Music

Nicki Minaj probably wanted a mulligan on her comments about JD Vance during a Turning Point USA event ... calling the VP an "assassin" -- during a chat with Erika Kirk.

The rapper appeared onstage at TPUSA's AmericaFest Sunday ... sitting down to heap praise on the current administration while Charlie Kirk's widow asked her questions about her foray into politics.

At first, Nicki's getting the crowd energized ... telling young men not to be "new-scum" -- a dig at California Governor Gavin Newsom. Instead, she encourages them to be like the "handsome" and "dashing" President Donald Trump.

Jillian Lauren Shriner -- soon-to-be ex-wife of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner -- is breaking her silence for the first time since she was arrested for allegedly pointing and firing a gun at officers who were looking for a suspect near her Eagle Rock, California home.

As we reported back in April, Jillian was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of a peace officer, but was later charged with assault and negligent discharge of a firearm. She's now speaking out about the incident in an interview with Rolling Stone, saying ... “I was doing the best I knew to protect my family."

Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande are proving the naysayers wrong, 'cause Ethan was making himself comfy in Ari's 'SNL' green room as she hosted Saturday night's show!

Ari's former Nickelodeon co-star and bestie -- Liz Gillies -- posted a series of pics backstage at the 'SNL' taping ... and in one, Ethan is seen sitting alongside Liz on the couch -- showing ongoing breakup rumors are a bunch of BS.

Fans have been a bit skeptical lately about where the 'Wicked' stars' relationship lies. Ethan was recently asked about working alongside his girlfriend, and his answer raised fans' eyebrows when he pivoted to talking about the cast as a whole -- sounding the alarm that the two might be over 'For Good.'

Jourdin Pauline says she's stepping back from social media because of relentless cyberbullying ... posting a concerning message that also accuses people online of talking disrespectfully about her late sister.

Here's the deal ... the singer and influencer has recently made waves online after she accused Tylil James -- a member of the content creation collective Clover House -- of sexual assault. James categorically denied the claims ... and suggested he has evidence which will disprove Pauline's allegations. Fans of his immediately jumped to his defense ... and Pauline says they've taken to attacking her online.

Pauline wrote in a since-deleted tweet that the online hate has impacted her mental health ... and she's getting off social platforms to get away from the "lies, threats, and dehumanizing comments" about her.

Aside from being a pop star, Dua Lipa has clearly mastered the art of vacationing -- and we caught her doing exactly that in Mexico on Saturday ... hitting the beach in a teeny bikini and turning up the heat with some serious PDA with her fiancé, Callum Turner.

Check out the pics ... the "Physical" hitmaker showed off her toned physique in a cheetah print thong bikini ... allowing nearly every inch of her skin access to some sun action. At one point, she shimmied her way out of her bikini top to allow Callum to give her a full-body sunscreen rubdown.

The Beckham family drama continues to unfold as Cruz Beckham is now defending his parents after a report alleged they unfollowed their son, Brooklyn, on social media.

Cruz took to Instagram Sunday morning to address the rumors that Victoria and David Beckham unfollowed their eldest, denying the story by writing "NOT TRUE" with a screenshot of it.

A suspect has been arrested in connection to the scary invasion of Tekashi 6ix9ine's home ... TMZ has learned.

Pedro Roriguez -- a 19-year-old man -- was arrested and charged with armed home invasion robbery with a firearm, false imprisonment, grand theft and posession of marijuana with intent to sell or deliver ... according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities say Rodriguez is just one of several suspects ... and, the investigation remains ongoing.

Tom Brady posted for the first time since news of his ex-wife Gisele Bündchen's marriage to Joaquim Valente broke ... and, a song he added to his posts will have some raising some eyebrows.

Here's the deal ... the ex-NFLer shared two photos to his Instagram story Saturday morning -- the first of which shows TB12 in a white hoodie with "Forever Young" written on the chest. While it's only a photo, Brady added audio to the post ... the song "1-800-273-8255" by Logic featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid.

If you're not familiar with the track, it has lines like "I feel like my life ain't mine" and "I don't wanna be alive." The title is the old suicide prevention hotline number, though it's since been changed to the simpler 988.

There are plenty of familiar faces in the newly released Epstein Files drop ... including some big-name musicians and entertainers like Mick Jagger and comedian Chris Tucker.

Check out our gallery -- you'll see The Rolling Stones frontman dining with Jeffrey Epstein, Bill Clinton and Ghislaine Maxwell at a circular table full of small dishes and drinks. The group appears to be in great spirits as they chat and laugh amongst themselves. Mick also stands up to pose with the former president, as well as a woman whose face was redacted.

And then there's the intriguing snap of magician and illusionist David Copperfield hugging Maxwell as they're both wearing white robes ... and showing off some candy in another.

The convicted pedo's former girlfriend and associate is also seen smiling next to comedian Chris Tucker in front of the window of a plane in a pic included in the drop. Chris sits next to someone who appears to be Clinton at a dinner in an additional photo.

Looks like Santa delivered Lily Allen an early Christmas present -- a new boy toy she can't keep her hands off of!

Check out the lovey dovey pics from the singer's Christmas soiree in London Friday night ... she and rumored beau Jonah Freud were in their own little world as they locked lips for all to see. They have their arms lovingly around one another in several photos, displaying smiles that make their joy impossible to disregard.

And in another snap, Lily appears comforted as she rests her head on Jonah's shoulder. Too cute!

The pair even posed for a photo together later in the evening ... which also gave us a better look at her red-hot fur-lined dress!

The murders of Rob and Michele Reiner have shaken America, and the Epstein files dump is far from complete. So we gotta ask ...

T.I. is aiming for some Christmas Eve calamity in households everywhere -- with the release of his debut stand-up comedy special!!!

On Friday, Tip dropped the trailer for "Cheaper Than Therapy" ... his all-jokes, non-musical romp which was filmed at the famed Atlanta venue Center Stage.

We're told the hip hop legend got the support from his fellow hometown heroes during the special's taping ... Usher, The-Dream, and Young Dro were all in the building!!! Tip also shared the stage with his own comedy collective, The HaHa Mafia.

Bombshells will likely be cropping up for days after a massive dump of Epstein Files began to be released Friday ... and now we have some high-profile names never-before associated with the disgraced financier.

In a new pic released by the U.S. Department of Justice ... Michael Jackson and Diana Ross are pictured on a plane with Bill Clinton and another person whose face is redacted.

It's not known whose plane they were on or where they were going.

While Diana and Bill flash smiles, Michael stares blankly with Bill's hand draped over the King Of Pop's shoulder.

The internet is still buzzing about whether or not Drake and Kendrick Lamar's iconic rap battle hurt the culture overall but Top Dawg Entertainment President, Terrence "Punch" Henderson is simply chalking it up to the circle of hip hop life!!!

The Top Dawg Entertainment President addressed the state of rap with TMZ Hip Hop at his label's 12th annual Christmas charity concert that boosted big names such as Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg!!!

A lot has happened within the culture in the past few weeks such as Hot 97 ending its decade-plus running "Ebro in the Morning" show and VIBE Magazine firing the bulk of its staff ... Punch says it's all been a transition period that's changing by the second.

YouTube music stats won't be represented on the Billboard Charts next year after a dispute the streaming giant called an "outdated formula" ...radio and podcast host Bootleg Kev agrees!!!

TMZ Hip Hop linked with Kev at TDE's 12th annual Christmas giveaway ... boosted by appearances from Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, SZA, and more!!!

the Real 92.3 personality tells us Russ was right on the money in his criticism of Billboard refusing to acknowledge YouTube as an equal to DSPs such as Spotify, Apple Music, and more.

1:05 PM PT -- Sources close to the couple tell TMZ they have NOT broken up and are just fine.

It's over between Steven Tyler and his longtime girlfriend Aimee Preston ... TMZ has learned the couple has called it quits on their relationship.

Multiple sources with direct knowledge tell us Steven and Aimee have broken up ... though it's unclear when they separated and what led to the split.

Steven hired Aimee as his personal assistant way back in 2012 ... they started dating in 2014 but waited until the 2016 Oscars to go public with their romance, holding hands at Elton John's AIDS Foundation Oscars viewing party.