Travis Scott on Astroworld I Was Told To Stop Show Early ... But I Didn't Know Severity
Travis Scott told police someone in his earpiece told him to end the Astroworld concert after Drake's set, but insists he had no clue there was an emergency unfolding in the crowd.
The rapper's account of what unfolded at the deadly November 2021 concert is documented in the 1,266-page report from Houston Police, who interviewed him at his home a few days after the concert.
Travis said the first time he noticed something was wrong was when he was on a lifted platform above the stage and he noticed someone down near the stage who was receiving medical attention.
Before this point, Travis said he recalled seeing lights in the crowd but could not tell what was going on ... so he asked folks in the crowd to put up a middle finger if they were fine and that was the overwhelming response ... so he thought everything was good.
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Travis told police he was on the elevated platform for about two or three songs, when he saw someone waving their hands at him near the stage ... and that's when he told the crowd to back up and get medical attention to the area.
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For the rest of his time on the elevated platform, Travis said he was in a "trance" going through his performance and getting into the music ... and that there wasn't a "high commotion" in the crowd.
When Drake was onstage, the report said a security guard tried to get two members of Travis' team to stop the show in the middle of the set, but was denied and told Drake needed to finish.
Travis told police he was told "Yo, this is gonna have to be like the last song," when Drake was performing ... but he says he was not told there was an emergency.
When Drake finished, Travis says he was told in his earpiece ... "Yo Trav, you got to wrap it up, it's getting kinda hectic out there." Travis says there was no mention of the situation's severity.
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Travis told police he was first told something happened at the concert when he got back to his trailer, when a friend told him a concertgoer was getting CPR. Travis says he thought only one person was in trouble, but was later informed that two people needed CPR and that's when he started to question what was going on.
It was not until Travis got home, around 2 AM or 3 AM, that he says he learned about the number of people who died at Astroworld.
In total, 10 people died and dozens were injured ... and now Travis is facing civil lawsuits, though he will not face criminal charges.
The report notes Travis was clearly concerned about the condition of the victims when he was talking with cops, asking about the status of those who had been hospitalized.
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Astroworld Tragedy Travis' Team Prevented Concert From Stopping ... Final Police Report Says
Victims of Travis Scott's Astroworld tragedy were alarmed the concert continued as they were fighting for their lives, and one security guard even went backstage pleading with Travis' team to stop the concert ... but his team refused to alert Travis.
Police just released their 1,266-page report ... which includes interviews with hundreds of concert attendees, many of whom suffered injuries and were hospitalized. Some of them paint a grisly picture of what happened in November of 2021 ... as the crowd surge resulted in a stampede.
The report says the security guard, Marty, made it backstage to the audio area to try and stop the show while Drake was performing. Marty said he made it clear to two members of Travis' team who allegedly had the ability to communicate with Travis that the concert needed to end, but he was blocked.
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The man says Travis' team did not want to shut the show down because Drake had three more songs left ... and he says he told them the situation was "much bigger than Drake" but says Travis' team "actively impeded the ability for anyone to stop the show."
Police interviewed Drake and asked if he noticed any problems going on in the crowd while he was on stage and he told cops it was difficult to see from his vantage point because there were a lot of lights and it was his first time ever on that stage and he wasn't able to rehearse.
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Drake also told cops he didn't hear anyone in the crowd begging to stop the show, explaining that his earpiece drowns out a lot of outside noise.
The report also says Drake told police he met up with Travis after the show and at that point, they did not know about the tragic incident in the crowd. Drake said his manager later informed him of what happened.
Travis is still facing civil lawsuits over the deadly concert and if it turns out people on his team were blocking folks from stopping the show it could have legal consequences in those suits.
The police report is also filled with details from concertgoers ... including one named Ayden who said he felt like he was "losing oxygen and he began to yell for help as he fell to the ground." His friend, Brianna, was nearby and he heard her yelling, "I can't breathe" and he went into "survival mode."
Ayden says he got himself out of the pile, but "it did not help that the music continued on playing even though it was clear people were being trampled on." He says he got to the front of the stage and tried to get Travis' attention to stop the concert, but was unable to do so.
Aside from the obvious stamped issues that occurred during the chaos, another fan believed the lighting on the stage caused him to have a seizure. He told police he had no history of seizures and had not taken any drugs that night.
The report also includes interviews with first responders who describe the absolutely horrific scene. One Houston firefighter said they had worked on 11 cardiac arrest patients within 46 minutes, and observed one person with a crushed larynx, one overdose and several other injuries.
Story developing ...
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Vince McMahon Undergoes Major Spinal Surgery
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Vince McMahon underwent major surgery last week to fix an issue with his spine, TMZ Sports has learned.
Sources close to the WWE honcho tell us the procedure lasted over four hours. It was, however, deemed a success ... and the 77-year-old is now recovering.
No word yet on what it will all mean for his future in the ring ... though McMahon's action in the squared circle has waned since his memorable appearance at Wrestlemania 38.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs. Vince McMahon is the gift that keeps on giving!
— WWE on TNT Sports (@wweontnt) April 4, 2022 @wweontnt
😂 😂 😂#WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/qZSjCV2CaE
Regardless, it's been a year full of ups and downs for McMahon ... he retired as WWE CEO last July amid allegations of misconduct -- only to come back in January.
Months later, in April, McMahon helped spearhead a merger between the WWE and the UFC ... forming a $21 billion company.
At the time of the move, he said it was "the best thing that's happened in a long, long time."
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Bronny James 911 Call ... We Need an Ambulance Now!!!
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The fact Bronny James is home recovering tonight has everything to do with the absolute urgency with which someone called for help when he suffered a cardiac arrest, and the 911 call reveals the gravity of the moment.
TMZ Sports obtained the call, made by someone at USC's Galen Center at 9:26 AM Monday ... and the caller got right to the point by saying, "Get an ambulance here now!"
As we first reported, LeBron James' son was in the middle of a basketball workout at the arena when he collapsed ... and it's clear the caller understood time was of the essence. After he demanded an ambulance, the 911 operator asks if there's a doctor or registered nurse on the scene to aid with CPR, and the caller says no.
The operator reassured the caller that paramedics were already on the way. We know 18-year-old Bronny was unconscious when the call went out for help.
However, doctors at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was taken, have said he was alert by the time he reached the hospital -- a credit to the paramedics who worked on him at the Galen Center and in the ambulance.
On Thursday, doctors discharged Bronny from the hospital, and, according to LeBron ... his son is doing well, although doctors are still trying to determine what triggered the cardiac arrest.
One thing we all learned in the wake of Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin's on-field cardiac arrest ... time makes all the difference in these types of crises, and it seems everyone around Bronny understood that mission when he went down.
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Randy Meisner Cofounding Eagles Member Dead at 77
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Randy Meisner, one of the original members of the Eagles, is dead.
The legendary band's former bassist and singer died Wednesday in Los Angeles as a result of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a statement issued Thursday by the Eagles.
Randy was the OG bass player for the Eagles, and he's famous for co-writing and singing their famous ballad, "Take It To The Limit."
Along with Glenn Frey, Don Henley, and Bernie Leadon ... Randy contributed to the band's biggest albums, including "Hotel California" and "Desperado," as well as "Eagles," "On The Border" and "One of These Night."
Randy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame way back in 1998 with the rest of the Eagles.
The band is remembering him as "an integral part of the Eagles and instrumental in the early success of the band" ... and they say his vocal range was "astonishing."
Randy was born in Nebraska but spent a lot of time in L.A., where he got started in music.
The last time we got Randy on camera was back in April 2015, when he set the record straight on allegations his wife was keeping him in a constant drunken state ... and he also recounted the infamous 1977 backstage brawl with Frey, which lead to Randy quitting the group.
Before forming the Eagles in 1971, Randy played bass for the band Poco ... and was also the bassist for Rick Nelson's Stone Canyon Band.
He was 77.
RIP
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SELENA GOMEZ ORGAN DONOR FRANCIA RAISA SAYS THERE'S NO BEEF ... Birthday Wish a Cure-All?!?
Selena Gomez's organ donor says there's no bad blood between them ... but as for their relationship status, it's not so cut and dry.
Francia Raisa was in West Hollywood on Thursday when a photog asked her about Selena wishing her a happy birthday the day before ... which seemed to be an olive branch amid their falling out.
Francia says she got a lot of birthday messages and appreciates everyone who sent one ... but she's not singling out Selena here.
When Selena posted the birthday note on Instagram, Francia was not following her fellow former child actor ... but she's since followed Selena back.
Check out the video ... Francia initially laughs off a question about them being on good terms ... but when asked again later, she tells the photog there is no beef between them.
Remember ... Francia revealed their friendship was broken once Selena said in an interview that the only person in Hollywood she was close to is Taylor Swift.
Francia, who donated a kidney to Selena in 2017, took offense and unfollowed Gomez ... and later claimed she was being bullied online by Selena fans.
Now, Francia is hinting everything is cool with Selena ... but she's still being coy about their true relationship status.
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Megan Fox Rips Those Shaming Her Over GoFundMe ... Friend Didn't Want My $$
Megan Fox is firing back at the people who are blasting her for sharing a GoFundMe for her friend's cancer-stricken father ... saying the haters don't understand the full story or her relationship with the friend.
The actress took to social media Thursday to explain why she is helping crowdfund for her nail technician's ailing father ... instead of ponying up the money herself, as some folks online think she should.
Megan says her nail tech didn't want her money because it would create an uncomfortable dynamic in their working relationship ... and ditto for the woman's other celeb clients.
In her IG story, Megan also questions her haters' emotional intelligence ... and ends by calling them psychos.
As we reported ... after Megan shared the GoFundMe, donations started to pour in ... but some folks questioned why Megan was asking other people for money instead of just covering all the medical expenses herself.
Megan also says she will oblige any request from her nail tech ... though it will be done in private.
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Bronny James Discharged From Hospital
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Great news ... Bronny James has been discharged from the hospital -- and he's now back home resting comfortably.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Group doctor Merije Chukumerije announced the positive update in a statement just minutes ago ... revealing LeBron's oldest son has shown very encouraging signs of recovery the past few days after suffering sudden cardiac arrest during a workout at USC on Monday.
"Although his workup will be ongoing," said Chukumerije -- a team physician/consultant for the NBA, NHL and MLS, "we are hopeful for his continued progress and are encouraged by his response, resilience, and his family and community support."
The doctor added in his statement that despite Bronny's scary collapse ... he arrived at Cedars-Sinai "fully conscious, neurologically intact and stable." He called the overall treatment for the cardiac arrest successful.
As for Bronny's dad, LeBron said in a statement of his own on Thursday morning he, his son, and the rest of his family are "doing great."
"We have our family together, safe and healthy, and we feel your love," the Lakers superstar said. "Will have more to say when we’re ready but I wanted to tell everyone how much your support has meant to all of us!"
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Madonna Dancing for Debut Album's Birthday ... Good Sign for Recovery
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Madonna is movin' and groovin' on camera for the first time since her serious bacterial infection sent her to the ICU ... dancing to one of her hits on a very big career milestone date.
The 64-year-old singer was breaking it down Thursday to her track, "Lucky Star" -- the first song on her self-titled debut album, which she's wishing a happy 40th birthday.
Madonna says, "To be able to move my body and dance just a little bit makes me feel like the Luckiest Star in the world!" She goes on to thank all her fans, saying they're pretty lucky, too.
She's seemingly recovering really well, based on those moves -- as we reported, Madonna was in a battle for her health after an infection and being unresponsive and intubated in the ICU.
She got out of the hospital, and we saw her earlier this month out and about in NYC -- she also broke her silence on her medical crisis by letting her fans know she'd have no choice but to push back the start of her world tour ... which was set to start this month.
But, if this new vid is a sign, she's making great strides!
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LeBron James Family 'Safe And Healthy' ... After Bronny's Cardiac Arrest
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LeBron James is breaking his silence on Bronny's medical scare ... assuring fans his family is "safe and healthy," and sharing his appreciation for all the support over the past few days.
"I want to thank the countless people sending my family love and prayers," the Lakers superstar tweeted on Thursday morning. "We feel you and I'm so grateful. Everyone doing great. We have our family together, safe and healthy, and we feel your love."
"Will have more to say when we’re ready," James added, "but I wanted to tell everyone how much your support has meant to all of us! #JamesGang👑"
Bronny initially suffered cardiac arrest on Monday ... while he was working out at USC. He was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center -- but, thankfully, he's been making steady progress ever since.
It's unclear what caused the issue and when Bronny will be able to return home -- but when he does eventually get out ... several people who have suffered similar medical emergencies have already said they'll be there for him if he needs them.
LeBron's former teammate, Ronny Turiaf -- who needed open-heart surgery in 2005 -- said he'd be "always available" to talk.
Shareef O'Neal, meanwhile, said he too would be down to chat with Bronny -- revealing Thursday he's already reached out to his good friend.
"Any questions you have, you can ask me," Shareef said of his message to Bronny. "I can probably answer them for you."
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'Messi Of Matadors' Gored By 1,100-Pound Bull ... During Show In Spain
Bullfighting star Andrés Roca Rey -- aka the "Messi of Matadors" -- suffered gruesome injuries during a show in Spain on Tuesday ... after he was terrifyingly gored by a 1,100-pound beast.
The horrifying incident happened at the Santiago de Santander Fair ... when Roca Rey was attempting to lure a bull through his cape.
The matador stared down the animal for several seconds ... but when it finally charged -- it ended up catching Roca Rey right in the thigh. It then took him for a scary ride.
The bull tosses Andrés in the air ... before ramming him into the stadium's boards. The bull then appears to stick its horns in the man -- before turning its attention to other matadors who had jumped in to help.
Roca Rey's teammate, Cayetano Rivera Ordoñez, jumped in the ring and managed to divert the bull's attention away from Roca Rey but was then gored by the bull as well suffering a fractured rib.
GRACIAS 🙏 A DIOS ESTÁS BIEN MAESTRO ANDRÉS ROCA REY, GRACIAS AL MAESTRO CAYETANO RIVERA ORDÓÑEZ Y AL EXCELENTE TORERO DE PLATA OCTAVIO CHACÓN, QUE TE ACOMPAÑA EN TU CUADRILLA.
— BRIDGE (@brichipichy) July 26, 2023 @brichipichy
"COMO UNA ROCA SIGUES SIENDO EL REY". pic.twitter.com/9dj12t5tuf
Reportedly, Roca Rey was taken to the hospital with wounds to his knee -- and bruises on his neck, face, and legs.
Fortunately for the fighter, however, he avoided life-threatening wounds ... and took to Instagram just hours later to thank his teammate and fellow matador Cayetano Rivera Ordoñez who jumped in to save him and was attacked and gored by the bull as well, suffering a fractured right rib.
Roca Rey is considered one of the best bullfighters in the world -- earning comparisons to Lionel Messi for the way he dominated his sport after moving to Spain from South America.
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Tori Kelly Scared and Heartbroken ... Blood Clots Found Near Heart
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Tori Kelly says her alarming medical emergency -- passing out in a restaurant and discovering potentially life-threatening blood clots -- left her scared and heartbroken.
The singer gave an update to her fans Thursday morning, jumping on X to say the past few days have been tough, but also saying she's feeling a lot stronger and hopeful.
Tori goes on to say, "There are still some things to uncover." The 30-year-old singer is referring to the blood clots in her legs and near her lungs.
We're told doctors also discovered some clots near her heart ... and, as a result, she remains in the hospital while doctors try to figure out what caused them and how to prevent them in the future.
Despite her health being a priority, Tori says she isn't gonna let her health scare derail the release of her upcoming EP, "tori," which is still coming out Friday. She says the new songs represent "the happy place I've been in the last few years."
TMZ broke the story, the Grammy-winning artist was at dinner with her pals Sunday night in DTLA when her heart rate increased and she collapsed. Her friends put her in a car and zoomed to Cedars-Sinai, instead of taking an ambulance to a hospital downtown.
Sources with direct knowledge told us doctors determined she had blood clots in her legs and around her lungs -- which can be fatal -- but it sounds like things are moving in the right direction.
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Shareef O'Neal 'I Talked To Bronny' ... Offered Help After Cardiac Arrest
Shareef O'Neal has already offered to help Bronny James in his recovery from his cardiac arrest ... revealing this week he's actually spoken with LeBron's son -- making it clear he'll be there for the 18-year-old if and when he needs assistance in his road to recovery.
Shaq's son, of course, survived his own heart health scare back in 2018 -- when he had to undergo a scary surgery to fix an irregularity in his ticker.
He told Good Morning America on Thursday that getting back to 100 percent following the procedure was anything but easy ... explaining that, initially, he couldn't even walk.
As Lebron James' family remain by Bronny’s side after his cardiac arrest, Shaquille O'Neal's son Shareef speaks out about his own health scare and what it was like undergoing open-heart surgery at 18. @molareports has more. pic.twitter.com/YaavQM64pl
— Good Morning America (@GMA) July 27, 2023 @GMA
"What is my future looking like," he remembered wondering during his first days out of surgery. "That's when I kind of realized, I don't know if basketball is ever going to be an option again."
O'Neal, though, eventually returned to the court at full strength ... and he says his dad's words -- which he's now passing on to Bronny -- helped tremendously in getting back.
"He's like, 'If you make it out of this, you'll be the baddest man on the planet,'" Shareef said of Shaq's advice. "And that kind of just builds a fire up in you and makes you want to go back and get it."
Bronny James Doing Well, LeBron and Savannah Relieved, More Tests Needed
It's unclear how similar Bronny's situation is to Shareef's -- few details surrounding the cause of James' medical emergency on Monday have been released -- but sources close to the situation have told TMZ he's doing well enough now that both LeBron and Savannah are feeling "relieved."
From here, however, it'll likely be a hard road for Bronny to get back on his feet and potentially return to USC's basketball team ... but Shareef made it abundantly evident he's going to do everything he can to help.
"Any questions you have, you can ask me," Shareef said of his message to Bronny. "I can probably answer them for you."
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NBA's Patrick Williams 'Whole Basketball Community' Hurting ... After Bronny's Scare
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Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams says news of Bronny James' cardiac arrest rocked the hoops world ... telling TMZ Sports "the whole basketball community" is now reeling.
LeBron James' son was raced to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Monday morning after he collapsed on the court at USC's Galen Center ... and when Williams heard the news Tuesday -- he said everyone who's ever hooped was rattled.
"In the basketball community, it's all a family," Williams said out in Beverly Hills. "You know what I mean? No matter where you are, basketball brings you in as a family. So, it definitely hurt the whole basketball community when we heard that."
Williams said he'd continue to send prayers Bronny's way ... with the hopes that the teenager will make a speedy recovery.
Bronny James Doing Well, LeBron and Savannah Relieved, More Tests Needed
Of course, the 21-year-old NBA player -- the 4th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft -- was far from only pro baller to send his thoughts to the James family ... everyone from Trae Young to Jalen Brunson to Jayson Tatum also expressed their well wishes.
Even Magic Johnson and Metta World Peace took to their Twitter pages to write notes of encouragement to LeBron's eldest child ... and LBJ's former teammate, Ronny Turiaf, said he'd be there once Bronny's released from the hospital to help guide him in his journey back to full strength.
As for how Bronny's currently doing, sources tell TMZ there's been enough positivity surrounding his recovery already that his parents are "relieved."
Get well soon.
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Selena Gomez Wishes Francia Happy Birthday ... All Good After Falling Out?!?
Selena Gomez appears to be extending an olive branch to her organ donor and one-time friend, Francia Raisa, wishing her a happy birthday after their recent falling out.
Selena took to social media Wednesday to wish Francia happy birthday, posting what appears to be an old photo of them along with the caption ... "Happiest of birthdays to this special human beings. No matter where life takes us, I love you. ❤️ @franciaraisa."
It's a noteworthy post from Selena ... Francia recently revealed their relationship was broken ... so this could be a sign Selena wants to patch things up.
The outstanding issue ... Francia took offense to an interview where Selena said the only person she was close to in Hollywood was Taylor Swift.
Selena's answer didn't sit right with Francia, because the two former child actors go way back and she donated a kidney to Selena in 2017.
Francia unfollowed Selena after the interview and still does not follow her on IG ... so it will be interesting to see if the birthday post moves the needle.
Stay tuned ...
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Sen. Mitch McConnell Freezes Up Mid-Sentence ... Appears to Suffer Medical Episode
Sen. Mitch McConnell is insisting he's fine, but an odd moment in the middle of a news conference says otherwise ... as the Senate Minority leader stopped talking mid-sentence, and stood still as a rock at the podium.
The Senator was speaking to reporters Wednesday on Capitol Hill when he suddenly stopped talking and stared blankly ahead. After more than 30 seconds of standing still without blinking or opening his mouth ... he was escorted off camera.
The 81-year-old Kentucky lawmaker later returned to the podium to answer questions from reporters, and addressed what had just happened to him, saying ... "No, I'm fine."
While it's unclear what happened to Mitch here, it's worth noting he was hospitalized back in March after tripping and falling at a Washington D.C. hotel, and was treated for a concussion. He denied the fall having anything to do with today's incident.
CNN's Manu Raju says one of McConnell's aides told him the Senator was feeling "light-headed," and stepped aside for a moment.
He's been back working in the Senate since April. We reached out to his office for more clarity on the situation ... so far, no word back.