Controversial S#!T

Andrew Keegan is addressing rumors he's a cult leader ... dismissing it all as nothing but clickbait and saying all he'd done was foster a cool community for people to gather in.

The "10 Things I Hate About You" star gave the rundown on "Pod Meets World" ... explaining he decided to start a community center named Full Circle in 2014 to do positive things after getting deeply immersed in Venice Beach's culture when moving there in his 30s.

However, his intentions were misconstrued ... that's what AK is saying, anyway. He explains he was shocked to learn he'd been anointed a cult leader in media reports at the time -- this after journos visited him to see what extracurricular activities he was up to amid his acting career.

Not long after, a startling Vice article surfaced, entitled, "One of the Stars of '10 Things I Hate About You' Started a Religion." In the article, the journalist claimed Andrew was known as the leader who had the "ultimate say on all things" ... adding they were greeted by a man named Third Eye and found themselves in the inner circle of "enlightened" members.

Andrew now says he probably could've done with some media training back then, but he's adamant there was no cult-leading going on, as was implied. In fact, he says it was the opposite ... FC was just a place for a bunch of people to get together for a good time.

It goes without saying, Andrew still recalls his time with FC fondly ... although, he says the only thing he regrets in hindsight is the group's name.

The actor acknowledges that Full Circle could've led to some misinterpretations over its intentions ... even though his message was innocent enough at the time, according to him.

Kanye West dice que aún no ha sido cancelado por un par de diferentes razones, y también explica por qué no se retracta de algunos de sus dichos antisemitas.

Nos encontramos con Ye en el aeropuerto de Los Ángeles, después de que regresara de las fiestas del Super Bowl en Las Vegas y el tipo habló con nosotros sobre un montón de temas. Luego de que su esperado álbum "Vultures" fuera finalmente lanzado y alcanzara el #1 en iTunes, el artista se puso a indagar sobre cómo sobrevivió a su "cancelación".

Echa un vistazo, Kanye le dice a nuestro fotógrafo que capeó una tormenta el año pasado y salió del otro lado tal vez incluso más exitoso, al menos desde su perspectiva.

Eso es discutible, por supuesto, porque perdió un montón de negocios, por no hablar de cientos de millones de dólares y, sin embargo, piensa que logró sortearlo bastante bien y aquí explica por qué.

Kanye dice que tiene diferentes fuentes de negocios que le han ayudado a seguir siendo popular, incluso a un nivel masivo, y dice que mucho de eso tiene que ver con el hecho de que es increíblemente talentoso, con ideas únicas e interesantes.

Por supuesto, sus devotos fans también adoran su franqueza, algo de lo que Kanye también es consciente. Por eso dice que ha sido capaz de sobrevivir a este intento de derribarlo.

Cita luego su disputa con Adidas y explica por qué estuvo tanto tiempo en Europa el año pasado. Después de todo, era una cuestión más de negocios que de placer.

De todos modos, Kanye dice que el negocio está en auge de nuevo a pesar de los mejores esfuerzos de la industria. Así es como lo ve él.

En esta entrevista se puede ver que está en modo "nosotros contra ellos". Ataca a la industria musical y a los sellos discográficos, afirma que la estructura de streaming no es justa para los artistas y promete hablar de estos temas en nombre de todos los artistas.

Curiosamente, incluso se pone en el mismo barco que su archienemiga, Taylor Swift. Sí, dice su nombre y no de una manera despectiva.

Sobre el tema del antisemitismo ofrece una disculpa no disculpa por algunos de sus discursos de odio, pero cree que otros comentarios estuvieron bien.

También cita una defensa a menudo utilizada en cuanto a por qué no puede ser antisemita.

Míralo tú mismo, pero realmente la única disculpa que ofrece es a los niños judíos que tuvieron que escuchar una "conversación de adultos".

Kanye West says he hasn't been canceled yet for a couple different reasons -- and he also explains why he's not backing down from some of his antisemitic statements.

We got Ye Monday at LAX -- after he'd returned from Super Bowl festivities in Vegas -- and the guy talked to us about a bunch of topics. As his finally released new album "Vultures" hit #1 on iTunes, he marked that success by digging into why he survived his "cancelation."

Check it out ... Kanye tells our photog he weathered the storm last year, and came out the other side perhaps even more successful than ever ... at least in his eyes.

That's debatable, of course, because he lost out on a lot of business deals, not to mention hundreds of millions of dollars. And yet, Kanye thinks he's landed on his feet pretty well ... and he explains why.

Kanye says he's got a few different things in his utility belt that have helped him remain popular, even in a mainstream capacity ... and he says a lot of it has to do with the fact he's incredibly talented with unique, interesting ideas.

Of course, his devoted fans also love that he's outspoken ... something KW's well aware of too. All that is why he says he's been able to survive a modern-day teardown.

He cites his feud with Adidas in making this point, and also lays out why he was in Europe for so long last year. It was actually more business than pleasure after all.

Anyway, Kanye says business is booming for him yet again ... despite the industry's best efforts. That's how he sees it anyway.

You can tell from this interview, he's in full us-versus-them mode right now. He attacks the music industry and record labels, saying the streaming structure isn't fair to artists -- and vows to speak up on these issues on behalf of all artists.

Interestingly, he even puts himself in the same boat as his archenemy, Taylor Swift! Yes, he speaks her name, and not in a disparaging way.

On the subject of antisemitism ... he offers a non-apology apology for some of his hate speech but believes other comments were spot-on.

He also cites an oft-used defense of his as to why he can't be antisemitic.

Watch it for yourself, but really the only apology he offers is to the Jewish kids who had to hear a "grown-up conversation."

Jermaine Dupri's defending his right to dress up his ankles anyway he sees fit ... after his Super Bowl wardrobe turned into a trending topic coming out of Usher's Halftime show blowout.

Social media relentlessly ribbed JD for his schoolboy uniform getup, complete with the type of ruffled socks that resembled the kind kids wore back in the outhouse days. Some critics suggested all he was missing was an apple for the teacher!!!

On Monday, Jermaine posted proof his footies were certified haute couture ... revealing them to be Louis Vuitton pocket socks worth hundreds of bucks!

The "Money Ain't A Thang" rapper said he was too drunk to combat the jokes in the moment, but has time today ... and also called in for backup from Pharrell, LV's current men's creative director.

The rich flex didn't help JD's case much -- fans are saying this designer drip should have stayed in the closet.

Ice Spice cabreó a muchos con su aparición en el Super Bowl, ya que algunos relacionaron el colgante que llevaba con el mismísimo diablo. Sin embargo, Playboi Carti no quería generar ningún tipo de polémica.

La rapera fue vista durante la transmisión del partido del domingo y una buena cantidad de gente se fijó en el collar que llevaba en el palco de Taylor Swift y compañía, que (y para mucha gente) parecía una cruz al revés.

Por supuesto, hubo acusaciones de "adoración al diablo" y símbolos "demoníacos" mostrándose en televisión frente a millones de personas. Un gesto que hizo con la mano tampoco ayudó.

Resulta que no hay nada de impío en este colgante, al menos eso es lo que nos han dicho.

Fuentes con conocimiento directo le dicen a TMZ que la pieza fue diseñada por el joyero Alex Moss, y es solo un dulce pedazo de hielo sin ataduras diabólicas detrás de él. Nos dicen que el colgante está hecho de oro negro, un nuevo material que se ha desarrollado y que Alex está utilizando en una próxima colección. La cruz también tiene zafiros rosa por todas partes.

Nuestras fuentes dicen que Ice es la primera estrella de su calibre en tener este tipo de pieza en su poder y tiene que agradecerle a Carti por ello, nos dicen que en realidad se lo regaló no hace mucho tiempo.

Mientras que el tipo está ciertamente entusiasmado por la honda gótica en estos días, nuestras fuentes nos aseguran que no había nada satánico detrás del significado. Nos dicen que el diseño de la pieza es un esfuerzo de colaboración entre Alex y PBC.

Es dificil saber si la gente se lo creerá... pero esa es la explicación que nos han dado.

Francamente, ¿quién diablos sabe lo que hay en los corazones de la gente? Lo que podemos deducir de esto es que la cadena es bastante cool en todo caso.

De todos modos, es solo una más de muchas estrellas que han tenido que defenderse contra las acusaciones de hacer un trato con el príncipe de las tinieblas.

Ice Spice pissed off many with her appearance at the Super Bowl -- as some interpreted a pendant she wore as pure evil ... even though, Playboi Carti meant nothing by it.

Here's the deal ... the rapper was seen a lot during Sunday's broadcast of the game, and a good amount of folks noticed the chain/necklace she was wearing in the suite with Taylor Swift and co., which (to a lot of people) looked like an upside-down cross.

Of course, that got some pearl-clutchers up in arms ... with accusations of "devil worship" and "demonic" symbols being shown on TV in front of millions. A hand gesture she made at one point -- quiet coyote -- certainly didn't help either with the unholy accusations.

Welp, as it turns out ... there's nothing un-godly about this pendant at all -- at least that's what we're being told anyway.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ that the piece was designed by celeb jeweler Alex Moss, and it's just a sweet piece of ice with no devil ties behind it whatsoever. We're told the pendant is made from black gold, a new material that's been developed and which Alex is using in a forthcoming collection this cross also has baby pink sapphires all throughout.

Our sources say Ice is the first star of her caliber to have this sort of piece in her possession -- and she has Carti to thank for it ... we're told he actually gifted it to her not too long ago.

While the dude is certainly known for his gothic/vampire vibes these days -- our sources assure us ... there was nothing satanic behind the meaning/design of the piece, which we're told was a collab effort between Alex and PBC.

Hard to tell if people will buy that ... but that's the explanation that's been provided to us.

Whether it leans toward the dark side or not -- 'cause frankly, who the hell knows what's in people's hearts -- what we can gather from this is ... the chain is freakin' dope, and it's rare.

Anyhoo ... it's just the latest star to fight off accusations of dancin' with the prince of darkness.

Usher y Alicia Keys se acercaron durante el espectáculo del medio tiempo del Super Bowl... y se acercaron bastante para el gusto de algunas personas, aunque el marido de Alicia no parece estar preocupado en lo absoluto.

Swizz Beatz no solo no se ofendió, sino que se ríe de todos los críticos que se indignaron en su nombre y les dicie que su enfoque está en el lugar equivocado, y que deberían preocuparse del abrazo por la espalda (de Usher a Alicia), Swizz dice ¡mira lo que hicieron!

Él escribe: "¡Todos hablando de la maldita cosa equivocada! ¡Todos ustedes no ven ese increíble vestido cubriendo todo el estadio ⚡️🚨😂😂😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 La actuación de esta noche no fue más que increíble con dos Gigantes increíbles!"

Swizz continuó diciendo: "Felicidades @usher y mi amor @aliciakeys esa canción es un clásico 🤍 No hacemos vibraciones negativas en este lado hacemos historia ✌🏽 Vayan a ver GIANTS en @brooklynmuseum está abierto hasta julio bendiciones".

En otras palabras, él no está celoso, a pesar de lo que un montón de gente pueda sentir.

A propósito, la actuación de Usher fue muy comentada en las redes sociales por este momento en particular... él envolviendo a Alicia en sus brazos por detrás mientras cantaban a dúo, "My Boo".

Una persona notable que comentó al respecto fue la estrella del boxeo Gervonta Davis, quien sugirió que usaría sus habilidades de boxeo para enseñarlee a Usher una cosa o dos acerca de los límites. Boosie Badazz incluso le exigió Usher disculparse públicamente.

De hecho, hubo algunos que estaban realmente enojados. Pero incluso así, Swizz parece mantener una calma impresionante.

Claramente él está cómodo con Alicia, recordemos que llevan casados varios años.

El movimiento de Usher causó un gran revuelo, y algunos invocaron al marido de Keke Palmer para probar su punto.

De todos modos, publicamos la historia sobre el cameo de Alicia en SBLVIII, donde las dos megaestrellas de la música recordaron su canción multi-platino de 2004, recreando las escenas hot del video.

Usher and Alicia Keys got up close and personal during the Super Bowl Halftime show ... a little too close for some people's comfort, Alicia's husband is perfectly fine with it, it seems.

Swizz Beatz not only wasn't offended, but he's kinda laughing off all the critics who were outraged on his behalf -- and he's telling them that their focus is in the wrong place ... rather than zoom in the hug-from-behind (from Usher to Alicia), SB says look at what they did!

He writes, "Y’all talking about the wrong damn thing !!! y’all don’t see that amazing dress covering the entire stadium ⚡️🚨😂😂😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 Tonight’s performance was nothing but amazing with 2 amazing Giants !"

Swizz went on to say ... "Congrats @usher and my love @aliciakeys that song is a classic 🤍 We don’t do negative vibes on this side we make history ✌🏽 Go see GIANTS at @brooklynmuseum it’s open until July blessings."

In other words ... he's not trippin', even though a lot of folks were.

ICYMI ... Usher's performance was buzzing heavy on social media for this particular moment -- namely, him wrapping up Alicia in his arms from behind as they sang their duet, 'My Boo.'

One notable person who commented on it -- boxing star Gervonta Davis ... who suggested he'd use his prizefighting skills to teach Usher a thing or two about boundaries. Boosie Badazz even got self-righteous and demanded Usher publicly apologize.

Indeed, there were some who were legit pissed. But even with those crying foul, you won't get what they're looking for here from Swizz ... he's telling everyone it's really NBD at all.

Cleary, he's comfortable in his relationship with Alicia -- they've been married for years now.

Still, Usher's PDA move caused quite a stir -- and some invoked Keke Palmer's husband to make their point.

Anyhoo, we broke the story on Alicia's SBLVIII cameo ... the two music megastars revamped their 2004 multi-platinum song -- recreating the hot/heavy vibes from the video.

Shawne Merriman is furious his good pal and former teammate Antonio Gates didn't make the cut for the Hall of Fame on Thursday ... and now, he's demanding an explanation from the committee.

Lights Out didn't hold back when TMZ Sports spoke with him about the Chargers legend's HOF snub ... saying point blank, "This is pretty much an embarrassment, man."

"This one needs an explanation," he said. "Because if you watch football, in the last two decades, there's no way in the world that Antonio Gates is not a first-ballot Hall of Famer."

Instead of Gates, the committee chose to put in Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Julius Peppers and Patrick Willis.

Clearly, Merriman thinks Gates got robbed ... adding, "I was shocked just like every other football fan was."

The sad part ... Merriman -- who played with Gates from 2005 through 2010 -- said he knows Gates is feeling down about it all.

"I know this has to bother him some," Merriman said.

Of course, Shawne is confident Gates will get his gold jacket sooner rather than later ... but in the meantime, he really wants to know why it didn't happen this week.

Bebe Rexha decided her performance in Las Vegas last night wasn't "Meant To Be" ... 'cause she bailed in the middle of a performance plagued by technical issues.

The singer-songwriter took the stage at Sports Illustrated The Party Presented by Captain Morgan Saturday night ... and apparently her mic wasn't working well 'cause she blated the poor sound quality.

BR said, "Hold up, hold up. I love you but you gotta figure out the f***ing mic system..." before saying she wanted to put on a "good f***ing show."

Clearly, Bebe didn't think that was possible, 'cause she stomped off the stage instead, putting an end to the whole performance.

It's not clear exactly how much she performed, but we know she did at least a couple songs, 'cause quite a few pics and videos are floating around of her on the stage.

We talked to her on the event's red carpet before the freakout ... and she didn't sound totally ready to hit the stage.

Rexha told us she'd actually gambled away a lot of freakin' money Saturday -- $3,000 in five minutes according to her -- and she was only taking on the performance for the paycheck.

Travis Scott's music is an aphrodisiac ... at least it seemed to be for one couple who got hot and heavy with their hotel room window wide open.

Here's the deal ... the rapper took the stage at the Hakkasan Nightclub at the MGM Grand Saturday night to perform a few songs ahead of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.

While busting out a few of his songs, fans there to watch TS got a totally different kind of show ... the kind you usually need to pay big money to see in L.V.

Check out the video ... it appears a couple was getting down and dirty in one of the hotel rooms overlooking the venue, and they weren't shy whatsoever about having an audience.

Unclear if the couple was aware they were so visible ... but it definitely seems like it'd be obvious that everyone could see them -- hotel room windows aren't usually tinted, people!

Some of the performers apparently addressed the erotic display on the mic ... with one of the performers straight up saying, "That boy's a legend."

People on social media, however, were up in arms ... calling the whole thing uncomfortable and expecting people to have a bit more common courtesy when it comes to those intimate moments.

We don't know if the couple's faced any discipline from the hotel or even the police ... but that wouldn't be entirely unexpected given how much the attendees saw.

La música de Travis Scott es un afrodisíaco, al menos para una pareja que se puso caliente con la ventana abierta de par en par.

Así es la cosa, el rapero subió al escenario en el Hakkasan Nightclub en el MGM Grand sábado por la noche para realizar algunas canciones antes del Super Bowl LVIII en Las Vegas.

Mientras interpretaba algunas de sus canciones, los fans pudieron ver otro tipo de show... algo que por lo general hay que pagar mucho dinero para ver en Las Vegas.

Échale un vistazo al video, se puede ver claramente a una pareja muy hot sin ningún tipo de vergüenza.

No está claro si la pareja era consciente de que eran visibles, pero definitivamente debieron pensar que alguien podía verlos, ¡las ventanas de las habitaciones de hotel son transparentes!

Algunos de los artistas se refirieron a la situación erótica, diciendo: "Ese chico es una leyenda".

La gente se levantó en redes sociales, llamando a todo el asunto incómodo y esperando que la gente tenga un poco más de respeto cuando se trata de un momento íntimo.

No sabemos si la pareja se ha enfrentado a quejas en el hotel o incluso a la policía. No sería raro debido a lo mucho que se pudo ver.

Kanye West ha revelado el misterio del taxi acuático en Italia hace unos meses... parece confirmar que efectivamente fue sexo oral.

La nueva canción de Kanye revela qué fue lo que pasó aquel día con Bianca Censori en Italia, cuando el rapero se inclinó y dejó ver "su escote de camionero".

La letra reveladora dice: "Shawty wanna f-k on somethin '? / F-k on me / Suck on me, publicly".

Como usted probablemente recuerda, Kanye y Bianca tuvieron problemas con la compañía de taxis acuáticos, ya que sentían que la pareja estaba haciendo de las suyas a bordo.

Como también saben, Kanye y Bianca causaron revuelo debido a lo que ella llevaba puesto en Venecia, o más bien lo que no llevaba puesto.

Kanye colaboró con Ty Dolla $ign para la canción que se estrenó el viernes.

Kanye West has blown the lid off the water taxi mystery in Italy a few months back ... he seems to confirm, it was indeed oral sex.

Kanye's new song "F**k Sumn" reveals what and who went down when his wife, Bianca Censori leaned down as Ye's pants were at least partially down.

The telltale lyric ..."Shawty wanna f–k on somethin’? / F–k on me / Suck on me, publicly."

As you probably recall, Kanye and Bianca were mum back in August as to what was really going on, but the water taxi company felt it knew of the shenanigans ... it banned K&B from its vessels.

As you also know, Kanye and Bianca caused a stir with what she was wearing around Venice ... more accurately what she was not wearing.

Kanye collaborated with Ty Dolla $ign for the song, which dropped Friday.

Kane Hodder está molesto porque Kanye West esté usando una máscara de Jason, pero no porque no quiera ser asociado con Ye, ¡sino que porque quiere ofrecerle una mejor!

Hablamos con Kane, quien ha interpretado a Jason Voorhees en varias películas y juegos de "Viernes 13", en el aeropuerto de Los Ángeles y dice que es genial ver al polémico rapero representando al legendario personaje, pero no cree que la máscara esté a la altura.

Hablándole directamente a Kanye a través de nuestra cámara, Kane le imploró que le permita darle una mejor máscara, diciendo que la que lleva puesta es "cursi" e insistió en que puede conseguirle una "bonita".

Kane dijo que incluso tiene algunas máscaras de películas en su casa, aunque parecía un poco reacio a desprenderse de ellas. Sin embargo, se hizo la idea, así que siempre y cuando Ye no se quede con ellas, él lo consideraría.

También le dio algunos consejos, como que amplíe sus ojos en el escenario cuando esté con la máscara porque realmente va a sorprender a la audiencia.

Kane también dijo que no está preocupado por las controversias en torno a Kanye. Dice que no le hace daño a la marca, sino que solo le eleva el perfil, ya que hace que las personas se acuerden de la legendaria serie de terror.

Kanye realmente ha interpretado el papel de Jason recientemente. El fin de semana pasado llegó a usar una máscara de Michael Myers durante el rodaje de un extraño video musical.

También la ha utilizado en algunas actuaciones sobre el escenario e incluso casualmente alrededor de Los Ángeles, como cuando recientemente se detuvo en uno de los partidos de baloncesto de su hijo Saint con ella puesta.

Y es una buena cosa que Kane no esté preocupado de que Ye manche la imagen, porque su nuevo álbum "Vultures" recibió un lanzamiento suave el viernes y comenzó una tormenta de fuego absoluta en línea

Ye hizo más referencias a los judíos e incluso nombró a Taylor Swift. No es una disidencia directa, pero incluso menciona su nombre, lo que llevó a los Swifties a golpear contra la pared dada su complicada historia.

Y en la portada del álbum está usando la máscara de hockey junto a su esposa Bianca Censori, quien aparece básicamente desnuda, por lo que el estilo va a ser asociado con Kanye durante mucho tiempo.

Ye también está siendo acusado por múltiples artistas y sus herederos por utilizar samples de sus canciones sin permiso. No está claro si estas reclamaciones pretenden perseguirlo.

5:12 PM PT -- Kane may want to hold on to his masks for now ... 'cause Ye's seemingly moved off the whole Jason theme already. He just posted a new version of his album cover to IG -- and he blacked out the mask!

Kane Hodder's upset about Kanye West wearing a Jason mask ... not because he doesn't want to be associated with Ye -- 'cause he wants to get him a better one!

We spoke with Kane -- who has played Jason Voorhees in several "Friday the 13th" movies and games -- at LAX and he says it's great to see the controversial rapper repping the legendary character, but he doesn't think the mask is up to snuff.

Speaking directly to Kanye through our camera, KH implored KW to let him give the rapper a better mask, calling the one he's wearing "cheesy" and insisting he could hook Ye up with a "nice" one.

Kane said he's even got a few movie-worn masks at his house ... though he seemed a bit reluctant to part with one of those. However, he came around to the idea a bit -- so long as Ye doesn't piss him off by trying to keep it, he said he'd consider it.

He also gave some advice to Kanye ... telling him to really widen his eyes onstage when in the mask -- 'cause it'll really shock the audience.

Kane said he's not worried about any controversy surrounding Kanye ... he says it doesn't hurt the brand -- instead saying it just raises the profile because it makes people remember the legendary horror series.

Kanye's really played into the Jason mask style recently ... even going as far as to wear it over a Michael Myers mask during a bizarre music video shoot just last weekend.

He's also worn it onstage during performances and even just casually around Los Angeles ... like when he recently pulled up to one of his son Saint's basketball games with it on.

And, it's a good thing Kane's not worried about Ye tainting the mask ... 'cause his new album "Vultures" received a soft rollout Friday and started an absolute firestorm online.

Ye made more references to Jewish people and even name-dropped Taylor Swift -- not an outright diss, but even mentioning her name drove Swifties up the wall ... given their complicated history.

And, on the album's cover ... Ye's in the hockey mask, and his wife Bianca Censori basically naked, so the look's gonna be associated with Kanye for a long time to come.

Ye's also being accused of multiple artists and their estates of using samples from their songs without permission ... unclear if these claims will come back to haunt him.

All that said ... THE Jason Voorhees is signing off on Ye using the mask -- so, Ye may lean into the look for a long time to come.