cop Resigns to Avoid Firing After Choking Police Dog
The North Carolina cop seen on video hanging and choking a K-9 with its leash is off the force ... he just resigned after an investigation determined he should be fired.
The Salisbury Police Department says an independent investigation found officer James Hampton engaged in "inappropriate discipline" of the police dog, Zuul ... in full violation of department policies.
SPD says while Hampton was recommended to be fired, he was allowed a due process hearing ... and before he could be canned, he tendered his resignation, effective immediately.
As we reported ... Hampton came under fire earlier this month when video surfaced showing him manhandling the crap out of the police dog he was supposed to be training.
PETA got involved too ... with demonstrators protesting outside Salisbury PD HQ and demanding justice for the K-9. BTW, Zuul was ok, at least physically, after the brutal encounter.
Salisbury PD also says it will continue reviewing its K-9 training operations, policies and procedures with potential changes on the horizon.
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Derek Chauvin Trial Murder Suspect Explains His Actions ... To Witness in Bodycam Vid
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3:30 PM PT -- Derek Chauvin told the man who called him a "maggot" that he did what he did because he felt it was necessary to keep George Floyd under control ... considering the circumstances.
Part of Chauvin's bodycam video was played in court Wednesday during McMillian's testimony, showing the moments after Floyd was taken away in a stretcher and Chauvin was getting ready to leave in a squad car. McMillian had some parting words for him before he left, letting him know how displeased he was with how Chauvin handled things.
Listen to how Chauvin explains away his actions -- first off, he says that McMillians' grievances are just "one person's opinion" and that he stayed put on top of GF because they (the cops) had to "control this guy" (Floyd) whom Chauvin described as a "sizable guy."
Chauvin also goes on to say it appeared Floyd was "probably on something." McMillian ends the convo by walking away ... wishing Chauvin a good, safe night with him and his family at home, saying he's going to continue respecting him as long he gets respect back.
A witness who watched George Floyd die in the street was left sobbing on the stand after having to relive the nightmare moment again in court.
Charles McMillian broke down while giving testimony Wednesday about the events he says he witnessed on May 25, 2020 ... as one of the early bystanders who watched Chauvin pin George down just feet away while standing on a curb.
As prosecutors played back body cam video from one of the officers on top of George -- as he shouted out repeatedly he couldn't breathe and calling for his mother -- McMillian started bawling ... which prompted the court to recess as he collected himself.
The prosecution asked what he was feeling right then watching it anew, and McMillian gave a telling response ... saying he felt helpless and sympathized with George's call for his mom. It was pretty heartbreaking to watch ... and made for a compelling moment in the trial, which is on its third day.
Like we said, McMillian was one of the first civilians on the scene as police began to struggle with George while trying to get him into their squad car. He told George before the man was laid down on his stomach that he should stop fighting, and that he couldn't win.
Also in court Wednesday, surveillance footage from inside the Cup Foods store was played showing the minutes leading up to Floyd's death. Floyd can be seen using the alleged fake $20 bill at the root of police being called.
In other video played during his testimony, you can hear McMillian talk directly to Chauvin at the time ... whom he called a "maggot" as the police finally dispersed. McMillian confirmed the "maggot" remark to prosecutors ... and was excused without cross-examination.
Originally Published -- 1:47 PM PT
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Asian Hate Crime Suspect Charged With Hate Crimes For Brutal Assault Of 65-Year-Old Woman
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5:22 PM PT -- The suspect, Brandon Elliot, has just been charged with two counts of assault in the second degree as a hate crime and one count of attempted assault in the first degree as a hate crime ... according to Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr.
The guy cops say was caught on camera viciously beating an elderly Asian woman to the ground and kicking her in the head has been arrested ... and he's facing several hate crime and assault charges.
According to law enforcement ... cops arrested 38-year-old Brandon Elliot shortly after midnight Wednesday, and he's been booked on 2 counts of assault as a hate crime.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... during questioning Elliot identified himself as the man in the still image police released. We're told he repeatedly asked investigators if he was being questioned for an assault or a homicide, because he didn't know if the victim had died.
He's also been charged with attempted assault as a hate crime, assault and attempted assault for Monday's vicious attack in Midtown Manhattan on the 65-year-old woman who was walking to church.
According to police, Elliot was ID'd and investigators determined where he lived thanks to multiple tips to the NYPD CrimeStoppers Unit. Turns out he has a serious record ... we're told Elliot's already on lifetime parole for the 2002 murder of his mother. He was released in November 2019.
As we reported ... the attack on the woman was witnessed by building staff members nearby, who can be seen on video failing to help her. Cops say the attacker made anti-Asian statements like "F*** you, you don't belong here," and then left the scene like nothing happened.
We're told the victim suffered a broken pelvis and head and leg injuries.
The workers who did nothing to help her were suspended, according to the company that manages the building, while an investigation into their conduct is underway.
Originally Published -- 6:49 AM PT
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WaPo Reporter John Woodrow Cox Gun Violence Is Ruining Kids' Lives
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Schoolchildren across America are being scarred for life because of gun violence, but there are ways to fix the problem ... so says author John Woodrow Cox.
John hopped on "TMZ Live" Wednesday for a sobering conversation about the impact of guns on our nation's youth ... something he's as passionate about as he is knowledgeable.
John's new book -- "Children Under Fire: An American Crisis" -- chronicles the scope of the problem. For example, 4 million students were impacted by school lockdowns in one year, and these are not drills ... they're actually incidents involving guns on campus.
John says these lockdowns can really mess with kids' heads ... with many thinking they were going to die. He says he's poured over tons of text messages by children to their parents saying goodbye because they thought they were living their final moments.
While mass shootings subsided during coronavirus lockdowns, John points out there were two -- one in Colorado and another in Georgia -- as soon as restrictions were relaxed.
But, there is hope, despite 40,000 gun violence deaths piling up each and every year. John has some common-sense gun laws that could do wonders for our kids, IF lawmakers are willing to listen.
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Chet Hanks Violent Split with Ex Caught on Video
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Chet Hanks and an ex-girlfriend are at war over a volatile relationship that recently ended -- with both of them slinging allegations of violence, and there's video of a bloodied Hanks.
TMZ has obtained video of what Chet says is the end of an altercation between him and his ex, Kiana Parker, that turned violent back on January 8 at Chet's place in Sugarland, TX. Chet turns the camera on Kiana when she appears to swipe at him as she holds a pot, with a bloodied Chet reappearing in the next frame, saying she charged at him with the knife ... something Kiana denies.
Chet's not the only one to claim violence ... Kiana got a restraining order against Chet in January, alleging he roughed her up on multiple occasions between Oct. 2020 and Jan. 2021.
During one incident, while the couple was in New Orleans for Chet to shoot "Your Honor," Kiana claims he became enraged when she said she was going to leave their room at the Windsor Court hotel to get food ... grabbing her wrists and arms and flinging her around to keep her in the room. Chet denies the allegations and says he never even knew she went to court for a TRO.
She says tables were knocked over and he chucked a bottle at her ... even claiming he chased her down the hallway in his boxers. She also alleges he told her that no one would believe her, because she was "just a ghetto Black bitch" and he was "Chet Hanks."
For his part ... Chet recently filed a lawsuit against Kiana over January's bloody face incident. He says it started when he broke things off with Kiana after learning she'd allegedly been stealing from him, racking up thousands of dollars on his credit cards ... and making off with a ton of his property too.
Chet goes on to claim Kiana showed up that day with three men, one of whom he says flashed a gun at him. He's suing her for assault and battery, theft and return of the money she allegedly stole from him.
As for Kiana's version of the January 8 incident ... she says in docs she came by Chet's place to get her stuff with movers in tow. She says Chet was antagonizing her, and he grabbed a knife in a menacing way. That's when she says she grabbed a pot in self-defense and swung it ... making a run for it shortly thereafter. She claims he chased her out to the street, where she says he attacked her right there in the open ... until others came to her aid.
Chet shares a child with another Black woman named Tiffany -- and just recently ... he alluded to the fact he's really into Black women, this as he offered a follow-up explainer to his controversial "white boy summer" clip ... which went viral.
Kiana's attorney, D'Angelo Lowe, tells TMZ ... Kiana is under a doctor's care at the moment, and that she's tried serving Chet to no avail ... even having gone so far as to reach out to his parents, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, over the TRO she's trying to make permanent.
Hanks' lawyer, Marty Singer, tells TMZ, "The day after Chet Hanks confronted Kiana Parker about stealing money from his credit card, while Ms. Parker was accompanied by a huge male carrying a gun she viciously attacked Chet with a knife, which caused him to profusely bleed. It is all on video and the undisputed video tells the whole story. Her claims are completely false, fabricated and fictional."