Family

Zion Williamson's stepdad says the 18-year-old superstar is "excited" to play in New Orleans -- despite reports to the contrary ... noting Zion has learned to "accept the things you can't change."

The Pelicans scored the #1 overall pick in the NBA Draft Lottery earlier this week -- and most believe the plan is to take Zion.

But, there are rumblings Zion is unhappy with the situation -- that he doesn't want to play in NOLA and would rather go back to Duke and play another year of college ball ... since he still has eligibility.

But, Zion's stepdad, Lee Anderson, shot down all that speculation on ESPN's Baton Rouge radio show, 'Off the Bench' -- saying Williamson is pumped to get going in New Orleans.

"We're excited. We're excited about that," Anderson said.

"One thing that Zion has always been taught is to accept the things you can't change, and change the things that you can change. And, this is one of the things that he has nothing to do with."

"It's the process of the NBA, and certainly we're excited about the Crescent City down there in New Orleans."

When asked specifically about the possibility of Zion going back to Duke, Anderson told the media to pump the brakes on that theory too.

"There has been a lot of speculation. But, that is nothing that we have even considered."

Zion has until May 29 to make an official decision about returning to Duke or entering the NBA Draft.

Jenelle Evans is about to be an empty nester ... because Columbus County Child Protective Services are about to remove her 2-year-old daughter, Ensley, from the home ... more fallout from David Eason's dog killing.

Sources with knowledge say CPS is trying to locate Jenelle, David and Ensley ... and we're told authorities are fearful of entering their property because they believe David is extremely dangerous. There's a social media account claiming to be Jenelle's sister that just said CPS has made its move and taken Ensley ... but we haven't confirmed that -- however, we know that's the plan and it's imminent.

We're told CPS will take Ensley to Jenelle's mother's home and Barbara Evans will care for the child, at least temporarily.

As we reported ... CPS is ordering Jenelle's 9-year-old son, Jace -- who she had with Andrew Lewis -- to stay away from the home. Jenelle's 4-year-old son, Kaiser, was removed from the home Friday and he's currently living with his daddy, Nathan Griffith, and Nathan's mother.

Remember ... Ensley was sitting on the couch with the family's French bulldog, Nugget, when the puppy nipped at her and sent her father into a rage. David admits he shot and killed the dog because it snapped at his daughter.

Photos of Ensley's face after the incident revealed a noticeable red mark, but it didn't appear the dog bite broke her skin.

Nipsey Hussle's family and the woman who gave birth to his daughter had an emotional showdown in court ... which left his baby mama in tears.

Nipsey's sister, Samantha Smith, and his brother, Blacc Sam, appeared in L.A. County Superior Court Tuesday for a hearing on the guardianship of the rapper's 10-year-old daughter, Emani Asghedom. Emani's mother, Tanisha, was at the hearing as well and broke down crying when she saw her daughter for the first time in what she said was months.

The courtroom was cleared for 20 minutes while Tanisha and Emani spent some time together. However, the hearing was pushed until Friday when a final decision is to be made on custody and finances.

We broke the story ... Samantha filed legal docs requesting guardianship last month because our sources say she believes the child's biological mother is unable to care for her.

Nipsey took care of Emani before he was killed, but Samantha says she's helped raise her too and is seeking legal guardianship "to ensure the continued stability for Emani and ensure that she will be able to maintain her current and ongoing relationship" with their family.

Nipsey's brother, Blacc Sam, has also filed a declaration in support of Samantha getting guardianship of their niece. Meanwhile, Sam's in a legal fight of his own to take control of his brother's estate ... including $2 million worth of assets.

As you know ... Nipsey was gunned down on March 31 outside his Marathon Clothing store in Los Angeles. The suspected murderer, Eric Holder, pled not guilty in April ... but he needs a new lawyer after Christopher Darden quit the case.

Feast your eyes on the star power to come that is North West -- who just dropped her first music video for Lil Nas' smash hit, "Old Town Road." Gotta say, the kid's got talent.

Kim Kardashian posted the video to social media Tuesday, captioning it ... "What we do on maternity leave.... Directed and Choreographed by North." The home video starts out with North filming her mom inside their home but then takes center stage herself.

Donning a cowboy hat and an outfit that kinda looks Jessie-esque a la "Toy Story," North busts out some sweet moves ... and gets some pretty nice close-ups along the way.

Look, it's obviously not supposed to be a serious music video -- the real one for 'OTR' is dropping Friday -- but it's a helluva first step for North, who's proven to be quite the artiste ... and certainly not one to shy away from the camera. That much she's made clear.

It's interesting ... North seems to be following in the footsteps of another young famous tyke who's been making some artistic waves herself -- Beyonce's daughter, Blue Ivy. It was recently revealed that Blue helped choreograph one of Beyonce's Coachella dance numbers, as seen on the new Netflix doc about the build-up to the show.

Britney Spears has had a rough go of it in 2019, but her mom says despite the problem, her kid is doing great.

Lynne was in Thousand Oaks Monday -- near where Britney lives -- and a photog asked if her famous daughter was being held against her will. As you know, there's been a social media campaign to "Free Britney," and both Lynne and Britney are down with the concept, but Lynne is mum.

As for how she's doing ... Lynne says "wonderful."

Lynne, who was leaving an iPhone repair shop, has been staying with Britney for more than a week, and is squarely at odds with Jamie Spears, who has been his daughter's conservator for more than 11 years.

As we reported, Britney has not been doing well. Her meds stopped working earlier this year -- meds that have put symptoms of her mental illness in check -- and doctors have had a hard time finding a new combination that works.

Britney recently completed a 30-day stint at an L.A. mental health facility. She now says she was being held against her will. As we reported, Jamie Spears does not have the power to involuntarily commit her, and a mental health facility that would hold someone against their will under such circumstances would be guilty of a crime. Also, Britney had day passes where she could have bolted, but didn't.

Tiger Woods is breaking his silence on a lawsuit that claims his restaurant is responsible for a man's death ... telling media members Tuesday, "It was a terrible, terrible night."

We broke the story ... the parents of Nicholas Immesberger just filed a lawsuit claiming their son was overserved booze at Tiger's, The Woods, restaurant in Jupiter, Florida ... and they say that led to his 2018 drunk driving death.

Tiger was asked about the incident during his PGA Championship press conference ... and Woods said, "We're all very sad that Nick passed away. It was a terrible, terrible night."

"A terrible ending and just we feel bad for him and his entire family. It's very sad."

24-year-old Immesberger worked as a bartender for the restaurant ... and his parents say he knew Tiger personally. In fact, they claim it was Tiger's girlfriend -- restaurant general manager Erica Herman -- who recruited him herself.

According to the suit, Immesberger finished a shift on Dec. 10, 2018 -- but stayed at the restaurant for hours where he was served alcohol to the point of "severe intoxication" before he was sent out to his car to drive home.

Immesberger crashed on his drive home and died in the accident. His blood alcohol level was a .256, more than 3 times the legal limit.

Now, at a press conference of their own Tuesday morning ... an attorney for Immesberger's estate and his parents believe Woods' restaurant DESTROYED video evidence showing Nick drinking at the bar for hours after his shift.

Immesberger's attorneys want Tiger, Erica and The Woods restaurant to be held responsible for the tragedy ... saying they all personally knew Immesberger had a problem with alcohol but allowed him to be overserved anyway.

12:36 PM PT -- A tearful Huffman just pled guilty ... she also disclosed her daughter suffered from learning disabilities through her life. She will be sentenced in September.

12:00 PM PT -- Felicity Huffman just acknowledged her guilty plea agreement with prosecutors and an assistant U.S. attorney said in court that the government will ask for a four-month prison sentence as well as a $20,000 fine. The prosecution made a note that they went light on Felicity, as they could've gone after money laundering charges ... like they have for Lori Loughlin and others who didn't cop a plea. It appears she's right in the middle of entering her plea now.

Felicity Huffman just walked into a Boston courtroom to make it official -- she's pleading guilty Monday for her role in the college admissions scandal.

The actress arrived at the Boston courthouse with her brother, Moore. No sign of Felicity's husband, William H. Macy ... at least not yet.

The ex-"Desperate Housewives" star is one of 24 people who've agreed to plead guilty in the case. Although she'll make her plea official Monday before the judge ... we're told it could still be another 12-14 weeks until she's sentenced.

As for those consequences ... prosecutors want her to do 4 to 10 months in a federal prison, but Huffman wants to argue it should be 0 to 6 months. Ultimately, the judge will decide, and could also slap her with fines and restitution.

Huffman was charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud as well as honest services mail fraud. She paid Rick Singer $15,000 to rig her daughter's SAT test, and her girl had twice the amount of time as normal to take the exam and her answers were corrected afterward.

Felicity released a statement saying she was ashamed of the pain she caused her daughter and her family, adding ... "I am in full acceptance of my guilt, and with deep regret and shame over what I have done, I accept full responsibility for my actions and will accept the consequences that stem from those actions."

Britney Spears has joined the social media movement to free her from her conservatorship, and she told the judge as much Friday when she was in court.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ, Britney has done an about-face, now telling the judge her father, Jamie Spears, committed her to a mental health facility a month ago against her will and also forced her to take drugs. We're also told Lynne Spears' lawyer echoed the allegation.

TMZ broke the story, Britney spent 30 days at an L.A. mental health facility after she began rapidly going downhill ... she stopped taking the drugs that kept her stable after they stopped working and doctors still have been unable to find the right combination.

As we reported, Jamie Spears does not have the power under the conservatorship to either commit Britney against her will or to ply her with drugs against her will. A mental health facility that accepted an adult patient against that patient's will when the conservator did not have such power would be committing a crime. And remember, Britney frequently left the place and was seen out and about.

Britney wants more freedom and asked the judge for certain adjustments ... but didn't get them. Sources tell us Britney would like to end the conservatorship, which has been operating for 11-plus years.

The judge took no action and has ordered an expert to evaluate Britney and until that happens there will be no change in the conservatorship ... but it has clearly created a family war.

Russell Wilson won Mother's Day ... the dude surprised his mom with her very own house -- and she lost her mind when the Seahawks superstar handed over the keys!!!

The moment is amazing ... Russ passes Tammy Wilson the key ring to the new home's front door -- and when she asks what it's for, the QB tells her, "it's the key to your house."

When Momma Wilson realizes her son ain't playin' around -- she loses it.

She goes from shocked to elated to nearly peeing herself (for real, watch the clip) to bawling. It's incredible.

"All these years you have never asked me for anything... only thing you ever wanted is for me to LOVE," Wilson said of the gift afterward ...

"Well thanks for loving us the way you do. This ones for you. I love you momma. #HappyMothersDay #GodIsGood"

Russ' wife, Ciara, added, "What a beautiful day and moment. Tears of Joy! The perfect Mother’s Day. God you’re a good good father."

Unclear where the new pad is or what the specs are for it ... but you can bet the place is probably pretty awesome.

And, why? Wilson just inked a 4-year, $140-MILLION deal with the Seahawks -- the richest contract in NFL history!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

We wouldn't have Hollywood if it weren't for all the mothers who gave birth to such stars -- and their kids sure seemed to recognize that too on Mother's Day.

Tons of celebs posted touching tributes to their moms Sunday, throwing up some sweet throwback pics in the process. Some standouts -- Shaq and his mom, Lucille; Kris Jenner and her ma, Mary Jo; Jamie Lynn Spears and her mother, Lynne; and Tom Brady and Galynn.

A lot of other folks got in on the love too -- including Paris Hilton, Quavo, Ronda Rousey, Chris Hemsworth, Mariah Carey, D-Wade, Neymar and even Nas.

Even more of them shouted out the mothers of their own children -- such as Barack Obama praising Michelle, Kevin Hart doing the same for Eniko, Will Smith bowing down for Jada Pinkett ... and Chance the Rapper thanking Kirsten for being a mom for him at times.

Ben Affleck killed two birds with one stone by paying tribute to both Jennifer Garner and his mother, Christine. Looks like everyone was on that train today too.

Elsa Patton -- the mother of 'Real Housewives of Miami' star Marysol Patton -- has died.

Patton passed away over Mother's Day weekend surrounded by loved ones after battling a "long illness," according to a statement put out by her family. It's unclear what illness she was afflicted with -- her family didn't elaborate beyond that.

They did, however, go on to thank the countless fans and friends who've asked about her condition as of late. The Patton family says private funeral services will take place in Miami.

"Mama" Elsa was a recurring star on the hit Bravo series when it ran from 2011 to 2013, having constant laugh out loud moments that made her a beloved character. Her one-liners and hilarious zingers were popular enough to get Elsa her own web series spinoff, "Havana Elsa" ... which covered her endeavors to start her own coffee chain.

Elsa is survived by her two children, Marysol and Thomas Anthony Jones, her daughter-in-law and her grandson. Elsa's husband, Donald, died in 2018.

She was 84.

Kanye West is remembering his late mom, Donda West, with a very special Sunday Service ... and the tribute was truly touching on Mother's Day, from start to end.

Ye was live streaming his weekly spiritual event Sunday, which was being filmed in the same fisheye lens he used during his big set at Coachella a few weeks back. It began with the rapper making his way to the stage with Tupac's "Dear Mama" track as walk-up music.

Fitting ... seeing how he followed with his own shout-out to his mom in "Hey Mama." Kanye rapped the song all the way through, keeping his eyes closed through most of it.

Donda was a crucial part of Kanye's life until she passed away in 2007 due to complications from a surgery she'd undergone at the time. It left Kanye an emotional wreck for years to come -- and her death even served as a catalyst for his mental breakdown in 2016.

Of course, Kanye and Kim have had multiple children of their own in the years since ... and just welcomed their fourth kid -- a boy -- last week via surrogate.

R. Kelly's daughter says her college days got cut short because he stopped paying tuition, but he claims he thought there were no bills to pay ... because she wasn't enrolled.

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... Joann Lee, aka Buku Abi, was attending a California art school until last Fall when she tried signing up for classes for the next semester but got denied because of an unpaid bill.

Kelly's on the hook for Joann's tuition and education expenses until she turns 23 -- per his child support agreement with ex-wife Drea -- but her side claims he cut her off without warning last year ... and she was forced to drop out.

We're told Kelly also stopped paying for the apartment Joann was living in while going to school so she had to move out, and she had to pay for her own books for a while because he stopped doing that too.

The singer tells a different story, though.

Kelly's Crisis Manager, Darrell Johnson, tells us ... Kelly's requirement to pay for her education is predicated on him receiving billing statements and proof of expenses ... and he claims he never got them.

Kelly allegedly believed Joann chose to drop out of school and that's why he stopped getting bills. Johnson says Drea never produced any documentation or proof that Joann got kicked out of school either.

Our sources say Joann wants to return to college and will be seeking financial support from her father. Whether or not he's got the money is another story.

As we reported ... Kelly just ponied up the back child support he owed Drea this week to avoid another trip to jail, but he was informed he still owes $32k in interest. And, he currently owes just over $20k per month to Drea in support.

It should be noted -- R. Kelly and his daughter's relationship is beyond strained already. Joann referred to him as a "monster" in January following the release of the "Surviving R. Kelly" docuseries, and says they've been estranged for years.

Peggy Lipton, a giant TV star who also had a singing career, a super famous husband and a famous daughter is dead.

Lipton lost her battle to cancer and died over the weekend.

Lipton's career began in modeling when she was just a teen, but before her teens ended she started to hit it big in acting. She appeared on "Bewitched'' and "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" when she was only 19, and then ... she became part of a cultural phenomenon -- "The Mod Squad," which aired between '68 and '71.

'Mod Squad' was a huge hit, but she had reservations, saying, "I didn't realize how violent 'Mod Squad' was, adding, "When it was over, I was so happy I couldn't wait."

She transitioned into singing and had a successful career there too.

Lipton tied the knot with Quincy Jones and produced 2 daughters. The marriage lasted from 1974 - 1989.

After getting divorced, she scored another cultural hit, playing Double R Diner owner Norma Jennings on "Twin Peaks." She also appeared in the 2017 reboot.

Lipton has many other credits, including "A Dog's Purpose," and "Angie Tribeca."

One of her daughters, "Parks and Recreation" star Rashida Jones, said, "We feel so lucky for every moment we spent with her."

Peggy was 72.

Lauren Graham has aged like a fine wine!

Here's a 33-year-old version of the famous TV mom -- From shows such as NBC's "Parenthood" to her iconic character, Lorelai Gilmore, from the ABC Family's hit show "Gilmore Girls"-- showing off her beautiful smile at TV up-front week in New York City back in 2000 (left) and 19 years later ... The now 52-year-old actress -- Who is also a New York Times Best Selling Author for her book 'Talking As Fast As I Can: From Gilmore Girls To Gilmore Girls and Everything in Between' -- at a fundraiser in Los Angeles, California just last month (right)!

If she leads, we'll follow for sure!

The question is ...

Ariana Grande as the spitting image of Audrey Hepburn for Givenchy has set off strong feelings from Audrey's son ... who applauds the tribute, but also thinks Ariana should fire her team.

Audrey's son, Sean, tells TMZ ... he's happy with the tribute to his late mother, but he's baffled that Ariana's team wasn't more creative to build something original. Sean says he'd fire her team if he could because all they did was make Ariana a look-alike.

As you know by now ... the French luxury fashion house tapped the "7 Rings" singer as the new face of its 2019 Fall and Winter campaign that'll be unveiled in July. Givenchy announced the news Friday with an Ariana video ... featuring her in a black dress super similar to the one Audrey wore in "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Ariana's also posing kinda like Audrey did in the opening scene.

The double nod to Audrey didn't go unnoticed, and it's also no surprise given Ariana's obsession with the film. She has the movie's famous phrase "mille tendresse" (meaning a thousand tendernesses in French) tattooed on the back of her neck. It's Ariana's favorite movie ... and if you needed more evidence, the opening lyrics to "7 Rings" goes, "Yeah, breakfast at Tiffany's and bottles of bubbles."

Don't get it twisted ... Sean's down with the tribute because it's clear Audrey Hepburn and Givenchy will forever be synonymous because he says Audrey and designer Hubert Givenchy not only collaborated but built the brand together.

It's true ... Audrey's black dress in 'Breakfast' was designed by Givenchy ... as was the wardrobe she wore in "Sabrina," "Funny Face" and "Love in the Afternoon," among others.