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From the dugout to the spotlight ... Banana Ball star Jayson Arendt knocked his "American Idol" audition out of the park!

TMZ Sports caught up with the ballplaying country artist after he stole the show on the 24th season premiere when several of his teammates joined him for the audition ... dancing and hyping up the room before Arendt performed Chris Stapleton's "Fire Away."

His raw, country sound resonated with judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood ... all gave Arendt their approval to punch his Golden Ticket to Hollywood!

Bella Hadid and Adan Banuelos might not be totally through like early reports indicated ... because video captures the two cutting a rug in a Texas bar -- just hours before Banuelos was arrested.

We've obtained exclusive video from a bar in Weatherford, TX from Friday night ... which shows the model and the cowboy slow dancing in the little Western-themed spot -- before Adan sweetly nuzzles his face into her neck.

Banuelos then pulls off a series of fancy moves ... spinning Hadid all around him and finishing it off by pulling her into a sweet embrace.

A Louisiana school counselor’s death by suicide this week after a warrant for his arrest for inappropriately messaging a minor was issued isn't justice ... so says the victim's brother who wants more accountability.

Tyler Washington spoke to TMZ about the situation ... telling us the death of Quinton Dixon from Baton Rouge doesn't substitute for justice because his 14-year-old sister still has to carry the weight of the situation on her shoulders forever.

While he declined to say if his family will be pressing charges ... he absolutely thinks Westdale Middle Magnet School needs to be held accountable for giving a sicko access to so many minors.

Vic Mensa just got back from Minneapolis ... and, he says ICE is engaging in state-sponsored terrorism in the city.

We caught up with the rapper in Los Angeles earlier this week ... and, he says the federal agency isn't just killing people -- they're attacking citizens with sonic cannons and more which might affect them for life.

While it's a scary situation out in Minneapolis, Mensa's not at all phased ... telling us, as a Black man in America, this isn't the first time he's scene this kind of response by law enfoircement to protesters.

President Trump sicking federal prosecutors on Don Lemon for reporting live from an ICE protest could have massive implications for our democracy ... and the decision to charge the former CNN host with federal crimes is sparking a spirited debate between attorneys Mark Geragos and Harvey Levin.

Mark and Harvey -- hosts of the "2 Angry Men" podcast -- have vastly different views on what played out in Minnesota this month ... when Don reported on an anti-ICE protest that disrupted a church service.

The feds arrested Don and charged him with a couple crimes, alleging he was part of the protest and not just an independent observer reporting on a newsworthy event. Harvey says the charges are bogus and based on lies, and he's taking it as an attack on the free press, which he says is a bad sign for the future of democracy in the United States.

Bella Hadid's reported ex-boyfriend found himself in the slammer after having a little too much Friday night fun.

Award-winning cowboy and horse trainer Adan Banuelos was arrested in Texas in the wee hours of Saturday morning for public intoxication, TMZ has learned. He's already bonded out of the Parker County Jail after paying a minor fee of $386.

TMZ has reached out to the Parker County Sheriff for more info and Adan for comment ... so far, nothing back.

Adan caught the spotlight in Hollywood when he began dating the supermodel in late 2023 -- although they reportedly split this month.

"HE GOT SCREWED!!!"

That's Rob Gronkowski weighing in on his former head coach, Bill Belichick, missing out on first-ballot Hall of Famer honors.

We caught up with the former Patriots superstar outside of NBC in New York City this week ... and asked how he felt about the the biggest football story of the week.

His reaction was exactly what you'd expect.

Bert Kreischer is counting down the days until his pre-Daytona 500 Full Throttle Festival ... and he tells TMZ Sports if there were one person in the whole world he would love to introduce to NASCAR -- it would be none other than Joe Rogan!!

We chopped it up with the comedian ahead of the opening race of the 2026 NASCAR season ... and he told us he hopes to convince the podcast megastar and UFC commentator on how great a sport it is.

"He doesn't really follow NASCAR," Kreischer said. "And I would love for him to get into NASCAR."

Add music video star to John Daly's resume ... 'cause the legendary golfer made a cameo in musician Andrew Moore's new song, and TMZ Sports has the BTS video!

59-year-old Daly will appear in the video for "Tyrant," and we got a sneak peek as the 2x Majors winner filmed one of his scenes ... which takes place in the clubhouse bar.

John, flanked by his caddie, walks into the establishment and up to Moore, whom he hugs, asking, "What's up, brother? How's it goin', man?"

Paul Walter Hauser wants to make one thing crystal clear heading into his showdown with Mad Dog Connelly -- pro wrestling isn't a celebrity cameo or a Hollywood flex.

The "Naked Gun" actor tells TMZ Sports he's in this world now -- and he’s not giving up an inch ahead of Sunday's SuperPower Slam at the Melrose Ballroom in New York City.

"I now live in his world, and he’s going to have to make room for me," Hauser said on a joint call with Mad Dog. "I’m not letting anyone take my spot, man."

That’s why he's all in for a Lumberjack Strap Match ... where 20 men with leather belts surround the ring to make sure neither fighter walks out.

Carson Kressley says he's shocked to see a rift between Karamo Brown and his fellow 'Queer Eye' hosts Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Jonathan Van Ness ... telling us there was never any such drama when he was on the show.

We got the OG 'Queer Eye' star in New York City and our photog asked him about Karamo's beef with three of his co-hosts.

Carson says there was some good-natured ribbing among the cast back in his day ... but nothing ever rose to the point of someone backing out of media appearances to plug the show, as has been the case with Karamo.

Catherine O'Hara -- famous for her work in "Schitt's Creek," "Home Alone," and "Best In Show" -- is dead ... TMZ has learned.

The legendary Hollywood actress died Friday, two sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ.

O'Hara's agency, CAA, later confirmed the news by saying she died at her home in Los Angeles's Bentwood area “following a brief illness." The cause of death is unclear.

Ellen DeGeneres’ gander across the pond looks like it hit pause -- 'cause she popped up back in Montecito mansion-hunting ... the same day of calling for a nationwide shutdown.

The ex-talk show host preached in an IG post, "no work, no school, no shopping" in protest over ICE brutality in Minnesota -- something tons of other Americans have been preaching today -- but that vibe didn’t exactly stick while out in luxe-land touring not one, but two mega-mansions Friday. Talk about do as I say, not as I stroll!

Take a look at these pics -- these weren’t casual Zillow scrolls -- we’re talking $35M and $17M spreads, beach strolls, full walkthrough mode with wife Portia de Rossi by her side.

Patrick Bet-David hopped into the "TMZ Live" hot seat over Don Lemon’s arrest Friday -- and it got fiery real quick, with PBD insisting Don blurred lines by mixing with protesters instead of just covering them.

The conservative podcast host and media personality doubled down hard ... even when Harvey Levin and Charles Latibeaudiere pushed back, saying Don got way too close to the protesters and perhaps even joined in their planning.

Patrick warned that Don's actions were a slippery slope -- pointing to footage that he says raises big questions about whether Lemon was observing or participating.

Denise Richards and Carmen Electra have never been on camera together... until now -- 'cause the two bombshells have shot a joint OnlyFans collab that will have fans sweating on Valentine's Day!

Carmen lit the fuse with a tit-illating (pun intended😏) IG pic Thursday teasing a V-Day collab -- and production sources tell TMZ the steamy shoot went down at the Creators Inc. mansion in Encino, California, with both stars in sexy lingerie and very into each other.

We're told they bounced from the bedroom to the living room couch in lingerie, and it got so steamy, they asked for a closed set -- but before you get too wild, we are told there was no kissing. Just a whole lotta tease!

Sha'Carri Richardson PLEADED with the police officer who stopped her for allegedly driving over 100 MPH, begging him not to arrest her ... but she still left the scene in handcuffs.

TMZ Sports obtained the body-worn camera from the Orange County Sheriff's Office deputy ... and it shows the Olympic athlete doing everything in her power to avoid winding up in jail.

The clip starts with the officer catching up to Richardson's Aston Martin before activating his lights and sirens and pulling her over.

The deputy approaches her, and it's clear he isn't happy from the jump, telling Sha'Carri ... "I'd wipe that smile off your face," before explaining she was being "stopped for dangerous, excessive speeding."