Clippers' Amir Coffey Charged With Two Misdemeanors ... Over Gun Arrest
-
Exclusive
- 3 shares
Amir Coffey's July arrest has led to criminal charges ... TMZ Sports has learned the Clippers forward was hit with two misdemeanors late last month.
The Los Angeles City Attorney's Office has filed one count of carrying a loaded firearm and one count of carrying a concealed firearm against Coffey ... after alleging he had a gun in his ride during a routine traffic stop in Hollywood earlier this summer.
Clippers' Amir Coffey Arrested In L.A. For Gun Possession
We broke the story ... a car Coffey was in was initially pulled over on July 30, after authorities claimed it had been speeding at around 2:30 AM.
According to law enforcement, officers said the vehicle smelled like marijuana -- so they searched it and found a loaded gun they say Coffey claimed was his.
Coffey was then placed into custody -- and spent several hours behind bars before he was released.
The NBA player -- who's been a member of the Clippers' org. since 2019 -- has not yet commented publicly on the case. He's due back in court later this month for a hearing on the matter.
related articles
Bodybuilding Star Lisa Lyon Suffering From Pancreatic Cancer ... Condition Grave
-
Exclusive
- 998 shares
Lisa Lyon -- a pioneer in professional women's bodybuilding -- is in grave condition, suffering from pancreatic cancer.
Lyon, who famously posed for Playboy in 1980, was recently transferred to hospice care in L.A.'s San Fernando Valley.
The muscle champ had a short, but sweet career in bodybuilding. In 1979, Lyon snagged the first International Federation of Bodybuilders Woman's World Pro Bodybuilding Championship in Los Angeles. Turns out this was one of two bodybuilding contests Lyon entered, but it was no doubt a huge success for her.
She went on to promote women's bodybuilding in magazines and on TV talk shows. She also penned a book on the topic called, "Lisa Lyon’s Body Magic," which was published in 1981.
Not only that ... but Lyon was one of the only female bodybuilders at the time to be photographed for Playboy. Her sexy snaps appeared in the October 1980 issue.
She also modeled for renowned photographer, Robert Mapplethorpe, who occasionally produced pictures for Andy Warhol.
In 2000, Lyon was inducted into the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federal Hall of Fame for elevating bodybuilding to the level of fine art.
Arnold Schwarzenegger sits on the shoulders of bodybuilder and future model in Playboy magazine Lisa Lyon . USA , 1979 pic.twitter.com/O1Wsr7gngj
— DrPopCulture (@DrPopCultureUSA) July 31, 2023 @DrPopCultureUSA
Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of Lyon's biggest fans, telling TMZ ... "She is the best. I love her."
Artificial Intelligence Social Media Says It's Racist ... After AI-Generated Images Of People From All 50 States
-
Exclusive
- 186 shares
Artificial intelligence relies on ethnic stereotypes and is completely racist ... that's the majority view on social media after computers imagined what someone from each state looks like.
Here's the deal ... one advanced AI model cranked out 50 images of what it imagined folks from all 50 states would look like, and real people are saying the results reek of racism.
Folks on Elon Musk's app are saying AI is playing into racist tropes when it comes up with images of minorities, and they're ripping the computer model for basically ignoring Black couples in favor of white or mixed couples.
One example getting a lot of attention is Mississippi ... the AI-generated image is a Black man dressed like he's been working in the fields, with tons of dirt covering his clothes.
The AI model had some fun with Florida though ... the person the computer thinks best resembles the Sunshine State has some oddly reptilian features.
So, yeah, this is what these computers are coming up with. Bizarre, right?!?
Lots of folks also have issues with the Alaska image being a "delicate looking white girl" ... and they point out all the white couples seem to be men with much younger-looking wives.
Bad sign for when AI takes over the world?!? 😅
For more viral news, tune in to the TMZ Verified Podcast. Dropping every Thursday on all podcast platforms.
related articles
Bob Barker PETA Asks L.A. To Honor Bob Barker ... On Sunset Blvd.!!!
-
Exclusive
- 431 shares
Bob Barker's animal rights legacy is something PETA wants to honor with a street name change on the most iconic boulevard in L.A. ... which could actually happen!
A rep for PETA tells TMZ ... they've made an official request with the City of Los Angeles for an honorary add-on to Sunset Blvd. -- to pay tribute the late 'Price Is Right' host, who just died last weekend.
Don't worry ... this isn't as wacky as it sounds. PETA assures us this would only be a minor change, and it wouldn't even require the removal of an actual "Sunset Blvd." sign hanging from street lights.
Basically what we're talking about is a second sign -- under one of the Sunset Blvd. signs -- that would read "Bob Barker Blvd." The PETA rep says they'd love to have this on their block on Sunset.
There's also this ... PETA tells us they've actually taken steps to make this happen. They've contacted City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, who reps their area. We're told PETA brass and Soto-Martinez's staff are scheduled to meet in the coming weeks.
PETA says they're pushing this because Bob actually made a generous donation way back when that allowed them to open this L.A.-based office, and they wanna return the favor.
As for the councilman ... his office confirms they are indeed meeting PETA soon and will seriously consider its request -- but warns even a small change like this is hard to pull off.
related articles
MMA Star Ilima-Lei Macfarlane Raises Over $2 Mil ... For Maui Wildfire Victims
-
Exclusive
- 236 shares
Many athletes and celebs have stepped up in a huge way in the wake of the devastating wildfires in Maui ... and perhaps none more so than Bellator MMA star Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, who raised over $2 MILLION on Instagram!
TMZ Sports spoke with the Honolulu native this week as the area is still reeling from fires that killed at least 115 people, with hundreds still unaccounted for. The people who fortunately escaped with their lives are still dealing with property loss, in some cases everything, including their homes.
"We have hit the $2.6 million mark and this is just on Instagram alone," Macfarlane said.
"The beautiful thing that I love so much about this fundraiser is that it wasn't big corporations or big huge donors, it was literally people."
Macfarlane also gives credit to a few celebrities for sharing the fund, including Bretman Rock, Meghan Trainor, and Jason Momoa.
Now, the challenge is getting the money to those who need it ... which can be a difficult job.
"I haven't raised that much for my nonprofit before so I am collaborating with other agencies to make sure it's distributed equitably and efficiently."
Macfarlane also revealed she's teamed up with Bellator to replace gym equipment and training gear at local dojos. They're also inviting a family to Ilima-Lei's upcoming title fight in San Diego.
Speaking of her fight with mentor Liz Carmouche (Bellator 300 on October 7), Macfarlane says it's a bout she's always wanted but hasn't been able to enjoy the lead-up to the event because of the situation in Hawaii.
"It was a super scary time and it was actually weird timing because [the fires] happened the day that we announced my title fight," Macfarlane said.
"I just couldn't be happy. I couldn't be excited for this super awesome fight that I've wanted for so long just because of what was going on."
Macfarlane (fundraiser here) isn't the only athlete contributing to the Maui cause ... Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson recently teamed up with Oprah Winfrey for a massive $10 million donation.
related articles
Hulk Hogan I'm 8 Months Alcohol-Free, Brother!!! ... Down 40-Plus Lbs
-
Exclusive
- 97 shares
Hulk Hogan is runnin' wild on his latest fitness journey ... saying this week he's now abstained from alcohol for eight months -- and it's done his body so good, he's down 40-plus pounds!!
The Hulkster joined Harvey and Charles on "TMZ Live" to break down his latest plan to get fit ... and he said it all started back on New Year's -- when he "got sick and tired of being sick and tired of myself."
Initially, the WWE Hall of Famer wanted it to just be a simple booze break ... but it's now spiraled into nearly a full year without a sip of liquor -- and he couldn't be happier about it.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
"It changed everything," Hulk said of how his body responded to the new diet. "I wasn't eating late at night -- I wasn't eating junk food anymore. I dropped like 40 pounds right away."
Hulk said his alcohol consumption had gotten pretty bad just before he quit ... saying it'd lead to wild binge-eating moments that were taking a toll on his physique -- and his joints.
Now, however, the 70-year-old said he's feeling so good ... he's having a much easier time keeping up with his 45-year-old fiancé, Sky Daily.
Hulk isn't sure how much longer he'll be booze-free -- he said he could see himself grabbing drinks again socially one day -- but he told Harvey and Charles he'll never go back to the way things were.
"I would never drink daily, you know, like I did when I was wrestling," he said.
related articles
Boyz II Men's Shawn Stockman Defends Britney Comments Conservatorships Aren't All Bad!!!
-
Exclusive
- 1.9K shares
Shawn Stockman is doubling down on his comments about Britney Spears -- this after catching flak from fans -- 'cause he says not all conservatorships are created equal.
We got the Boyz II Men singer at LAX again Monday, and it sounds like there was some backlash from #FreeBritney folks over what he said last week regarding her situation ... namely, he felt getting her back into a conservatorship might be a good idea.
Check out what he has to say about it now ... it's pretty insightful.
Essentially, Shawn explains the apparatus of a conservatorship in and of itself isn't necessarily a bad thing -- despite what some have apparently tried preaching to him.
The reason SS knows that --he has personal experience in this department -- and considering his understanding of how conservatorships work ... the haters might wanna reconsider how they're discussing this issue.
Now, Shawn does say that *if* people in Britney's life were abusing the conservatorship -- which she alleges was the case as it pertains to her father, Jamie -- that's obviously no bueno ... and he condemns that. But on the issue of conservatorships in general -- which have been demonized -- Shawn says they can actually be quite helpful for certain folks.
Shawn also makes the point that even diehard Britney fans truly don't know her or what she needs -- and he suspects, based on behavior she's displaying, that she could use some people in her corner to better guide her through this precarious time.
Bottom line ... he wants the best for her, and anything to further that -- he's all for it.
related articles
Rose Namajunas Feel Healthier At Flyweight ... Not Planning On Going Back Down
-
Exclusive
- 2 shares
Rose Namajunas is the 2nd-ranked strawweight in the UFC, but the former 2x 115 lb. champ is moving up to fight a top flyweight, and she tells us she feels amazing and doesn't plan on going back to her old weight class.
"I'm definitely healthier," Thug Rose told TMZ Sports of the difference between making 115 and 125 lbs. ... as she preps to fight #3-ranked flyweight Manon Fiorot at UFC Fight Night in Paris on Saturday.
Rose hasn't fought since May 2022 ... when she lost to fellow contender, Carla Esparza, by split decision. Physically, Namajunas feels a lot better a year and change later.
"I did think the weight cut started to get a little tougher each time, even the last cut it was like my eyes were sunken in like 'Ooh this is not super healthy.' I don't think it highly affected my performance, maybe it did, maybe it didn't, I have no idea but I'm definitely super excited to feel healthy going in there and actually eating more, lifting more, just feeling strong."
As for whether she'd go back to the division where she's so highly ranked ... probably not.
"I highly doubt I would ever go back down unless there was a really good reason to. Unless I go into this fight and something totally just like, 'Oh man these flyweights are way bigger and stronger than I expected' but I highly doubt that."
Rose continued ... "I train with flyweights. I have a good feel for that. Even in my amateur career, I fought in flyweight, too. Unless it's totally a surprise and a shock to me, I see myself staying here."
Of course, if RN stays at 125, that would likely mean there won't be a third fight between her and Zhang Weili (Rose defeated the Chinese MMA star twice) ... though Namajunas didn't entirely shut the door on the trilogy.
If it does happen, it'll be down the road.
For the time being, Namajunas -- who isn't ranked in the new division -- is getting one of the best in the world in Fiorot (she hasn't lost a fight since 2018). We asked Rose if she expected a title shot straight away after a win.
"No, I'm not really putting any expectations on anything. I'm just hoping and praying for the best performance that I can give, give glory to God and just let Him do the rest. If that happens, that would be a dream come true."
If she were to get a title shot, it could mean a scrap between Rose and Valentina Shevchenko, who is fighting to win her belt back vs. Alexa Grasso in a few weeks.
Check out the clip ... we asked Rose about the potential matchup which would pit two titans in women's MMA against one another with the UFC title on the line!
related articles
Kevin Costner Wife's Child Support Cut in Half ... Actor will Pay $63k a Month
-
Exclusive
- 2.3K shares
Kevin Costner just found out how big of a check he has to cut to his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner each month for child support ... and he's going to be happy.
The judge in Kevin and Christine's divorce ruled Friday that Kevin's going to be forking over $63,209 -- that's exactly what he said was appropriate. $63k is less than half of what she was getting in temporary support -- $129k. And remember, she originally asked for $248k a month.
9/1/23
It's an end to a bitter back and forth between Kevin and Christine over how much he should be ponying up.
During Friday's hearing, Kevin took the stand and answered some questions from his lawyer, Disso Queen Laura Wasser, saying ... "Somehow in this unusual world we didn't make it and I'm sorry."
Kevin said his biggest concern going into the relationship with Christine was having kids and getting divorced ... because he had 3 kids with his first wife and got divorced. Kevin and Christine ended up having 3 kids and getting divorced too.
Remember ... Christine originally asked for $248,000 a month in child support, but Kevin claimed she was padding the bill simply because he could afford it ... with Costner claiming the actual amount she needs for their kids is around $51k a month.
In the end, the judge went closer to Kevin's figure.
The actor's testimony also featured Kevin saying he wanted to pass his properties down to his kids and he said, "I don't hide money from my wife."
related articles
MAITLAND WARD ON TRACE CYRUS ONLYFANS DISS IS TOXIC MASCULINITY ... Miley Needs To Push Back!!!
-
Exclusive
- 1.1K shares
Maitland Ward is slamming Trace Cyrus for taking swipes at OnlyFans models ... and she's calling on Miley Cyrus to set her brother straight.
We got the former "Boy Meets World" actress-turned-porn star in Los Angeles and our photog asked her about all the flak Trace is catching for dissing women who have OF accounts.
Maitland says Trace is displaying a serious case of toxic masculinity ... and she thinks the musician's just looking for a "trace of fame" while living in his sister's shadow.
As we reported ... Trace says women are destroying their chances of finding the right man by starting an OF page, and he's since doubled down on his stance despite tons of heat coming his way.
Maitland says Trace is sorely mistaken ... pointing out she's been happily married for 16 years while enjoying a career in porn.
While dissing Trace, Maitland's calling on Miley to speak out against her brother ... she says Miley's voice will carry extra weight here because she's a beacon for sexual liberation.
Miley's kept above the fray so far ... and it will be interesting to see if Maitland's comments here move the needle.
related articles
Britney Spears Not Heading To OnlyFans ... Despite Stripper Pole, Sexy Videos
-
Exclusive
- 475 shares
Britney Spears isn't looking to cash in on OnlyFans -- despite the fact she's now a single lady who's really into showing off her naked body these days ... TMZ has learned.
There've been A LOT of people chirping these past few weeks about the prospect of Britney joining the exclusive, member-paying service -- which tends to host users' raunchy content, oftentimes with big bucks to follow -- but we're hearing that just ain't gonna happen for her.
Sources close to Britney tell us ... an OF account isn't going to materialize in Britney's future anytime soon -- even though we know Britney is aware there's a yearning for her to hop on.
Even before her estranged husband, Sam Asghari, recently filed for divorce -- folks assumed this might be something BS would entertain ... especially after her erotic pole dance routine went viral. BTW, we're told Britney only uses that thing for cardio and for strengthening her core ... not for actual stripping.
Alas, those would-be customers who'd die to see her bare it all are out of luck ... 'cause our sources are firm -- Britney is NOT interested in OF, as she doesn't want to be associated with the explicit side of the platform (aka, porn).
Yes, she is very free with her body -- as we've seen since Sam decided he wanted to end the marriage -- but she's clearly not cool with making that big jump and only shows what she's comfortable with on her own terms.
Here's the kicker on all this .... our Britney sources tell us OnlyFans actually reached out to Britney -- and did so prior to all this speculation. We're told they contacted her team about 6 months ago and kick-started some initial convos about her joining the site.
But, in the end, though ... she passed. Her fans will just have to settle for her IG posts.
As we've reported ... Britney is in a bit of a dicey place right now as she and Sam navigate the divorce -- we've learned her support system has all but vanished ... and she's incredibly isolated of late, which some feel isn't the best environment for her.
And yet, based on how she's been behaving ... you'd never think anything was amiss.
Britney's been putting on show after show after show in various forms -- and is powering through the split with a smile, and a lot of skin. That's all anyone's getting for now, though.
related articles
Shaquille O'Neal Drops New Music W/ L.A. Rap Group ... '3 Lokos' 🎙🎧
-
Exclusive
- 829 shares
Shaquille O'Neal is back in the rap game!
The basketball legend linked up with an L.A.-based rap group for a new song and music video, and it slaps.
TMZ Sports talked to Coyote -- made up of rappers Ladies Love Guapo and Ricky Blanco -- and they tell us The Big Aristotle was a fan of their work going back some time, and they developed a relationship. The guys began talking about hopping on a track together
"[Shaq] was like as long as it's some hardcore stuff, I'm down. So we made a hardcore hip hop '90s-type song and we're like 'Bro, let's send it to Shaq,' and he got on it, did his thing, he spit like 32 bars. He went off!" Ladies Love Guapo told us.
The guys say O'Neal loved the beat and a few hours later, voila ... his verse was in their inbox.
"4 hours later he FaceTimes us and he shows us his verse and he went crazy! He's rapping better than 90% of rappers out there."
Shaquille even pulled up for the music video shoot in Los Angeles ... shot in the city where he delivered three championships.
"3 Lokos" is the first song Coyote ft. Diesel are releasing ... but it won't be their last.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
In fact, Blanco says they already have a second song they've recorded with Shaq, and plan on dropping more music in the near future ... including rapping on a beat that O'Neal produced.
Aside from being one of the greatest hoopers of all time, Shaq's had an impressive career in the booth. He's been on tracks with legends like Jay-Z, Nas, and Biggie.
related articles
Paris Jackson I Need Protection From Intruder ... Scared To Be Home Alone!!!
-
Exclusive
- 231 shares
Paris Jackson claims a guy who allegedly stalked her for years climbed a fence at her property and peeped in her windows ... and now she says she's terrified and wants help.
The singer took steps to protect herself two days after police were called to her Los Angeles area home after she claimed an intruder was spotted hanging around her backyard ... beelining it to court to get a restraining order against the guy.
According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Paris claims the guy showed up at her home Aug 23 scaling the fence before peering through her windows ... but she says she doesn't know him and he's actually appeared at her place before and was once arrested there.
TMZ broke the story ... Paris' friend confronted the alleged intruder in the backyard but the guy took off before cops arrived.
Paris says he's been sending her unwanted messages since December 2019 and she's afraid he's becoming more brazen and she's feeling stressed and is terrified to be alone in her home.
Our law enforcement sources tells us they took another report of a man showing up to her home two days after she filed for a restraining order ... this time she said the guy walked up to her front door, but she wasn't home.
We're told LAPD Threat Management is now on the case.
Paris is asking a judge to keep the guy at least 100 yards away from her, her home, her car and any venue where she performs ... and she also wants him prohibited from contacting her online.
related articles
Robert Quinn 911 Audio Chaos At Crash Scene ... 'You Just Hit Me!!!'
-
Exclusive
- 129 shares
It was complete chaos at the scene just seconds after Robert Quinn allegedly crashed his truck into four cars in a South Carolina neighborhood ... with one woman screaming at the ex-NFL star, claiming he had hit her.
The alleged incident all unfolded on Aug. 15 in Summerville ... when, according to a 911 call obtained by TMZ Sports, Quinn and a woman were arguing about the vehicles he had been accused of running into.
You can hear in the background of the police audio ... a woman was yelling at a man appearing to be Quinn, demanding he get off her property.
When dispatch asked what was going on ... the caller said, "My mom's talking to the guy that did it and he's like a little too close to her" -- but a short time later, things seemed to turn violent.
In the background of the call, a woman can be heard shouting, "You just hit me!" -- with dispatch quickly adding, "Male just hit the complainant's mother."
Despite the apparent physical confrontation, you can hear in the audio a verbal one still continued, with Quinn seemingly offering to buy the woman two new cars.
NFL Star Robert Quinn Arrested In South Carolina
"Is he offering to buy your mom two cars?" dispatch asked the caller.
"He just totaled two of our cars just now," the caller responded. "And my neighbor's car, and my other neighbor's car. He just hit four cars."
The caller then added, "He pushed my mom in the head, he hit her in the head."
Later, the caller said of Quinn ... "He's acting like he's drunk. I think he's been drinking or something else."
Cops eventually arrived on the scene ... but, according to police documents, officers say the ex-Dallas Cowboys pass rusher bolted from the area before they could question him. They added that following a search of Quinn's wrecked vehicle, they discovered a "partially empty bottle" of Crown Royal Apple whiskey on the passenger side floorboard.
Ultimately, Quinn -- a current free agent -- turned himself in later in the week... and was hit with seven total charges stemming from the incident -- including hit-and-run and assault.
He's due in court for another hearing on the matter in October.
related articles
Kyle Larson NASCAR's Making Strides In Safety ... Thankful Preece Is OK
-
Exclusive
- 40 shares
NASCAR star Kyle Larson tells TMZ Sports he's relieved to see Ryan Preece escape serious injury after Saturday's terrifying crash ... praising the organization for taking necessary steps over the years to improve driver safety.
Preece's No. 41 car flipped multiple times during an accident in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona last weekend ... leaving many shocked he was able to walk away from the scene.
Of course, superspeedway racing is the most dangerous in the circuit ... with cars reaching their limits at insane speeds.
Larson's wife, Katelyn, shared her hatred for the style of race on X shortly after the Preece crash ... and while Kyle said he wasn't aware of her post, he admitted superspeedway events can really get the nerves going.
"I'm not sure what she said, but I just know that we're all thankful that we were able to see Ryan get out of that car and walk away from that wreck," Kyle said. "That was a very scary accident."
"It's definitely a style of race in that it's really the only time I'm ever a little bit nervous in a race car. I have been caught up in a lot of big accidents at those style tracks."
Larson said NASCAR is doing a great job at taking the proper measures to keep all the drivers out of harm's way ... adding, "On the flip side of that, our sport has gotten so much safer in the last couple of decades that allows a guy to flip that violently to get out, walk away, go see his family at home is pretty remarkable."
"Our sport can always be safer, but it's come a long way and we're all thankful for that."
As for Preece, he posted after the accident ... vowing to return.
We also spoke with Larson about a great cause ... helping raise $50,000 for the Phoenix Children's Hospital at the NASCAR Championship Ignition Luncheon earlier this week, and he said it's rewarding to use his platform to give back to the community.
"I'm excited to be a part of it," he said. "I'm a new resident here in Arizona, so good to be a part of the event, help raise money but also raise awareness to our sport and our playoffs that are starting soon."
related articles
'Foodgod' Jonathan Cheban $20M Lawsuit Isn't About Money ... I Wanna Protect Y'all!!!
-
Exclusive
- 163 shares
"Foodgod" Jonathan Cheban's $20 million lawsuit against a Korean BBQ sauce company isn't about getting cash -- according to him, it's about keeping others from ending up in the same scary situation.
We got Jonathan in Beverly Hills, and he detailed the frightening incident that went down nearly 3 years ago ... a glass bottle he'd purchased just a few hours earlier shattered in his hand, leaving with a very serious cut.
Jonathan echoes a big point from his lawsuit, telling us the slice was incredibly close to a major artery in his wrist, which could've killed him.
He says he's still dealing with physical problems to this day, and fills us in on why the suit is so important.
BTW, we ask him his thoughts about folks saying the $20M for which he's suing is a super steep number for a rich dude like him -- but Jonathan tells us why money isn't his goal here.
TMZ broke the story, Jonathan's coming after the brand, San-J, as well as the distributor, the store he bought it from and the manufacturer of the bottle ... after the KBBQ sauce bottle allegedly burst into shards before he could even open it.