Controversial S#!T

The controversial Western film "Rust" finally hits U.S. theaters Friday -- but instead of celebrating, director Joel Souza says he wishes he’d never made it at all.

Joel -- who was accidentally shot by Alec Baldwin in a tragic 2021 on-set incident that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins by the same bullet -- said he initially rejected the thought of returning to "Rust" after his hospitalization. But the idea grew on him, especially knowing Halyna’s family wanted the film finished.

Souza reflected on the morning of the tragedy to The Guardian, calling it a domino effect of bad decisions, one after the other -- so he wishes he never went back to "Rust" post-shooting -- in fact, he wishes he hadn’t even written it!

Sherri Papini's sharing her side of the alleged kidnapping that became national news and ultimately led to her sentencing on federal charges ... claiming it really did happen, in a trailer for a new documentary.

Papini is speaking out for the first time in the upcoming documentary "Sherri Papini: Caught in the Lie" ... shedding more light on her shocking 2016 disappearance and the subsequent aftermath.

In the trailer, released Thursday, Papini admits she kept secrets from the public ... but, insists she really was kidnapped and tortured -- despite the federal government claiming otherwise.

Denzel Washington’s May is off to a diabolically dismissive start -- he’s been straight-up snubbed by the Tony Awards, and TBH, that’s just borderline criminal!

The 78th annual Tony Award nominations are out, and despite his powerhouse Broadway return in "Othello," Denzel was shockingly snubbed in the Best Actor category, while fellow movie star George Clooney waltzed in with a nom.

Denzel has been nominated for a Tony twice before, so he'll probably be just fine -- but his costar Jake Gyllenhaal was also left out for his role in the current Shakespearean revival ... and Robert Downey Jr. missed out on a nom for "McNeal," in his Broadway debut.

BTW, we got NFL player-turned-actor Devale Ellis and his wife out in NYC on Wednesday -- the 2 of them are co-producing "Othello" -- and they had nothing but glowing things to say about DW and JG.

China seems delusional on the issue of COVID-19 all these years later ... ‘cause the government is now falsely claiming the deadly virus originated in the United States instead of China’s Wuhan lab —- the most universally accepted theory.

Chinese officials penned a paper pointing an accusatory finger at the U.S. for facilitating the spread of COVID -- an infectious respiratory disease that quickly passes from person to person.

In the essay, the officials wrote ... “The U.S. should cease from shifting blame and evading responsibility, stop finding external excuses for its internal malaise, and genuinely reflect on and overhaul its public health policies.”

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is at it again -- and this time, he's coming for the stuff in your tap water, claiming fluoride is basically brain poison ... especially for kids.

During a White House Cabinet meeting Wednesday, RFK Jr. went off the deep end -- proclaiming he and his team are pushing to change federal regulations over fluoride in drinking water ... because, according to him, the science apparently shows a link between fluoride exposure and low IQ in kids.

In the Health and Human Services Secretary's own words about fluoride today ... "The more you get, the stupider you are" -- adding that America needs smart kids, not ones being dumbed down by their drinking water.

Kanye West AKA Ye finally released his long-lost "Donda 2" album as promised, but fans better grab the tracks while supplies last ... a couple producers want the album snatched down over nonpayment!!!

On Wednesday, Ye revealed that his longtime associate DeAndre "Free" Maiden, who manages the producers Jahmal "Boogz Da Beast" Gwin and Brian "AllDay" Miller, were pissed they had never been paid for a whopping 8 songs on "Donda 2" -- and the album would be wiped from the streaming services.

Yeezy fans will recognize both Boogz and Brian's names after years of collaborations, and Ye scoffed at the payment request, alluding to him being the one who taught them how to make beats in the first place!!!

President Trump's doing what he's known for -- firing people ... but this time it's a bunch of board members at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum who were appointed by Joe Biden.

Kamala Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, was among those fired by Trump.

In a statement, the former Second Gentleman tells TMZ ... "Today, I was informed of my removal from the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. Let me be clear: Holocaust remembrance and education should never be politicized. To turn one of the worst atrocities in history into a wedge issue is dangerous -- and it dishonors the memory of six million Jews murdered by Nazis that this museum was created to preserve."

Puka Nacua's brother is in trouble with the United Football League -- Samson Nacua was just suspended for slapping a fan in a heated post-game altercation.

The UFL handed down the punishment on Tuesday ... stating the Michigan Panthers receiver was banned one game without pay for "an altercation with a spectator" after the matchup against the St. Louis Battlehawks at The Dome at America's Center on Saturday.

On top of the forced sit-out, the league says Nacua has agreed to do community service at some point later in the season.

Saquon Barkley is addressing the backlash he's received for hangin' with Donald Trump on Sunday ahead of the Eagles' White House visit on Monday, making it clear he respects anyone who holds the office of the President!

The Philadelphia Eagles star running back was spotted with POTUS this weekend, playing golf at his club in Bedminster, chitchatting at lunch, and even flying on Marine One -- the presidential chopper -- with Trump.

47 even joked he wanted to race Barkley, but decided not to. Smart!

Shannon Sharpe got up close and personal with a cute female fan at an event in Nevada last year ... with video showing the Hall of Famer in great spirits throughout the interaction.

TMZ Sports obtained an exclusive clip from the Mr. Olympia festivities at Las Vegas' Resorts World in October 2024 -- the same month he was accused of forcing himself on a separate woman in a rape lawsuit.

In the clip, the two hit it off immediately ... and Shannon gave the lady his full attention, hanging on to her every word as she whispered into his ear.

Mama June says she never saw her kids as just a means to make money ... this despite her daughter Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson claiming her love was all about cash in the upcoming  "I Was Honey Boo Boo" Lifetime biopic.

If you haven't seen the trailer ... the movie's a biopic, but Thompson really appears in the clip -- making comments in between some of the sequences from the film.

At one point, she says "I wanted Mama, but her love was only transactional."

President Donald Trump drew a a ton of eyes at Pope Francis' funeral Saturday ... and, not totally for the right reasons -- 'cause he wore a bright blue suit to the event, and it outraged a large section of social media.

As you know ... POTUS and First Lady Melania Trump were in Rome Saturday to pay their respects to the late head of the Catholic Church -- sitting front and center as he was laid to rest.

While the two were completely respectful during the proceedings, many online took issue with Trump's outfit ... 'cause he wore a blue suit -- not navy blue, but a color that stood out quite a bit more against the black outfits others in the crowd donned.

The wait is over for Shedeur Sanders -- after going unselected in the first two days of the 2025 NFL Draft, Deion's son finally has an NFL home with the Cleveland Browns.

The former Colorado quarterback was the 144th overall pick ... making him a fifth-round selection.

Shedeur seemed relieved once his name was called ... which is understandable, considering many thought he'd be off the board in the first.

Justin Bieber is continuing his crusade against paparazzi ... this time going live on Instagram Friday, catching photogs allegedly closely following him in vehicles while he is on the road himself.

He is clearly peeved by the scenario ... at one point yelling to an officer from his window to complain about the drivers being "reckless."

The "Yummy" singer seemingly puts his phone down, disrupting footage of the paps ... but you can easily hear him complaining ... "This is getting crazy man, no joke."

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham's obscene gesture made too much of a mess for MLB ... and the league is hoping a one-game suspension will help him clean it up!!

The incident happened Wednesday night during the Buccos' tilt against the Los Angeles Angels ... when Pham and a fan shared a heated moment -- and unfortunately for the 37-year-old, it was caught live on TV.

People speculated Pham might be hit with a fine ... but MLB elected a ban was necessary.

Kanye West claims he's in need of a flux capacitor ... so he can go back in time and choose to have kids with Paris Hilton instead of Kim Kardashian!!!

Ye made the wacky revision on Digital Nas' recent livestream while urging someone on the phone to imagine the possibilities of a Ye and Paris hook-up.

If he had his way, there'd be Yeezy x Hilton hotels galore!!!