The world's BIGGEST DJ kept the party going during quarantine on Thursday ... with Shaquille O'Nealhosting a virtual DJ sesh from his house ... and he had some major guests tuning in!!
The 7'1" NBA legend -- AKA DJ Diesel -- put his skills on the 1s and 2s to the test for his 16 million followers ... playing a set that'll distract everyone from the coronavirus.
Tourists won't have much to do on the Las Vegas Strip even if the Mayor gets her way ... things are not looking good this year as far as Sin City nightlife is concerned.
Here's the deal ... while Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman may want her city to open back up for business ASAP, several people connected with Vegas nightlife tell us they are not on the same page.
The clubs we're talking to are all telling us the same thing ... they're being cautious in putting plans together, pool parties are unlikely to return this summer and things aren't expected to be back to full force until 2021.
Our Vegas nightlife sources tell us ... club owners will be following the lead of Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak and not the Mayor, who doesn't even have jurisdiction over the Strip. The Governor will ultimately decide when establishments can reopen and the clubs will fall in line with the hotels.
CNN
As you know ... Mayor Goodman raised eyebrows this week by suggesting workers in her city could serve as virtual lab rats to see if shelter-in-place orders are worth it, but she would not commit to standing on the casino floor herself.
Until there is a steady downward trend in the number of coronavirus cases and deaths, our sources say things are in a holding pattern in terms of reopening Vegas, and it's all a waiting game.
One source tells us they're targeting June for the earliest date to reopen some clubs, but it will only be smaller venues with a capacity well under 1,000 people. Frankly, that sounds like a dream more than reality.
We're told the chances for late-summer pool parties are slim, and things won't be back to normal until summer 2021, even if attendance this summer is cut back significantly and other safety measures are put in place, like temperature checks and workers wearing gloves and masks.
It's not just nightlife and day parties at pools, Chippendales tells us they have no official plan to reopen the male revue and bring back live performances.
As for headliners on The Strip, don't hold your breath. Several big-time music honchos tell us they will not make any deals for their clients in the foreseeable future.
Chippendales says they are waiting on word from The Rio hotel to see what will happen moving forward, and they will follow the hotel's lead.
For now, the closest you're going to get to Vegas is online gambling and virtual lap dances.
Jim Jones is blazing it up on 4/20 and you can join his smoke session ... everyone's invited, including celebrity guests like Fabolous,JadakissandKevin Hart!!!
Jim's celebrating the stoner holiday with a couple virtual smoke outs, and you can burn with him and his celeb friends on Zoom when the clock strikes 4:20 PM on the East Coast and West Coast.
The "We Fly High" rapper is hosting the smoke sessions with his business partner, Alex Todd, and they're also celebrating the one-year anniversary of their luxury cannabis brand, Saucey Farms & Extracts.
Anyone can join the smoke sesh on Zoom, and there's also a fundraiser in the online chat for COVID-19 relief efforts so you can get two birds stoned at once, or something like that. All the money raised will be used for masks for the homeless.
Jim's supposed to be joined by celeb guests like Kevin, Jadakiss, Fabolous, N.O.R.E. and more ... and they're gonna be answering questions from fans and giving away Saucey merch, plus tickets to future Jim Jones and Dipset shows.
BTW ... Kevin's not gonna be smoking, but still ... 4/20 BLAZE IT!!!
1:58 PM PT -- If there's one person you would think could get through to Blueface about the dangers of having a bunch of strippers at his house, it'd be his manager ... but even that guy says there's no getting through to his client, so far.
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TMZ.com
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TMZ spoke to Wack 100 -- who handles Blueface and several other artists' business affairs -- and he tells us Blueface has told him straight up ... he doesn't believe all the hype with coronavirus, despite Wack telling him time and again that it's an issue he should take seriously.
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Wack says he's tried giving the kid good advice, but at the end of the day ... he's only his manager, and the rapper's technically a grown-up -- so he's gonna do what he wants to do. Still, Wack says he'll try and talk to Blueface after this latest episode to set him straight.
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Wack 100 does end on somewhat of a cautious note, saying Blueface is pretty emblematic of the youth at large -- if you don't find a way to communicate the seriousness of the situation, they'll probably continue blowing it off, 'cause it's NBD to them.
Well, this is super irresponsible ... Blueface threw a party for a group of strippers -- or as he would say, drunk strippers -- and it was beyond reckless as the women broke into a realty-show-worthy physical fight.
It went down at the rapper's California estate Saturday. Blueface, with the Instagram handle @bluefacebleedem, posted this vid of a bunch of women in bikini tops and g-strings.
They were there to shoot a music video, but there is NO SOCIAL DISTANCING ... quite the opposite. The video begins with the women in a circular formation with Blueface smack-dab in the middle.
It then devolves into a physical fight that violates every safety measure Dr. Fauci and so many others have urged everyone to follow. The women had each other by the hair ... in one case one of the women had her wig pulled off.
It's just another example of people ignoring warnings and intermingling in ways that can easily spread the virus.
BTW ... this isn't the first time this week Blueface has caused a stink. A few months back he went to Skid Row in L.A., jumped up on his SUV and started throwing cash so people could crowd around and grab the money off the ground. Lots of people felt it was humiliating, but others felt it was a charitable act so case closed.
Social distancing and other coronavirus restrictions can't break up college fraternities, which are embracing new hangouts in lieu of house parties.
Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, which has 106 chapters, is still holding meetings every Sunday night, and frat bros are staying connected using Zoom ... according to the executive director and CEO, Phillip Rodriguez.
While huge frat house ragers are on hold due to the outbreak, Phillip says the Delta Sigma Phi bros are instead turning to virtual game and trivia nights to stay closely knit.
College campuses will remain empty for the rest of the semester, and while a fall return date is still up in the air ... Delta Sigma Phi is still planning to initiate new members, thanks to technology.
The frat says it's created an online portal, similar to Zoom, which connects up to 500 bros -- and it's already using the platform to hold online ceremonies for initiating new members. As for the future -- even if students aren't back on campus in the fall ... DSP is planning to initiate new members online.
The North American Interfraternity Conference has to sign off on that process and tells us virtual recruiting is very plausible.
As for the almighty dollar, the NAIC tells us frats still expect to collect membership dues, but bros could get a discount if traditional social events don't come roaring back.
2:39 PM PT -- Dak Prescott is speaking out about the event at his home on Friday -- claiming it was NOT a party, but rather a small "home dinner" ... though he insists it won't happen again.
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The Dallas Cowboys QB has been under fire ever since we posted footage from inside Dak's home showing a large food spread and multiple people feasting ... including Ezekiel Elliott.
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We were told there were as many as 30 people in the house at one point -- but Dak is saying the true number was fewer than 10.
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"I understand and accept that there are additional responsibilities and media scrutiny that come with being an NFL quarterback, but it is very frustrating and disappointing when people provide completely inaccurate information from anonymous sources, especially now,” Prescott told ProFootballTalk.
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"To set the record straight, I know that we all need to do our best to socially distance and like everyone else, I am continuing to adjust to what that requires, but the truth is that I was with fewer than 10 people for a home dinner -- not a party -- on Friday night. I am very sensitive to the challenges we are all facing and making sure to support the first responders and medical personnel and everyone else putting in long hours."
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"We are all at a time when we need to keep educating ourselves about the importance of health and isolation during this pandemic and I will continue to make sure to do my part by following the guidelines until we are approved to start returning to normal activities."
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There's more ... a photo of a set dinner table that we were initially told was inside the house was NOT in fact taken at Prescott's home.
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Instead, the photo was taken at the restaurant that catered the feast as a way to show love to one of Dak's guests, who was celebrating a birthday.
Jerry Jones'son (who's also the Cowboys executive V.P.) called into 105.3 The Fan in Dallasand said the team spoke with both superstars after TMZ Sports posted photos from the party at Dak's Texas home on Friday ... and explained to them why the shindig was a TERRIBLE idea!
105.3 The Fan
"I think they're certainly aware now of how sensitive these situations are," Jones said on Tuesday ... "I don't think you'll be seeing that anymore."
We were told there were as many as 30 people at Dak's home at one point -- though sources close to Dak insist the number was closer to 10.
Either way, bad idea -- since officials have warned against unnecessary gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"They're certainly guys that we have the utmost respect for, and I certainly know they understand the sensitivity of the situation we're in today," Stephen said.
"It's certainly very serious, and something that we know and certainly know they understand."
Tons of people have ripped the Cowboys stars over the party ... with former Dallas 1st-round pick Marcus Spears calling it, "one of the most disrespectful things I've seen in a long time."
For his part, Prescott has still yet to publicly comment on the issue.
The CAROLINA PANTHERS star is currently shacked up with his girlfriend and her sister, Sophia Culpo ... and they all decided to feast in honor of the 23-year-old running back's massive new deal.
Hey, why not ... right?
The two have been dating for a while now -- remember, they took that trip to Mexico last summer?
At the time, Culpo was coming off a long-term relationship with NFL wide receiver Amendola.
As for Christian, he issued a statement about his new deal -- saying, "I’m so excited to continue my career in Carolina. I want to thank Mr. Tepper, Marty Hurney, and Coach Rhule for the opportunity to help lead this great franchise, and to all my teammates for their help along the way. And to Panthers fans, KEEP POUNDING!”
Former Cowboys 1st-round pick Marcus Spears is putting Dak Prescott ON BLAST over his quarantine party ... saying, "This was one of the most disrespectful things I've seen in a long time."
We broke the story ... Dak played host to a big gathering at his place in Prosper, Texas over the weekend -- and one witness says there were as many as 30 people in attendance at the height of the festivities.
TMZSports.com
Of course, this is a huge no-no ... as government officials have urged self-isolation amid the coronavirus pandemic -- and Spears ripped the Cowboys QB on Monday for putting the party on.
"This was one of the most disrespectful things I've seen in a long time."@mspears96 went OFF about hearing reports that police were called to investigate a potential party at Dak Prescott's house. pic.twitter.com/NsEUSQMLVS
"This is just dumb," Spears said on ESPN's 'Get Up.' "It's dumb and it's totally disrespectful with what we have going on right now in this country."
Spears says his gripe with Dak's get-together is simple -- if the virus spreads because of the party, it puts further unnecessary strain on medical personnel.
"The disrespect to do this and recognize that people that have to presumably take care of you after these dumb social gatherings that you should not be having, by the way, is the one that really irks me and rubs me the wrong way."
For his part, Dak has yet to publicly comment on the party -- which his teammate, Ezekiel Elliott, also attended.
3:34 PM PT -- Prosper PD tells TMZ Sports it responded to a report of a potential party at Dak's home. However, "the officer was unable to verify the report of a 'party'; therefore, he just reminded the resident of the current CDC guidelines -- to include social distancing."
Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott are partying like it's NOT 2020 in the middle of a pandemic -- hanging together for a celebration that appears to violate the Texas "safer-at-home" order.
The turn up went down Friday night at the Dallas Cowboys QB's crib in Prosper, TX, and his star running back was there as a guest. We're told it was a birthday party for one of Dak's friends, and at the height of the bash, there were about 30 guests.
TMZSports.com
At one point, Zeke was seen posting up near a buffet catered by Nick and Sam's Steakhouse in Dallas. Normally, ya couldn't knock him for that ... the grub looked delicious.
The issue is the TX Governor's orders call for social distancing at all times, and no more than 10 people in a gathering.
The numbers don't add up for Dak, who's already getting heat for repeatedly blowing off social distancing for recent workouts with ex-Cowboy Dez Bryant.
We're told there was a sit-down dinner later in the evening at Dak's place for just a select few, closer to the magic number of 10 -- although clearly not seated 6 feet apart.
We've reached out to Dak's reps, but no word back.
Burning Man as you know it won't happen this year, due to the pandemic, but there will still be a festival -- just with way less dust and fun ... probably.
Organizers of the annual art phenomenon held in the Nevada desert announced Friday they were pulling the plug to avoid a possible COVID-19 outbreak. The event, scheduled for Aug. 30 to Sept. 7, isn't being postponed -- a la Coachella -- but instead will move online.
The Burning Man camp -- built and torn down each year in the middle of nowhere -- is known as Black Rock City, and the organizers say they're gonna try to create a Virtual BRC, but they admit ... "We’re not sure how it’s going to come out; it will likely be messy and awkward with mistakes. It will also likely be engaging, connective, and fun."
So, the good news is you won't leave the event covered in 2 inches of dirt. The bad news is you won't leave covered 2 inches of dirt. BTW, last year they had 70,000 attendees.
The organizers say they will offer full refunds to anyone who's already purchased tickets, which cost $475 to $1400. However, they're asking anyone who can afford it to donate their ticket price to The Burning Man Project ... in order to keep the festival alive for the next year.
Super Bowl champ Travis Kelce's stunning GF came up with a brilliant idea to take his eyes off his video game for a second ... BOOTY SHAKE-ATHON!
And, now she has our attention, too.
Kayla Nicole and Killa Trav are up there on the list of hottest couples in sports ... and even during quarantine, they're still whipping up incredible content.
Kayla decided to do some "bonding" with her NFL superstar boo on Friday ... by making a TikTok while he plays video games.
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"My attempt at bonding while @killatrav wastes brain cells playing call of duty world mind craft 2k13," Kayla said on IG.
Somehow -- and we have no idea how this happened -- Kelce's attention goes back to his game about 5 seconds into Kayla's dance to Megan Thee Stallion's "Captain Hook."
When the COVID-19 pandemic derailed their wedding plans, an L.A. couple didn't sulk or panic ... they Zoomed their way down the aisle.
Ryan and Andrea Valderrama Samaniego were originally scheduled to have an elaborate wedding Sunday, but the shelter-at-home order in place for weeks now put a damper on those plans. But, the Samaniegos -- after 16 months of planning -- decided the lockdown wouldn't stop them from saying, "I do."
The couple got married Sunday in their home and their immediate families and bridal party all watched from Zoom, the remote video service company gaining immense popularity as the majority of America remains on lockdown at least through the end of April.
Andrea said, "Today wasn't the day we've been planning for the last 16 months, but it turned out to be the wedding day I wanted -- no fuss, just love & laughter, and ending the day as Mr. and Mrs. Samaniego."
And, if ya thought that was one helluva optimistic way to look at things ... just wait until you see how she put a positive spin on just about everything else.
Andrea went on to say, "We weren't able to get married at our venue BUT we got married in OUR home and set up the ceremony ourselves. I didn't spend the day getting ready with my girls BUT Ryan and I got ready for our day together. I didn't wear my perfect wedding dress BUT so thankful for online shopping."
As we reported ... there have been tons of wedding cancellations across the country. It's triggered panic from couples looking for refunds and chaos from those scrambling to change venues. That being said, it's incredible how Andrea's not letting the pandemic bring her down.
She said, "We didn't have all the decor that was planned BUT thankful that grocery stores are open so that I could get flowers for the ceremony and my bouquet. We didn't spend the day hugging and dancing with our guests BUT we spent the afternoon playing Mexican Train and just enjoying a simple afternoon as husband and wife." Wow.
The Samaniegos' wedding was catered by a pizza joint and their wedding cake ... courtesy of Nothing Bundt Cake, which TBH, it's the perfect dessert for any occasion. And, talk about embracing the circumstances ... Andrea's dubbing herself #CoronaBride.
Rihanna fans rejoice, she's finally giving you what you've wanted for years -- new music ... in the form of a collab with PartyNextDoor.
RiRi's featured on his new single, "Believe It," which appears on the Canadian R&B singer's new album, "Partymobile." It dropped at midnight via Drake's label, OVO Sound ... and has everyone wondering when Rihanna's own record will be released.
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For now, we got 'Believe' ... a groovy slow jam, highlighting Rihanna and PND's smooth vocals paired to create a nice hook.
The duo had previously linked up on her single, "Work ft. Drake" ... PND was one of the co-writers.
Rihanna hasn't put out an album since she released "Anti" in 2016 -- but last month she revealed was back in the studio working with The Neptunes -- Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo.
Patience. For now, fans can believe she's still got it.
Well, this ain't exactly the model form of social distancing ... but ya won't hear us complain!!!
Paulina Gretzky and Dustin Johnson's sister-in-law got in some bikini dancing during their self-isolation time Thursday ... and the views are pretty spectacular.
It seems the two were boating in the Florida sun when they fired up their phone cams to participate in the latest viral TikTok trend.
"Social distancing with my sista," said Paulina, who was rockin' the tiny blue bathing suit.
Of course, we had to cut the audio (legal reasons!!!) ... but you've heard the Megan Thee Stallion's "Savage" song before, and you've had to have seen this dance by now.
It's unclear how long we'll all be in quarantine for ... but it's clips like these that are helping our eyes get through it.
Coronavirus isn't stopping people from getting their party on -- they're just doing it in front of computer screens at home now. Welcome to 2020.
Due to multiple state-wide stay-at-home orders, the online event planning biz is seeing a massive spike in engagement for all sorts of get-togethers ... some more adult-friendly than others.
Evite made its name peddling online invitations, but has since become a go-to destination for online events. The company says it's seen a 1,130% increase in events tagged "virtual party" in the last year ... but it believes the lion's share of the boost has come in the last month.
We're told their biggest categories of online get-togethers of late include birthdays, cocktail parties and happy hours -- with average group sizes between 15 to 20.
Paperless Post -- another event planning company -- says in the past 12 days, virtual party events have jumped to 48% of their total biz. It used to be less than 1% ... so that's a clear quarantine-related shift.
As a result, PP's shifted to offer way more online invitation options -- for kids' birthday parties, game nights, book clubs, dance parties, brunch ... all the party possibilities.
Pretty amazing how quickly society adjusted. We've heard of workout groups, baby showers and even charity galas ... all moving to the online realm.
As you'd expect, in-person event planning is down, but not dead. We're told traditional invites for big stuff, mostly weddings, are still ordered -- but by and large event planners are marketing for online biz now.
Well, yes, that's precisely what happened Saturday night when DJ D-Nice threw a Social Distancing Dance Party and more than 100,000 people, including Janet Jackson and Dwyane Wade, turned up and out.
It all went down on Instagram live and it lasted for hours! D-Nice said, "Music is a vibration. It is a universal language. It is who I am. It is what I do as a DJ."
He went on ... "It is a part of my life's purpose to help people relax and enjoy themselves. What was just a whim has become a movement in less than 4 days. I am honored by love and support."
These are going to be springing up more and more as everyone pitches in to allay fears and boredom.
