Drugs & Alcohol

Tyra Banks would flip if she saw this -- the shocking bruised mug shot of former "America's Next Top Model" star Renee Alway, following her insane arrest in Palm Springs last month.

As we reported, 27-year-old Alway -- who placed 3rd on cycle 8 of the show -- was arrested on June 28th following a six-hour standoff with police ... after she was allegedly spotted wandering around a vacant home while carrying a gun.

Among the charges ... Alway was booked on suspicion of burglary, fraud, possession of narcotics, forged bills, and committing a felony while on bail.

Alway had been out on bail following her prior arrest just weeks before ... when she was popped for drug paraphernalia, petty theft, and fraud.

Sad.

Cory Monteith did NOT die from a new strain of deadly heroin that has been going around the Vancouver area -- this according to the coroner.

A police dept. 40 miles from Vancouver had issued a release warning a "toxic' mixture of heroin and fentanyl has caused a spike in heroin ODs.

The coroner who did the autopsy on Cory tells TMZ ... NO FENTANYL was found in Cory's system.

Cory Monteith's body was cremated Tuesday in Vancouver following a private viewing with his family and girlfriend Lea Michele, TMZ has learned -- but Cory's father wasn't invited ... and he's heartbroken.

Cory's dad Joe Monteith -- who is divorced from Cory's mom Ann -- tells TMZ ... he was informed of the cremation after the fact, adding he's "totally devastated" he didn't get a chance to see Cory's body.

We're told Cory's body was released yesterday to his mom, and she decided to hold a viewing at the hospital with Lea and Cory's brother Shaun. Following the viewing, we're told Cory's mom decided to have him cremated.

Cory's dad tells us, "I always loved both my sons and am going to miss Cory very very much. I'm saddened at the fact that I couldn't have been there to see my son before he was cremated."

As for Cory's alleged heroin use ... his dad says he's "shocked."

OK ... this video is INSANE -- but in a good way ... a way that's going to make you laugh, make you shake your head, laugh again ... and then wonder, "What the hell did I just watch?"

The star of the video is Denver Nuggets superstar Kenneth Faried -- who also happens to be on the cover of the ESPN body issue ... the one with all the naked athletes.

The 23-year-old was leaving Lure nightclub in Hollywood last night -- and seemed a little boozy (but in a playful way) ... when things quickly spun out of control.

First -- our guy had no idea who Kenneth was (so Kenneth messed with him and told him he's a soccer player ... pretty funny).

As Kenneth continues to mess with our guy, one of the NBA star's friends whips out the ESPN mag ... and our photog finally puts 2 and 2 together. It's hilarious.

And that's when the REAL fun begins ... with our photog asking about the naked photo shoot:

Photog: Were you nervous in the nude?
Kenneth: No! My d**k is big!!!

Kenneth then holds up the cover and starts musing on and on about his physique ... "I'm a SEXY INDIVIDUAL. Look at that s**t. You see that s**t? Look at them yams! Look at them abs!"

KF also says he's down to do Playgirl ... but there's a catch.

The best part of the encounter ... Kenneth took the responsible route home -- and got into a waiting SUV.

The cast of "Glee" -- along with several producers -- knew Cory Monteith was battling a heroin addiction earlier this year and were the catalyst in his decision to go back to rehab, TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to the production tell us ... it was no secret Monteith was off his game back in March -- and it became clear he was relapsing, specifically with heroin.

We're told the cast and the producers became very concerned ... and knew they had to address the issue with Cory.

Sources say ... the group sat down with Cory and had an "open conversation" with the actor -- stressing how much they cared about him and wanted him to get help.

One source tells us Cory was very receptive -- "It wasn't met with resistance ... He was always so grateful and aware of how fortunate he was."

"The decision was to best help our friend. The needs of the show fell second to his well-being."

Cory voluntarily checked into rehab at the end of March for a 30 day stint ... but despite his efforts, he couldn't defeat his demons, and last week, he died from a lethal mixture of heroin and alcohol.

He was 31.

3:10 PM PT -- Officials are currently addressing the media about the death investigation.

Cops wouldn't delve into specifics when asked if they found drugs in Cory's hotel room, but they certainly insinuated it ... saying, "There was evidence in the room that was consistant of a drug overdose."

Cory Monteith died from a lethal combination of heroin and alcohol ... this according to Canadian authorities.

The British Columbia Coroners Service says an autopsy and toxicological analysis show that the 31-year-old "Glee" star died from a "mixed drug toxicity, involving heroin and alcohol."

Monteith's body was discovered by staffers at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in Vancouver, Canada on July 13.

Monteith had struggled with addiction for years and had been to rehab earlier this year.

Monteith had said he began struggling with drugs and alcohol as a young teenager.

Story developing ...

Former NBA star Jason Kidd just pled guilty to drunk driving in New York ... but the Brooklyn Nets coach won't spend a single day behind bars.

As we previously reported, Kidd was arrested on July 15, 2012 ... after crashing his Cadillac SUV into a telephone poll around 2am. Cops say he reeked of booze.

In the hours leading up to the crash, Kidd was partying at a club and appeared so drunk, he had to be carried out of the place.

This morning, Kidd pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor DWI (driving while intoxicated) ... and was placed on interim probation. Kidd was also ordered to speak to high school students in Long Island about the dangers of driving drunk.

FYI -- "interim probation" is a voluntary version of regular probation. Bottom line -- if Kidd violates his probation, the judge can still throw his ass in jail.

Lindsay Lohan's guts don't come cheap, because we found out she's spilling them to Oprah at a cost of around $2 million.

Sources close to Lindsay tell us ... The Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) has been negotiating with Lindsay for 4 months. The plan -- an 8-part docu-series about Lindsay's struggles, her career and her plans for the future -- but we're guessing it's mostly about her struggles.

It's a better deal for Lindsay than just taking her top off. For that ... Playboy paid her a measly $1 mil.

Ironically ... Lindsay's latest rehab stint may have scored her more cash, because of the drama and interest created around almost going to jail, firing her lawyer, going to Betty Ford, bailing from Betty Ford ... and on and on.

Sources tell us ... Lindsay actually signed the deal at Betty Ford.

Lindsay got some perks from Oprah as well -- as in TWO fully-paid assistants and a stylist.

Substance abuse can pay handsomely -- Who knew?

Hey, we interviewed Lindsay for free -- check it out!

So much for Selena Gomez being a good influence on Justin Bieber ... TMZ has obtained a photo of the underage singer boozing at a 4th of July party in L.A. -- and Selena just stood by and watched.

The photo was snapped at a Hollywood Hills house -- where the drinking age is still 21 -- and as you can see, Bieber is cradling a beer bottle (Dos Equis to be exact) ... squishing his crotch against Selena.

As we first reported, Selena gave Bieber another shot ... reuniting with him on the condition he clean up his act, and cut the antics -- pot smoking, speeding and bucket peeing -- with his buddies.

Apparently, 20-year-old Selena -- like almost every single college-aged kid -- is still cool with underage drinking though.

As for his taste in brew -- Justin Bieber doesn't always drink beer, but when he does ... he prefers to wear shorts made out of salvaged traffic cones.

Stay thirsty my friends.

Cory Monteith was leading a double life -- a hard-working, "Glee" star in L.A. struggling to stay clean ... a hard-partying substance abuser in Vancouver.

CORY'S L.A. LIFE

Our sources say Cory's GF Lea Michele and his "Glee" cast knew his struggles all too well and spent a lot of time keeping him clean and sober. We're told Cory never showed up on the set under the influence of anything and most of the time abstained from drugs and alcohol.

The pic above shows the last trip Cory and Lea took together -- it was taken on June 18th in Fire Island, where they visited a friend on a movie set. We're told Cory was sober the entire time.

There were, however, lapses, which is why he checked into rehab in April.

CORY'S LIFE IN VANCOUVER

Our sources say Cory's resolve to stay clean dissipated whenever he returned to his native Canada. That's where he became a drug addict with a serious drinking problem.

Corey went back to Vancouver many times, and hung out with many of the friends who helped fuel his addiction. We're told alcohol and drugs were always involved.

Our sources say Cory's family was aware he reverted back whenever he went North of the border, and they tried in vain to help. We're told as family members became alarmed recently and began making a full-court press ... Cory became distant.

Somehow, Cory was able to compartmentalize his life into a tragic tale of 2 cities ... and the city where he slipped became the city where he died.

Randy Travis' heart issues which landed him in the hospital a week ago ... are NOT the result of drug or alcohol abuse, according to his doctors.

Doctors at the Texas hospital where Randy is getting treatment just said -- based on images of Randy's heart -- it's more likely that a family history of cardiomyopathy is to blame for his ongoing heart trouble.

They also said the country music star has been using a ventilator -- but he's improving and they hope he'll be breathing on his own soon.

Randy was airlifted to the hospital on July 8 -- and suffered a stroke last week while getting treatment.

These are some of the last photos ever taken of Cory Monteith -- snapped just days before he was found dead in a hotel room -- while the "Glee" Star was hanging with friends and drinking alcohol.

Sources tell TMZ ... the pics were taken on July 6th, the same day Cory checked-in to the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in Vancouver ... where he was found dead one week later.

In the pics, Cory and a few buds are seen hanging out at The Shop -- a local coffee house and clothing store for people who love motorcycles.

We spoke to the owner, who tells us, Cory came in ... was extremely friendly and really interested in choppers ... even sitting on the owner's bike.

We're told he and his friends chilled for awhile -- laughing and drinking beers. One source on-site said Cory knocked back 3 cold ones over the course of a few hours -- despite his recent stint in rehab -- but didn't seem out of control or wasted. He was perfectly nice.

Cory's not physically seen drinking in the pics ... but the Lea Michele doppelganger he's standing next to -- who we're told is just a friend -- is seen clutching two beer cans. Possibly because cameras were around ... and Cory has been open about his substance abuse issues.

As TMZ previously reported ... Fairmont hotel staff found Cory dead in his hotel room Saturday, after spending Friday night out with friends. He was 31.

Now here's Cory's best moment in "Glee" history ... R.I.P.

Cory Monteith -- who famously played Finn Hudson on the TV show "Glee" -- died early Saturday morning in Vancouver ... he was 31 years old.

According to police in Vancouver the actor was found dead in his hotel room on the 21st floor of the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel around noon ... when staffers went to check on him after the actor missed his check-out time.

In a press conference, officials said the actor was "clearly deceased" -- and had been so for several hours -- when police arrived on the scene.

Cops say Cory checked-in to the Fairmont on July 6th and was scheduled to leave July 13th. It is unclear why he was in Vancouver, but cops did mention he's from Canada and visits often.

The night before his death, Cory was seen in his room hanging with friends, before hitting the town ... but came back early Saturday morning ... alone.

Cops say "it was not immediately apparent" what caused his death, but no foul play is suspected. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.

A rep for the actor says they are "in shock and mourning this tragic loss."

As TMZ previously reported, Monteith voluntarily checked himself into a treatment center back in April, admitting he had substance abuse issues. It was his second time in treatment.

Prior to that, Cory had been open about his problems with drugs. Back in 2011 he told Parade Magazine, his family and friends were so afraid he "could die" they staged an intervention. He was 19 at the time.

He explained that his drug use consisted of "Anything and everything, as much as possible." Adding, "I had a serious problem."

Melissa Etheridge's ex GF doesn't want their kids going on tour, living the rock 'n roll lifestyle -- specifically exposure to topless groupies and marijuana ... according to court documents.

Tammy Lynn Michaels went to court today in L.A. requesting an emergency hearing regarding the care of their 6-year-old twins -- because Melissa wants to take them with her on tour starting this month.

According to court docs ... Tammy is worried the kids haven't been vaccinated against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Measles, Mumps, Chicken Pox ... and a slew of other nasty stuff.

In the papers, Melissa claims she and Tammy agreed, when they were together, the kids would not get vaccinations -- and Tammy only changed her mind after they broke up in 2010.

Besides the medical issues ... Tammy also has beef with the kids being exposed to Melissa's rowdy fans and their ya-bos. In the docs, she claims "many female fans remove their shirts and bras and throw them on stage" ... which, we're guessing, she feels is inappropriate.

Further, Tammy is concerned about other people watching the kids while Melissa performs because "there is use of marijuana on the tour bus and in the dressing rooms."

Justin Bieber refuses to throw Lil Za and Lil Twist out on the street ... even after all of the trouble they've caused ... because he considers them "true friends" ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Bieber tell TMZ ... members of Justin's camp have been pleading with him to boot the Lils out of his Calabasas home and forbid them from driving his fleet of fancy cars after a string of embarrassing incidents including Twist's DUI arrest in JB's car.

We're told Bieber's camp has been very concerned about the way he acts when he's with the Lil crew -- and have been vocal that the guys are a bad influence.

Why? Weed ... sizzurp ... neighborhood wars ... pissing in public ... anti-Clintonism ... and of course, Twist's DUI arrest. The Lils had a role in all of that stuff ... and people close to Beiber want it to stop.

But despite the warnings, Justin is pushing back HARD ... claiming he would never turn his back on his boys, because that's not what friends do.

Plus, one source says Justin's been surrounded by adults for most of his life -- and now that he finally has a group of close friends that are his age, the last thing he wants to do is push them away.

Bottom line -- get used to Za and Twist ... they're not going anywhere.

Michael Jackson's buttocks were so scarred and infected from long-term drug injections ... the singer's thickened skin nearly broke his doctor's syringe -- this according to the doctor's testimony.

Dr. Stuart Finkelstein -- who cared for MJ back in 1993 during his "Dangerous" tour -- sat for a deposition earlier this year in Katherine Jackson's wrongful death lawsuit against AEG, describing the signs of MJ's drug addiction, and the testimony was just shown to the jury this week in court.

We got video of the depo and the details are crazy -- Finkelstein described one incident, saying, "I attempted to give [Michael] a shot of Demerol [a painkiller] but his buttocks were so scarred up and abscessed that the needle almost bent."

Finkelstein said the scarring resulted from "significant, extensive" shots of drugs over time.