Nelly says Kevin Durant's positive coronavirus test is a real REALITY CHECK for the world -- because it proves "nobody's exempt" when it comes to COVID-19.
"Our thoughts and our strengths are with him," the hip-hop star told us in Calabasas ... "Nobodys exempt. We're all the same right now."
He added, "Nobody's bigger than the other right one. I think we're all one at the same time right now."
"It's affecting the world, man, not just the music industry. And, anybody who feels like this is personal, basically got they head in the sand."
Nelly's message echoed Nevada governor Steve Sisolak -- who didn't mince words when addressing the people of the Silver State earlier this week.
"I don't know how to make this any clearer ... this is affecting the lives of our citizens. People are dying."
"Kevin Durant, one of the most fit people in the world, tested positive today. it is incumbent upon the citizens of this state to take this seriously."
It seemed inevitable, but TMZ has learned later Tuesday Joel Osteen and Kanye West will pull the plug on their big plan to throw a massive service at Yankee Stadium ... at least for the time being.
Sources involved in the production of the event tell us ... Osteen's people were in touch with the folks at the famed stadium, and we're told the Yankees are canceling events for the next 2 months, and that puts the Osteen/West service right in the middle.
We're told there really was no option, after GovernorCuomo put the brakes on any event with more than 50 people for the time being.
Our sources say Joel and Kanye are still determined to put the show on at Yankee Stadium ... but it will have to be some time in the future.
TMZ broke the story ... Joel will do a sermon and then Kanye will bring his choir to do their thing.
11/17/19
Lakewood Church
Safe to say ... Kanye's going to have trouble throwing Sunday Services in the middle of the pandemic.
The brother of the man who set off an explosion at Ariana Grande's Manchester Arena concert in 2017 has been found guilty of 22 murders.
Hashem Abedi was found guilty Tuesday at the Justice Hall in London where prosecutors said Hashem was just as guilty of the attacks as his brother, Salman Abedi, who killed himself and 22 others when he detonated a bomb.
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Hashem had initially denied having any involvement in the attacks and tried to distance himself from his brother. But, prosecutors say even though Hashem wasn't in the UK at the time of the attack, his DNA and fingerprints were found on the property where the bomb was made.
Prosecutors reportedly presented evidence in court that showed Hashem was involved in the research, experimentation and making of the explosives before he returned to Libya a month before the deadly attack. Hashem was also found guilty of attempted murder and conspiring to cause explosions.
As we reported ... the explosions occurred at the end of Ariana's concert where thousands fled amid the chaos. At the time, a source connected with Ariana had told us she had just left the stage when everyone heard the explosion.
The coronavirus is severely screwing with another artist's schedule -- Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is reeling from cancelled gigs ... and it's not even the first of the month yet!
Layzie Bone was at LAX Monday night when he told us they were in the middle of touring up until Friday. Now the cancellations are pouring in, and sounds like that's going to be their new normal ... like every other touring artist.
Not to worry though, LB says he'll be putting his quarantine time to good use for the fan base, saying he'll be in the studio cranking out whatever music he can during the pandemic. He might wanna get comfy in there -- based on projections from President Trump and the CDC.
As for fans in quarantine ... Layzie has some music recommendations to help get ya through.
Strange times, for sure ... but it's great to see BTNH being able to move on from another controversy that was dogging them just weeks ago. Of course, we're referring to the temporary name change Buffalo Wild Wings dropped on 'em.
Thank God that scandal is over, 'cause we've all got bigger issues right now.
R. Kelly is a man truly trapped now that coronavirus lockdowns are in full swing -- he can't get to his lawyers ... even though prison officials insist it ain't personal.
Kelly's legal team tried going to see their client last Thursday at MCC Chicago -- where he's currently behind bars -- but we're told they were blocked from entering by corrections personnel ... and officials told them it was all due to the COVID-19 outbreak, which has made its way to Chi-Town.
We're told R. Kelly's lawyers not only wanted to check on his well-being but also to talk legal strategy ... something they get together to discuss frequently, especially with the ever-mounting charges against the guy. That's all coming to a temporary halt, for now, it seems.
The last time R. Kelly had a face-to-face with his attorneys was sometime last week. It was right around then that everything started getting canceled.
A rep for the Bureau of Prisons in Illinois tells us ... jail staff is suspending visits for the next 30 days -- but it sounds like they'll allow certain legal meet-ups on a case-by-case basis.
The rep says they're making their determinations with an eye toward avoiding unnecessarily exposing inmates and others. They say they recognize the importance of allowing the inmates access to lawyers and will try to accommodate that to the greatest extent possible.
Circling back to R. Kelly ... we're told his team is trying to work out a schedule to see the singer more often than what's being outlined here. Nothing's set in stone yet though.
BTW, we're being told R. Kelly can still call his lawyers from inside the jail -- but, obviously, that's not nearly as effective as an in-person sit-down.
Ariana Grande's gotta be wondering how an obsessed fan made it all the way to her front door before cops were called to track him down on her property.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... a man in his 20s showed up to the L.A. home of the singer. We're told he brazenly knocked on her door around 2 PM Saturday and asked for her. The property manager who answered the door told the intruder Ariana wasn't home.
Our sources say it's unclear how the man bypassed security measures on the grounds to get all the way to Ariana's house -- but when he did, they called cops. Responding officers found the man near the house, and while arresting, he allegedly spit on one of the cops.
We're told they found a love note to Ariana which included directions to her house. The man was booked for misdemeanor trespassing and felony battery ... for the alleged spitting.
The scary incident comes on the heels of another someone calling 911 earlier this month claiming shots were being fired on Ariana's property.
We were told cops were skeptical because she's been a swatting victim in the past. They still sent cops to check things out and determined it was, in fact, a swatting incident.
Dierks Bentley is shutting down his famed bar in Nashville but he's vowing to sink $90k directly into the pockets of his hourly employees.
The country superstar announced Monday he's closing Whiskey Row in the heart of Nashville on Lower Broadway for a while. The 5-Hour Energy spokesman said his heart goes out to everyone affected by the coronavirus. Dierks also put his money where his mouth is.
The "Drunk On A Plane" singer said he's immediately giving each one of his 90 hourly employees a thousand bucks "to help in the short run as our community and country try to get a handle on the situation."
Dierks also implored all bar owners to follow his lead, and look after their most essential and vulnerable employees ... like bar-backs, waitresses, security guards and dishwashers.
The move, of course, comes just hours after the Trump administration announced a guideline calling for no gatherings of more than 10 people, and the city of San Francisco shutting down for the next 3 weeks.
Dierks is just one of several country singers who own bars and have taken the steps to close doors to help stem the spread of the virus. Jason Aldean closed his Jason Aldean's bar and Florida Georgia Line closed "FGL House."
Then there's Kid Rock, whose co-owner had vowed to NOT close Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk & Steakhouse ... before caving to public pressure.
There has been a slew of concert cancellations and postponements in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, and insurance companies are slamming the door on performers who dare to ask the insurers to cover their losses.
Several prominent managers of famous artists tell TMZ, it's virtually impossible now to put on a concert ... even before President Trump urged crowds not to exceed 10 people. So there have been a bunch of concert dates where the plug has been pulled, and we're told virtually every insurance company has made it clear ... they feel they have no obligation to pay up.
We're told after SARS and MRSA some of the companies excluded pandemics from coverage. And, there are others that don't have the exclusionary language but the insurance companies still claim there's an exclusion for the latest virus.
It's created all sorts of economic problems. Artists spend a lot of money before the first stop on a concert tour ... building stages, creating video packages and hiring staff. We're told a number of artists and their reps are currently fighting the insurance companies to cover the losses.
The other thing we're hearing ... a lot of artists are not canceling the dates ... rather they're postponing them because they feel it's the best they can do -- better to get the money belatedly than not get it at all.
BlocBoy JB is lucky to be alive after a stunt that came incredibly close to disaster -- he jumped from a balcony into a pool ... but nearly smashed into concrete.
Video of the rapper surfaced this week, showing him leap from what appears to be a second-story balcony at an apartment complex or hotel. His plan, if he had one, was to land in the pool. He ended up barely clearing the edge, and did NOT walk away unscathed.
Watch the video ... while he landed in the water, it had to be pretty shallow. His ankle looked a little banged up.
One of his buddies who's recording video even says BlocBoy almost killed himself. Possibly a slight exaggeration -- it was only 2 stories -- but you can tell this could've at least ended in serious injury.
It's unclear when this was shot, but if it was recent, it looks like the rapper is too busy playing daredevil to sweat coronavirus. He might wanna reprioritize.
11:51 AM PT -- A judge just granted Kenneth's request to have internet restrictions lifted as part of the conditions of his pre-trial release. With the court's order now in place, the guy's free to continue surfing the World Wide Web again.
Nicki Minaj's husband really wants to get back to surfing the Internet ... something he's currently barred from doing due to his pending criminal case.
Kenneth Petty just submitted legal docs, obtained by TMZ, begging a California judge to allow him to use the World Wide Web.
As you know ... Kenneth recently registered as a sex offender in Cali aftergetting arrested for allegedly failing to do so when he moved to the state with Nicki. One of the terms of his pretrial release -- he can't use the web unless approved by a supervisor.
According to the docs, prosecutors have already agreed to Kenneth's request ... so now, it's up to the judge to sign off.
Kenneth, who pled not guilty to failing to register as a sex offender, has a curfew and is being required to wear an ankle monitor as he waits for next month's court date. His travel is also restricted to Southern California.
Demi Lovato is covering her bases during the coronavirus outbreak ... by covering up.
The singer was out grocery shopping Sunday at the ritzy Erewhon Market in L.A. She sorta went incognito thanks to a fancy air mask. She's taking no chances with her hands ... as you can see, she's also wearing blue rubber gloves.
Demi's shopping spree came on the same day President Trump told Americans to STOP panic buying and stockpiling supplies ... because grocery stores around the country continue to get emptied out.
Most of the country's also been nearly shut down ... so ya can't blame Demi for stocking up.
Brad Pitt's got one hell of an appetite ... for burgers and more friendly hangouts with gal pal Alia Shawkat.
The "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" star and Ali were spotted at In-N-Out in L.A. the day after they both also hit up a Thundercat show at The Wiltern. Brad, seen wearing the same hat he wore at the concert, used to be one party animal -- no word if he went animal style at the burger joint.
In any event ... here's hoping Brad's finally put an end to the whole In-N-Out vs. Shake Shack debate. But, one thing's for sure ... Brad and Alia really do enjoy each other's company.
As we reported ... Brad and Alia hanging out is nothing new for them. They've been going to concerts, comedy shows, museums and galleries together for months. As friends, that is.
TMZ.com
Sources close to the Oscar winner told us Brad doesn't feel any need to get back on the dating scene right now. Until then ... more double-doubles!!!
Pete Wentz says people running to their local grocery stores for toilet paper and water are not just screwing themselves (and others) ... they're also not thinking ahead.
The Fall Out Boy bassist gave us his take on the chaos surrounding coronavirus lately -- including folks stockpiling crucial supplies and clearing shelves in utter panic -- and he breaks it down like this ... TP and agua ain't the end all be all, long-lasting grub is.
Check out his explanation here, 'cause it's pretty interesting. He tells us folks should be stocking up on canned goods and food that they can munch on in, say, a month from now ... because that's what'll keep people going in the long run. Not, a 6-pack of Charmin Ultra.
He also says the frenzied public are doing nobody any favors by buying up a massive supply of stuff he says people need right now. In short, take what you need and that's it.
One last thing ... we ask Pete about people snapping up guns amid the pandemonium too, and he says it makes sense. Scared people do scary things, apparently.
That ain't gonna stop a microscopic enemy though ...
10:51 AM PT -- Kelly's attorney, Doug Anton, tells us, "It seems that the government has sought to add additional allegations as to alleged conduct, with what they believe to be more specificity. Why these alleged facts relating to conduct were not known by the government until now, or included in the indictment until now, raises questions for my defense team to take an interest in."
UPDATE
Anton says, "It is unclear why the government, in speaking to Jane Doe #3, for example, would not have garnered from her these additional factual allegations in the over one year they have been speaking with her already."
UPDATE
He continues, "These are serious criminal allegations. How does an alleged victim 'forget' such things? Or... perhaps... these allege victims are not victims at all, but only women who have been told and instructed, even peer pressured if you will, years later, that the claimed relationship they freely and voluntarily engaged in, should now, in the #metoo era, be classified as 'bad' or 'abusive,' and they are continually seeking to add facts, even if not truthful, to their story, to make the alleged events as salacious as humanly possible."
R. Kelly's pile of legal issues just got bigger ... he's been hit with several new charges by federal prosecutors in New York, and they include crimes against a minor.
According to legal docs -- obtained by TMZ -- Kelly's been hit with a new indictment related to 2 new alleged victims, one of whom was under 18 when she says she had sex with Kelly in 2015. The indictment, out of the Eastern District of NY, includes charges of coercion and enticement, coercion of a minor and transportation of a minor across state lines.
The woman who was a minor is listed as Jane Doe #5, and she claims Kelly never told her he had herpes during their relationship. Jane Doe #6 says she too was exposed to the virus because they had unprotected sex.
In addition, Kelly's also been hit with new racketeering charges including allegations he used, "force, threats of force, physical restraint and threats of physical restraint."
Kelly remains behind bars in Illinois while he awaits trial, and maintains his innocence.
Recently, one of Kelly's former live-in girlfriends, Azriel Clary, has come out and accused the singer of brainwashing her and forcing her to lie to the public about their relationship when she was underage.
Diane Warrensays nothing's gonna stop Joe Biden's march towards the White House ... and she's offering up one of her #1 hits to help him get the job done.
We got the legendary songwriter and staunch Democrat outside Madeo in Bev Hills and she couldn't stop gushing over Biden and his surge toward the nomination.
Diane tells our photog she's got the perfect song in mind for Joe's campaign to use once he goes head-to-head with President Trump, and it's a blast from the past ... Starship's 1987 hit, "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now."
Diane wrote the song, and you can see in this clip ... the wheels turning in Diane's head as she changes a few lyrics on the spot to better suit Joe. Evidence of her lyrical genius.
Diane says Joe's more than welcome to use the songs she wrote FOR FREE. We don't think he'd even try, but she makes it clear she's not offering the Prez that deal.
Watch to the end ... she threw a major zinger at Trump, when we asked about Biden's age.
DaBaby just got slapped back ... with a lawsuit from the woman who claims the rapper smacked the hell outta her at a recent concert.
Tyronesha Laws just filed the suit, claiming she was minding her own damn business when the rapper, "suddenly and without any warning," lashed out and brutally and violently struck her in the face last weekend during his Tampa gig.
In docs, obtained by TMZ, Tyronesha says she was in the crowd of concertgoers waiting for DB to take the stage. She says he did not simply walk on the stage to begin his performance, and instead, proceeded through the crowd with his entourage, and "without incident." Until he got to her.
She claims DaBaby expressed no remorse for his slap and points out the rapper made fun of the situation on social media when he posted a skit featuring comedian Michael Blackson.
Laws' attorneys, Matt Morgan and Chelsea Cromer of Morgan and Morgan, say the incident was "outrageous and shocking." Her legal team added, "Our goal is to deter similar conduct in the future and send a message that this type of behavior is not tolerated in America."
TMZ.com
Remember, Tyronesha told us she was NOT the person who put a phone right in DaBaby's face. She insists she was standing next to the person who did that when DB unleashed his anger.
On the other hand, DB's lawyer, Drew Findling, told us Laws is NOT the person his client slapped and added alleged victims are coming out of the woodwork.
Laws is suing for battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and other damages. We've reached out to DaBaby, so far, no word back.
