Amanda Bynes Back Together with Ex-Fiancé ... Romantic, But Not Engaged
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Amanda Bynes and her ex-fiancé Paul Michael are giving it another shot -- they've reunited, but this time they're taking it slow, 'cause no one's talking about walking down the aisle.
Sources close to the off-and-on-again couple tell TMZ ... Amanda and Paul are dating after breaking up and calling off their engagement in the summer ... and they're even living together again at Amanda's L.A. home.
They called it quits in July, but we're told the breakup only lasted about 2 weeks. By early August they were back at it and dating again.
Amanda posted a pic Saturday showing her holding a guy's hand. We've confirmed that was Paul in the photo ... so, the post was a not-so-subtle hint they might be back together, and that is the case. 💯
Our sources say Paul and Amanda, who've been hot and cold for 3 years, have broken up a few times but always seem to work things out and get back together.
We're told Amanda and Paul are NOT currently engaged, like before. He first popped the question in February 2020, and while they talk about getting married, we're told they're just not sure if they will ever tie the knot.
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Ric Flair Undecided On Wrestling Again ... 'Never Say Never'
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Ric Flair is on the fence about whether he'll ever wrestle again ... telling TMZ Sports he'll "never say never" to taking another match -- but for right now, he's retired.
Of course, the 73-year-old Nature Boy and his son-in-law Andrade El Idolo whooped Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett in what was billed as his "Last Match" back in July ... but as recently as September, he's flirted with the idea of coming back once again.
We spoke with Flair about whether he's 100% done ... and even Naitch isn't too sure if he'll ever return.
"I don't know," Flair told us out in LA this week. "I've already promised [I was done] once. Right now, I'm not doing anything. But, never say never."
Flair even gives us a flex to prove he definitely still has the muscles -- but given the health issues he had leading up to and during the last match, it's understandable why he's not adamantly vowing to come back.
Flair previously said he passed out twice from dehydration during the event ... and leading up to it, he had plantar fasciitis.
Mike Tyson, Ric Flair Smoke Blunts Together After Cannabis Conference
In the meantime, Naitch -- who was hanging with manager Darren Prince -- has been working alongside Mike Tyson for his "Ric Flair Drip" cannabis ... and he says it's been "raining money" since his partnership with Tyson 2.0.
If it really is the end of Flair in the ring ... he had one of the most memorable careers ever.
WOOOOO!!!!!!!!
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MSU's Sam Westmoreland Found Dead At A Church ... Cops Say
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Mississippi State football player Sam Westmoreland was found dead on Wednesday at a church ... cops tell TMZ Sports.
A spokesperson for the Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Office says they discovered the offensive lineman's body after they were called out to Blackjack Missionary Baptist Church in Starkville regarding a death investigation.
The spokesperson said they canvased the scene after arriving ... but cleared it a couple hours later.
The OCSO official did not release a cause of death ... saying a probe into the case is still ongoing.
Mississippi State Univ. Football Player Sam Westmoreland Dead At 18
They added, though, that they had "no reason to suspect foul play" at this point.
Westmoreland had just joined the Bulldogs roster this year ... and was playing offensive tackle while majoring in industrial technology at the school.
"Sam was a beloved son, brother and teammate, and a tremendous young man with a limitless future," MSU head coach Mike Leach said in a statement Wednesday. "He will always be remembered and deeply missed by everyone who knew and loved him."
— Mike Leach (@Coach_Leach) October 19, 2022 @Coach_Leach
Westmoreland was just two days away from celebrating his 19th birthday.
RIP.
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Jay-Z Sues I'm Selling My Stake in D'Ussé ... But Bacardi's Trying to Lowball Me!!!
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Jay-Z famously sips on D'Ussé, but he no longer wants to own the liquor brand -- TMZ Hip Hop's learned he's selling it to his partners at Bacardi, but he suspects the company's playing a high stakes "shell game."
As we first reported ... Jay's filed docs demanding Bacardi open up the books on its 50/50 partnership with him on D'Ussé -- the top-shelf cognac they've co-owned since 2012 -- and now we know why.
According to docs, Jay's company, SC Liquor, exercised its right to a buyout about a year ago. Under their agreement, Bacardi now has to "negotiate in good faith" to come up with a fair price for Jay's stake in D'Ussé. Therein lies the problem ... Jay thinks they're not playing fair.
Jay-Z Sues Bacardi to Open Up the Books on D'Usse Partnership
In the docs, SC Liquor says Bacardi's subsidiary, Empire Investments Inc., is trying to "stall and stonewall" all efforts to get financial info on the valuation of D'Ussé.
Keep in mind, no one's done more than Jay to hype the brand, shouting it out in countless verses -- and after a year of Bacardi dragging its feet, Jay thinks their endgame is lowballing him on the price.
Even further, Jay accuses Bacardi of mismanaging in all sorts of ways with the intent of lowering profits.
As for how much it might be worth -- the documents reference a potential value, but Jay's lawyers redacted those numbers. We do know both sides are not seeing eye-to-eye on the value, because they've each thrown out a potential value -- again, it's redacted -- but Jay described their number as "well below" fair value.
If you're wondering why Jay-Z -- who's already a billionaire many times over -- might be haggling over the price, there's BIG liquor money at stake here. Remember, George Clooney and Rande Gerber sold their stake in Casamigos tequila back in 2017 ... for nearly $1 billion!!!
Jay wants a judge to force Bacardi to open the books and all other records related to D'Ussé.
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'Southern Charm' Naomie Olindo Sued By Former Business Partner ... You Forced Me Out!!!
"Southern Charm" star Naomi Olindo is a two-faced business owner who screwed over the woman who helped her start a profitable online clothing store ... this according to a new lawsuit.
Naomi is being sued by Ginny Cox, who claims she helped Naomi start up a successful clothing brand, L'ABEYE, only for Naomi to go behind her back and force her out of the biz and misappropriate company funds.
According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Cox claims Naomi came to her in 2018 seeking help in starting an online clothing store because of Cox's experience in retail fashion. Cox says Naomi offered her a 50% ownership stake and promised to handle the business and marketing side.
Cox says she poured in her heart and soul to start the brand with Naomi, logging tons of hours making the e-commerce venture into a profitable business ... but she says while Naomi told her she was a co-owner and was presented as a co-founder on the company's social media, she claims Naomi actually controlled the money and withdrew more than her fair portion of the profits while paying Cox less than her 50% share.
What's more, Cox says she only drew a modest salary from the biz while Naomi used company funds to line her own pockets and pay personal expenses.
Cox claims Naomi recently fired her from the company and took the position that Cox was never a 50-50 owner of the business ... so Cox is dragging her to court over the falling out and wants to collect what she claims she's owed.
Cox is going after Naomi for damages and she wants to be recognized as an equal co-owner in L'ABEYE.
Naomie's lawyers, Benjamin Joyce and Ellis Lesemann, tell TMZ ... "Our client does not comment publicly on pending litigation. However, obviously these allegations made by a disgruntled former employee are false and misleading. We will soon be filing a formal response to these allegations that will help set the record straight."
Page Six was the first to report on the lawsuit.
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Peter Rosenberg Kanye Calling Me Out Is Scary ... But He's Got Little Influence
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Peter Rosenberg says it's startling to hear Kanye West drop his name during his antisemitic rants, but doesn't believe Kanye has the ability to influence folks enough to cause harm.
The famous radio DJ joined us on "TMZ Live" and talked about Kanye singling him out, and if there was a reason for Kanye's ire ... like, for example, being snubbed from an interview.
Ye claims Jewish people in the media are trying to blackball him and keep him from being interviewed, but Peter says there's no real reason for Kanye to have a bone to pick with him and his Hot 97 radio station. For Peter, it's just baseless bigotry from Kanye.
Howard Stern Compares Kanye West To Hitler, Calls Him 'Douchebag'
As you know ... Kanye has been going after Jewish people a lot recently, and Peter says the antisemites are starting to come out of the woodwork, telling us it's a scary situation for him and other Jewish people because he says it's similar to what happened at the start of the Holocaust.
While Peter says he sees and hears all the noise, he's got his fingers crossed Kanye won't be able to steer folks into doing something really bad to Jewish people ... pointing to Ye's political track record.
10/19/22
For his part, Kanye told Piers Morgan his "death con 3" comments towards Jewish people were intended to be racist, and meant to be taken that way ... but Peter says it's bizarre because Kanye's been working with tons of Jewish people over the years who helped Ye advance his career.
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Kelly, Kelsea & Carly Divorcees to Hit the Stage ... Let's Sing About Obnoxious Dudes!!!
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Kelly Clarkson, Kelsea Ballerini and Carly Pearce all have one very significant life experience in common, and it's not just being super talented and famous ... they're all recent divorcees and will be hitting the stage together for the first time to sing about lousy men.
Production sources from the upcoming Country Music Association Awards tell TMZ the trio are planning a very big and powerful performance of Kelsea's song "You're Drunk, Go Home" next month.
The song's all about female empowerment, about guys who hit on women at bars after they've had too much to drink. Both Kelly and Carly were on the song's original release -- and Kelly actually got drunk herself when they got together to record it -- so they clearly all have a good time together.
Both Kelly and Carly filed for divorce in June 2020 ... Kelly from Brandon Blackstock after 7 years of marriage and Carly from Michael Ray after less than a year.
TMZ broke the story ... it was in March when Kelly and Brandon reached a settlement -- she got primary custody and he gets $115,000 a month in spousal support until 2024.
As for Kelsea, she pulled the plug on her 5-year marriage with Morgan Evans in August, and she's been very open about how tough divorce can be ... recently posting an emotional confessional from the bathtub.
So, given the shared lifetime experiences, the whole girl gang collab at country music's biggest night makes a whole lotta sense.
The CMA's will take place Nov. 9 in Nashville.
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Deshaun Watson Busted For Speeding After Browns Trade ... 97 MPH in a 70
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Deshaun Watson found himself in trouble in Ohio just months after he was traded to the Browns ... TMZ Sports has learned he was busted for going 97 MPH in a 70 MPH zone in June.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol says it caught the star quarterback speeding in his G-Wagon in Sandusky -- less than three months after the Houston Texans dealt him to the Browns in a blockbuster trade.
Police body cam footage shows an officer pulled over the 27-year-old on June 11 ... and asked him if he had any clue how fast he was going.
Deshaun Watson Traded To Cleveland Browns
"Like, 97?" said Watson, who also told the cop he had just been traded to the Browns.
"Yeah," the officer responded, "I got you at 97."
Watson said during the stop that he had been traveling into town from Detroit ... and the entire interaction with the cop was cordial. After a few minutes, the QB was issued a citation and allowed to leave.
Court records show the case was closed out on July 6 -- when Watson paid a $185 fine.
8/18/22
Deshaun is currently serving an 11-game suspension after he allegedly was sexually inappropriate with female masseuses during multiple massage therapy sessions during his time on the Texans.
The quarterback, who has denied wrongdoing in all of the cases, is allowed to return to the field for the Browns starting in Week 13.
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MCDONALD'S SHOOTING Charge Cop with Attempted Murder ... Teen Victim's Fam Fumes
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10/2/22
The cop who shot 17-year-old Erik Cantu at a San Antonio McDonald's should be facing an attempted murder charge instead of assault ... so says the teenager's family.
Erik is still fighting for his life in the hospital, and his family has retained attorney Ben Crump, who tells TMZ ... the Cantus feel the cop's current charge of aggravated assault is NOT enough.
Crump says the Cantu family thinks 25-year-old rookie officer James Brennand should be charged to the fullest extent of the law ... which they see as an attempted murder charge.
Cop Opens Fire on Teen Eating in McDonald's Parking Lot, Video
We're told Erik's family wants to see the officer behind bars ... they say he used excessive and unnecessary force when opening fire on Erik multiple times while he was simply eating a cheeseburger in his car at McDonald's.
As we reported ... Brennand surrendered to authorities and has been charged with 2 felony counts of aggravated assault by a peace officer after shooting Erik at the fast food joint. Brennand said he recognized the car as one used to evade police the day before the shooting. He turned out to be wrong, it was not the same vehicle.
Erik's family says he remains unconscious and on life support with no improvement in his condition ... and they've set up a GoFundMe to raise money for his recovery.
Crump says Brennand violated Erik's 4th Amendment rights by coming up to the car and opening his door in the parking lot. Remember, video shows the cop ordering Erik out of the car, but instead he put it in reverse ... the cop then fired multiple rounds which struck Erik.
We're told the Cantus are weighing all possible legal action, but have not made any decisions on a potential civil suit against the officer. For now, they remain at the hospital 24/7 by Erik's side as he fights for his life.
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Andy Dick What a Tool (Thief), Allegedly!!! Jailed Over Power Tools
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Andy Dick is facing a felony burglary charge in California after getting arrested yet again ... this time cops say he was stealing power tools from someone's garage.
The Santa Barbara Police Department tells TMZ ... officers busted Andy on Oct. 13, after responding to a report of a burglary in progress at a home.
Andy had removed several power tools from a home under construction, according to cops ... and they say they caught him red-handed trying to flee the property. The homeowner told police they don't know Andy, and he definitely didn't have permission to be there.
Since then, the Santa Barbara County D.A. has charged Andy with first-degree residential burglary, and he's pled not guilty -- however, one week later, he's still locked up.
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Interestingly enough, Dick posted a video from inside an abandoned house just last week ... so it's possible it's the same one he was busted inside.
We're told he is in the Santa Barbara County Jail waiting for someone to bond him out. His bail was set at $50K.
5/11/22
It's the second arrest for Andy in the last 6 months ... as we first told you, he was busted in May and accused of sexual battery and the arrest was live-streamed.
Andy's lawyer, Brian Mathis, tells TMZ ... a public defender is repping Andy in the Santa Barbara case, and they "are confident additional facts will come to light supporting Mr. Dick as this case moves forward."
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Ex-NYY Jim Leyritz Pete Rose's Advice Turned Me Into A Clutch Player ... '96 World Series Hero
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Jim Leyritz, hero of the 1996 World Series, knows a little something about hitting under pressure in the playoffs ... and now the catcher/infielder/outfield (Jim basically played every position) is telling TMZ Sports his secret.
"I always was taught that at a very young age from Pete Rose is if I treated every at-bat from day one til the end of the season, it didn't matter where it was, or what was going on around me, but that at-bat was the most important one, so I never got caught up in the moment, and that's what I would tell young players," Jim says.
"Don't get caught up in the moment. It's you against him. It's no different than your first at-bat at spring training or your last at-bat of the season. Concentrate on that at-bat and don't get caught up on everything going on around you."
"It's easier said than done, but that was my mindset."
You learned that from Pete, we asked.
"I have to thank Pete Rose, as a 14-year-old kid, as a batboy for the Reds, and he gave me that advice, and its helped me through my entire life in everything I've done under pressure, that I was able to perform under pressure."
Of course, Leyritz's is most known for his 3-run home run during Game 4 of the '96 World Series ... between the Yankees and Braves. Atlanta led the series, 2 games to 1, and held a commanding 6-0 lead through 5 innings in the pivotal game.
But, the Yanks scratched a few runs across ... and then in the 8th inning, Leyritz came to the plate, down 3, with 1 out and 2 runners aboard.
Then, with one crack of the bat, Leyritz blasted a 3-run dinger to left, tying the game at 6. The game went to extra innings before the Yankees ultimately won 8-6 in the 10th, evening the series at 2 games apiece.
NY went on to win Game 5 behind a dominant performance by Andy Pettitte ... before putting the Braves down once and for all in Game 6. It was the NYY first championship since 1978.
It was Jim's most memorable moment ... but not his only one. Just one year earlier, during the 1995 MLB playoffs, Leyritz blasted a walk-off, 2-run home run in the 15th inning of the 2nd game of the ALDS, putting the Yanks up 2-0 in the series.
Now, the Yankees will face their hated rivals, the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series ... with 4 wins the only thing separating the squad from a World Series berth.
Great seats with Boss Steve Napolitano (Amtrust Title) to watch Yankees beat Cleveland and move on to ALCS. Congrats Yankees and let’s take down Houston. Let’s GO YANKS. pic.twitter.com/hHLNPLx8Ec
— Jim Leyritz (@therealjleyritz) October 19, 2022 @therealjleyritz
We talked to Jim about much more relating to the Yanks-Stros ... and Jim even tells us who he thinks could be the breakout star of the series (as he once was).
The Yankees won't get any rest ... Game 1 starts today in H-Town.
No rest for the weary.
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Bow Wow I Don't Do Much Dating, But... Linking Divorced Exes Is My New Specialty!!!
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Bow Wow is putting himself squarely in the middle of celebrity breakups ... but like a hip hop love doc, he's doing his best to rekindle broken hearts.
TMZ Hip Hop talked to Bow Wow about about his wacky new dating show “After Happily Ever After” ... which features divorced couples attempting to find new love for their exes.
Bow Wow says despite the cast consisting of "Love & Hip Hop" and reality TV vets such as Peter Gunz, Tara Wallace, and Amina Buddafly (and that's just one grouping), the series was 100% real and the cast made honest attempts at finding love for the second -- or in some cases -- third time.
Shar Jackson, model Jeremy Meeks, and social media influencer Jayla Koriyan also round out the cast.
For his own tastes, Bow Wow says he doesn't entertain dating but understands why some people would -- they just don't want to be alone!!!
The "Shortie Like Mine" rapper admits he has no problem being in relationships, but says when the interrogating and nagging begins ... he starts inching toward the door.
Bow Wow has been basking in the land of TV and film for years -- in addition to several Millenium Tour iterations, and says it's time to dip his legacy in bronze with a docuseries he's dropping next year.
Speaking of the Millenium Tour, Bow Wow recently wrapped up an emotional show in his birthplace of Columbus, OH ... where he apologized on stage for not being the same rap ambassador as he was to his eventual home of Atlanta.
Bow Wow says he was just a kid when he blew up (he dropped his first album when he was 13), and didn't understand what being a city's celebrity face entails.
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Now an older and wiser pup, Bow Wow says he plans on building the city up to the same prominence as neighboring areas Cleveland and Cincinnati through marquee events and functions.
“After Happily Ever After” premieres Wednesday night on BET. If the show gets picked up for a second season, Bow Wow says don't expect to see him on the cast ... he's only interested in hosting when it comes to dating shows.
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Claudia Jordan No One 'Forced' 'Deal Or No Deal' Models to be Bimbos ... I like Meghan, But She's Off on This One
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Former "Deal or No Deal" model Claudia Jordan is sticking up for the other briefcase models on the game show ... saying Meghan Markle's claims about being "forced" to become a briefcase "bimbo" just ain't right.
The "RHOA" alum joined "TMZ Live" Wednesday, saying she had no clue the Duchess of Sussex had such negative feelings about being on the show ... and felt her comments were a little unfair for the rest of the models.
Meghan Markle Quit 'Deal or No Deal' Because She Felt Like A 'Bimbo'
Meghan felt the models were "objectified" for their looks and were never able to showcase their brains.
Claudia says there were lots of briefcase models with brains, including Stacey Gardner, who passed the bar exam while she was on the show.
But, as Claudia says, it was no secret ... they signed up for a modeling gig, and clearly, Meghan knew that.
Claudia has been a fierce defender of Meghan's, saying the racist treatment she got from the British press and the treatment she generally got from the Royals was appalling, but the "Deal or No Deal" complaint is different.
Claudia has a great example of why Meghan's off base on this one ... and it involves strippers.
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Ye 'Good to Hear from You Bitch!!!' From Trolling to Trademark
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Kanye West hopes to turn his online trolling into a money-making business move ... filing to trademark phrases he's used in social media bashings against former friends.
Ye recently filed to trademark the phrases, "Good to hear from you bitch" and "Tremendez." Both were used in his fiery back and forth with his former friend Tremaine Emory.
Tremaine was one of the first to publicly call out Kanye after his Yeezy fashion show -- where he debuted the "White Lives Matter shirt -- because he was pissed Ye decided to use Virgil Abloh's name when addressing the crowd pre-show.
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Tremaine wrote, "I gotta draw the line at you using Virgil's death in your 'ye' is the victim campaign in front of your sycophant peanut algorithm gallery."
He also went on to defend Vogue editor Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, who Ye bashed after she criticized the Yeezy show.
Not long after Tremaine's post, Kanye posted a private text convo between them, where he greeted Tremaine with, "Good to hear from you bitch" -- the inspiration for his new trademark.
From there, Ye continued to bash Tremaine on social media, "AND TO TREMAINE I'M CHANGING YOUR NAME FOREEEEEVVVVVRRRRR. TREMAIN'S NEW NAME AS THE BLM OFFICER AT SUPREME ISSSS TREMENDEZ."
Kanye also created a logo, similar to the Supreme logo -- where Tremaine is the creative director -- and swapped the word with "Tremendez" ... the other trademark he's filed.
Petty? 💯 Will it make him money? You know it will.
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James Corden Defended BY NYC Restaurateurs ... He's Good in Our Books!!!
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James Corden has at least 2 NYC restaurant owners in his corner ... they say he's been a model customer, despite some alleged nasty behavior at other establishments.
While James was briefly banned at Big Apple hotspot Balthazar, the owner of some of NYC's top restaurants tells us JC was always super polite and cordial at his restaurants.
Stratis Morfogen has opened 40 restaurants over the years in New York, and he says James is one of the most pleasant and funny guys he's ever served -- to the point where Stratis says he can't even imagine James being mean.
When Stratis hosted and catered a 2018 post-Grammys event for Bruno Mars and Atlantic Records at his Brooklyn Chop House restaurant, he says James was there singing songs with bartenders and yukking it up with staffers at the bar. He also notes James was a gracious tipper.
James is also being defended by famed restaurateur Todd English ... who tells us every time he's served Corden, the comedian's been "absolutely lovely" to everyone in the joint.
Todd, who's been the head chef at Tony Awards afterparties, says James was always "incredibly personable" to him and his staff who traveled from Todd English's Olives in Las Vegas.
As we reported, James was called out this week by Balthazar owner Keith McNally, who accused Corden of being a "cretin of a man" for what he claims was abhorrent behavior at his highly acclaimed establishment.
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McNally initially banned James from the restaurant, but says Corden called him up and apologized ... and the ban's since been lifted.
Stratis tells us he was shocked McNally would rip James on social media, because he says he's never heard any of his restaurateur friends talk about James in a negative light.
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Halloween KILLER Auction ... Horror Props Up for Grabs!!!
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Halloween is right around the corner, and some die-hard fans are getting the chance to get their hands on some actual props from their favorite horror flicks.
Prop Store online auction house has a ton of gear -- from Freddy to Jason and more -- about to go up on the block, but the prices might scare the you-know-what outta you.
There's plenty of Jason Voorhees memorabilia to go around ... like the entire get-up worn in the 2003 "Freddy vs. Jason" flick. It features a coat, jumper, long-sleeved T-shirt, pair of trousers and a belt ... and even comes with an autographed undersuit. The 'fit is estimated to sell for $20 to $30K.
There's also Jason's infamous hockey mask worn in the 1989 flick "Friday The 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan." It's expected to fetch between $40K and $60K.
"The Omen" fans can relive the making of the 1976 film with this production-used clapperboard ... it's estimated to bring in between $6k and $8K.
It seems like these artifacts are a pretty penny, but obviously their values keep increasing over the years ... so might be worth it! The auction opens up in a couple weeks.