Gossip / Rumors

Jennifer Hudson and Common aren't doing a good job of defusing all the buzz that they're a couple -- they hit the town together for what certainly looks like a romantic date night.

They were out in Malibu Wednesday night for a dinner at celeb hot spot Nobu -- and they didn't exit with a group of friends ... so it's got all the markings of a cozy night out for 2.

While they avoided any PDA ... their outing won't be a big surprise to fans who've been speculating for months they're a thing.

J Hud and Common have been spending more time together after connecting on the set of the upcoming flick "Breathe."

Back in November, Jennifer was seen riding shotgun with Common after he picked her up from a long day of filming at her talk show studio.

It's been a minute since either was publicly linked to anyone -- the singer and WWE wrestler David Otunga called off their 10-year engagement back in 2017 ... and the rapper famously split from Tiffany Haddish back in 2021.

If they are dating, they're dangerously close to being entertainment's first-ever EGOT couple! Jennifer earned hers with a Tony Award last year, and Common is just a Tony shy of the honor.

Shawn Mendes really might be on the rebound ... because he was spotted out once again with his possible new señorita as they both got a lil workout in.

24-year-old Shawn was all smiles -- and shirtless -- on his hike with 51-year-old Dr. Jocelyne Miranda at Runyon Canyon Park in L.A. Monday ... chattin' it up as they got their sweat on.

Jocelyne was later spotted with a sweatshirt that says "I love you baby" -- and while people could connect the dots all day, it might still be too early to tell if this fling is legit.

For those unaware, Shawn's fans have been pinning the two as an item for a while now ... after being spotted together last year on a suspected lunch date, and have been seen from time to time since.

Of course, Jocelyne is a doctor to the stars and has decades of experience ... so it's still possible Shawn's simply just a patient to her.

Machine Gun Kelly's guitarist is calling BS on reports she had a romantic liaison with MGK ... after folks online claimed she's the reason for the singer's alleged breakup with Megan Fox.

The management team for guitarist Sophie Lloyd spoke out about the recent allegations ... telling Page Six she's "been needlessly dragged into the media based off of meritless accusations made by social media."

Her team went on ... "Any suggestion that she has ever acted in an unprofessional manner or stepped out of her relationship are untrue."

MGK and Sophie have been rocking together on tour, starting back in May of last year ... but fans started speculating they were an item.

As we reported, Megan scrubbed all photos of her and MGK off her IG over the weekend, while posting pics of an envelope burning with the caption, "You can taste the dishonesty it's all over your breath" -- a song from Beyoncé's Lemonade album, "Pray You Catch Me" ... the album which chronicles Jay-Z's alleged cheating.

She ended up deleting her account altogether ... but with cheating allegations in the air, fans are pointin' fingers at Sophie -- who's also in a relationship.

MGK and Megan were spotted together on Valentine's Day ... so all this hoopla might just be a bump in the road ... maybe they're working things out.

Lil Tjay upgraded Ice Spice's wrist game on Valentine's Day with a $150K Richard Mille watch, but before you assume what time it is ... both rappers tell us it's just what "friends" do.

Sources close to Ice Spice tell TMZ Hip Hop the duo isn't a romantic couple, but Tjay still wanted to get her something sentimental to celebrate their "Gangsta Boo" collaboration charting on the Billboard Hot 100.

NYC-based Benny the Jeweler revealed Tjay's six-figure souvenir to be an RM-05 Rose Gold, complete with a white band, and it just happened to be ready for pickup on February 14.

No surprise why the fancy timepiece is raising eyebrows -- Tjay's appearance was the lone guest contribution when Ice's debut EP "Like..?" dropped a few weeks ago.

The track would've had a video too, but Tjay got arrested for gun possession ahead of filming, forcing Ice to shoot her "In Ha Mood" video instead ... and that one's also making a splash on the charts.

Both Bronx-born artists also went halfsies on a Thanksgiving turkey drive in the heart of their hood last November -- but yep, we're still told there's no romance.

The internet had good old George Clooney trending amid speculation he'd return as the Caped Crusader in James Gunn's DC Universe ... but the mastermind himself says it's BS.

The director and now-co-chief of all things DC shot down a rumor that started to pick up steam these past couple days ... namely, the notion that George could possibly come back and reprise his role as Batman in the new 'Batman' movie that was recently announced.

On Saturday, Gunn responded to a fan who flat out asked him if it was true he was going to cast GC in the 'Brave and the Bold' flick ... which features a much older Batman (and his son, Robin).

When someone pressed for further details -- asking if there was any truth to the idea he was going to cast an actor who'd previously played Batman, period -- Gunn again flatly denied that ... saying they were going in a completely new direction with a totally new actor.

The reason this began percolating at all is because a film journo claimed to have the inside scoop on DC's hopes when it came to who they wanted under the cowl in their latest reboot of the franchise ... suggesting it was either Clooney, Val Kilmer or Christian Bale, and that this person may even cameo in the new 'Flash' flick that's coming out this year.

She said she knew who the studio wanted -- noting a deal wasn't in place yet -- but refused to identify the alleged favorite in mind ... and Twitter handled the rest, making all 3 trend.

Considering plans for this new Bat-movie were literally just unveiled about a week ago, it's safe to say ... no one is cast until they're cast -- so it's probably best to just wait until this actually goes into production before diving head-first into conjecture.

Rachel Recchia is NOT back with Clayton Echard ... despite the 'Bachelor' stars suggesting their romance was alive and well in a recent video.

We got Rachel in Bev Hills where our photog asked if she was back together with Clayton, this after they seemed very cozy -- he had his arm around Rachel in "Bachelorette" Michelle Young's TikTok post.

While Rachel made it seem like things between Clayton and her were super complicated in the social media clip, the real story is different -- she tells us they're just friends.

As 'Bachelor' fans know, Clayton broke Rachel's heart in season 26 ... with Clayton confessing he slept with her and Gabby Windey before leaving both behind in favor of Susie Evans.

Rachel says it's taken a lot of time and a lot of healing to get over such a public diss.

Hulk Hogan has a message for his fans ... "Don't believe everything you hear!"

Days after WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle provided a bleak health assessment of Hulk's current condition, saying he was in such rough shape he had no feeling in his legs and couldn't walk without a cane, TMZ Sports obtained a video which appears to show differently.

The clip, shot by Hulk's longtime friend and sports agent, Darren Prince, was shot Thursday night and shows 69-year-old Hogan very much walking without a cane, doing his best Ric Flair strut.

"Hulk Hogan here, the greatest of all time, a little stiff, a little sore, but woooooo!" before executing a walk that'd make Ric proud!

Of course, Angle, on the latest episode of his podcast, said he spoke with Hogan last month during the taping of WWE Raw's 30th Anniversary show and the WWE legend told him he “had the nerves cut from his lower body" during back surgery and "can’t feel his lower body."

Kurt, who's known Hulk for decades, went on to say ... "I thought [Hogan] was using the cane because he had pain in his back. He doesn’t have any pain. He has nothing at all. He can’t feel anything."

FWIW, Angle also talked about how great Hulk is ... so there doesn't appear to be any beef between the men -- just a bit of misunderstanding.

Of course, Hulk has battled severe injuries, especially to his back (he's had at least 10 back surgeries) as a result of decades of professional wrestling.

Tyre Nichols was NOT having a relationship with the wife of one of the Memphis police officers involved in his brutal beating ... according to his stepdad, who is addressing a rumor that's all over the Internet.

Tyre's stepfather, Rodney Wells, denied the scandalous accusation Tuesday during a prayer vigil outside the Nichols' home, saying ... "My son was not messing around with one of the officer's wives. That's just a rumor."

For those unaware, there's been a rumor gaining traction online and on social media recently ... folks are claiming, without evidence, Tyre worked at FedEx in Memphis with one of the officer's wives and had a relationship with the woman.

The implication ... the cops were out for revenge. There's also unsubstantiated rumors the officer in question sent the woman a picture of Tyre after the beating.

Gisele Bundchen and her jiu-jitsu instructor are getting close once again -- this time, the two were seen riding horses in Costa Rica, in what's either an amazing just-friends date ... or further proof the two are now an item.

Tom Brady's ex and Joaquim Valente were spotted on the animals back on Jan. 18 ... and the duo looked like they had a blast.

The couple(?) rode the horses for roughly two hours through the jungle -- and check out Gisele's grin, she sure seemed giddy while plodding through the afternoon with Valente.

Of course, there's been no official confirmation they're dating -- Gisele's camp initially claimed Valente had been tagging along on family vacays to train her and her kids -- but they've certainly appeared to be awfully coupley this month.

First, they were seen jogging while appearing to share AirPods ... and just days later -- riding horseback with none of Gisele's kids in sight.

No word yet on how Brady feels about it all ... but he hasn't been in the best mood this week.

On Monday, just seven days after the Buccaneers QB was bounced from the playoffs by the Dallas Cowboys, he snapped at his good friend Jim Gray on their podcast ... unleashing an F-bomb tirade about how he wasn't sure if he'd be retiring or not.

King Charles may have a scaled-back coronation in May -- a theory being floated after the official plans for the ceremony were released  ... but the question is, why not go big???

On Saturday, Buckingham Palace dropped the dates, times and schedule of events for His Royal Highness' crowning/induction as the next monarch -- which is happening on May 6 ... but it'll be marked by a 3-day celebration that runs all the way through that Monday.

The coronation itself will take place at Westminster Abbey, where a "solemn religious service" is to be held, but at the same time ... BP also says it'll be an occasion for pomp and circumstance. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will preside over that part.

The following day, Sunday, there'll be a major concert at Windsor Castle as well as a massive lunch that'll apparently be held for all throughout the U.K. On Monday, there's going to be a bank holiday for Brits -- plus, a charity event that's community service-oriented.

Then, there's a line from Buckingham Palace ... emphasizing what the coronation might look like big picture. They say, "[T]he (coronation) Service will reflect the Monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry."

This is part that's getting dissected as far as what it could possibly mean -- and some, it seems, are speculating it'll translate to a more succinct and less extravagant affair ... certainly less lengthy and fussy than what his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, received in 1953.

The reason ... optics. At least that's what's being reported in the press -- apparently, the King doesn't want to rub the monarchy's wealth and embellishments in the faces of everyday Britons ... especially amid the current economic state of things, with a looming recession.

While that seems to be the official rationale being dished by Palace insiders ... one's gotta assume his son, Prince Harry, is also a factor if he follows through with this subdued approach to the coronation. Fact is ... PH didn't paint his dad in the greatest light lately.

In both his book, 'Spare,' and in his and Meghan Markle's Netflix docuseries ... the Royals are portrayed as an ancient and out-of-touch institution, with an unsavory history to boot.

Phoebe Bridgers and Bo Burnham have set the internet ablaze after seemingly confirming dating rumors -- but we've learned they were getting cozy nearly 2 whole months ago.

Here's the deal ... Phoebe and Bo were seen at LAX together Friday, trying to be low key -- but no doubt fueling speculation they're an item now, this after at least a month of fans' theories in the wake of hints that she and one-time BF Paul Mescal split up late last year.

With this outing ... PB's followers are having a virtual meltdown on Twitter, as they loved her and Paul as a couple -- and can't seem to handle the idea that she's moved on with another dude ... even it is the widely beloved Bo.

Of course, word of Phoebe and BB (potentially) being a thing has been floating around since before the holidays ... especially after The 1975's Matty Healy posted a photo of himself kissing Phoebe, with Bo standing behind them. As it turns out, the theories were likely true.

This new pic, obtained by TMZ, shows what we're told is Bo and Phoebe at a restaurant in Malibu, CA on Nov. 17, just before noon. Eyewitnesses tell us they were in there for some grub to go, and that they were sitting off in the corner while waiting for their food.

We're told they appeared to be in matching black hiking outfits ... and that they could even be heard talking about how they're seen more as an image than actual people in the public.

One eyewitness tells us they also talked about their mutual musicianship ... getting into the feeling of walking onstage under bright lights. Eventually, their order was ready and they left in the same vehicle. No sign of PDA, but our sources say it looked like a classic day date.

Aaron Rodgers very well could have played his last NFL game on Sunday ... with the Green Bay Packers quarterback kick-starting retirement rumblings based on how he presented himself after being eliminated from the playoffs.

The 4-time MVP had the football world in a frenzy following the Packers' 20-16 loss to the Detroit Lions ... when he appeared to soak in what may be his last moment in a Green Bay uniform at Lambeau Field -- putting his arm around longtime teammate and best friend Randall Cobb as they made their way to the locker room.

After the L, Rodgers' comments certainly added to the speculation ... saying he will make a decision on his future after he takes some time to process everything.

"At some point the carousel comes to a stop and it’s time to get off," Rodgers said on Sunday.

"I feel good about what I've accomplished in this league and wouldn't have any regrets walking away. But I gotta see what it feels like once I get away from this."

Rodgers also had people talking when he rejected Lions receiver Jameson Williams' jersey swap request ... when he appeared to tell him, "I’m gonna hold on to this one."

Rodgers later explained he likes to keep specific jerseys that might have a special meaning to him ... and said since it was a primetime Week 18 game at Lambeau, those threads fell under that category.

Kanye West is back to his regularly scheduled program -- getting out and about again, and with a new mystery woman by his side during his first time in public in several weeks.

Ye appeared to be all smiles Sunday afternoon as he drove around his Maybach in Bev Hills. In what's become his typical single guy move ... he had a new female companion riding shotgun for their Sunday Funday.

Unclear who the woman is, but they were basically hand in hand as they walked into the Waldorf Astoria hotel.

Ye's been off the map for several weeks now -- rumors started spreading he was missing when his ex-business manager Thomas St. John said Ye was nowhere to be found.

As we reported, Ye made himself persona non grata just about everywhere after he unleashed a slew of antisemitic remarks and bizarre comments ... all of which ultimately cost him a ton of business deals, and his billionaire status.

At one point, he was traveling the country with white nationalist Nick Fuentes by his side, and the duo went to Mar-a-Lago to dine with Donald Trump, stirring a war of words with the former president.

Travis Scott seems to be moving solo now ... seen for the first time since word got out that he might be on the outs again with Kylie Jenner, and he's not looking too happy.

The rapper had his head down as he stepped off his private jet Sunday afternoon in L.A. ... shortly after reports came out he and Kylie might've broken things off. He clearly had a somber look on his face ... possibly breakup-related, possibly just regular fatigue.

If the split is real, it sure looks like Trav engaged in some retail therapy -- he had a ton of expensive bags as he got off the PJ ... including a Birkin bag worth about $50K and an extremely rare vintage Takashi Murakami Louis Vuitton trunk, which is said to resell for nearly $100K.

You'll recall, Kylie and Travis were first linked together during Coachella in April of 2017, and they welcomed baby Stormi the following February.

They briefly called things off in 2019, but rekindled their romance ... and their baby boy (the one with the mystery name) was born in February 2022.

It seems producers of the James Bond franchise aren't ready to make up their minds on exactly who they have their sights set on -- now Aaron Taylor-Johnson's in the mix.

The British actor -- famous for his role in "Kick-Ass" and, more recently, "Bullet Train" -- is reported to have had a meeting with Barbara Broccoli in September ... and not just that, he even did a screen test that went well, according to Daily Mail and Puck News.

The screen test is said to have been part of a full-blown audition Aaron apparently did for Barbara and co. -- and it sounds like everyone was impressed with what they saw. Word is ... they had ATJ do the iconic gun barrel opening sequence, which is a huge deal obviously.

The reports say Aaron is now a front-runner, but that nothing is official yet. This is a major development from the news that came out this past weekend -- when "Emily in Paris" star Lucien Laviscount was said to have been in the running as well and also considered a favorite.

There've been a lot of names thrown around over the past several months, but Aaron's the first one who's gotten on camera to try his hand at Bond ... as far as we've heard at least.

From Mr. Paris to Mr. Bond -- that seems to be the trajectory Lucien Laviscount might be on ... if you believe the reports that he's in the running as the next 007.

The British actor -- famous for his recurring role on Netflix's 'Emily in Paris' -- is said to have captured the attention of movie producer Barbara Broccoli ... who also holds the rights to the James Bond franchise, and who's in search of a new agent to replace Daniel Craig.

According to the Daily Mail ... his work in 'EIP' -- where he plays the main character's love interest, Alfie -- is what landed him as a frontrunner for the job. He's been on for 2 seasons.

DM cites one purported insider as saying, "Lucien ticks all of the boxes. He is a super talented actor, is extremely handsome and in the past 18 months has won lots of new fans since he joined Emily In Paris. Bond bosses are already saying how you can see him in the 007 tuxedo, how dapper and fitting to the role he will look."

The thing that might hurt him, apparently ... his time on 'Celebrity Big Brother,' on which he competed in 2011. According to this source, the Bond producers think it's low brow stuff not fitting of a Bond actor, even though they're supposedly still pretty high on him in general.

The other interesting tidbit coming out of this report ... Broccoli is said to have greenlit stunt work testing over at Pinewood Studios, where they've shot a lot of Bond content. If true, that would mean they're ramping up to start the next chapter post-Craig/'No Time to Die.'

There'd been rumblings that Idris Elba was being considered to play the next Bond, but frankly ... he's too old, and Lucien fits the bill for what Broccoli and co. have recently said they want in their next iteration of the character. A young whippersnapper, that is.

We'll say this ... Lucien's definitely got the look down. Handsome, fit and natural elegance. All the right stuff that makes Bond an international heartthrob.

Here's hoping the Bond honchos figure it out sooner than later. The gap between Pierce Brosnan and Craig (4 years) was longer than any period from previous actors -- meaning, when one guy left ... the other slid in rather seamlessly in a matter of a year or two.