Gossip / Rumors

Ben Affleck is like a phoenix rising from the ashes ... or at least his back is.

Affleck was spotted on set this week with a giant tattoo on his back and most people figured it was just for the movie, but our sources say not only is the ink 100% real, it's actually been there for a while.

We actually got a glimpse of the artwork in July, but again ... everyone just assumed it was for a role. We're told the tatt was already a work in progress when things went south with Jennifer Garner.

Single Ben likes his ink.

Nicki Minaj was mum in court Thursday about tying the knot with Meek Mill -- even though his lawyer said Meek wants her as his wife -- but our sources say Nicki will absolutely take a walk down the aisle.

Sources close to Nicki tell us she's very open with her friends ... she's "deeply in love" with Meek, says he's a "good man" and loves him very much.

Nicki is telling her buds she made the decision to show up for Meek's court case -- a probation violation in his drug and gun case -- to make a statement that she stands by him and is committed.

She didn't talk marriage on the stand, but we're told she wants to tie the knot "soon."

As for Meek, he's telling friends she's "really good" with his son, and he wants to have kids with her.

Courteney Cox's split from ex-fiance Johnny McDaid had nothing to do with trust issues -- despite reports -- she's just got a hopeless case of Yankee blood.

Sources close to the former couple tell us the dealbreaker was over where they would live. The Irishman wanted her to move back with him to the UK ... but she wasn't willing to leave L.A.

As TMZ first reported, the two had other issues -- McDaid's a homebody and Cox loves being social.

They tried marriage counseling and finally decided they couldn't make it work. Earlier reports claimed Cox hired a private investigator to spy on McDaid ... our sources say simply untrue.

The split was clean and civil ... so much so they're on speaking terms again ... they're even exchanging friendly texts. They haven't seen each other since the breakup ... he took his stuff and flew to the UK.

Cheerio.

Scott Disick wasn't smiling on the outside at lunch with Kourtney Kardashian -- but he's gotta be grinning inside, because it looks like his plan to win her back is working.

The estranged couple went on another lunch date Wednesday in Calabasas, but this time they brought a chaperone ... their daughter Penelope.

Scott and Kourtney have been spotted out together a bunch since he wrapped up his inpatient rehab stint. As we told you, Disick's dumping his Bev Hills party palace ... partly to show Kourt he's serious about cleaning up his act.

The lord shall return.

Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha will remain husband and wife ... despite a bunch of stories to the contrary.

Multiple sources connected with the couple -- 3 of whom have no agenda -- tell TMZ the divorce stories are not true. As one source put it, "They live like a normal couple, and when you're around them or on the phone with them they're clearly into each other."

Washington and the ex-NFL star married 2 years ago and have a 1-year-old daughter.

Our source points out they were together on Saturday at the Kennedy Center Honors banquet.

Adding, "If they divorce it'd be the most shocking split in a long time. It's just not happening."

Nick Cannon and Nicole Murphy wrapped up a dinner date by doing something that proves they're definitely banging ... or maybe just BFFs.

Nicole and Nick -- who are both famously single these days -- grabbed dinner over the weekend in West Hollywood. Nick was dressed to the nines, as usual ... and Nicole looked fine as hell, as usual.

After dinner they went furniture shopping. Unclear what they browsed -- tables, couches, or mattresses -- but it's an odd way to follow up dinner. As for the other obvious question ... there were rumors earlier this year they were together.

However, a source close to both Nick and Nicole tells us they're just "friends."

Nick picks his friends well. Very well.

Former "Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta" stars Margeaux and Merike think they got the boot because producers have a thing against gays.

The girlfriends were doing date night at Nobu in WeHo and they groused that producers were sketchy as to why they were given their walking papers, and whether there's a sinister move afoot to keep them from doing another reality show.

Kylie Jenner and Tyga are sticking to their plan of giving each other some space -- and Kylie used hers to hang with A$AP Rocky at Art Basel on Friday night.

Kylie and A$AP did dinner together in Miami -- remember, they were also seen together just a few days after Tyga and Kylie had their 48 hour break-up. We're not saying anything's going on, but Kylie's eyes in the pic say plenty.

Meanwhile, back on the ranch ... Tyga hit up The Argyle in Hollywood without any chicks by his side after performing with Chris Brown. Kylie did come up though -- you gotta see his reaction to a female heckler.

Cara Delevingne and her musician bae St. Vincent, took their relationship to the next level -- doing the wedding date thing, and it looks like the best decision the indie pop rocker ever made.

Cara & St. Vincent (real name Annie Clark) have been dating for more than a year, but finally went public when Cara recently referred to her as her gf in an interview. Perfect timing too, since the couple jetted off to West Texas last weekend for a wedding.

Based on pics from the event ... Cara was the life of the party, as usual. St. Vincent's friend/makeup artist was the one getting married, so Cara was the "plus one."

She wears it well.

Joe Jonas just did the bro version of drowning your sorrows over an ex in a tub of ice cream -- he gave Gigi Hadid and her new man Zayn Malik the dreaded social media cold shoulder.

Guess Joe's seen enough, since he tapped the unfollow button on Gigi's IG over the holiday weekend -- right after Gigi and Zayn made their new romance pretty darn official.

The IG diss went further ... fans noticed Joe also deleted a photo of himself with Zayn and Kanye West he'd posted in June. The caption simply had read #squad.

The handwriting is on the wall ... looks like Kourtney Kardashian is giving Scott Disick another chance.

Kourtney and Scott went furniture shopping with Mason in Bev Hills Friday, and at one point Scott had his arm around his baby mama.

They also went to lunch together, without the kids, in Calabasas. As we reported, Kourtney says Scott seems like a different person after rehab, but some in the Kardashian brood are wary.

Gwen Stefani just can't get herself enough of Blake Shelton ... she had to get her fix while strolling the grounds of Disneyland.

Gwen and her 3 kids hit up the theme park Friday, and Gwen multi-tasked with her iPhone as they walked from Toontown to the Small World ride.

Apple keeps 'em close.

Tyga and Kylie are slowing things way down after their near split last week, and he's already moved out of her pad.

A source connected to the couple says they've decided things would be better if they increase their personal space by living under separate roofs. Tyga moved out of Kylie's house last week and into a rental in the Hollywood Hills.

We're told the two felt they were together too much and they were concerned they looked more like a duo than individuals with their own careers. Kylie's recent Australia trip became an issue, as they argued whether she should go solo or with Tyga.

Scott Disick and Kourtney Kardashian couldn't wait until Thanksgiving -- they broke bread a day early with one major difference from their usual get-togethers.

The exes did lunch at Marmalade Cafe in Calabasas sans their 3 kiddos, meaning they finally got some one-on-one time -- possibly to discuss reconciling.

Scott and Kourtney recently hung out at a party in Malibu, and they've been together for family events with their children -- but this is the first time we've seen them get some QT.

Behold lord D working his magic ... again.

So much for a reconciliation ...

Michael Sam tells TMZ Sports he and his ex-fiance Vito Cammisano are NOT back together ... despite the fact they hit the L.A. club scene together Sunday.

Michael and Vito broke off their engagement back in June ... 6 months after Michael popped the question.

They hooked back up to shoot an anti-bullying video last month ... and then were spotted out in Hollywood together having dinner and then hitting up a nightclub.

But Tuesday night, Sam told up there's no reconciliation ... and he's still on the hunt for Mr. Right.

Good luck ...

Something's definitely going on between Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid ... they partied together Tuesday night and security did their level best to shield them from photogs.

They showed up at The Nice Guy in WeHo at around 10:30 PM where they entered from the back so there's only a fleeting glimpse. Two hours later they resurfaced and left together.

Gigi hit up the same spot Sunday night at Justin Bieber's after-party, where she was photographed leaving in a SUV with Zayn.

Anyone confused?