Gossip / Rumors

Richard Simmons has not been seen in public for almost 2 years, and that's exactly the way he wants it because he just doesn't want to be famous anymore.

It's coming up on 2 years since Richard vanished from public view ... abandoning longtime friends, and even turning his back on his famous exercise studio where he was a fixture.

Friends and family were so alarmed they called the police, who did a welfare check in January, but the cops say Richard was lucid and relaxed.

Richard's rep tells TMZ, the exercise guru is "happily living life outside the public eye." Richard's people have never said why he abruptly disappeared ... mostly retreating to the confines of his home.

It's interesting ... although Richard hasn't shown up at his exercise studio for well over a year, when you call the number it sounds like Richard may always return the next day ... but that he just isn't there "today."

The rep says Richard is still committed to helping the "obese and overlooked" and is working "behind the scenes" on charity projects.

Justin Bieber may be juggling sisters, because he partied Tuesday night with Kendall Jenner at the same night club where he hooked up with Kourtney Kardashian over the weekend.

Justin and Kendall arrived separately at The Nice Guy in WeHo at around the same time -- 10 PM.

They left separately, too ... just like Friday night when Justin and Kourtney left Justin's go-to club and headed for his Bev Hills hotel, where she stayed 'till 4 AM.

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani may be the real deal, because not only is sweeps over, the show's done too ... but they're still together.

Blake and Gwen left the after-party for "The Voice" Tuesday at Avalon in Hollywood, and they sure seemed together.

As for how long it will last ... the bets are on.

NBA great Steve Francis says he's 100% DRUG FREE ... and talk that he's using any type of illegal narcotic is baseless and totally out of left field.

TMZ Sports spoke to Francis about the health rumors that reignited last weekend after he showed up at the Lakers-Rockets game looking ... kinda different. Social media comments were brutal and included speculation he might be on drugs.

But Steve said all that drug talk is "so far from the truth. That's why I don't worry about social media." He added he's purely focused on his family, and his community in Houston. "I'm trying to be a positive influence on people."

As for his appearance at the game -- a source close to Steve told us there's no health issue, "He's just old."

Mr. McGregor ... you ready for your close-up?

Mark Wahlberg says the UFC fighter could be a GREAT actor -- if he gets the right role -- and tells TMZ Sports he's already considering Conor for a role in one of his many many MANY projects.

Selena Gomez and One Direction's Niall Horan left the 'X Factor' finale after-party within seconds of each other Sunday night in London -- doing ZERO to help her claim that they're NOT dating.

Selena even hung backstage after 1D performed during the finale. Odd, since just days ago she insisted there's no romance between them and they're just friends.

For some reason, she tried to hide her face from photogs outside -- even though she'd already been seen hanging at the show. Maybe she's just in de-Niall?

Justin Bieber was NOT straddling Kourtney Kardashian when he seemed to taunt Scott Disick.

Check out the pics ... Justin posted the pic above on Instagram Sunday with the caption, "Lord knows." Lots of people thought the chick in the pic was Kourtney.

Turns out ... not at all. The pic below, which was taken around Newport Beach, shows the woman in question ... and it's not Kourtney. In case you have any doubt, check out her shoes.

BTW, as we reported, Justin and Kourtney hung out at his hotel between 1 and 4 AM Saturday, so there's smoke, but the pic he posted is deceptive.

Kourtney Kardashian is making it look like she's giving Scott Disick yet another chance, but our sources say there is not a chance in hell she's taking him back.

The pictures seem to tell a different story ... they've been seen together multiple times in the last few weeks ... sometimes with the kids and other times alone. It sure looks like she's taken him back, but she absolutely, positively has not.

Our Kardashian sources tell us Kourtney is modeling her post-relationship relationship after that of her parents, Kris and Robert Kardashian. When the parents divorced, they remained close and were great at co-parenting Kourtney and her sisters. It made a huge impression ... one she wants to emulate.

Avril Lavigne and Chad Kroeger have separated ... but it didn't look that way Thursday night.

The estranged couple left the Sunset Marquis together in WeHo, 3 months after announcing their separation.

There are a few scenarios ... obviously they could have had a change of heart, or they took a page out of the Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin handbook.

Fetty Wap's new baby mama Masika just announced she's pregnant with his baby and she's not ruling out marriage in the future.

Our photog caught the "Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood" star minutes after she made the announcement Friday morning on LA's Power 106 radio station.

Masika says she is six months along, and Fetty took the news well ... almost too well. She's also hoping Fetty pops the question soon.

She probably shouldn't hold her breath though ... Fetty tweeted his thoughts soon after the announcement.

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.