Music

Britney Spears has paid the law firm of her lawyer, Mathew Rosengart, millions of dollars in legal fees, and our sources say members of her team became agitated enough that Rosengart has now agreed to provide free legal services for the immediate future.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ, Britney has paid Rosengart's firm $4,201,856 for the period November 2021 through March 2023. That represents the legal work Rosengart performed mostly after the conservatorship ended.

Our sources say that figure represents only a part of what Britney has paid Rosengart's firm, and that the fees now approach $6 million total.

We're told Britney's team pushed back on Rosengart over his fees, and the lawyer has now agreed to work pro bono for the remainder of the case against Jamie Spears.

We know Rosengart has been providing legal services in various areas of Britney's life, including ending the conservatorship, an ongoing case against Jamie, music, her book deal and other matters.

Rosengart has been critical of some of the eye-popping lawyers fees connected to the conservatorship. According to legal docs filed by Rosengart, dozens of lawyers in the 13-year-long conservatorship case made a total of more than $30 million.

Britney was reportedly worth $60 million when the conservatorship ended. Our sources say it's now a lot less.

We reached out to Rosengart and his law firm for comment ... so far, no word back.

Forget Tigers -- at least, for one evening -- LSU gymnastics star Olivia Dunne was all about a horse on Thursday night ... hoppin' on a famous one to celebrate her appearance at the ACMs!!!

Livvy had no issues whatsoever climbing on Sheriff the Bar Horse while out in Dallas for one of the biggest nights in country music ... not even changing out of her ballroom gown to enjoy the moment.

Dunne appeared to have an absolute blast on the horse ... grinning from ear to ear as photogs snapped pics of the Tigers gymnast.

As for why the animal was out at the big country music awards show -- which went down at Jerry Jones' Ford Center -- Sheriff is famous in Dallas ... constantly being seen at local hot spots and Cowboys games.

Dunne, meanwhile, seemed to enjoy the rest of the night at the show outside of the ride on Sheriff ... even snagging a pic on the red carpet with former Team USA gymnast Nastia Liukin.

Shakira fans freaking out about her potentially dating Tom Cruise can all breathe a sigh of relief ... we've learned they're NOT a couple, and things were never heading that way.

Sources close to Shakira tell us she's very much single, and only happened to be around Cruise at the F1 Miami Grand Prix because they share a famous mutual friend.

Our sources say both Tom and Shakira were invited to the event by Team Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, who, of course, is the biggest name in the sport -- so that's why they were together several times during the race.

As for the Page Six report Tom sent Shakira flowers ... our source didn't know whether or not that was legit, but did say Shakira's just not interested in dating right now.

Shakira was spotted on a boat with friends, including Hamilton, on Wednesday -- but again, we're told there's nothing romantic there either, it's all friendly.

Taylor Swift and Matt Healy are the real deal ... because they're on a double date with Taylor's pal and longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff and his fiancée.

Taylor and Matt joined Jack and actress Margaret Qualley for a romantic double date Thursday in New York City ... and we've learned they were all hanging out at the swanky Casa Cipriani.

Anyone who thought Taylor and Matt were just spending time together for a music collab are wrong ... the two are clearly dating.

In images circulating on social media, Taylor and Matt can be seen holding hands on a rooftop while walking around and sitting next to one another.

Taylor's back in NYC again during another break in her Eras Tour, and Matt's right by her side ... this on the heels of The 1975 frontman spending last weekend taking in all 3 of her shows.

The pair left together in the same car after Taylor's Saturday show in Nashville, and she's scheduled to perform Friday night in Philadelphia.

It will be interesting to see if Matt is at Taylor's Philly show too.

Stay tuned ...

Franky Venegas, one of the twins from the viral Island Boys duo, is about to be a distant and faded memory for his ex-girlfriend ... who's erasing him from her body on the heels of him allegedly getting physical with her.

Franky's ex, Amina, went to Bad Habits Tattoos & Laser Tattoo Removal in Fort Lauderdale this week. Owner Liz Chaviano tells TMZ, it was the first of many sessions to scrub Amina's tattoos of Franky.

We're told she has a total of 3 ink pieces in honor of Kodiyakredd -- Franky's Island Boys alias -- a tattoo of his face on her neck, his name across her chest and another on her wrist.

Liz says the whole process can take up to a year and a half, depending on how deep the ink's been absorbed into the skin.

Interestingly, she says they seem to be so badly done, their removal could go pretty quickly. One removal session is done every 6 weeks.

As we reported, Franky was arrested for domestic battery after Amina told cops they got into an argument on Saturday by the pool of their Airbnb in Pompano Beach. She claims he slapped her and pushed her into the water after she threatened to break things off with him.

You'll recall, he later posted a vid outside the jail ... letting folks know he was released from police custody.

Before this cutie-pie in her pink leotard turned into a young Hollywood actress, she was just dressing up for gymnastics class -- red lipstick and bracelets in tow -- and growing up in Westchester, New York with her seven siblings!

In 2006, she made her film debut in the Christmas film "Deck The Halls" starring Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick, which was only the beginning for this shining star's bright future! She starred in "Transformers: Age of Extinction" playing the daughter of Mark Wahlberg's character.

Need one more clue? Just ask her Posh mother-in-law.

Country star Jimmie Allen is being accused of raping his former business manager, and further sexually abusing her during 18 months on the job ... according to a new lawsuit.

In the suit, obtained by TMZ, a woman who claims she was hired straight out of college to work as Jimmy's day-to-day manager claims he made her life a sexual hell.

The woman, who is suing as a Jane Doe, claims Jimmy took her virginity when he raped her in a Los Angeles hotel room back in March 2021 after filming a guest appearance on "American Idol."

She claims she went to dinner with Jimmie and industry executives after the 'Idol' taping and had a couple glasses of white wine and then lost consciousness ... waking up naked in her hotel room several hours later, disoriented, confused, and bleeding from her vagina.

In her suit, the woman says "she realized she had lost her virginity through no choice of her own and felt she had betrayed her faith." She says Jimmie insisted they go to the nearest drugstore to buy Plan B and claims they rushed to get the pill. She says he opened the package and supervised her as she took the meds.

The woman claims Jimmie grabbed her and forcibly kissed her goodbye after she took Plan B, whispering ... "You're mine now." She says she was terrified to tell her boss what happened for fear of being fired like Jimmie's manager before her.

In the docs, the woman says Jimmie eventually ratcheted up the sexual harassment ... grabbing her breasts and butt, shoving his hands down her pants in public, and "harassing her to engage in sexual conduct."

She claims Jimmie also sexually abused her in cars, green rooms, airplanes ... basically everywhere she was required to go with him as part of her job. She also says he "raped her in private while choking her" and "videotaped multiple sexual encounters in order to blackmail her to stay silent."

The woman says she tried talking to her bosses but says they never investigated her claims and instead made it clear she would be fired if she complained.

By October 2022, the woman says she was depressed and anxious and contemplating suicide as a result of Jimmie's alleged conduct ... and she says she told her boss she couldn't put up with Jimmie anymore and asked to be reassigned. Instead, she says she was placed on leave and ultimately fired.

Jimmie tells us, "It is deeply troubling and hurtful that someone I counted as one of my closest friends, colleagues and confidants would make allegations that have no truth to them whatsoever. I acknowledge that we had a sexual relationship — one that lasted for nearly two years. During that time she never once accused me of any wrongdoing, and she spoke of our relationship and friendship as being something she wanted to continue indefinitely."

He continues, "Only after things ended between us, did she hire a lawyer to reach out and ask for money, which leads me to question her motives. The simple fact is, her accusations are not only false, but also extremely damaging. I’ve worked incredibly hard to build my career, and I intend to mount a vigorous defense to her claims and take all other legal action necessary to protect my reputation."

Babyface fans are enraged the plug was pulled on his latest performance, something he seemed to blame on the show's headliner, Anita Baker -- which is odd, because the actual villain is technology ... and time.

Anita and Babyface's tour stopped in Newark, NJ Wednesday night, and slowly turned into a nightmare for fans. The show was delayed 2 hours, and when it finally started the audience was told there were "technical issues" and Babyface, the opening act, would not be performing. The boos rained down immediately.

The fan rage really boiled over, though, when Babyface posted a message explaining why he didn't go on, saying ... "I was asked not to perform in order to give Ms. Baker her space and time to perform her show in its entirety."

After that, the comment section was lit, with many folks teeing off on Auntie Anita ... accusing her of all sorts of diva-ness.

However, sources involved in the production tell TMZ ... the "technical issue" was a problem with the massive video wall for Anita's set -- we're told the touring company could not get it to work properly -- and there were also sound problems.

After such a long delay, the whole show was up against curfew -- the concert had to end by 11 PM -- and tough decisions had to be made. We're told there was a discussion about Babyface shortening his usual 1-hour set, but ultimately that didn't happen.

Anita did go on around 9 PM and perform her full set, but she still had to combat audio issues ... and those crappy video screens.

As for why Babyface seemingly shaded Anita so badly ... it's a mystery. Our sources say there have been no signs of tension between them during the tour, which started back in January. We've reached out to his camp, but no word back yet.

"Selling Sunset" star Chrishell Stause and her boo, G Flip, have taken their romance to the next level ... tying the knot after one year of dating!!

According to People, Chrishell and the 28-year-old Australian musician recently made things super official ... and CS hinted at their new matrimonial status Wednesday night.

The reality star posted a reel, featuring a compilation of clips of the couple spending time together, and ended with a photo of them locking lips down the aisle. She added G Flip's latest song "I'll Be Your Man" -- a romantic tune inspired by, and for Chrishell.

In the caption, CS gushed all about her partner, saying ... "Love doesn't always go as planned. Sometimes it's immeasurably better."

"Be Your Man is out now & linked in stories. If you ever get the pleasure of meeting G, know that you are meeting one of the kindest, funniest &  most talented hard working people out there. Please go stream! I love you so much @gflip ❤️‍🔥 #BeYourMan"

You'll recall, Chrishell first confirmed she and G, who's nonbinary, were an item last May during the "Selling Sunset" reunion special ... months after her relationship ended with Jason Oppenheim.

Chrishell said she was originally just supposed to be in their music video but wound up falling in love. Since then, the two have been inseparable ... going out and spending lots of time together.

And, we'll definitely be seeing more of them ... G Flip will be on the upcoming season of "Selling Sunset," which drops later this month.

Congrats!

Jay-Z's dropping "The Blueprint 4," but it's not a new album ... it's his plan for opening a casino in Times Square, and he's going all out to get New Yorkers on board with it.

Through Roc Nation, Jay penned an open letter to NYC, explaining why he believes his company's partnership with Caesars Palace should be awarded a contract to launch a casino in the heart of Times Square.

In the letter, published Thursday in several NY newspapers, Roc Nation leans hard into all the positives its proposed Caesars Palace Times Square would create for "everyday New Yorkers," as well as the city's businesses.

The casino would reportedly be built on the top 8 floors of an existing Times Square skyscraper, smack in the middle of Broadway's famed theater district. Some theater owners and producers are vehemently opposed to the casino, but Roc Nation says its bid includes $115 million for "diverse theater programs" to aid Broadway employees.

Jay and co. say their organization will put the "well-being of New Yorkers at the top of their agenda." The insinuation is their competition will not, and they're up against several other high-profile bidders ... including Wynn Resorts and Mets owner Steve Cohen.

Each has proposed casino plans in different NYC locations -- Caesars and Jay's is the only one in Times Square.

WAP meets WWE??

The crossover of the ages could happen if WWE Superstars Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez get their wish ... 'cause the Women's Tag Team Champions just revealed their dream wrestling match is against Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion!!

Morgan and Raquel were in Puerto Rico for Backlash when they laid down the gauntlet to Cardi and Meg while speaking to WrestlingNews, officially putting the award-winning MCs on notice.

Liv was asked which two celebrities she and Raquel would love to go toe to toe with in the squared circle ... and she answered without hesitation, "We’re talking Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. We want them."

Rodriguez added, "They’ve had a little interaction with some of our other Superstars. They’re always interacting on Twitter, so I think they would be more than willing to come and have a little fun with Liv and I."

On the surface, it seems like an unfair fight if we're talking inside the ring. After all, Morgan and Rodriguez are on top of their game after defeating Hall of Famer Trish Stratus and "The Man" Becky Lynch for the Women's Tag Team Championship.

But, Morgan told the outlet she and Rodriguez aren't trying to disrespect the two "WAP" artists by challenging them to a match ... and said how much they adore Cardi and Meg.

“I’m sure they are both highly athletic, so this is our official call out, but we love you guys," Morgan said. "It’s not in a mean way. We love you.”

Rihanna's baby boy ain't nothing to mess with ... because she and A$AP Rocky named their first child after a famous member of the Wu-Tang Clan!!!

The child's full name is RZA Athelston Mayers ... according to the Daily Mail, after obtaining the child's birth certificate.

With a name like RZA, it's pretty safe to assume the kid's musician parents named him after the rapper and producer RZA, who just so happens to be the leader of the Wu-Tang Clan.

The birth certificate also says Rihanna's kid was born May 13 at 10:58 AM at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Looking back, it seems Rihanna telegraphed the baby's name back in April ... when she and A$AP took their baby boy out to dinner at Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica, with RiRi wearing a Wu-Tang Clan top.

A$AP's got a musical connection to some of RZA's bandmates ... he collab'd with Wu-Tang's Raekwon on the 2015 song "Fly International Luxurious Art."

Brittney Griner's just days away from returning to the WNBA court -- and anticipation is at an all-time high for Mercury fans -- but the pot is about to get a little sweeter ... 3x Grammy winner Wyclef Jean will be performing a special halftime show in honor of BG's homecoming!

TMZ Sports has learned the Phoenix Mercury have teamed up with The Sum, a new music platform from Anagram Studios, to bring in Jean to perform during their May 21 game against the Chicago Sky at the Footprint Center to celebrate Griner's return on what will be her first home game since the Russia ordeal.

We're told one of the songs Wyclef will sing is Bob Marley’s iconic hit, “One Love” ... where Jean will be joined by 200 fans who will be selected to perform live with the 53-year-old musician.

He will also put on a postgame concert.

Of course, it'll be a party when the star center hits the hardwood in front of hometown Mercury fans this season ... after missing all of last season while she was detained.

The 32-year-old endured nine months in a Russian jail cell/prison camp, before coming home in December thanks to a prisoner swap. There was initially doubt Griner would ever hoop again, but she quickly put that sentiment to bed ... announcing she was coming back.

The WNBA champ ultimately signed a 1-year deal with the Mercury in February ... and said she can't wait to play this upcoming season.

"Look forward to all those moments. Just waking in on the first home game, the grind, the sweat, the blood," Griner said during last month's press conference. "Just taking all that in. I missed it."

And, it's not just BG who's pumped ... Mercury president Vince Kozar can't wait for their home opener!

“May 21 is going to be an unforgettable experience for our fans and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to have an award-winning artist the caliber of Wyclef Jean join us in celebrating BG’s return and a new Mercury season,” Kozar told us.

Beyoncé's highly-anticipated "Renaissance" world tour is officially off and running, and the first stop in Sweden is packed with a ton of surprises!!!

Her big debut show is going down at Stockholm’s Friends Arena, and fans are buzzing with excitement -- even those who aren't there -- as it is the first time Beyoncé's been on tour in the last 4.5 years.

The early review is well-worth all the hype -- Bey opened the concert singing her throwback hit "Dangerously in Love".

She went on to perform songs from last year's "Renaissance" album, which she dedicated to her Uncle Johnny ... bringing out several well-known vogue-style dancers, including Honey Balenciaga. The performance included several nods to the LGBTQ+ community.

As you know, Beyoncé released 'Renaissance' -- her 7th no. 1 album -- back in July. And, it earned a Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Music Album.

During the show, Bey also brought back the Les Twins, who she worked with a lot in the past and who became known as her onstage dancing twins. They appeared in her Homecoming Coachella documentary. And, she wouldn't be Queen B without many different wardrobe changes and props, which she had plenty of!

Britney Spears drinks caffeine drinks by the gallon, something experts say is not great but unsurprising for people with mental illnesses.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ, which has produced a documentary that will air Monday, Britney guzzles Red Bull, Celsius, coffee, and dandelion tea almost nonstop. We're told she consumes so much caffeine, she'll sometimes stay awake for 3 consecutive days.

Experts, including Dr. Drew, tell TMZ, people with mental illnesses crave the high from these drinks, but it's not particularly healthy.

The documentary -- "TMZ Investigates: Britney Spears: The Price of Freedom" -- chronicles her life in the last 1 1/2 years since the conservatorship ended. The documentary details her relationships with her family, husband, and kids, in addition to other struggles that have caused concern among those closest to her.

The documentary reveals some of the recommendations people who were caring for Britney made at the end of the conservatorship.  One of the recommendations -- keep knives away from her.

LSU is apologizing for Flau'jae Johnson's lyrics referencing the 9/11 terrorist attacks in her new rap song ... saying the hoop star never meant to offend anyone in the now-deleted music video.

The 19-year-old, 5'10" guard dropped the September 11th line in a new remix to Latto's hit, "Put It On Da Floor" ... saying "In this 911 blowing smoke just like them towers."

Of course, when Johnson says 911, it's got double meaning ... the Porsche, and the 2001 attack. The next line refers to the Twin Towers smoking before they collapsed, tragically killing over 2,000 people.

The music video has since been deleted, but not before it was captured and shared across social media platforms.

The university got word of the controversial lyrics ... and said they spoke with the 2023 SEC Freshman of the Year about the remix on Tuesday.

"While she never intended to offend or upset anyone with her lyrics, she expressed sincere remorse for any possibility of a misunderstanding and immediately took the video down," LSU told FOX News in a statement.

"We will learn and grow from this experience together."

Johnson -- who wasn't born until 2003 -- has yet to release a statement herself.

Of course, Johnson -- who's signed with Roc Nation -- takes her rap career seriously. She even performed her song "BIG 4" in front of fans after the Tigers' NCAA championship win last month.