Family

Barack Obama's time in The White House was full of challenges ... not the least of which he says was his relationship with the First Lady.

The former Prez opens up about his 8 years in office in an upcoming memoir called "A Promised Land" ... and one of his most interesting anecdotes is about how the Presidency took a toll on Michelle.

Obama says he could sense an "undercurrent of tension in her, subtle but constant," despite her own achievements and growing popularity ... and their roles in America's First Family amplified all of the stress involved.

Barack says ... "It was as if, confined as we were within the walls of the White House, all her previous sources of frustration became more concentrated, more vivid, whether it was my round the clock absorption with work, or the way politics exposed our family to scrutiny and attacks, or the tendency of even friends and family members to treat her role as secondary in importance."

He adds that he became wistful many nights while he was lying next to Michelle thinking about the time before he was Prez "when everything between us felt lighter, when her smile was more constant and our love less encumbered, and my heart would suddenly tighten at the thought that those days might not return."

The father of the late singer Selena and Netflix are being sued by a Hollywood producer who claims they left him out in the cold when it came to producing the new TV series.

Moctesuma Esparza filed docs suing Selena's dad, Abraham Quintanilla, claiming he broke an agreement they signed in 1995 giving him rights to the life stories of the Queen of Tejano's music and various members of her family.

In docs, obtained by TMZ, Esparza says the deal included a motion picture as well as any other remakes. He says he helped produce the 1997 biopic "Selena" starring Jennifer Lopez ... and due to that success, he claims Abraham in 1998 spoke to him about the prospect of producing a TV series, mini-series or second film.

Esparza is also suing Selena's sister, Suzette ... and in the suit, he claims he met with her and Abraham to discuss a storyline he'd developed for a “Young Selena” project, but nothing came of it. He says he was shocked when he saw in 2018 that Abraham licensed the Selena rights to Netflix.

When he tried to get answers as to how Abraham got the green light from Warner Bros. -- the studio behind the film "Selena" -- Esparza says he got the cold shoulder from WB. Netflix is set to stream "Selena: The Series" next month.

Absurd athleticism runs THICK in the Mahomes blood ... here's Patrick's younger brother, Jackson, showing off ridiculous basketball skills with an insane dunk show!!!

The NFL superstar's little bro posted vids of him on the court Tuesday ... and he's CRAZY good!!

Check out the footage ... the 20-year-old threw down rim rattlers with ease -- and he even tossed a pass to himself off the backboard in one of the clips before jamming it home.

The younger Mahomes clearly knows he's got skills too ... 'cause he captioned the vid, "Bruh why am I so cold, like I swear no one wants to play me."

Jackson also showed he's got range as well ... in another vid, he knocked down several 3-pointers like they were nothing more than mid-range jumpers!

Of course, Jackson was a special H.S. basketball player who nearly played in college ... but he said in a video in September he just wasn't in love with the sport enough to pursue it in school.

Instead, Jackson has now become one of the most famous TikTokkers on the planet ... the guy has nearly 1 MILLION followers on the popular app -- and he's even started his own clothing line!

How did Mike Tyson maintain a rock star lifestyle and still pass all his drug tests?!

FAKE DONG!!!

The boxing legend went in-depth about how he was able to cheat the system on his "Hotboxin'" podcast this week ... admitting he used a device called a "Whizzinator" to pass his tests.

The "Whizzinator" is basically a prosthetic penis with a built-in bag to store someone else's pee. People have tried to use the device for years to fool in-person drug testers ... including Tyson.

"It was awesome, man," Tyson said during a conversation with Jeff Novitzky, UFC's Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance.

"I put my baby’s urine in it."

So, why did the guy need fake piss?? Tyson did a lot of drugs.

The 54-year-old boxing legend has said he'd NEVER touch PEDs, but he has been open about his cocaine and weed consumption throughout his career ... and instead of laying off the booger sugar, the dude went the prosthetic penis route.

But, the fake shlong wasn't fool-proof -- Tyson says there were some close calls along the way.

"One time I was using my wife’s [urine] and my wife was like, 'Baby, you better not hope that it comes back pregnant or something.' And I said, 'nah, so we ain’t gonna use you any more, we’re gonna use the kid.'"

"Cuz I got scared that the piss might come back pregnant."

Novitsky -- who oversees the UFC's drug-testing program -- told Tyson he thinks that's actually happened before!!

"A male provided a urine sample and it came back and they said ‘Sir, you’re pregnant. Either you’re pregnant or this is somebody else’s urine!'"

Novitzky also explained how urine testing is a very up close and personal job -- where the tester has to actually watch the athlete in the act of providing the sample.

In other words, if you're gonna use a "Whizzinator" -- it has to match the user's skin color. So, Jeff asked Mike if his "whiz" actually looked like his real penis.

"Yeah, hell yeah, I had a brown one," Tyson said.

Tyson ain't the first athlete to use the device -- ex-NFL running back Onterrio Smith was busted with the "Whiz" back in 2005.

And years later, Smith's fake wiener hit the auction block -- where it sold for $750!

So, if Mike can find his old device ... he might be able to make some cash!

Originally Published -- 8:50 AM PT

Stop the search ... this California man just won Father of the Year honors after building his own Disneyland roller coaster just to entertain his family during quarantine.

Sean LaRochelle of Napa spent around 4 months building a scaled-down version of the famed Matterhorn ride. It's a 2-story, single-passenger roller coaster ... and you can tell Sean did everything in his power to get every detail of the alpine-themed ride.

Check out the videos ... his 400-feet of track includes Swiss flags, waterfalls and even the ticked off Yeti inside the mountain!!! The aerial shots of his mini Matterhorn are also pretty awesome -- we're thinking Sean needs to go Hollywood.

Sean's kid can thank coronavirus for their backyard playground-on-steroids. Disneyland closed in mid-March due to the pandemic, and 2 weeks later Sean started building the ride. He finished in July.

Ya might've guessed it, but Sean's working on a degree in architecture, and says he had some socially-distanced help from about 30 friends and family members. Doesn't hurt to come from a family of architects.

BTW, his child is only 6 months old. Sorry kid, you're just not tall enough for this ride yet.

Logan Ryan made the interception that won the game for the NY Giants on Sunday -- and he's giving the game ball to his wife.

What a week.

As we previously reported, Logan's wife, Ashley, underwent emergency surgery last week for an ectopic pregnancy (which is when the fertilized egg implants in the Fallopian tube instead of the uterus).

Ashley didn't know she was pregnant and only went to the doctor at the suggestion of a NY Giants medical trainer.

She is recovering and doing well but doctors were not able to save the pregnancy.

Despite the traumatic week, Ryan -- a defensive back for the G-Men -- decided to play Sunday against the Washington Football Team ... and was awarded the team ball for picking off Alex Smith in the 4th quarter to seal a 23-20 victory.

After the game, Ryan opened up about his "extremely emotional week" -- and gave an update on his wife's condition.

"[I'm] extremely grateful to the organization and to my wife," Logan said ... "She's a fighter."

"For her ... not to lose her there in that situation is very fortunate."

"At the same time, my wife and I mourn in silence of our lost child during that process to so we had a loss as well. Although it's a great story, it was an emotional week for me and her and that game is definitely for my wife, definitely for my family."

Logan says he had his wife's name written on his cleats on Sunday -- and when was thinking about her the whole day.

In fact, Logan says Ashley told him to go out there, BALL OUT and earn a game ball -- and that's exactly what he did.

Orlando Bloom might have just expanded his family of 3 with Katy Perry to a family of 4 ... thanks to a new pooch.

Orlando's version of Sunday fun day included a little shopping with a new fluffy companion ... a white poodle. Orlando and his new companion hit up a pet store in Montecito, and it looks like Orlando grabbed a bag full of things for his new best friend.

The new pup comes into Orlando & Co.'s life nearly 4 months after the actor made a tearful goodbye to his beloved dog, Mighty. As we reported ... Orlando was inconsolable after his dog disappeared in the Santa Barbara area.

We don't know yet if the new dog is a permanent addition or just a visitor in the Bloom-Perry household -- but a new pup would just be more for them to celebrate.

Joe Biden beelined it Sunday from church to the gravesite of his beloved son, Beau, who, on his death bed, implored his dad not to give up on public service.

Biden and family attended services at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church in Greenville, Delaware. After church, the group walked to Beau's gravesite.

Beau, who died from brain cancer at 46 back in 2015, wanted to make sure his dad didn't retreat after his death, and although Biden decided not to run in 2016, Beau clearly inspired him during his presidential run.

After Joe's victory speech last night, Coldplay's "Sky Full of Stars" rang out at the venue. It was Beau's favorite song. As a matter of fact, when lead singer Chris Martin found out how much Beau loved that song, he sang it at Beau's funeral.

Britney Spears might want her father, Jamie Spears, out of the business of managing her conservatorship — but he says there wouldn't be much of a business without him in charge the last 12 years.

Jamie has filed new court docs in Britney’s conservatorship case, firing back at Britney's attorney, Sam Ingham, for recently asking a judge to kick Jamie out of his role as co-conservator of the estate. He makes numerous points for why this would be a bad idea.

For one, Jamie says he's doing everything he's supposed to be doing managing the estate  -- and that includes keeping it thriving and bridging the gap on any hiccups that could cost his daughter a fortune, including making sure a biz manager's in place.

Case in point ... Jamie says he has years-long record of managing her business affairs and assets incredibly well, and that he actually pulled her out of significant debt and looming lawsuits when he took over and got the estate to its current status of being worth around $60 million.

Jamie claims that financial ruin was avoided on his watch -- and that there's no substantive reason to ask that he be removed now. As for getting a new business manager in place after Britney's old managing entity, Tristar, recently exited the role ... Jamie says, technically, he and the other folks helping manage the estate aren't obligated to give Ingham any notice.

With that said, he explains why they departed -- which he says wasn't sudden at all, but gracious and well-planned. Basically, Jamie says a person named Lou Taylor -- who was a key player in managing Britney's business affairs -- was getting major death threats.

As such, he and the team started looking for a replacement -- for Taylor's sake -- and found someone they liked in Michael Kane. You’ll recall, this is the guy Ingham mentioned in his docs, complaining that his hiring didn’t give Britney any chance to explore alternatives.

Jeff Bezos just scored a big legal victory, annihilating his girlfriend's brother in court.

A judge just told Michael Sanchez to take a hike, dismissing his defamation suit against the richest man in the world. As we reported, Sanchez, the brother of Jeff's GF Lauren Sanchez, claimed Bezos told reporters it was Michael who leaked those graphic texts and nude photos of JB to the National Enquirer. It appears Lauren sent the texts and photos to Michael but never thought he'd try and sell them.

Michael insists he was not the source of the leak, and sued Bezos for allegedly trashing him to reporters ... with claims that "spread like wildfire."

The judge said Michael's assertions were all hearsay ... he had no proof Bezos trashed him to anyone, so he dismissed the case.

It's interesting ... Bezos accused the National Enquirer of trying to extort him over graphic photos of him and Lauren, but said, "Rather than capitulate to extortion and to blackmail, I've decided to publish exactly what they sent me, despite the personal cost and embarrassment they threaten."

Lori Loughlin's starred in her share of Hallmark movies, and now her real life might mimic one ... because she's set to get out of prison and return to her family on Christmas Day.

The Bureau of Prisons has given the actress an official release date -- Sunday, December 27 -- but here's the deal ... an inmate whose release date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday can be released on the last preceding weekday.

Bingo! Make some room in that sleigh, Santa ... Lori's got a great shot at freedom on Friday, December 25 -- or maybe even Christmas Eve, since Friday's a national holiday.

If you recall, this is what happened to Felicity Huffman -- she only had to serve 11 days of her 2-week sentence because she got sprung early on a Friday.

Of course, there's still the chance Lori could get out well before Christmas too ... but it would have to be related to COVID issues -- if there's an outbreak at California's FCI Dublin, it's likely a judge would grant her an early compassionate release.

And, as we've reported ... once Loughlin is released, she's still got 2 years of supervised release as part of her sentence in the college admissions scandal.

YNW Melly has a new problem, on top of his trial for murdering 2 of his friends ... the rapper is now being sued by their estates for tens of millions of dollars.

The estates of Christopher Thomas and Anthony Williams filed the wrongful death lawsuits. According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Christopher's estate claims "damages are in the millions or tens of millions of dollars or more."

According to the suit filed by Anthony's estate ... Melly murdered him because of money. The suit says tension began to develop among Melly's friends about how money should be distributed, claiming greed was a factor in the alleged murders because it left fewer people to split up the cash.

YNW Melly's mom, Jamie King, and his manager, Jameson Francois, are also named in both suits. The Williams family claims Melly's manager played a role in the alleged murders, including an allegation Francois transported YNW Melly from the shooting location.

As you know ... Melly's been sitting in a Florida jail for over a year, awaiting his double murder trial for his friends' deaths. When he caught COVID-19, he asked to be let out and placed on house arrest, but the judge said no.

Ex-MLB prospect Brandon Martin has been convicted of killing three men -- including his disabled father -- with a baseball bat back in 2015 ... and could now face the death penalty.

27-year-old Martin was a promising young shortstop in the sport ... and was a first-round pick of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011.

Martin killed his 64-year-old dad, 58-year-old uncle and a 62-year-old alarm installation worker at their family home in Corona, CA in September 2015.

The details are gruesome ... Martin beat the men with a black bat inscribed with his name before stealing the alarm installer's truck and fleeing the scene.

The following day, law enforcement spotted the pickup truck ... and Martin tried to escape before ultimately ditching the vehicle, breaking into a house and jumping from a 2nd-story window in an attempt to get away.

Martin was charged with 3 counts of first-degree murder ... as well as a number of other charges stemming from the incident. He pled not guilty and the case went to trial.

A jury started deliberating earlier this week ... and after 4 hours, Martin was found guilty on all 7 counts, including all 3 first-degree murder charges.

The conviction makes Martin eligible for the death penalty ... which is being sought by the District Attorney.

Carl Lentz -- best known as Justin Bieber's former pastor and mentor -- says his church booted him because he cheated on his wife.

A day after the Hillsong East Coast church announced they'd fired Pastor Lentz over "leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures," Carl revealed those failures included infidelity.

Lentz says ... "I was unfaithful in my marriage, the most important relationship in my life and held accountable for that. This failure is on me, and me alone and I take full responsibility for my actions."

The pastor says he's deeply sorry, admits he failed to live up to the standard of a church leader and understands a change needed to be made because of his actions.

Lentz says he's now on a journey of rebuilding his relationship and trust with his wife, Laura, and their kids ... and shared a family photo at a formal event.

Lentz is famous, of course, because of his close relationship with Bieber ... there's a Hillsong church in L.A. too. Lentz and JB were inseparable for years and the singer considered him a friend and spiritual mentor ... at least up until mid-2018.

As we reported ... they had a major falling out around then, and it was contentious enough that Carl had trouble spitting out a congratulations to Justin when he got engaged to Hailey Baldwin.

The Biebs has continued to attend Hillsong on the west coast, but he and Carl were clearly no longer buddies as the pastor continued to lead the Hillsong NYC location.

NBA forward Alize Johnson's mom says she was at a loss for words when she was gifted with a new house ... telling TMZ Sports she was BLOWN AWAY by her son's huge gesture.

As we previously reported, the 24-year-old Indiana Pacers player surprised his whole family with a new home in Williamsport, PA ... as a "thank you" for helping him reach his dreams as a professional NBA player.

We spoke with Johnson's mom, Chanelle, about the incredible moment ... and she broke down exactly what it was like to be surprised with the new digs!!

"I'm very proud, very proud and just speechless," Chanelle told us. "Speechless for the things that he's done and just his heart and his humility through the whole process."

"But, he's always been a humble kid but just to see him take care of us before his self is just -- it's mind-blowing."

As for who gets to decorate the new crib, the hooper says he only has a few requests.

"I told them, 'When we move in, listen. I don't care about anything but just let me deck the basement out and the outside pool and stuff like that,'" Johnson tells us.

"That's the only thing I was concerned about but beautiful house, beautiful neighborhood and we're gonna have some good memories there and I'm looking forward to my siblings getting in there and having it to remember growing up."

LeBron James is pleading with citizens of Akron, Ohio to help police in a murder case involving his good friend's sister ... saying Wednesday, "My city I need y’all to go to work."

Bron's lifelong pal, Brandon Weems -- who's the Cleveland Cavaliers' director of scouting -- lost his sister earlier this week in what officials have ruled a homicide.

According to News 5 in Cleveland, 37-year-old Ericka Weems was found by family members in Akron on Monday with a gunshot wound to her head.

Cops say they've launched an investigation ... but so far, they've made no arrests and say they've yet to identify any suspects.

LeBron is pleading for help to change that ... begging people of his hometown of Akron to come forward if they have any knowledge of the case.

"AKRON OHIO!!" LeBron wrote Wednesday on Twitter. "My brother’s sister was murdered this past weekend in her home! My brother family need answers to why and by whom."

"My city I need y’all to go to work and find out who did this awful, shameful, disgusting thing to such a caring, loving angel! #Justice4EricaWeems."

LeBron and Brandon's friendship goes back decades ... with MLive reporting the two met at Pee Wee football when they were little kids.

The two went on to become teammates on their St. Vincent-St. Mary H.S. basketball team ... and Bron grew so close to Brandon, he's called him his "brother" repeatedly in interviews over the years.

Akron detectives are urging people to call 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2TIP if they have any information regarding the case.

A reward of up to $5,000, meanwhile, has been offered for information by Summit County Crimestoppers as well.