Family

Kobe Bryant's youngest daughter, Bianka, just turned 1 -- so naturally, he took the whole fam out to his absolute favorite place to celebrate.

Nope, not the basketball court ... the Magic Kingdom -- so Baby Mamba could get the full Disneyland experience on her big day. (Props to Mrs. Bryant for going all-in with the Minnie Mouse ears).

Kobe was on daddy duty ... but #MambaMentality also locked onto the concessions so he could cop a Shaq-sized Churro.

If this feels familiar ... it's probably 'cause Bryant has hit up Mickey and pals a TON throughout the years -- including a trip in the spring where he turned up with Bianka.

Fun fact for you ... O.J. Simpson will have a say in this year's Heisman race, because he's still allowed to vote and, according to the Juice, he exercised that right.

Simpson was out in Las Vegas Monday night celebrating his daughter Arnelle's birthday when he broke down the race for the Trophy, which will be handed out Saturday night.

He seems to be up on all the leading candidates -- which is a little surprising, considering he's had a lot on his plate this fall. Y'know, getting out of prison and all.

O.J. was never forced to forfeit his Heisman winning status a la Reggie Bush. So, even though his '68 trophy was sold at auction to pay the Goldman family -- Simpson still gets a vote, by virtue of being a former winner.

The Game has some strong advice for all those judging LaVar Ball's parenting tactics -- DON'T -- 'cause he says whatever the Ball family leader decides to do, it's in the best interest of his kids.

TMZ Sports spoke with the Compton rapper at Ace of Diamonds in West Hollywood about LaVar pulling LiAngelo outta UCLA ... and Game says no matter how he personally feels about the move, LaVar's doing what he thinks is best for his sons.

Could LiAngelo Ball make an epic return to China?? Caron Butler thinks it would be a huge success for the ex-UCLA player ... but tells TMZ Sports the middle Ball kid's best move was to stay in school.

We broke the story ... LaVar Ball pulled Gelo from the Bruins basketball squad after growing frustrated with his son's indefinite suspension for shoplifting in China.

Butler disagrees with the move, saying academics should come first for Gelo ... but admits there's still opportunities for him to develop into a massive hit on the court.

2:35 PM -- UCLA coach Steve Alford has addressed Gelo's departure, saying “We learned today of LiAngelo Ball’s intention to withdraw from UCLA. We respect the decision he and his family have made, and we wish him all the best in the future.

It's a stunning move ... LiAngelo Ball will no longer be on the UCLA basketball team and, in fact, he will not be a student at UCLA ... because his father, LaVar Ball, is removing him from the institution ... TMZ Sports has learned.

As you know, LiAngelo was indefinitely suspended from the team after he stole from several stores during a trip to China. LiAngelo was placed on house arrest but was sprung after Trump and others went to bat for him.

We're told LaVar believes the suspension was unfair, especially since the charges were dropped. LaVar's people tell TMZ Sports the famous dad thinks, "There's no need to break down a kid's spirit for making a mistake."

Our sources say LiAngelo is not officially withdrawn from the school but he's at home and will not return to UCLA.

LiAngelo was a freshman and never actually played a game for the team.

A family spokesperson added LiAngelo and Lavar appreciate UCLA for everything ... despite the circumstances that led to the suspension.

Story developing ...

Kim and Kourtney Kardashian killed 2 birds with 1 stone by throwing their sons a joint monster-themed birthday party where Santa even made the guest list.

The Kardashians do parties right and this was no exception because the sisters added a little yuletide vibe by installing an ice rink in the backyard. Pretty hard to pull off in L.A. in December.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be saying their "I dos" at Windsor Castle on live TV for the whole world to see ... just like his brother, William, and sister-in-law, Kate Middleton.

Harry and Meghan's wedding is still in the early planning stages, but our Kensington Palace contact tells us they'll allow cameras in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle to make it available on the tele.

We're told it will be a pool camera, meaning all media outlets can plug in and run the wedding on broadcast and cable TV as well as all digital platforms.

Here's the contest. Around 23 million Americans and 27 million Brits tuned in to Kate and William's wedding back in 2011. Our guess ... Harry and Meghan will beat that, especially in America because she's one of US.

If you want to set your DVR, there are reports that the wedding will go down May 26 during Memorial Day weekend. The precise date will be revealed next week.

And now ... some much needed comic relief, courtesy of "Catfish" host Nev Schulman's insanely cute kid, who's learned a thing or 2 in just over 12 short months.

We got Nev and his wife, Laura Perlongo, at LAX with their little girl, Cleo. Nev recently told us Cleo was learning how to walk, and let's just say ... you've come a long way, baby!

She's doing a lot more than walking and, based on this video, could have a future in medicine. Mom and Dad are rightfully beaming with pride.

We're ecstatic too ... to share some good news. #Cleorocks

Rihanna's getting honored with her own street in Barbados and it's the very same one she grew up on.

The Government of Barbados will officially change Westbury New Road to Rihanna Drive Thursday in honor of RiRi. The sign's already up, but Thursday there's going to be an official name changing ceremony and the "Kiss it Better" singer is expected to show face.

Rihanna lived at the home until the age of 16 when she left to pursue her music career. Her family doesn't live there anymore but it remains a major tourist attraction, and with that paint job it's kinda hard to miss.

Charles Manson's body is in limbo now that 2 people have come forward laying claim to the corpse ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us Jason Freeman -- who claims to be Manson's legit grandson -- has contacted the Kern County Sheriff to say he wants Manson's body. The other candidate is Michael Channels, who was Manson's longtime pen pal.

Channels has one thing in his favor ... Manson's will. TMZ broke the story, Manson left everything to Channels and we know he's already informed the Sheriff he's the executor -- and he's filed it in probate court.

Even though Freeman might be Manson's kin -- he claims he's taken a DNA test -- he'd still have to contest the will in court to get a shot at the body.

The Oakland Raiders' "aggressive strength and agility training programs" turned CB Sean Smith into an attacking machine ... so claims the man alleging Sean brutally attacked him.

Christopher Woods is suing the Raiders and Smith after he says the NFL star brutally attacked him on July 4 ... and Sean's "size, strength and certain offensive techniques" was his weapon.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Sean was charged with felony assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury. But in new docs, we now know what led to the alleged assault.

Woods says he was out with Sean and his sister, Rayna, whom Woods had been dating for about 2 years. Woods says Sean was pounding shots of tequila ... and ultimately became violent after getting into a heated argument with his GF.

Woods says, out of nowhere and without provocation, Sean slugged him in the head and knocked him unconscious. Sean left but later returned violently and repeatedly stomped on Woods' face ... fracturing it in 5 different places and causing brain damage.

Woods says he suffered hematomas to the left and right side of his head and required a metal plate and screws to repair the facial fractures.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle can walk down the aisle under the eyes of God if they want, 'cause there's no issue with a church wedding ... despite her being a divorcee.

British author Katie Nicholl -- an expert on all things Royal -- tells TMZ Harry and Meghan can get married in a church if they please, because the rules have been relaxed on divorcees getting married on sacred ground.

There are several options available to Harry and Meghan, including St. Paul's -- where Prince Charles married Lady Diana -- as well as the Westminster Abbey -- where Prince William and Kate tied the knot in 2011.

There's a buzz Harry and Meghan want a smaller, more intimate affair and he might opt for something like St. George's chapel in Windsor Castle.

You may recall ... Prince Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles at Windsor Guildhall, which is like getting married at city hall. They chose that venue partly because they were both divorced and they had an affair so they wanted to low-key it for PR reasons.

By the way, Nicholl has a book coming out on Harry. Timing is everything!!!

"Bad Girls Club" star Natalie Nunn claims an American Airlines employee insulted her daughter and kicked her out of first class ... but our AA sources tell us they're not to blame.

Natalie was flying back to Sacramento after visiting family in Indianapolis for Thanksgiving, but had a connection in Dallas. She went off on social media claiming she'd been thrown off her Indy-Dallas flight and during the fiasco, an AA agent insulted her 7-month-old baby's name ... which happens to be Journey.

Our airline sources say Natalie messed up since she changed her ticket but never paid the difference, so it was never confirmed. A supervisor eventually stepped in and Natalie got a first class seat on the flight she wanted and AA hooked her up with free wine, but when we spoke to her Monday it was clear she's still looking for an apology.

An AA rep says they've attempted to reach out to Natalie and are investigating the incident.

Josh Duhamel's still thinking turkey but his son's got his eye on the prize ... Christmas!!!

We got Josh and 4-year-old son Axl at LAX Sunday night where our photog greeted them with a good ol' "Merry Christmas." That puzzled Josh who still had Thanksgiving in mind after the long weekend.

That's too bad ... because Axl's laser-focused on his 2017 presents, and from the sound of it he's got a loooooooong list for Santa, who btw is TOTALLY real. Just ask Josh.

Super btw ... good to see Josh in great spirits. He and Fergie split back in September.

Chip and Joanna Gaines hosted their last season premiere party with over 100 of their closest friends ... and, yes, that's Chip without his trademark beautiful locks. We'll explain.

The "Fixer Upper" stars had a season 5 premiere party Tuesday night and watched it on the jumbotron at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas. It's where the Baylor Bears football team plays and the city where Chip and Joanna's company, Magnolia Market, is based.

About 150 people attended -- from contractors and designers to Magnolia workers to people who work for the super popular HGTV show. As we reported ... the couple announced back in September the 5th season would be their last. We're still trying to recover from the devastating news.

Chip and Joanna thanked everyone for turning the show into a huge success. And for those wondering why Chip's got a new hairdo -- he shaved his head earlier this month for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital ... helping raise $230k.

Seriously ... Chip and Joanna. Perfect.

Terry Glenn's son says Tom Brady's touching tribute to his father meant the world to him ... telling TMZ Sports he got chills when he read the quarterback's message about the late NFL star.

We spoke with Terry Glenn Jr. about the outpouring of kind words he's received since his dad's fatal car accident Monday morning ... and he says Brady's words were "more than special" knowing his first career TD pass went to Glenn.

The 21-year-old says he'll always remember how his dad vowed to give him a better childhood than he had ... and how hard he worked to make sure he was taken care of.

As for Glenn's 83 Kids Foundation for foster children ... Terry Jr. revealed he was actually scheduled to travel to Texas to help work with his dad on Monday ... but says he's still committed to continuing his charitable cause.

Terry Jr. also shares his favorite memory growing up with his dad ... and it's an amazing story.