Kim Kardashian Pisses Off Victim's Mom ... Cooper's Guilty and He's Using You!!!
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EXCLUSIVE
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Kim Kardashian's mission to help convicted murderer Kevin Cooper prove he's innocent is enraging the mother of one of his victims, who says Kim needs to read up on the mountain of evidence that shows Cooper is guilty as sin.
Mary Ann Hughes tells TMZ she was disgusted to see Kardashian embracing death row inmate Cooper in photos -- "It makes me feel sick to my stomach and I pity her. For what she's doing to us, there's nothing to justify what she's doing to us, the immense pain she is causing us."
She added, Kim "obviously has not read all of the actual evidence -- she has bought into half truths perpetrated by the defense. If she actually sat down and read the transcripts of all the trials and appeals, she would be sick to her stomach to be in the same room with him."
Mary Ann's 11-year-old son, Christopher, was sleeping over at a neighbor's home in Chino Hills, CA back in 1983 when he was murdered. Cooper was convicted of using a hatchet to slay the neighbors, Doug and Peggy Ryen, their daughter Jessica and Christopher. The Ryens' 8-year-old son survived the attack.
Kim has been on a remarkable mission -- alongside multiple high-powered attorneys -- to help non-violent drug offenders get early releases from prisons. She started with Alice Marie Johnson's release last year, and has successfully freed 17 more inmates in recent months.
But, Mary Ann says Kardashian's on the wrong side this time and believes Cooper's attorneys "are using her for her reality show status because they can't use the truth to try to help Kevin Cooper. The truth just condemns him."
As we reported, Kim went to visit Cooper at San Quentin prison on Thursday, and she's successfully lobbied California Governors Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom to order additional DNA testing in Cooper's case. Kim says she hopes the results will show Cooper is innocent. He's long maintained he was framed.
Mary Ann says it's absurd for Kim to think the "pile of evidence" against Cooper was planted. She says he's "100 percent guilty and the evidence shows it. If you want the whole truth, read the 94 page document on the website of the San Bernardino County D.A." ... which was filed in response to Cooper's last attempt to win clemency.
Mary Ann points out a woman who claims Cooper raped her in 1982 in Pennsylvania testified against him during the murder trial -- something she thinks Kim needs to know. "She portrays herself as being for women's rights and for the women's movement and yet she is supporting a rapist and a murderer."
As for whether Mary Ann wants a chance to educate Kardashian on the case -- absolutely not. She says, Kim "has not reached out to us. I would not even want to talk to her. My opinion of her is about as low as it goes because of what she's putting my family through ... dragging this through the press on a non-stop basis."
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Chip & Joanna Gaines, Ciara Complete Harvard Biz Course ... w/ Lots of Other Stars
What do Chip and Joanna Gaines have in common with Ciara and Kevin Love? Other than the fact that they're megastars ... they all also have a Harvard class under their belts.
The A-listers were among the most recognizable faces this past week at the 4-day Harvard business course known as BEMS -- where top-level talent from all walks of life, including Hollywood stars, come out and share their experiences with each other ... brainstorming paths to success.
Some of the other celebs to join the group -- NBA stars Julius Randle and Luc Mbah a Moute, German soccer star Oliver Kahn, NCIS actor Eric Olsen and more.
By the end of it ... it looks like "Fixer Upper" couple and the rest of the gang walked away with certificates to show they'd completed the course -- which has hosted the likes of Chris Bosh, Michael Strahan and a myriad of CEOS and execs from different companies in the past.
Don't tell these people it's too late to go back to school! They won't listen to a word of it.
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Kim Kardashian Death Row Meeting Strategy ... Complete Exoneration
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EXCLUSIVE
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Kim Kardashian stopped by San Quentin's death row this week with one mission in mind ... figuring out what's needed to prove inmate Kevin Cooper was framed for a slew of heinous murders.
Cooper's attorney, Norman Hile, tells TMZ ... Kim spent 2 hours speaking with him and Kevin, and their conversation mainly focused on what can be done to clear Cooper's name beyond new DNA testing.
As we first told you ... Kim dropped by one of America's most notorious prisons Thursday to speak with Cooper, a 61-year-old man who was sent directly to death row after being convicted of committing 4 heinous murders in Chino Hills, CA in the '80s. He's always proclaimed his innocence.
Kim's been successful in lobbying 2 California Governors, Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom, to order additional DNA testing in Cooper's case ... but Thursday's meeting went way beyond the science of DNA.
Kevin and his attorney told Kim they're gunning to find evidence that could fully exonerate Cooper ... including docs related to the original prosecution, reviewing old witness testimony and finding new witnesses.
It's interesting ... Cooper could get his conviction thrown out by showing a significant error in his trial, but he's gunning to prove way more -- innocence. It would be a stunning reversal of fortune after 36 years awaiting death.
Cooper's attorney tells us their message clearly got through to Kim, and they're hoping she can use her celebrity to bring more attention to Kevin's case, as she's done with dozens of other inmates who recently gained their freedom.
In fact, the meeting went so well ... we're told it ended with a group hug.
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Jussie Smollett 'Attacker' Levels Up with Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s Trainer
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EXCLUSIVE
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Unlike Jussie Smollett, at least one of his alleged "attackers" is seeing his career on the upswing ... Abel Osundairo is now training with one of Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s trainers.
We're told Abel met Nate "The Snake" Jones through a well-connected boxing family in Chicago and they recently met up at Taylor Park Gym in Chi-Town to get in the ring and train. Nate's name carries weight in the boxing world ... the former pro heavyweight joined Mayweather Promotions as a trainer a little over a year after retiring and has trained Floyd in about a dozen fights ... including vs. Manny Pacquiao.
As we've reported ... Abel showed promise after mowing down opponents at the Golden Gloves tournament ... scoring first-round TKOs, unanimous decisions and, most recently, a first-round TKO in the senior novice 178-pound division to win the prestigious tourney.
Abel's still a raw talent -- he competed in a division for less experienced boxers between 21 and 35 who weigh 178 pounds or less -- but there's potential ... and further proof that if the Osundairo brothers really wanted to hurt Jussie in the "attack" ... it would've been vicious.
As you know ... Abel's lawyer says Jussie told them he wanted Abel to "attack" him, but not rough him up too badly. Since the "attack" ... Abel and his bro have struggled to land acting gigs but Abel's fortunes might have turned with Nate -- a former U.S. Olympic Boxing medalist -- now in his corner.
We're told Abel's training sesh wasn't a one-off, 'cause they plan to continue training. It's unclear if Nate thinks Abel's got what it takes to turn pro ... but training with a decorated trainer like Nate is a strong sign Abel's serious about boxing.
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Khloe Kardashian I'll Be Your Prom Date!!!
Khloe Kardashian says she's not into dating these days, but she made an exception Friday night for a dude who will surely freeze his boutonniere and make it a lifelong keepsake.
Khloe went to prom with a high school student named Narbeh ... we don't know his last name, but he goes by Narbeh Kardashian.
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In case it's not clear to you, dude's a super fan and KK decided to make his life by sauntering into the Castaway restaurant in Burbank, where there was an appropriate amount of gawking by Narbeh's fellow students from Hoover High School in Glendale, CA.
Narbeh runs a Stan account called @NarbehKardash which has 236,000 followers, so he has plenty of Kardashian kred. He regularly posts pics of the fam ... matriarch on down.
Turns out Narbeh and Khloe aren't strangers. He met her last December at a fan event. And, she's sent him birthday messages in the past.
A good time was definitely had by him.
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Kodi Lee Full Support from 'AGT' ... No Restrictions on Performances
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EXCLUSIVE
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"America's Got Talent" is not going to get in the way of Kodi Lee entertaining folks in his hometown, because producers know that's what helped make him a star ... and he's still gotta make a living.
Production sources at 'AGT' tell TMZ ... there's nothing in his contract keeping the 22-year-old from performing local shows in Southern California, even though he was awarded the "golden buzzer" pass from Gabrielle Union to ensure his spot in the competition's live shows.
We're told as long as Kodi shows up for his scheduled 'AGT' events and filming dates -- and isn't intentionally seeking press for an unfair advantage -- he's free to perform any previously scheduled live concerts and gigs.
As one source put it ... many 'AGT' contestants make a living off their art, so it wouldn't be right for the show to keep them from that.
We broke the story ... Kodi's breakout 'AGT' moment has created a huge buzz for his upcoming shows with the cover band Midnight Satellites, with whom he's been playing for a while.
Owners of 2 separate venues in Riverside County tell us Kodi's scheduled performances have fans in a frenzy, and fortunately, the Old Town Blues Club will have doubled its seating capacity for its July 6 show featuring Lee.
As for 'AGT' ... since Kodi's already advanced past the auditions stage, he won't be back on stage until the live shows kick off in August.
But, we'll probably hear about him plenty 'til then.
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Fergie Separation Done ... Files to Divorce Josh Duhamel
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EXCLUSIVE
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Fergie's had enough of the separated life ... she and Josh Duhamel are finally getting divorced ... TMZ has learned.
Fergie filed divorce docs Friday in Pasadena, and no one could call it a rash move. The exes have been apart publicly since September 2017 ... when they announced they were breaking up. In a joint statement, they said they'd actually been separated since earlier in 2017.
However, neither made a move divorce-wise ... until now.
The singer and actor have one child together ... their son Axl, who is 5 years old now.
They'd been married for 8 years before announcing their break-up -- and they had started dating in 2004.
Josh has been dating pretty openly. In the last year, he's been seen out with Rebekah Graf, Eiza Gonzalez ... and just this week he was at Nobu in Malibu with a mystery brunette.
Late last year, Josh was on Dax Shepard's podcast when he said he wanted more kids and was looking to date someone young enough to make that a reality.
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Justin Theroux If the Sun's Out, Britney's Out ... On My Muscular Bod!!!
Justin Theroux's either throwing some serious muscle behind the #FreeBritney movement, OR he just likes super trendy tees that show off his muscles and his love for Britney Spears.
Justin was tooling around NYC Friday on his bicycle ... making sure his biceps and triceps got plenty of vitamin D while showing his love for early Brit.
His graphic tee -- sleeves optional -- featured the cover art for the 2001 "Britney" album. Justin definitely seems like a "Slave 4 U" kinda guy.
Based on how ripped the guns of Theroux were looking during his ride around Gotham, we'd say someone's gonna "Get it get it, get it get it" in the gym ... or wherever he's heading on his bike. He won't deny it, and he damn sure ain't trying to hide it!!!
Ya get the point ... he loves Britney. So do we, obvi.
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Kit Harington Making Time for Fitness ... During 'Wellness' Stint
Kit Harington is finding healthy ways to release stress -- getting in a workout down the street from his stay at a "wellness center" ... aka rehab.
The "Game of Thrones" star was walking out of a gym Friday in the Connecticut neighborhood where he's been taking what his people call a mental health retreat ... at a luxury facility.
Kit, who played Jon snow on the extremely popular HBO series, was rocking jeans and a button down on his way out of the gym. His female companion appears to be someone connected to the facility -- maybe a sponsor ... she's been seen with him around town in late April.
As we reported ... Kit's reportedly getting treatment for exhaustion, stress and alcohol abuse at a facility that's believed to cost about $120,000 per month. As you can see, he's allowed to leave the facility from time to time.
We're told Kit spent about 90 minutes at the gym ... plenty of time to get in a killer workout.
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Ellen DeGeneres' Mom Responds to Sexual Assault Revelation ... 'I Live with That Regret'
Ellen DeGeneres' mom is responding to her daughter speaking out about being sexually assaulted by her stepfather as a teen ... saying she feels great sorrow.
As we reported ... Ellen revealed on David Letterman's Netflix show she was molested when she was 15 or 16 by a "very bad man" her mother, Betty DeGeneres, had married.
Betty's now revealing her own misgivings about the devastating incident. She told NBC's "Today" ... "I love my daughter, and I wish I had the capacity to listen to her when she told me what happened."
She added ... "I live with that regret, and I wouldn't want that for any other parent. If someone in your life has the courage to speak out, please believe them."
Like Ellen, Betty says she's aware of how hard it is to speak up after being sexually abused. The famed talk show host said that was the main reason she decided to tell her story ... to give courage to other victims to use their voice.
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'Power' Star Rotimi Pays 50 Cent $100k in Ferocious Debt Dispute
50 Cent may be cooling his jets a little after "Power" costar Rotimi agreed to fork over $100k toward repayment of what 50 is calling an unpaid loan.
Rotimi hopped on "TMZ Live" Thursday to explain what triggered 50 Cent to put him on blast for owing Fiddy a cool $300k. ICYMI ... 50 called out Rotimi after the singer bragged that his album, "Walk With Me," shot up to the top of the R&B Albums chart on iTunes.
Rotimi initially denied he owed 50 a cent but the rapper shot back with a video captioned, "My man you owe me a[n] outstanding $300,000 now WALK WITH ME to the bank." This apparently hit too close to home for Snoop Dogg, who offered to pay Rotimi's debt if it meant 50 wouldn't kill off Rotimi's character on "Power." Snoop clearly loves him some "Power."
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When Rotimi joined us ... we straight-up asked him if 50's rant is true. Ya gotta check out Rotimi's explanation. Short story ... Rotimi chalked it up to a misunderstanding and says he paid the rapper $100k and will pay him the balance when the royalty checks start rolling in.
As for 50 ... he's straight with Rotimi now because moments after our interview Fiddy posted another video and captioned it, "I have no problem with @Rotimi in fact I wish him and his family the best God bless. POSITIVE VIBES."
Boom.
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'AGT' Star Kodi Lee Golden Buzzer Has Him Buzzin' ... Local Shows a Hot Ticket!!!
Kodi Lee -- the blind, autistic "America's Got Talent" contestant who wowed judges with his incredible performance -- has caused a fan frenzy at 2 SoCal spots where he's already a rock star.
Kodi's amazing breakthrough moment on the show this week culminated with new judge Gabrielle Union using her first-ever golden buzzer to ensure his spot in the competition's live shows. Fans in his hometown can't wait until then.
Paul Little, the owner of The Shamrock Irish Pub in Murrieta, CA ... says Kodi's been entertaining at the bar for 4 years, and they've known all along what America just found out.
Paul tells us Kodi has a gig with the Temecula-based cover band, Midnight Satellites, scheduled for June 7, but after his 'AGT' appearance ... it's become a WAY bigger deal.
The owner says they've been flooded with calls for reservations, and the pub had to send out a message to regulars to reserve spots ... because the venue's almost totally booked.
Kodi and Midnight Satellites have another show at the Old Town Blues Club on July 6, and its owner, Andy Doty, tells us they're preparing for it to be "insane."
Doty says Kodi's already a local legend and always plays to a packed house, but the club's expanding its capacity -- from 75 to 200 people -- and will be ready in time for Kodi's band to rock.
Other changes for the show -- a cover charge (they're not dumb), and extra security for the much larger crowd.
If you're wondering, the band plays a variety of rock, blues and funk songs to showcase Kodi's range.
Probably a good bet they'll play Donny Hathaway's "A Song For You." The whole world knows Kodi has that one down pat.
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'Kimmy Schmidt' Star Netflix Bosses Nailed it ... We Gotta Pressure GA on Abortion Law
"Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" star Tituss Burgess is passionately supporting Netflix for speaking out against Georgia's abortion bill and says his stance ain't about toeing the company line.
We got the actor leaving LAX and asked what he made of Netflix saying it will seriously consider moving its productions out of GA if that state's controversial "heartbeat" law takes effect next year.
It's the first major studio to speak out so strongly, and Tituss -- who reminded us he's a Georgia native -- is fully on board with the honchos.
He says folks back home, especially the "bunch of old white men" in the legislature, need to know they can't take control of women's bodies ... and he thinks Hollywood can apply financial pressure.
The legislation, which the governor already signed into law, would ban abortion after six weeks -- and is set to go into effect on Jan. 1.
Tons of production companies shoot in GA and get huge tax breaks for it. So far, Netflix and Disney are the only major studios to threaten to pull out in 2020.
Tituss has some thoughts on that too. Pulling out, that is.
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William H. Macy This Balloon Payment's Legal ... For My Kid's H.S. Graduation
William H. Macy is celebrating his baby girl's high school graduation, but the party's gonna have a little black cloud -- the college admissions scandal that's likely to land her mom, Felicity Huffman, in prison.
William was out Wednesday in WeHo picking up graduation balloons ... most likely for his 18-year-old daughter, Sophia Grace, who's wrapping up this week at Los Angeles High School of the Arts. Of course, Sophia's higher education is directly linked to the scandal.
As we've reported ... Felicity Huffman pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud as well as honest services mail fraud -- all for paying Rick Singer $15k to rig Sophia's SAT test. The feds say she got twice the amount of time as normal to take the test and the proctor corrected answers afterward.
We're guessing college won't be a hot topic at the party.
Macy said earlier this year -- before the federal indictment -- Sophia might take a gap year after she was admitted to a university. Felicity, who'll be sentenced in September, has said Sophia was unaware of the scheme to boost her test results.
Unclear what the college plan is now, but at least Sophia and her folks can celebrate this graduation.
Congrats?
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Jenelle Evans I Love My Kids ... But Not Enough to Drop David
Jenelle Evans is sticking with her man -- despite temporarily losing custody of her children -- but wants to make one thing clear ... she still loves her kids.
Jenelle and her husband, David Eason, were in court Tuesday when a judge ruled they'd lose their kids for the foreseeable future. Evans just released a statement saying, "I love being a mother and David and I will get through this. We are staying strong and united."
It's an interesting statement considering our sources say David's actions are the root of the custody issues ... and the judge was pissed Jenelle kept the kids around him.
In Jenelle's statement to The Hollywood Gossip she continues, "I love my kids so much and I will do anything necessary to get them back and that is all I want everyone to understand."
Evans refused to talk on the specifics of the case for fear of repercussions from the judge.
As we reported ... Eason brutally beat and then shot and killed the family's dog after it nipped at their 2-year-old daughter, Ensley's face. As a result, 9-year-old Jace, 4-year-old Kaiser and Ensley were removed from the home.
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Mandy Moore Climbing Everest Could Kill You!!! Says X Games Host Sal Masekela
Mandy Moore is getting some super cool social media content on her way up Mount Everest, but Sal Masekela says she's also putting herself in danger ... and she might not make it down alive!!!
We got the former X Games host at LAX Wednesday and asked him about the recent deaths at Mt. Everest ... and Sal delivers a dire warning to rich people who are climbing just for the social media snap -- and for Mandy, who just reached Everest's base camp.
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This climbing season has already resulted in 11 deaths in the Himalayas, with the latest casualty an American lawyer. The way Sal sees it, even the most elite athletes can succumb to Everest's harsh conditions ... so Mandy's gotta be extra cautious, even though she's being guided by experts.
Sal knows what he's talking about, and not just because he's been around extreme sports for almost all of his TV career. Check out our clip ... Sal shares a sad tale from another daunting climb and offers some sage advice to anyone with the cash or the desire to scale Everest.