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R. Kelly is under investigation for possessing a retired warden's phone number at his federal lockup in North Carolina ... and he's been placed in isolation for the duration of a probe of the incident, according to his lawyer.

Kelly's attorney, Beau Brindley, tells TMZ ... the R&B singer's problems began when he got involved in a mentor program to help guide other inmates, which was overseen by the warden at FCI Butner Medium 1.

Recently, the warden retired ... but before he left, he gave Kelly his cell phone number in case the convicted felon needed to reach out to him to seek advice about the mentor program.

Paul Salem -- a wealthy businessman and Chairman of the Board of MGM Resorts International -- has his eye on Nicole Kidman ... TMZ has learned.

Multiple sources with direct knowledge tell us Salem is romantically pursuing the Oscar-winning actress ... though we're told they are not dating at this point. Our sources say the two share mutual friends, are acquaintances, and have met twice in group settings.

We're told so far, there have been no one-on-one hangouts ... at least not yet. Still, our sources say it's fair to say Paul is interested and making that known to people close to him.

A new "Charlie’s Angels" film is in the works ... but despite online casting rumors and wishes -- which include the return of Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu -- it'll be a while before the sexy spy trio is picked for their assignment.

Here's the deal ... it was reported over the weekend that a new iteration of the popular franchise is underway at Sony ... and of course, fans went bonkers over who should be in the starring roles.

A source with knowledge tells TMZ ... it's way too early to talk casting since the project is in early development -- and the script is still being written by Pete Chiarelli, whose credits include "Crazy Rich Asians," "The Proposal," and "Now You See Me 2."

Jada Pinkett Smith is firing back in court at the man who claims she threatened him over Will Smith ... TMZ has learned.

Jada filed court docs demanding the lawsuit -- which is asking for $3 million in damages -- brought by Bilaal Salaam be thrown out. The actress asserts that Bilaal’s case is nonsense.

The "Girls Trip" star said all of Bilaal’s claims were “false, uncorroborated and made to generate attention as part of an ongoing public campaign of harassment directed at” her and her family.

Jada said Bilaal’s lawsuit seeks to punish her for her “constitutionally protected speech on a matter of intense public interest about her family.”

TMZ has received a 4th email from the man claiming to know who kidnapped Nancy Guthrie and where she is ... and we have a proposition for that person.

The email -- with the same bitcoin account as the other 3 notes -- says in part, "I know what I saw 5 days ago south of the border and I was told to shut up so I know who he is and that was definitely Nancy with them."

This is the second reference he's made to there being more than one person involved in the purported abduction. In the third letter, received by TMZ on Friday, he said, "... be prepared to go International."

Singer and "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Kandi Burruss chatted with us about her first Valentine's Day since splitting from her estranged husband Todd Tucker ... intervening before her mom could hijack her interview!

While our photog waited for Kandi, it was Mama Joyce who got to our camera first ... so we asked for her thoughts on the divorce news.

Kandi quickly rushed to usher her mom off to their waiting vehicle ... but Mama Joyce managed to cram in one sentence.

Shaquille O'Neal lived up to his "Diesel" moniker this weekend, driving a big ol' bus into the heart of Beverly Hills, where he handed out candy to the shocked fans!

O'Neal, with Michael Babcock along for the ride, navigated the streets of Los Angeles ... as the legendary big man gave an impromptu concert, singing the O'Neal remix of "Love 'Shaq,'" the B-52s hit, and rapping DJ Khaled's "All I Do Is Win."

In between belting out the carpool karaoke hits, the Big Fella threw bags and bags of his Shaq-A-Licious candy to passing cars.

At a red light, Shaq even went four-for-four ... proving he can, in fact, shoot.

O'Neal eventually pulled the bus over near Melrose Place, and it wasn't long before fans swarmed the area ... with cars pulling over, and people jumping out for a chance to snap a pic with the Hall of Famer.

Dozens of pics later, and with significantly less candy on board, Shaq was out with this parting message ... "It looks like I'm still the king of L.A.!"

FYI, it's been 22 years since O'Neal last won an NBA championship, but he's clearly still beloved in the City of Angels.

Pedro Pascal and Rafael Olarra were snapped in New York City over the weekend ... and we have pics of them linking arms on their way to grab a Sunday lunch.

Check out the photos ... the two dressed dapper as they checked out the Lower East Side, getting in a little sightseeing before their meal.

Pedro was super bundled up ... draping himself in a hoodie, jean jacket and a heavy cardigan to protect him from the freezing temperatures.

Sydney Sweeney and Scooter Braun weren’t shy about spending big during a cozy lunch outing ... and apparently they made sure everyone around them ate well, too.

The power couple were seen Sunday at Cold Spring Tavern in Santa Barbara, California ... where they were hanging with a group of friends and ordering enough food to feed an army.

An eyewitness tells us they actually benefitted from Scooter and Sydney over-ordering ... claiming the couple offered them untouched plates of burgers, fries, onion rings, and nachos -- as seen in this photo obtained by TMZ.

Sydney was looking chic in a tan jacket over a white skirt, paired with cowboy boots ... while Scooter kept it casual in a crewneck with "Beach" written across the front.

The inmate who beat the hell out of wife-killer Scott Peterson during a prison pickleball match has sidestepped criminal charges, TMZ has learned.

In March 2025, TMZ broke the story ... Peterson and fellow inmate Charles Miles got into a fight while playing pickleball at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California -- and it ended with Peterson getting his ass whooped.

Now, after an investigation, it looks like Miles is off the hook -- criminally speaking. Amador County District Attorney Scott Riebe tells TMZ ... "Mule Creek (State Prison) will not be referring the case to our office for prosecution."

As for why the case won't be referred ... Riebe declined to comment, pointing us to prison officials for the answer. We've reached out to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation ... so far no word back.

Nate Diaz has his sights set on kickin' ass on one of the most unexpected stages possible: the White House.

The MMA star tells TMZ Sports he’s all-in if talk of a potential fight card tied to the nation’s capital ever becomes reality … making it clear the idea of scrapping under a red, white and blue spotlight has his full attention.

“Yeah, that’d be dope, too,” Diaz said. “America gang, baby. You already know what’s popping.”

Charlotte Ross is officially done with her Studio City chapter ... because the actress has sold her hillside home ... TMZ has learned.

Real estate sources tell us the "Days of Our Lives" alum closed Thursday, unloading the Fryman Canyon Estates property for $3.4 million. We're told Ross is moving out of the area altogether.

The gated 6-bedroom, 4-bath Cape Cod sits at the end of a secluded cul-de-sac, giving it serious privacy ... a rare find in L.A. The 1940s era home offers more than 4,100 square feet of living space on a generous lot, blending old-school charm with modern touches.

Jerry Jones is the most powerful owner in the NFL ... but he tells TMZ Sports things could ended up much differently for him if Michael Irvin never played for the Dallas Cowboys.

We caught up with the Hall of Fame owner at the Fanatics party during Super Bowl week ... and he spoke highly of his former superstar receiver -- not only for his athletic abilities, but also the mindset he brought to the whole franchise.

The praise came up when we asked if Irvin should bring his signature "belt to ass" celebrations to the Cowboys ... after it became a bit of a phenomenon for his Miami Hurricanes this past season.

Livvy Dunne and Paul Skenes are taking relationship goals to a whole 'nother level -- 'cause the ex-LSU gymnast says she trusts her MLB boyfriend completely -- even when he's throwing fastballs in her direction!!

We caught up with the social media sensation out at the Fanatics Super Bowl party last weekend ... and had to ask about her experience getting in the batter's box for some practice with the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher.

While Dunne admitted it was scary -- considering Skenes can hurl up to 102 freakin' MPH -- she claims she was confident enough in her man's accuracy that she wasn't in harm's way ... despite the fact he threw his fastest pitch of the day against her.

Super Bowl 50 champ T.J. Ward is doubling down on the Denver Broncos ... predicting his old squad will be playing for it all next year.

And he’s not whispering it -- he called his shot when TMZ Sports caught up with him Super Bowl week at SI The Party.

“They'll be in the Super Bowl next year!!!” Ward said.

The former “No Fly Zone” hammer says Denver is sitting on something most NFL teams would kill for: continuity. In a league where rosters flip overnight, the Broncos are bringing back their quarterback, running backs, defense, coaching staff -- the whole engine.

Shaquem Griffin is buying all the way in on the Seattle Seahawks -- and he says their championship is the start of an NFL takeover.

The former Seahawks linebacker told TMZ Sports on his way to the Seahawks' Super Bowl afterparty that there might be more than one Lombardi trophy coming to the Emerald City ... because the blueprint is already working.

Is a dynasty brewing???