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A report claimed that 50 Cent was being eyed to replace Diddy as the face of Ciroc -- something we now know isn't the case ... despite the guy himself seemingly leaning into it.

Sources connected to the vodka brand tell TMZ there's no truth to rumors or claims that Fiddy is the top name getting kicked around among Ciroc executives -- this in the wake of Diddy and Ciroc (and its parent company Diageo) going their separate ways earlier this year.

One report even goes so far as to cite an anonymous Ciroc honcho who supposedly said 50 Cent was actually their initial choice to lead Ciroc way back in 2007 ... with this anonymous person going on to claim that Diddy swooped in and "stole the deal."

Gene Simmons is coming to JoJo Siwa's defense after the internet claimed she was ripping off the iconic rocker's aesthetic with her whole "bad girl" persona ... 'cause the rocker digs it.

The KISS singer tells TMZ ... he likes JoJo's new "demon" look, praising her edgier new vibe as badass, and adding ... anyone hating on her, simply doesn't get it and they might just be jealous.

Gene also says, "Never be ordinary. Always be extraordinary. JoJo is extraordinary and she looks cool."

Michael Jackson's estate is calling BS on an upcoming auction of a "Thriller" jacket ... claiming the auction isn't making it clear MJ never actually wore it in the iconic music video.

In a letter fired off Tuesday to Gotta Have Rock and Roll, the auction house, the estate's attorney, Jonathan Steinsapir, declares -- in no uncertain terms -- the jacket up for sale wasn't on Michael's back at any point during production of the "Thriller" short film.

Jonathan writes there were only 2 genuine "Thriller" jackets worn in the film, and one was auctioned for nearly $2M over a decade ago -- which is 20 times more than the minimum bid GHRR is seeking for their jacket.

The University of Connecticut isn't playing around this year ... with both their men's and women's hoops teams in the Final Four, the U isn't takin' any chances, removing all the light poles from the campus to stop any debauchery square in its tracks!

TMZ Sports talked to UConn on Tuesday -- and with both basketball teams just two wins away from Natty's -- we asked about precautions ... given how crazy things got during last year's celebration after the men won.

Remember, students caused hella damage to the Storrs campus, including ripping down light poles and throwing them through buildings.

Kroy Biermann's divorce drama with Kim Zolciak is hitting a new rough patch -- he claims she's dragging her feet on handing over important financial docs, so now he's simply exposing her alleged spending himself.

TMZ has obtained Kroy's response to Kim's motion to compel handing over her financial docs, and he's suggesting her excuses -- about protecting the kids' privacy and fears he's leaking confidential info to the media -- are just smokescreens to keep her spending habits under wraps.

In Kroy's docs, he's attached a spreadsheet of those spending habits during their marriage -- and he claims she dropped more than $600K from 2016 to 2023 ... mostly on swanky gear from Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Ave, Chanel, Versace, and Agent Provocateur.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard isn't hooking up with her ex-fiancé, Ken Urker, despite getting matching tattoos with him -- but he does have her best interest at heart -- much more so than her husband ... so says Ken's mom anyway.

Raina Williams tells TMZ that Ken recently flew from his home in Texas to go hang out with Gypsy in Louisiana amid her ongoing separation from Ryan Anderson -- and the reason, we're told, is because he wanted to be there for support ... and serve as a rock for GRB.

Ken's mother says he told her he'd always be there for her, and even though they're not together anymore ... we're told Ken felt compelled to be with Gypsy during this hard time.

Rashee Rice estuvo involucrado en el accidente de carro que hirió a varias personas en Dallas el sábado y se lo admitió a la empresa propietaria del Lambo... TMZ Sports ha indagado.

Rice era dueño del Corvette que estuvo involucrado en el accidente y alquiló el Lambo de una empresa llamada The Classic Lifestyle. Rice estaba en el Lambo en el momento del accidente y de acuerdo con el contrato de arrendamiento, él es la única persona que se le permitió conducir el carro, esto de acuerdo con Kyle Coker, el abogado que representa Classic Lifestyle.

Coker le dice a TMZ Sports que Rice publicó un texto poco después del accidente, reconociendo que estaba involucrado en el accidente y la promesa de pagar por el Lambo, que fue total.

Rashee Rice was involved in the car crash that injured multiple people in Dallas Saturday ... and he admitted it to the company that owns the Lambo ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Rice owned the Corvette that was involved in the crash and leased the Lambo from a company called The Classic Lifestyle. Rice was in the Lambo at the time of the crash and, according to the leasing agreement, he's the only person who was permitted to drive the car ... this according to Kyle Coker, the attorney representing Classic Lifestyle.

Coker tells TMZ Sports, Rice fired off a text shortly after the wreck, acknowledging he was involved in the crash and promising to pay for the Lambo, which was totaled.

Jennifer Lopez y Ben Affleck se pasearon por la Gran Manzana la semana pasada, e incluso fueron al norte del estado, ¡al que pudieron llegar gracias a su fiel helicóptero privado!

TMZ ha obtenido un video de la pareja saliendo del Copake Country Club en Copake Lake, Nueva York el viernes -un poco más de 100 millas fuera de la ciudad- y lo hicieron con estilo.

Toda la escena fue increíblemente surrealista y honestamente, parecía algo sacado de una película, o incluso un programa de televisión (como "Sucesión") o nos atrevemos a decir, ¿"El Contador"? Ben llevaba un maletín y Jen iba muy preparada para el frío.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were all over the Big Apple last week -- and they even went upstate ... which they were able to get to thanks to a trusty private helicopter!

TMZ has obtained video of the couple departing the Copake Country Club in Copake Lake, NY Friday -- a little more than 100 miles outside of the city -- and they did it in style ... rolling up to the chopper in SUVs, and then being carted down to the landing site from there.

The whole scene was incredibly surreal ... and honestly, it looked like something straight out of a movie, or even a TV show -- a la "Succession" ... or dare we say, "The Accountant?" Ben had a briefcase with him as he and Jen looked super buttoned-up, dressed for the cold.

Rashee Rice estaba celebrando con su familia y amigos antes de que uno de sus carros se viera involucrado en un accidente... al menos si consideramos las nuevas fotos que tenemos de un restaurante y un nuevo video de la escena del accidente.

TMZ obtuvo fotos que fueron tomadas el sábado en Dallas, las cuales parecen mostrar al receptor de Kansas City Chiefs pasando el rato con su madre -Marsha Kearney- en el restaurante... y todos parecen estar disfrutando de una ocasión especial.

Hay una foto en la que aparece Rashee posando con su madre, y otro tiro que lo muestra junto a los demás levantando las bebidas para un brindis.

Cuba Gooding Jr. was in Miami this past weekend -- the same place Diddy has been amid an ongoing federal investigation ... interesting considering their alleged connection.

TMZ obtained a photo of Cuba in South Beach on Easter Sunday, and as you can see ... he's by his lonesome on the back of a golf cart, which is advertising yacht rentals, and there are 2 unknown fellas sitting up front.

Cuba looks relaxed with his shades on as he peruses his phone -- and yes, he's certainly dressed for a festive sunny day in the Sunshine State.

Rashee Rice was celebrating with family and friends before one of his cars was involved in a nasty car wreck ... at least based on new pics we got from a restaurant/bar and new video from the accident scene.

TMZ obtained photos we're told were taken Saturday in Dallas, appearing to show the Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver hanging out with his mother, Marsha Kearney, at the restaurant/bar ... and they all seem to be enjoying themselves for a special occasion.

There's a photo that looks like Rashee posing with his mother -- and another shot that shows him next to others as they appear to raise drinks in the air for a toast.

El matrimonio de la siamesa Abby Hensel con Josh Bowling está lleno de medallas del servicio militar, porque el tipo es un veterano condecorado, según ha averiguado TMZ.

El portavoz del Ejército de Estados Unidos, Heather J. Hagan le dice a TMZ que Bowling fue un especialista de salud del Ejército entre febrero de 2010 y febrero de 2014. Durante este tiempo, Josh estuvo tres veces en el extranjero, en Irak, Kuwait y Afganistán.

El chico también acumuló una tonelada de medallas durante su tiempo de servicio, incluyendo las Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, y al menos otras 6 más.

Conjoined twin Abby Hensel's marriage to Josh Bowling is one that's filled with military service medals -- 'cause the guy is a decorated vet ... TMZ has learned.

U.S. Army spokeswoman Heather J. Hagan tells TMZ ... Bowling was a healthcare specialist in the Army from February 2010 to February 2014. During this time, Josh was deployed 3 times overseas ... stationed in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan.

The guy racked up a ton of medals during his time in service too -- including the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal and at least 6 others.

Ryan Garcia might be causing a ruckus on the internet, but there's one guy who's sticking by his side no matter what -- 'cause Canelo Alvarez tells TMZ Sports he's got the young superstar's back amid his bizarre social media antics.

"You know, he's a good kid and we don't need to judge him," Canelo told TMZ Sports. "He's a good kid and this is the moment when you need to support your friends and, I know, we have a lot of issues before but ... I don't care."

Of course, Ryan has been making a ton of noise leading up to his April 20 fight against Devin Haney ... spewing wild conspiracies and promising free BBLs -- among other wild proclamations.