Music

This season of "The Masked Singer" is in full swing, with the costume designs literally bigger than ever ... unfortunately, that's resulting in more headaches -- and falls -- on set!

The hit series -- currently in its 7th season -- hasn't been shy when it comes to elaborate costume pieces ... even winning Emmys for their hard work! However, this season might've gone too far.

With celebs wanting to go all out with their looks, the team is forced to make things bigger and better ... which has proven to be a disadvantage for contestants, including Cyclops and McTerrier.

Both mystery celebs have had their share of tumbles and slips while in costume ... and there's concern more wipeouts are inevitable.

Cyclops' headpiece is a beast, too ... making it impossible to enter and exit the stage as the other contestants would. Instead, crew members have to move equipment around just for them to walk on stage.

We're told the choreographers are also bearing the brunt of the problem ... forced to simplify performances because the costumes are just too difficult to manage.

Production sources say first rehearsals are usually rough when celebs break in their new attire ... but this season has been especially difficult due to the increasing complexity of the costumes.

This isn't the first time elaborate costumes gave the show some grief ... as we reported, last season's Jester -- AKA  Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols -- had a bulge just too big for TV audiences, forcing costume designers to shrink the ... royal jewels.

Chris Brown is firing back at the woman who accused him of rape and sued him for $20 million -- insisting voicemails and texts she sent after their encounter prove it was consensual, and now the woman's lawyer is dropping her.

The string of texts began very shortly after he and the anonymous accuser hooked up on a yacht in Miami back in December 2020, and continued for several months. In the texts, Chris tells the woman she should take a Plan B pill after their encounter, and she responds that she will, and adds ... "I wanna f**k u tonight at midnight lol."

Months later, after she and Chris apparently talked about meeting up again, but never did, the woman sends a nude selfie and says "U were honestly the best d**k I've had 😭 lol i just want it again."

When Chris didn't respond, she seemed to get peeved, texting ... "U knew full well I wasn't pressing u bout no d**k. U told me to stay and then gonna try to play me? Nah that's crazy i didn't deserve that but u def got it."

In a voicemail, which Chris posted on his IG, she says, "I just want to see you again ... just let me know. If you want me to leave you alone, I will. But I really just wanna f**k the s**t again."

Chris clearly feels vindicated, and said on social media ... "No more dragging me through the mud. CLEARLY YOU CAN ALL SEE THE (blue cap emoji)." He says he's planning to sue the accuser because, "You don't play with people's lives like that."

TMZ broke the story ... the woman accused Chris of drugging her during the yacht party, and taking her into a bedroom and raping her.

We spoke with the accuser's lawyer, Ariel Mitchell, and she confirms the woman sent Chris the texts and voicemail. She tells TMZ she's withdrawing from the case because she says the woman had not informed her about the messages.

Love him or hate him, Jackson Mahomes had the crowd buzzing at the Justin Bieber concert on Tuesday ... with fans rushing over to get a pic with the NFL superstar's brother.

The 21-year-old TikTok star showed up at Crypto.com Arena right before the "Peaches" singer took the stage for his second L.A. show this week ... and was immediately met with a swarm of concert-goers asking for a selfie.

We're told Jackson was happy to fulfill all the requests and was polite to all the fans before making his way to his floor seat.

Mahomes has been a polarizing figure recently -- getting backlash for dumping water on Ravens fans and dancing on a tribute to late NFL legend Sean Taylor.

He's also been accused of clout-chasing by a local K.C. bar and scamming a care package out of a snack company ... which he's publicly denied.

As for the concert, Mahomes got to watch Biebs sing and dance his ass off for more than an hour and a half ... including a special guest appearance by The Kid Laroi, who joined JB to perform their hit, "Stay."

Morgan Wallen's warm reception at the ACM Awards is proof country music is complicit in his use of the N-word ... so says the NAACP Nashville chapter president.

Sheryl Guinn -- president of the Nashville chapter -- tells TMZ ... by welcoming him back into their community, the genre's embrace of Wallen destroys artists' accountability.

The ways she sees it -- people in country music believe Morgan just needed to have enough time pass until people lose their outrage. However, Sheryl says time does not heal all wounds.

She thinks the Academy of Country Music banning Morgan from its 2021 ceremony had no impact ... they never addressed how the N-word is a symptom of the underlying inequality and bigotry. She points to the fact Wallen's album went on to do huge numbers.

As we reported, Wallen was caught on camera hurling the n-word during a rowdy night with friends back in February of 2021.

Sheryl tells us she hasn't seen the country artist make enough of an effort to show his fans why using the N-word is a bad thing. She acknowledges he donated $25K to her division of the NAACP, but says the money doesn't help his followers understand systemic racism.

The last time we spoke to Sheryl, she shared her thoughts on Wallen's 'GMA' interview with Michael Strahan back in July ... saying his words came from a place of embarrassment, and he was sorry for being caught, as opposed to being sorry for spewing a hateful word.

Travis Scott is giving back -- chipping in millions for community-based initiatives that'll help out students, aspiring creatives and even future concert-goers.

The rapper is launching what he calls Project HEAL -- which is a multi-tier effort that's going to pour a ton of cash toward causes Travis sees as important. As far as the amount here ... we're talking $5 million, and he's dispersing that money on multiple fronts.

For starters, $1 mil is being earmarked for HBCU scholarships -- and it sounds like he'll be using his previously-established Waymon Webster Scholarship Fund to allocate, manage and disperse these awards for underserved but high-achieving Black scholars.

Scott and co. aim to assist at least 100 students with this dough, aiding them in getting over the finish line in their senior year. The academic criteria ... averaging a 3.5 GPA or higher.

There's more ... the rest of the $5 million is being divvied up for a few different enterprises, including establishing/providing free mental health programs for vulnerable kids ... as well as expanding his creative design program -- offered through his Cactus Jack Foundation.

He's also allocating funds to make sure music fans are safe at shows going forward ... something that touches him personally. That money will go to the U.S. Conference of Mayor's Task Force on Event Safety ... with a tech-driven approach toward that end.

Of course, Astroworld comes to mind -- where 10 people died as a result of injuries sustained during Travis' set -- the causes of which are still under investigation. As we've reported, several victims and victims' families have filed lawsuits against Travis, Live Nation and others.

Kanye West penned a super ominous poem about his death -- an event he says has already occurred -- and the foundation of his premise is murder.

The poem is pretty incredible, and it appears to be a case of art imitating life. If we can be so bold to interpret ... it seems he's telegraphing that all of his recent struggles -- notably his divorce from Kim Kardashian -- has left him lifeless, but he didn't realize it until now.

The poem -- which begins with "No one wanted to tell me I was DEAD" -- is a sad and lonely account of his demise ... people coming to his grave sprinkling bread on the ground so the birds could be fed.

There seems to be references to the divorce ... "My kids would dance for me in a home I once led" -- seemingly referring to the fact Kim now owns the family house.

He also airs some grievances ... "Everything was wrong in the press that I read."

He then reveals in poetic fashion how he met his demise ... I found out one day at the newsstand in purgatory there was a front page article of my murderer's story." He does not identify the murderer.

Justin Bieber's Justice Tour is back in full swing after the singer's bout with COVID-19 ... and his L.A. stop was full of surprises.

JB fans packed into Crypto.com Arena Monday night where the singer played all his hits. He also brought out some of his famous friends to share the stage -- including Leon Bridges, who played "River," Don Toliver for "Don't Go" and Quavo for "Intentions."

The show was nearly two hours -- with a 24 song setlist -- which included some of his newer stuff like "Peaches," "Ghost" and "Anyone" along with his classics like "Sorry," "Baby" and "Boyfriend."

Bieber also took some time to address the crowd, sharing a message that sometimes it's okay to not be okay ... and that even the world's biggest stars have their struggles.

Of course, Justin was referencing his struggles during his teenage years, including a DUI arrest back in 2014, and his more recent battle with Lyme Disease.

Kelly Clarkson stole the show at Monday night's 2022 ACM Awards ... giving a stirring performance to honor Dolly Parton.

The "American Idol" alum sent chills around the room when she sang Dolly's enormous hit, "I Will Always Love You" (famously covered by Whitney Houston too).

Dolly was clearly moved by Kelly's performance, coming on stage and saying, "I was backstage trying not to cry my false eyelashes off — slinging snot in every direction and tears."

And, giving her blessing to Kelly's rendition, Dolly added, "I know that Whitney is smiling down on us tonight, so thank you very much — she would be proud of that."

And, DP wasn't the only one moved ... people in the crowd rose to their feet to sing and dance along. Clarkson got a standing O.

The 57th Country Academy of Country Music Awards went down at Allegiant Stadium in Vegas and was hosted by Dolly, Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett.

Dolly performed a song from her upcoming album -- "Big Dreams and Faded Jeans" -- alongside Kelsea Ballerini.

Drake is looking to unload his "Yolo Estate" -- TMZ has learned he just listed the Hidden Hills mansion, and the place looks like a luxury resort.

Champagne Papi actually owns 3 homes right next to each other in the exclusive neighborhood, and they are all for sale ... if the buyer wants more than just the 12,500 square foot main home, for which he's asking $14.8 million.

The main residence is an English Tudor, and it comes with all the bells and whistles ... like 6 fireplaces, a wine cellar, tasting room and a theater that seats 25.

The primary bedroom suite is fit for a king ... that alone is nearly 2,000 square feet, and it features a partner's spa with marble soaking tubs.

The property is decked out with a huge swimming pool, swim-up bar, 80-foot long rock waterslide, spa grotto and waterfalls. Yeah, waterfalls.

Oh, and there are also courts to play tennis, basketball and sand volleyball ... plus a horse stable and an equestrian ring. Scared of riding real animals? Drizzy's got ya covered because the place comes with a mechanical bull.

For anyone who is all about the YOLO life, Drake is also selling the 2 estates next door, making for a 6.7 acre compound at the end of a cul-de-sac. You can have all 3 properties for a sweet $22.2 million package deal.

Rayni Williams and Branden Williams from The Beverly Hills Estates hold the listings.

Morgan Wallen is back in the house for a big country music award show ... getting a big warm welcome for his return following last year's ban.

Morgan was all smiles Monday night at the Academy of Country Music Awards, sitting right in the thick of the ceremony at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, looking dapper and getting a ton of hugs.

There's a big reason for Morgan to smile ... remember, he was banned from a ton of award shows, including these same ACMs last year, in the wake of video surfacing of Wallen using the n-word ... but now he's back on the rise.

It's got to feel good for Morgan, being welcomed back to country radio and the award circuit. He also got a ton of love back in October when he was a surprise guest at an Eric Church concert in Philadelphia.

Morgan's also got Lil Durk in his corner now ... the two collaborated on a song together, "Broadway Girls," and Durk says Morgan is no racist.

Fred Durst almost lost thousands of dollars worth of stuff to a thief who got into his yard, but thanks in part to security cameras ... all that gear is back in his possession, and alleged crook's in custody.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... a 30-year-old man walked through a gate onto Fred's L.A. area property Friday and made his way to the backyard, where he stumbled across a Tesla charger, a violin and a few other things. Apparently, he thought the Limp Bizkit frontman was running some kinda 5-finger discount program, because cops say he jacked all of it.

We're told the stuff was valued at about $3,000.

Our sources say the guy also tried to break into the house, but wasn't able to because everything was locked. Cops say Fred wasn't home at the time, but his family was.

Cops were eventually called, and although the suspect had left by then ... he wasn't out of the woods. Cops say he was spotted later that same night, and arrested by cops thanks to video FD had of the incident.

Antonio Brown says he and Kanye West are dead serious about their efforts to buy the Denver Broncos ... telling TMZ Sports they're working hard to get a real deal done.

Brown and Ye have become best buds ever since the NFL star was booted from the Buccaneers in January -- and in their newfound bromance, Ye named Brown the president of one of his biggest ventures, Donda Sports.

And, as one of Brown's first actions in the exec role, he said back in February he wanted to purchase the Broncos.

When we got the free agent receiver out in Los Angeles just days ago, he told us the goal is still on their minds, and it's a legitimate one, explaining he and Ye are "extremely serious" about making it all happen.

"Tell Roger [Goodell] to call me," Brown said. "We're working on it ... We're working towards getting it done."

The Broncos just recently went up for sale, and many believe the price tag to ultimately land the team could be around $4 BILLION. If somehow the two are able to get that change together, a sale to Ye and Brown would also have to be approved by the rest of the owners in the league.

In the meantime, while they work on getting a deal in Denver done, Brown and Ye have more immediate goals of rockin' the Rolling Loud music festival in Miami in July.

The obvious tension between Kim Kardashian and Kanye West is having zero impact on Khloé Kardashian's wardrobe choices, as she's still rocking a Ye concert sweatshirt in public.

Khloe was leaving her daughter True's gymnastics class in L.A., decked out in the "Saint Pablo" black hoodie which Ye was hawking during that tour of the same name.

As we've reported, Kim and Kanye's recent divorce has been anything but smooth ... from legal roadblocks attempted by Kanye's team, a bombardment of social media posts attacking Pete Davidson and multiple attempts to win back Kim.

Kanye's latest music video for his song "Eazy" featuring The Game dug deeper into "Skete" Davidson ... featuring a claymation version of Pete being buried alive.

With all of that as a backdrop, Khloe's hoodie seems a bit puzzling. Then again, her ex, Tristan Thompson, was chilling with Ye last week in Miami ... so, seems ALL in-law Kardashian ties are intact no matter what's going on between Kimye.

Kim and Kanye were both pronounced single by a judge on March 2 ... at a hearing where she was present via Zoom. She'd been asking the judge to restore her single status since December, plainly stating, "I very much desire to be divorced."

DaBaby's legal woes are ebbing and flowing ... he's out of trouble in one matter involving a gun, but still in hot water over balls and pins.

The L.A. County D.A. has rejected the gun case against DaBaby that police have been working on since January 2021 -- when he was arrested in Bev Hills for allegedly having a weapon on him during a shopping spree.

You'll recall ... DB ended up in cuffs right there on Rodeo Drive, and was booked for carrying a loaded firearm.

In the end, the D.A. chose not to prosecute because of a lack of evidence -- which is apparent from the D.A.'s report recounting the incident.

The doc states DaBaby and co. were in a Gucci store, and a security guard says he saw DaBaby lift up his shirt. The security guard claimed he saw something in his waistband resembling a gun, prompting him to call the police.

The crew left, but weren't able to escape Rodeo Drive before a run-in with officers who searched the vehicle and did, indeed, find a gun under one of the seats. When nobody claimed ownership of the gun, cops took DB in based on what the security guard had told them. But apparently, that wasn't enough to file charges.

DaBaby's attorney, Drew Findling, tells TMZ ... "We've been 100% confident in Mr. Kirk's innocence since the day of this incident and are appreciative that the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office has made a similar determination."

Great news for DaBaby, obviously -- but he's not out of the woods ... there's still a looming case over his bowling alley scuffle with DaniLeigh's brother, which was caught on video.

Our law enforcement sources say there's a much stronger chance that case could actually get some real consideration by the D.A.'s Office, considering the evidence already out there ... and we're told a felony assault with a deadly weapon charge is very much in play.

That said ... we're told the cops are somewhat skeptical on that one too due to D.A. George Gascon. It's no secret ... Gascon isn't interested in pursuing low-level crimes in and around L.A. ... something he campaigned on. In other words.

Chris Brown's former ride is hitting the market ... and it's a super-fast sportscar Breezy customized himself!!!

The singer is the former owner of this 2012 Lamborghini Aventador and he's the one who picked out the Miami Blue paint, which is sure to turn a bunch of heads.

The current owner bought the car off Chris and is now selling it for just under $300,000 ... and we're told there's already been a ton of interest.

As you see from the gallery, the whip is freakin' awesome ... Chris picked out the black accents, which match the black rims and sleek black interior. The Lambo features a 6.5-liter engine, an upgraded suspension and only has about 16,000 miles.

The next owner is gonna wanna keep the Miami Blue paint job pristine ... and that should be easier to do thanks to the paint protection film already on the exterior panels.

Britney Spears says she finally set foot in Las Vegas again after years of being away following the shuttering of her residency there -- and her message is ... this place is neat!

The pop star revealed Sunday that she'd returned to Sin City for the first time since 2017 -- when she wrapped up her 'Piece of Me' show that had run for 4 years ... and which also served as the last time she publicly performed in town.

Now, coming back in a normal setting -- where she's just a regular person as opposed to a show pony -- Britney says she loved it, but also resents her years of slaving away onstage.

In a lengthy IG post, Britney says her family used to get the VIP treatment because of the work she was doing there ... while also suggesting she never got the luxury of that high life herself, but was instead subjected to harsh conditions and a grueling schedule.

BTW, there were hints she might've dropped in ... because her fiancé, Sam Asghari, was posting a lot from his hotel at Resorts World Las Vegas -- looks like they were both there for the UFC fight ... and it would appear they got the red carpet rolled out too.

In that spirit, Britney writes, "It was absolutely lovely being treated like an equal in Las Vegas for the first time in 13 years ... huge difference." Brit goes on to say, "Moments like this all I do look up and say 'REALLY GOD??? ALL THIS TIME???"

Britney goes on to slam her family yet again, saying she no longer has to be their performance puppet -- and she wasn't done with bashing them just yet either.

In a separate post, Britney detailed what sort of hours she was working -- seemingly referring to her time in the entertainment industry at large ... saying she was on the clock 7 days a week, on an 8 AM to 6 PM schedule, with little to no privacy.

She explains ... "this happened to me for 4 months after I worked for my dad and my family for 13 f*****g years … I gave my all when I worked only to be literally thrown away … I was nothing more than a puppet to my family yet to the public I just performed on stage and did what I was told to do … but it was worse than that because it was accepted and approved by the people I loved the most."

Britney goes on to say that she's bringing all this up because she feels her parents have gotten away with what she deems criminal behavior, and vows to not stop the fight until they're held accountable ... even in the wake of her conservatorship ending.