Exclusive

The suspicious hiker who gave some bizarre answers to a concerned Topanga resident was questioned and arrested by police ... at least according to the guy who confronted him.

We tracked down the Topanga man who recorded his interaction with the hiker and he joined us on "TMZ Live" Wednesday ... telling us the guy stuck out like a sore thumb and raised a ton of red flags.

The resident says his community is pretty tight-knit, so they know everyone ... and this guy was clearly not a local.

Donald Trump’s inauguration is set to double as his disco dream ... 'cause Village People’s Victor Willis tells TMZ an onstage collab is locked in!

We caught up with Victor on "TMZ Live" Wednesday ... and he tells us Trump's 100% hopping onstage with them at Sunday's "MAGA Victory" rally in Washington D.C., and at the Liberty Inaugural Ball Monday for a performance of his all-time fave jam, "Y.M.C.A."

Trump’s all about that tune ... regularly busting out his own unique spin on the iconic dance at campaign rallies. But will the Village People try out DT's moves, or stick to their own? Check the clip, 'cause Victor tells us who’s running the dance floor.

Sophia Ross, the Hooters waitress who's gone viral for flirting with a cop during a DUI arrest, says she wants to be a prime example -- of what not to do -- for anyone following her journey.

Sophia -- who found internet fame when police body cam footage showed her calling an officer "daddy" and asking him to make out -- tells TMZ her behavior in the November incident isn't that different from her sober personality, but she says she's aware of how stupid she acted at the time.

We caught up with 2025's first internet sensation, and she notes she's being compared to the "Hawk Tuah" girl, Haliey Welch ... and she's here for it.

Desus Nice says he's "heartbroken" Cam'ron and Jim Jones are ruining their Dipset legacy with their latest beef ... but he says it's all about the almighty dollar.

We got the comedian at LAX and our photog asked him about Cam'ron and Jim trading shots on podcasts and diss tracks.

Desus, who is a born and bred New Yorker, says it's sad to see the former bandmates at each other's throats ... but he's hoping some good music comes out of this beef.

The Eagles are setting the tone for the upcoming benefit concert for Los Angeles wildfire victims with a massive first donation ... pledging over seven figures.

TMZ has learned ... the famous rock band is donating $2.5 million.

It's unclear if the huge donation means the Eagles are among the acts performing later this month at the FireAid benefit concert.

1:00 PM PT -- A spokesperson for Universal Music Group tells TMZ … “Not only are these claims untrue, but the notion that we would seek to harm the reputation of any artist -- let alone Drake -- is illogical. We have invested massively in his music and our employees around the world have worked tirelessly for many years to help him achieve historic commercial and personal financial success.

"Throughout his career, Drake has intentionally and successfully used UMG to distribute his music and poetry to engage in conventionally outrageous back-and-forth ‘rap battles’ to express his feelings about other artists. He now seeks to weaponize the legal process to silence an artist’s creative expression and to seek damages from UMG for distributing that artist’s music.

"We have not and do not engage in defamation -- against any individual. At the same time, we will vigorously defend this litigation to protect our people and our reputation, as well as any artist who might directly or indirectly become a frivolous litigation target for having done nothing more that write a song.”

Drake is not backing down in the war against his own label, in fact he's now upped the ante by suing Universal Music Group for spreading the "false and malicious narrative" he's a pedophile ... TMZ Hip Hop has learned.

Drake filed the defamation case Wednesday morning in federal court in NYC ... ripping UMG for releasing and promoting Kendrick Lamar's vicious diss track, "Not Like Us." In the docs, obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, Drake says UMG knew full well Kendrick's lyrics, and images in the music video, referring to Drake as a pedophile were false and dangerous.

In the suit he calls Kendrick's hit -- filled with "inflammatory and shocking allegations"-- was a "gold mine" for UMG ... and he says they had an ulterior financial motive in promoting it.

1/15 9:20 AM PT -- Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Sofia and Lewis are not dating -- they weren’t on a romantic date, just casually lunching with a big group of friends.

NEW COUPLE ALERT?!? ... Sofia Vergara and Lewis Hamilton just got done with a lunch date and it looks like the sparks are flying!!!

The actress and the Formula One driver were super flirty Tuesday after breaking bread together in New York City ... and the smiles on their faces tell the story here.

The upcoming benefit concert for Los Angeles wildfire victims will be exciting, engaging and will raise a ton of money ... and big-name artists and bands are clamoring for a chance to help out.

TMZ has learned ... there's been an outpouring of interest from musicians who want to get involved ... so much so, organizers are expanding the scope of this event.

We're told more than 50 artists and bands have asked to participate ... and right now, there are only 24 slots ... though organizers are trying to add slots to accommodate the overwhelming response.

Danny Trejo is sending a stern message to his celebrity peers, including Kim Kardashian -- stop using the Los Angeles wildfires to push your own causes!!!

The actor tells TMZ ... he doesn't believe now is the time for Hollywood's elite to get on their respective soapboxes to peddle different causes ... especially since brutal blazes are burning across the region right now.

As he sees it ... helping the victims should be the sole focus -- even if many celebs, such a Kim, are well intended.

Donald Trump's celebrity supporters are going to be in attendance for his second inauguration ... and he's got athletes, influencers, podcasters and reality TV stars in his corner.

Sources with direct knowledge of the inauguration guest list tell TMZ ... confirmed attendees include Logan and Jake Paul, Theo Von, Dana White, Amber Rose, Caitlyn Jenner, The Nelk Boys, Bryce Hall and Megyn Kelly.

We've confirmed previous reports Elon Musk will be there.

Mike McCarthy out ... Deion Sanders in??

If Drew Pearson were running things down in Dallas, he says that's exactly the way it'd go ... telling TMZ Sports Prime should be the Cowboys' "No. 1 choice" for their vacant head coaching gig after McCarthy's Monday departure.

"I think he's capable," the Hall of Famer said of the Buffaloes' current head man. "There's no question he has the qualifications to do it. He paid his dues. He came through the ranks and he's proven it each step of the way that he knows what he's doing."

MrBeast, one of social media's biggest stars, has the chance to become a part-owner in one of the world's most popular social media platforms.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Jimmy Donaldson, AKA MrBeast, and his team are in convos with multiple parties who've expressed interest in buying TikTok.

We're told the way wealthy investor groups see it ... if they end up acquiring the U.S. operations of TikTok, they'll need someone to help maintain and expand the business. With MrBeast's unique success on social media, he could be a great partner.

Travis Scott is ready to ride through life’s rough patches -- dropping major cash on a custom Apocalypse Omega Rex truck, TMZ has learned.

A SoFlo Customs rep tells TMZ Travis snagged the last of the limited edition Hemi Hellcat V8 Horsepower Apocalypse Omega Rex trucks, with 717 horsepower  -- setting him back a staggering $160K.

Apocalypse Manufacturing crafted this 4x4 beast to handle the end times -- meaning Travis is officially doomsday-ready.

Jay Leno is determined to do what he can to help the Los Angeles firefighters combatting the ongoing wildfires in the region ... comparing their efforts to a "military operation."

The celebrated comedian joined us on "TMZ Live" Tuesday, where he revealed his mission to help feed the dedicated first responders who are putting their lives on the line to tackle the stubborn infernos plaguing the City of Angels.

While Jay joked these firefighters can really eat, he made it clear he was happy to be of service ... especially after witnessing the conditions they are facing.

Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann's final days in their home were far from peaceful ... and we have the police body cam to prove it.

As you know, cops were called to intervene back in December when Kroy chose to block Kim's moving truck with his car ... to prevent her from taking off with any of their shared property, which he felt he was entitled to.

Yet, as new police body cam footage obtained by TMZ shows ... Kim hurled her own accusations of theft at Kroy during the moving day debacle.

Ex-NFL linebacker Jonathan Vilma is going from motivating teammates to ... restaurant owners?? Damn straight -- 'cause the Saints great teamed up with Gordon Ramsay to try and save a local business!!

The Super Bowl champion gave a football coach-esque pump-up speech on the upcoming episode of FOX's "Kitchen Nightmares: Road to Super Bowl LIX" ... having a sit-down with Bonnie, the owner of Iberville Cuisine & Oyster Bar in NOLA, to help her get ready for the thousands of football fans making their way to the area for the Big Game.

The 42-year-old -- who is co-owner of "Vilma's" in the Big Easy himself -- said the duty of being in charge of an eatery is very similar to the head coach of a football team ... and his words will have you ready to run through a brick wall.