Gossip / Rumors

With crazy rumors circulating about Lane Kiffin ... the University of Alabama says there is one thing that is certain -- he's STILL the offensive coordinator for the football team.

Kiffin's name is blowing up on social media today ... over completely unverified rumors that Kiffin was involved in an affair with a high profile Alabama lady.

One of the rumors was that the alleged banging set off head coach Nick Saban -- who gave him walking papers.

But TMZ Sports spoke with Josh Maxson, the director of communications for Alabama football, who tells us Kiffin is "obviously" still employed and remains the team's offensive coordinator.

Kylie Jenner hosted a party for her best friend Wednesday where a cake was carted out with the message, "Happy Birthday N****."

Kylie is taking heat for the frosted message, but she now says the cake pictured below is the one she got ... not the one above.

Kylie's BFF, Jordyn Woods, is African-American -- not that it necessarily matters -- and says she really DID get the n-word cake from "friends."

Taraji P. Henson and the "Empire" writers should know ... 50 Cent doesn't sweat people taking shots at him -- been there, done that -- so, he's firing right back with a direct shot at Cookie's ... cookie.

During the "Empire" premiere ... Taraji's character made a crack about Fif being "thirsty," and it didn't take long for him to respond.

Check out the video -- 50 wants everyone to know he's got a sexual past with Cookie.

So, is it just faux TV beef, or is Fiddy really talking about Taraji? We're guessing it's door #1.

But who really knows?

Kylie and Tyga are finally ready to tie the knot ... at least that's what one video suggested -- but Tyga might've just been brushing up on his impressions.

Kylie posted a video to her Snapchat on Wednesday of her bf Tyga and it sounds like he says, "I don't f*** with nobody, it's just me, my fiancée, this lil' dog I just got" ... making it seem like he and Kylie are engaged.

However, if you dig a little deeper -- Tyga posted a video earlier in the day of an old interview with rapper Logic saying almost the exact same thing.

So we're callin' shenanigans.

Karrueche Tran and Rob Kardashian are old friends ... and the suggestive photo he posted was just her showing off her swollen face post-dental surgery.

Karrueche went under the drill Tuesday to have her wisdom teeth pulled. We're told Rob checked in on his pal and noticed she was talking funny ... after they hung up, she sent him the post-dentist pic.

Our source says Karrueche isn't mad Rob posted the photo and suggestive caption ... they've been friends since high school and regularly talk.

Going to the dentist ... never fun for soooo many reasons.

Rob Kardashian may not only be re-emerging, he might be trying to hook up with the likes of Karrueche Tran.

Rob just posted a pic of his iPhone screen that shows a conversation he was having with Chris Brown's ex, which included a sexy pic of herself. He captioned it, "I like when she send me pictures."

As for the contact info on his phone, he lists her as "Karrooooooooochieeeeee."

Remember, Brown has a penchant for threatening anyone who appears to get close to his ex, including Tyson Beckford.

Rob is trying to downplay chatter that he and Karrueche are banging by saying, "Yall dumb af. I been Friends with Karoooooch since high school. F*** outta here with your negative s***."

Nick Cannon sure seemed to be giving a signal the story that he's now hooked up with a former "America's Got Talent" contestant is BS ... because he hit the town Wednesday with a different girl.

Nick and Winnie Harlow showed up at Mr. Chow, where he clearly knew the paparazzi would be out in force. Winnie is a model for Diesel who was a contestant on "America's Next Top Model."

There were reports he's dating Samantha Johnson, who looks vaguely similar to Mariah, but it appears Nick wanted to squash those rumors.

Jessica Simpson wasn't drunk during her HSN debut and you'd know that if you watched the entire two-hour segment ... which would be more painful than eating glass.

Sources close to Jessica say the clip circulating of her giggling and slurring is just part of her personality that surfaces from time to time. They say for the lion's share of her time on the show, she was lucid and polished.

They say 2 hours without a script creates inevitable less than perfect moments.

An HSN source also says she was not drunk.

Fact is ... HSN is singing her praises, saying Jessica really knows how to drive a sale.

Beyonce dropped a giant clue for all those people speculating she's pregnant again -- and they're gonna be disappointed.

Bey raised a glass of bubbly for a photo during her family vaca in Italy, and then posted the pic ... no doubt a not-so-subtle response to all the baby buzz.

Shots of Beyonce in a one-piece swimsuit earlier this week fueled speculation Blue Ivy was going to become an older sister. Besides the champagne ... consider the fact that riding around on boat after boat wouldn't pair well with morning sickness.

We can already hear the conspiracy theorists -- "She's not drinking the champagne!"

Always leave 'em guessing.

Jaden Smith's got himself an older woman, and he's showing her off all over NYC.

17-year-old Smith was out with his 19-year-old girlfriend Sarah Snyder in SoHo on Wednesday after attending a NYFW show. Snyder is a social media fashionista with a ton of followers.

Reports say the two have been together for a few months and judging by the pics, the youngins are getting pretty comfortable with each other.

We know what you're thinking ... age of consent in NY State is 17.

BTW -- if Sarah looks familiar -- it's because she was arrested in NY for allegedly stealing a $16,000 Hermes Birkin bag back in June.

Christie Brinkley is still with the band.

The uptown girl had dinner with rocker John Mellencamp Monday night in downtown Manhattan ... fueling rumors they've hooked up.

She's hasn't been linked to anyone since 2008 when she divorced her 4th husband. Mellencamp recently broke it off with longtime GF Meg Ryan and also has 3 marriages under his belt ... so lots in common to talk about at dinner.

Travis Scott is a real kiss and tell kind of guy ... or he's just under Rihanna's spell.

Scott had a show in Santa Ana, CA Monday night when he let the entire sold-out crowd know just how lucky he's getting with Rihanna. Scott cleverly switched up the lyrics to his track, "3500."

The original lyrics are, "One time for the trill bitches that'll let me touch it.”

But watch at about 13 seconds you'll hear ... "One time for the RiRi that'll let me touch it.”

This video ... combined with their recent make-out sesh at NY Fashion Week ... should convince doubters RiRi and Travis are the real deal -- or maybe it just looks like a giant PR stunt.

One little U.S. Open loss isn't gonna break Serena Williams and Drake -- they went extremely public with their relationship at her fashion show in NYC.

The PDA went down right after Serena's Fashion Week event ... and not only did they share a kiss on camera -- his lips to her hand -- but she also used a bunch of his songs during the show.

Here's the thing though, you really gotta see how these 2 are staring into each other's eyes backstage.

Actress Sanaa Lathan -- who has the #1 movie out right now -- is #2 this year on the people French Montana has dated.

Our photog got the star of "The Perfect Guy" out at Mastro's in Bev Hills Monday night, and her reaction to Khloe Kardashian's ex was coy but revealing.

Lewis Hamilton took a Rihanna detour (it's the thing to do, after all) ... but ended up right back with Kendall Jenner -- 'cause they were spotted out in NYC together looking pretty cozy.

The Kendall/Lewis rumors started swirling earlier this year when she was walking around the Monaco Grand Prix wearing what looked like his chain.

But then hurricane Rihanna started blowing in August, and it sure as hell looked like Lewis had moved on ... but you know how RiRi romances go.

Cut to NYC ... where it's now Fashion week. It's a huge event for KJ, so it's interesting that Lewis is hanging with her again. Kinda like when she showed up in Monaco for him.

Rihanna has pretty much connected the dots ... she's dating Travis Scott.

RiRi and Travis left the Gramercy Theatre Wednesday night where he had just performed. It's the third time they've been together this week.

Side note: Check out how Rihanna air kisses her fans. She has the antiseptic greeting down pat.