Money

The new batch of celebs who'll be living in the 'Big Brother' house for another season of drama are filling with one thing in common -- starting salaries ... TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with the contacts for all 12 stars in season 2 of "Celebrity Big Brother" tell us each of them will rake in $100k ... just for entering the house. The winner can walk away with an additional $250k.

In other words, Anthony Scaramucci isn't more important than Dina Lohan this year ... at least not from the jump, money-wise.

Our production sources also tell us the houseguests had been sequestered in separate hotel rooms for 4 days prior to entering the house Wednesday. We're told CBS brass didn't want anyone in the cast knowing who else was set to appear until the premiere.

Other celebs set to appear on 'CBB' include Natalie Eva Marie, Ryan Lochte, Joey Lawrence, Kato Kaelin, Lolo Jones, Tom Green, Kandi Burruss, Tamar Braxton, Jonathan Bennett and Ricky Williams.

Side note ... the American version of 'CBB' doesn't pay nearly as much as its U.K. counterpart. Just look at what Speidi made, not to mention Ray J. Big difference.

There's a real estate battle brewing for the most expensive property in the history of Los Angeles, fittingly dubbed "The Mountain," because we've learned the owners of the incredible mountaintop property just laughed off a developer's $400 MILLION offer!!!

Sources familiar with the negotiations tell TMZ ... builder Scott Gillen recently submitted a $400 mil bid, but the estate's ownership group scoffed and came back with a $600 million counter!

It's interesting ... "The Mountain" is listed for $1 BILLION, but the counteroffer from ownership group Secure Capital Partners is $400 mil below the 10-figure asking price. Overvalued much?

Gillen tells us, "I saw an opportunity to expand my brand in the city, something I've wanted to do for some time. If they're smart, they'll take the offer."

We're told Gillen has grand plans to build 6 homes on the sprawling 157-acre plot of land in Bev Hills, which sits atop a mountain overlooking all of L.A. ... while the owners envision a single home being built on the 1.5 million square foot property. Regardless, the impasse is all about money.

Scott's no stranger to massive land purchases. Last year, he set a Malibu real estate record when he plunked down $50 mil on a 24-acre plot. Still, we're told "The Mountain" deal is likely going nowhere because Gillen doesn't want to budge.

We reached out to the listing agent, Aaron Kirman, who had no comment.

2:03 PM PT -- A spokesperson for the City of Chicago tells TMZ that officials who searched R. Kelly's studio Wednesday did, in fact, find building code violations, including evidence that the space was being used for residential purposes.

We're also told officials discovered work that had been done inside without permits. The city will file an amended complaint against R. Kelly for a future court hearing.

Police are at R. Kelly's recording studio in Chicago, and while it has nothing to do with the allegations put forth in "Surviving R. Kelly" ... it is related to potential illegal activity.

The issue appears to be Kelly's studio being used as a residence. Law enforcement sources tell us Chicago PD showed up there Wednesday afternoon with the Cook County Building and Zoning Dept. We're told the B & Z is there because the building is only zoned for industrial use, so if anyone is living there ... that's a no-no.

We're told police typically accompany the Building Dept. on such matters ... and officers did NOT go just because it's Kelly's place. BTW, the singer reportedly owes a ton of back rent -- $166k -- and is facing eviction before the month's end.

Obviously, the sight of police swarming Kelly's crib immediately made people think an arrest was going down.

No dice. Yet.

Mariah Carey says she was betrayed in a huge way by the former personal assistant she hired ... an assistant Mariah says secretly recorded her doing "embarrassing" things and then threatened to release the vids unless the singer coughed up $8 million ... TMZ has learned.

TMZ has obtained a copy of a lawsuit Mariah just filed against Lianna Azarian, also known as Lianna Shakhnazarian. Mariah says she hired Azarian back in March 2015 as an Executive Assistant. Mariah claims it wasn't long before Azarian went to town with her credit card, buying personal stuff and also claiming to retailers she was buying things for Mariah, trading the singer's goodwill to get deep discounts.

Carey says unbeknownst to her, Azarian was secretly filming her "personal activities" ... which would be "embarrassing," and extremely damaging both personally and professionally if revealed.

Mariah says Azarian showed some of the videos to friends, saying if she was ever fired she'd sell them.

Carey claims she was paying Azarian as much as $327,000 a year, but ended up firing her in November 2017, and that's when she claims the blackmail began. Carey says Azarian demanded $8 million and if she didn't get it she'd release videos and other damaging information.

The lawsuit does not say what's on the videos ... although some are described as "intimate."

Mariah says she's demanded the videos and other evidence of criminal activity back, to no avail. She's suing for unspecified damages, but wants more than $3 million.

9:34 AM PT -- A source close to Mariah tells TMZ, "This new year welcomes Mariah's continued efforts to clean the trash from her life."

They continue, "According to a Complaint filed today in California, an executive assistant employed in 2015 to help with business and personal matters, turned out to be a grifter and extortionist. Because her threats and bad acts are too great to be ignored, Mariah has been compelled to file a lawsuit against her."

"Given that the evidence against this former assistant is vast and deplorable, we anticipate a victorious resolution. Mariah continues her streak of success this year with an upcoming North American tour and return to Vegas."

Originally Published -- 3:38 AM PT

9:12 AM PT -- The Sitch is on his way to lockup, and just posted a video to all his fans. He promises to be a better version of himself once he gets out and also makes a few plugs for his social media account. Sorrentino will likely be booked within the hour.

Time's up for Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino ... the "Jersey Shore" star is surrendering to begin his 8-month prison sentence.

Sorrentino's attorney, Kristen Santillo, tells TMZ ...he will turn himself in Tuesday to start serving his time at the Federal Correctional Institution in Otisville, New York. We suspect he'll have lots of contact -- written, anyway -- with the outside.

Before reporting to prison, Sorrentino urged friends, family and fans to write him while behind bars ... posting the prison mailing address for his 1.3 million Twitter followers.

As we've reported ... Mike was sentenced to 8 months back in October for tax evasion. Mike's brother, Marc, got 2 years behind bars. The sentencing being pushed to October really helped The Situation.

He was originally supposed to be sentenced in April, but with the extra months of freedom, Mike married Lauren Pesce at a fancy shindig in November. He also got to spend the holidays with friends and fam ... including Thanksgiving.

This Valentine's Day is gonna suck -- no GTL or TLC, we're assuming.

On the upside ... he could run into President Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen, who will also do his time at Otisville, and he'll be out for Halloween.

Tito Jackson and the band he played with negotiated in bad faith with the B.B. King Music Co. and profited off the jazz musician's celebrity, so the company wants Tito and his bandmates to cut them a check and stop using his name ... this according to a new lawsuit.

The B.B. King Music Co. is going after the B.B. King Blues Band Featuring Tito Jackson for trademark infringement. According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, the band never had written permission to use B.B. King's name on their worldwide tour.

The B.B. King Music Co. claims they had an oral agreement for the band to use the famous artist's name, but they never actually signed it.

R. Kelly might as well be record label-less right now -- because his current one has frozen him out ... putting new music on ice until the dust settles in his latest scandal ... TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with R. Kelly's contract and dealings with RCA/Sony tell us ... the label will not produce any of the singer's new music, it will not put money behind any of his projects, and it will not release any additional music until the criminal investigations in Georgia and other fallout resolve one way or the other.

We're told R. Kelly is pissed because he's been in the studio recording new music to fulfill the obligations under his RCA contract ... which requires 2 new albums.

Our sources say he's especially annoyed RCA/Sony won't provide money for music videos.

RCA/Sony is in a tough spot -- they can read the tea leaves and know they will have hell to pay in terms of PR if they release R. Kelly's songs in the wake of the growing #MuteRKelly movement.

On the other hand, the label has a deal with R. Kelly, and if they formally walk away from him now without any criminal charges to justify ending the contract ... they could be sued. We don't know if there's a "morals clause" in R. Kelly's contract ... which would allow the label to give him the boot for crossing the line.

It sounds like they could mutually agree to end things because we're told R. Kelly is very unhappy and if the label doesn't embrace him, he wants out. The problem ... where to go? On top of that, our sources say other artists are now turning him down for possible collabs.

In case you haven't noticed, Kelly has been releasing new music via social media and SoundCloud for a minute. Yes, R. Kelly is a SoundCloud singer ... at least, for now.

We've reached out to RCA/Sony for comment ... so far, no word back.

Some of biggest stars in the world -- from Adam Sandler to Jamie Foxx to Baker Mayfield -- came out to Malibu to play in a celeb softball game Sunday to raise a ton of money for a great cause.

It was all for the California Strong charity ... created by MLB stars Christian Yelich, Ryan Braun, Mike Moustakas and NFL star Jared Goff to help out people affected by the CA wildfires and the shooting at the Borderline Bar.

They called every star they knew ... and the stars came out in force to Pepperdine University to help.

Rainn Wilson, Mira Sorvino, Dennis Rodman, Brad Paisley, Charlie Sheen, Robin Thicke, Rob Riggle, Matt Leinart, Reggie Miller, Justin Turner and more turned up and balled out.

We're told the event raised a TON of money -- and helped the California Strong organization (in association with the Southeast Ventura County YMCA) cross a lifetime total of $1 MILLION in fundraising.

During the game, several checks were handed out to families affected by the fires -- and also to the Borderline Bar to help rebuild.

The crowd gave a huge ovation to the first responders.

A 60-year-old clipping of Marilyn Monroe's hair is up for grabs, and as an added bonus ... it comes with a sexy glamour shot of the blonde bombshell.

The lock of hair -- approximately 35 strands worth -- is from the collection of Kenneth Battelle, who served as the icon's hairdresser from 1958 until her death in 1962.

Monroe's mane comes in a specially designed glass frame, along with a framed photo of her. It's all presented in a flat paper box with Battelle's customized calling card under the lid ... which he dated June 14, 1959.

We're told the hairdresser had several of these pieces featuring Marilyn's hair made as gifts for his closest friends.

Ikumi Yoshimatsu -- who repped Japan when she won Miss International in 2012 -- is at war with a huge-ass bird that's been feasting on expensive koi in her pond ... and TMZ's got video of the flying beast eyeing its prey.

Ikumi was baffled for weeks that 5 of her koi fish disappeared from the pond in her backyard at her Beverly Hills property. She thought maybe someone was stealing the pricey fishes (some valued at more than $10k) so she placed a net over the pond.

Turns out that didn't solve the problem ... more fish just disappeared. Then, one day, she spotted the culprit ... this massive bird (possibly a Crane). Ikumi says she saw the bird eating one of the koi. She grabbed her drone and captured the bird perched on her roof.

We're told Ikumi -- who, BTW, is an actress -- says she doesn't know how to abate the problem. The only thing that seems to keep the bird away is her Kangal Shepherd dog. As you can see from the video ... the bird keeps its distance from the pond when the pooch is around.

#FirstWorldProblems

Justin Bieber and his wife, Hailey, have learned a valuable lesson -- before you drop a ton of cash on a new home ... double-check the pipes.

Sources close to the Biebers tell TMZ ... they were forced to leave their $100k/month crib in the San Fernando Valley last month after a major plumbing issue arose, among other problems.

We broke the story ... JB signed a lease to rent the 4 bedroom, 7 bathroom Mediterranean-style house in October, but we're told the couple's had a bunch of issues.

A pool heater broke, there was trouble with the AC and a pipe burst ... which our sources say was the final straw.

They've moved out, but there's no worry the landlord will go after them for breaking a lease. We're told this was a month-to-month deal, so they're in the clear.

Justin and Hailey have been staying at a Beverly Hills hotel ever since, and if the vid of Justin singing in front of the hotel is any indication ... they've been making the most of it.

Mystikal is THIS close to getting the money he needs to post bail and get out of prison while he waits for his rape case trial to begin ... thanks to friends and a record deal.

You may recall the rapper was booked in 2017 for first-degree rape and second-degree kidnapping after he turned himself in following a Louisiana woman who came forward.

He's been behind bars ever since (almost a year and a half), but people around him have recently rallied and he could be set free soon, pending his trial in May.

Mystikal's attorney, Joel Pearce, tells TMZ ... his client's friends and family have been raising money to help post the $3 million bail. But, what really helped is a new music deal.

Tim Yazbeck, another attorney for the rapper, tells TMZ ... Mystikal has a new record deal for 3 unreleased albums and he's hoping to get an advance within days.

Jimmy Fallon took his show on the road to help the Puerto Rico recovery effort and did a little dancing on the way.

Jimmy was there for a series of performances of "Hamilton" ... to raise money in the wake of Hurricane Maria.

Fallon danced in the street and played with the daughter of Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rossello.

Jimmy shot a video with Puerto Rican-born rapper Bad Bunny to the song, "MIA."

High school basketball superstar Maori Davenport will be ALLOWED to play in her game Friday night after a judge called off her suspension.

Davenport's story became national news when athletic officials in Alabama ruled her ineligible after learning she received an $857 check from Team USA basketball for playing in a tourney back in August. The check covered lost wages and expenses.

The check was sent to Davenport as the result of a clerical error -- she never sought out the payment.

Davenport initially cashed the check under the assumption it was a standard operating procedure for people playing for Team USA. When the organization realized the error, they asked for the money back and she returned it the next day.

Still, officials in Alabama believed cashing the check violated the rules -- and deemed her ineligible for her senior year.

It's a big deal considering 6'4" Davenport is one of the best players in the country -- and committed to attend Rutgers next year.

Huge stars like Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Billie Jean King and more spoke out in Davenport's defense -- calling the suspension ridiculous and insisting she did nothing wrong.

An emergency motion was filed in Pike County Circuit Court and on Friday the judge decided to repeal the suspension -- pending the outcome of a hearing on the matter.

Translation, Davenport can play with her high school team for now.

Megyn Kelly says 2019 will be a momentous year ... she'll be back on the air, and she's ready to take the plunge with a new pooch.

Megyn was out and about with hubby Doug Brunt Thursday night in NYC, and the way she put it ... it sounds like she knows where she's heading.

As we reported, Megyn struck a huge settlement with NBC after they took her off the air ... we're told around $35 million.

And, there's another big turn for 2019. Megyn's ready to dive back into the world of dogs, after her 14-year-old Shih Tzu, Basha, died last year. She's definitely in the market, although Doug seems tentative.

R. Kelly might have been creepy when Destiny's Child recorded with him in 1998, but Beyonce's dad says no one in the music biz cared about his personal life, because he was killing it professionally.

Mathew Knowles tells TMZ ... every artist back then was judged by their talent and NOT their personal misdeeds. In Kelly's case, that meant giving him a pass for reportedly marrying 15-year-old Aaliyah in 1994 ... and settling a lawsuit with a woman claiming he had underage sex with her.

Mathew says creative genius trumped all back then.

If you didn't know ... Destiny's Child -- Bey, Kelly Rowland, LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson at the time -- recorded a song with Kelly, but it never made the final cut for a DC album. Bey was 17 at the time, and Mathew makes it clear ... he and Tina Knowles never lost sight of the girls during the session.

Despite the #MeToo era, Mathew thinks the music industry hasn't made much progress when it comes to artists working with dubious characters -- because, for many, it's still just business.