Gossip / Rumors

1:18 PM PT -- A law enforcement official told The New Yorker that an indictment is pending and Kelly could be arrested soon. We haven't been able to independently confirm that report.

12:21 PM PT -- A source close to R. Kelly says it's unfair to accuse the singer of any wrongdoing without first trying to authenticate the video.

R. Kelly made a sex tape -- a new, never-before-seen one -- with a girl who seems to be 14 years old ... this according to Michael Avenatti, who says his office discovered the video.

Avenatti says the 45-minute long VHS recording was uncovered after multiple clients came to him alleging Kelly had sexually assaulted minors. He claims the video clearly shows Kelly engaging in multiple sex acts with a girl.

CNN first reported the new video's existence, and says they've seen it. According to their report, the girl calls the man -- who appears to be Kelly -- "daddy," and also shows her urinating at his request. After that, he urinates on her. CNN says the girl is seen on tape referring to her body parts as "14 years old."

Avenatti makes it clear this is NOT the video for which Kelly stood trial in 2008 ... when he was acquitted.

Avenatti says he has presented the video to the Cook County State Attorney's Office in Illinois. He does not say when the recording was made ... but believes it's within the statute of limitations.

We've reached out to R. Kelly's team for comment ... so far, no word back.

There's a photo circulating trying to pin Colton Underwood as a non-virgin long before his reign on "The Bachelor" ... but, rest assured, he hadn't swiped his v-card before his reality TV debut.

Sources close to Colton tell TMZ ... the Snapchat photo of a young Colton is legit. We're told Colton admits the person is him from YEARS before he set foot in the 'Bachelor' franchise. But, our Colton sources are making it clear -- the caption is ONE MILLION PERCENT FAKE.

For those who still use Snapchat (clearly not you, Kylie) it's not that hard to grab anyone's picture, make up a caption, screenshot the post and then spread it like wildfire across various social media platforms. That's exactly what our Colton sources say went down.

The fake Snapchat post started circulating earlier this week ... adding fuel to the conspiracy theory shared by a small, but vocal group of dissenters who think Colton's v-card act is total BS.

Our Colton sources are adamant -- the ex-NFL athlete was as pure as Mary (yeah, THAT one) before starting his reality TV run. Emphasis on before.

It's unclear if he went the distance while shooting 'Bachelor.'

Ronda Rousey is NOT parting ways with WWE -- despite reports she's on her way out, TMZ Sports has learned.

A report by wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer sparked hysteria -- with some jumping to the conclusion she's ending her pro wrestling career after 1 year with Vince McMahon's company.

And why? Meltzer's report says there's a "very good chance" she could wrap up with WWE after Wrestlemania in April so she can focus on starting a family with husband, Travis Browne.

But, what people are skipping over ... Meltzer also reports she will "probably remain affiliated with the company" after Wrestlemania.

ProWrestlingSheet added more clarity ... describing the situation as a planned "break" -- but it's not set in stone.

Multiple sources connected to Ronda tell TMZ Sports she's "super happy" in her new career and isn't ready to pull the plug just yet.

What we also know ... Ronda is serious about starting a family soon -- and she's been vocal about it for months. In fact, back in May 2018 she said the plan was to get pregnant "someday soon." So, babies have been on her brain.

Also, a WWE spokesperson tells us, "Ronda Rousey is under contract with WWE until April 10, 2021. Whether she wants to start a family is a private matter."

Trey Songz put rumors that he's been dating Steve Harvey's 21-year-old stepdaughter to rest on Monday ... by confirming they're absolutely boo'd up heading into 2019.

The R&B singer was performing at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco for New Year's Eve and people couldn't help but notice a girl was clinging to his back with her arms wrapped around his torso as he sang. Well, that was Lori Harvey ... Steve's youngest stepchild.

She showed up on his Insta story earlier in the night wearing the same gold dress that was seen on the chick wrapping him up. No question ... it was her, and they're into each other.

Trey and Lori have been hanging out a lot through the holidays, and it now seems they're an item in the new year.

Lori's an up-and-coming model who's walked for Fashion Week in Milan and Paris. It's clear why she's caught his eye ... she's gorgeous.

Pete Davidson is ending the year on a good note -- he's got a new haircut ... and, possibly, a new girl by his side.

The 'SNL' star was hanging out in Miami Saturday with a mystery girl at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, where eyewitnesses tell us they were chatting over lunch. Hard to tell who this chick is, but one thing's for sure ... Pete seems to be happy in her company.

It's been a rough year for Pete, so it's great to see he's enjoying himself to round out 2018 ... and going wherever the hell his heart desires.

You'll recall ... he was just in Cleveland last weekend watching Machine Gun Kelly's concert, and had the best seat in the house. He was covered up then, so we couldn't make out his new 'do. Now that we're seeing it in all its glory, we gotta say ... he looks fresh.

As for whether this was another date for Pete -- he recently went out to dinner with a previous mystery girl -- or just chillin' with a friend ... we simply don't know.

Miley Cyrus just broke her silence on the rumors that she and Liam Hemsworth got married over the holidays -- it looks like a confirmation ... sealed with a kiss.

The singer shared a few intimate pics Wednesday of the happy couple at what's believed to be their wedding ceremony last weekend in Tennessee. One of the photos is of the presumed bride and groom kissing, and there are a few more of the couple embracing.

The pics come with the caption, "10 years later ....." -- which lines up with when the 2 would have met as they began filming the 2010 Nicholas Sparks movie, "The Last Song."

Sparks even commented on the news by congratulating the couple saying it makes him so happy ... and Miley replied with 3 heart emojis.

And check it out ... Liam's got a wedding ring on.

As we reported ... photos surfaced of a party Sunday night that appeared to be a wedding reception, including one of Miley and Liam cutting what looked like a wedding cake.

There's also video of the Hemsworth bros doing celebratory shots ... with "Mr" and "Mrs" balloons in the background.

And, now it seems like all the clues were legit -- so CONGRATS!!

Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb can't seem to decide who has more word in choosing a replacement for KLG on the "Today" show ... but it's definitely one of them.

We got the NBC morning show anchors Wednesday in NYC, the day after Kathie announced she's leaving "Today" at the end of her 11th year. Our photog asked who's in line to fill Kathie's shoes, and she enthusiastically says, "Whoever Hoda wants, Hoda gets."

For her part, Hoda played it coy, saying ... "This is all about KLG." Kathie immediately refutes that, though, but Hoda insists it is. It's like an Abbot and Costello bit here, really.

Our camera guy throws out Jenna Bush Hager as a possibility -- who's said to be in the running -- but Hoda and Kathie are definitely playing this close to the vest.

Meghan Markle's dad is catching flak for bringing up his daughter in a new interview -- but the tell-all was aimed at clearing his name, and not tarnishing hers ... TMZ has learned.

Friends of Thomas Markle tell us the interview he did with Daily Mail over the weekend was set up for the purpose of disproving false rumors he faked a heart attack earlier this year ... right before Meghan and Prince Harry got hitched.

Thomas revealed medical receipts for his heart surgery. As we first reported, he got 3 stents implanted. Our sources say Thomas keeps tabs on what people say about him on the Internet, and was offended to read haters claiming he faked the medical emergency.

Of course, while defending himself ... Thomas described Meghan as "demanding but never rude." He was attempting to squash British rumors about his daughter being difficult to deal with and feuding with Kate Middleton.

We're told he didn't intend to bash Meghan, and he doesn't want to say anything that could harm her. In fact, we're told that's why he's been under the radar for several months.

The confidential informant the feds are working with in Tekashi 6ix9ine's racketeering case is still a mystery ... despite online rumors that it's a popular hip-hop blogger close to the rapper.

DJ Akademiks has been accused by another hip-hop blog of being the "snitch" in 6ix9ine's crew ... but Akademiks tells TMZ it's completely untrue.

He says he "has zero connection to this criminal case against Daniel Hernandez & other co-defendants. I view them as good people to me." He adds ... "All these charges are a shock to me and do not involve me. I have never been questioned or much less cooperated in this. I am just a news reporter."

The outlet accusing Akademiks of snitching claims to have gotten its info from the lawyer of Tekashi's former manager, Kifano Jordan, aka Shotti. However ... Shotti's lawyer, Scott Leemon, also denies the allegations.

Leemon tells us ... "I never made any public statement relating to this matter. Any statement attributed to me is false. I have not given anyone an interview about this case."

We broke the story ... Shotti is one of the voices heard on federal wiretaps revealing Tekashi's former crew members talked about killing him. These recordings are separate from the ones feds say are possessed by the confidential informant ... which have yet to be disclosed.

6ix9ine's lawyer told us feds having an informant is concerning, but he believes any recorded convos with the rapper will help prove he's innocent.

Richard Simmons has struck a deal with "National Enquirer" in his transgender defamation lawsuit that will put the legal drama behind him ... for the most part.

Simmons has agreed to drop his appeal against American Media -- which owns 'Enquirer' -- after a judge ruled against him last year. If you don't remember, the fitness icon sued for defamation over a story published claiming he was in the process of sexual reassignment.

The judge sided with American Media, though, saying being misidentified as transgender does not inherently expose someone to "hatred, contempt or ridicule." Simmons filed an appeal shortly thereafter.

The 2 sides have now come to an agreement to drop it and move on ... but the terms are confidential. So, it's unclear if Simmons is still on the hook for American Media's legal fees.

Not everything related to the case is wrapped up -- he's still got a lawsuit out against the private investigator who allegedly planted tracking devices on him to try and prove the sex change rumors.

Corey Lewandowski denies that Chief of Staff John Kelly got physical with him in the White House, but if that were to ever happen ... he suggests he could take the general.

We got President Trump's former campaign manager Sunday in D.C., where we first asked him who he believes is scheming against DT in the WH ... which he teased with a plug for his new book, "Trump's Enemies: How the Deep State is Undermining the Presidency."

Our photog then asks about a reported incident between him and the CoS earlier this year, where Kelly supposedly grabbed Corey by the collar and tried to have him ejected from the West Wing. Corey says it never happened, but admits something like that COULD go down within the White House walls. Apparently, it can be a high-tension workplace ... so they say.

Looks like Post Malone's sticking with his good luck charm -- the chick he was cupcaking on a yacht right after his near-death experience on that private jet ... and ya can't blame him one bit.

We got this shot of Post walking through George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. He was jetting off to Dubai Sunday, and his germ-deflecting surgical mask wasn't all that caught our eye. His cute travel buddy looked real familiar.

When last we saw her, Post was spraying her down and canoodling with her back in August on a yacht off Saint-Tropez. Good times.

Of course, that was one week after his terrifying emergency landing, and shortly before he survived a major car accident. Safe to say, she was the best thing to happen to him this summer.

As for the nature of their relationship -- a source close to Post says airport/yacht babe is just a friend. That may be, but that's a pretty tight grip between friends. Just sayin'.

'Love & Hip Hop' star Lyrica Anderson finally put a monster rumor to rest over whose baby she's carrying, and now ... she's ready to spill the rest of the tea(l) with mommy shots.

Here are Lyrica's first maternity photos after a rough season of 'L&HH: Hollywood' -- where she faced accusations of cheating on her husband, A1, with Nicki Minaj's ex, Safaree Samuels. A1 and his immediate fam demanded a very-preggo Lyrica take a paternity test, which was revealed in last week's reunion episode. Turns out ... A1 IS the father. OHHHH!

Safaree doubled down during the reunion episode, denying he'd ever slept with Lyrica ... despite seemingly admitting to Ray J earlier in the season that they had, in fact, smashed. Those words never actually came out of Safaree's mouth, but he let Ray put 'em there for him without protest.

Lyrica and A1's kid -- who's been dubbed Baby Bentley -- is due at the end of the month.

The Cleveland Browns are reportedly mulling over interviewing George W. Bush's former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, for a head coaching job ... but she says she's not quite there yet.

ESPN reported Sunday that the Browns' front office was interested in possibly bringing Condi for an interview to replace recently-fired head coach Hue Jackson. She's a huge Browns fan, and met with some of the owners during a game earlier this year.

Aside from that though ... it's unclear what, if any, professional experience she'd bring to the table ... when it comes to football, that is. She's got a pretty decent resume, otherwise.

The Browns' general manager, John Dorsey, issued a statement shortly after the news spread like wildfire, saying in part ... "Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is a great leader, possesses the highest possible character and also happens to be a Browns fan."

He fully shot down the speculation, though, by adding ... "Our coaching search will be thorough and deliberate, but we are still in the process of composing the list of candidates and Secretary Rice has not been discussed."

As for Ms. Rice ... she offered her own statement on the rumor, saying "I love my Browns -- and I know they will hire an experienced coach to take us to the next level."

After going on to advocate for the hiring of more women in coaching positions, she seemed to shut down the notion of a head coaching gig by saying ... "BTW -- I'm not ready to coach but I would like to call a play or two next season if the Browns need ideas! And at no time will I call for a "prevent defense."

Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson are NOT broken up or on the rocks, contrary to reports -- but they could very well be breaking up a turkey wishbone very soon ... TMZ has learned.

Sources tell us ... rumors that Khloe and TT have split or are no longer talking in the wake of his cheating scandal are simply false -- they're still together and going strong.

We're told the reason Khloe hasn't been in Cleveland lately is that she's filming a new season of 'KUWTK.' Meanwhile, he's in the middle of his NBA season with the Cavs. Our sources say Khloe was supposed to fly out to Cleveland last week, but stayed in L.A. on account of the fires that were ravaging hers and surrounding communities.

And besides, would a couple on the verge of a split be spending time together on Thanksgiving? Probably not ... which is exactly what we're told Khloe's doing for the holiday. Sources say Khloe's going to Cleveland next week to be with Tristan and baby True as a family.

As we reported ... Khloe was at Tristan's game in Cleveland a couple weeks ago cheering him on. Her visit must've left some magic behind, 'cause Tristan's been on a tear lately. He racked up 21 rebounds in the Cavs' win over Charlotte Tuesday night.

If you were one of the people who thought "No puede ser" after a rumor surfaced that Juan Gabriel is not actually dead ... congrats, you were 100% right.

One of Juan's sons, Ivan Aguilera, who actually served as his dad's manager for the last 8 years of Juan's life, tells us the claim -- made by a man named Joaquin Munoz that Juan faked his death and is alive and well -- is complete BS. Ivan tells us squarely ... his dad is deceased.

He held his father's cremated remains at a memorial service back in 2016.

Munoz claimed to be Juan's ex-manager and told a Mexican news outlet last week the Latin singer was alive at home and had faked his sudden death. That story was picked up by other outlets ... and, suddenly, the buzz was Juan was going to surface by the end of 2018.

Juan's former attorney and rep for his estate, Guillermo Pous, backs Ivan's account ... telling us Munoz never managed Juan. He was just a pal.

Pous thinks Munoz is only peddling this conspiracy theory to sell a new book. Needless to say, Juan's family is pissed, and Pous says they're considering legal action.

FWIW, we obtained Juan Gabriel's death certificate back in 2016. Juan's official cause of death was arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.