Dog the Bounty Hunter Targeted in $430k Dubai Scam!!! Other Celebs Hit Too
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Dog the Bounty Hunter just got a sweet, sweet offer -- $430,000 to fly to Dubai and make a speech, and if that sounds too good to be true ... that's only because it's really a total ripoff.
Here's the thing, though, the six-figure check is very real ... and Dog could cash it, but then he'd really be screwed. His literary agent, Alan Nevins at Renaissance Talent, tells us the dough was delivered Wednesday morning to his office by FedEx, and it immediately set off all sorts of alarms.
We're told this all started last month when Alan got an email, seemingly from the office of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan -- the real Deputy Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates -- offering to pay Dog a handsome fee to speak at an economic empowerment convention for small business owners on August 31.
They sent a contract that was very sophisticated -- with all the proper clauses regarding travel, taxes and indemnity -- so both sides agreed to follow up and see where it all led. Dog joked to Alan that if it turned out to be fake, maybe he could help break up a money laundering scheme.
Sure enough ... things got sketchy after they negotiated a fee and signed the deal. First off, all communication was by email -- the foundation claimed that was due to the 11-hour time difference between L.A. to UAE.
Then there's the website for the alleged event -- mansourfoundation.org -- which looks very real, and even allows you to make donations. However, only by snail mail or email ... NO credit cards. Alan thought that was weird and tells us he called the host hotel listed on the website, only to find out no such event was going down there.
Another red flag came when organizers in "Dubai" told Alan they'd had trouble wiring funds to the bank where he has his business account, so they asked for his personal account at a different bank.
Dog and Alan knew it wasn't real at that point, and decided to walk away -- but lo and behold the live check arrived. The catch was organizers asked Dog to donate $250k of the funds back to the organization.
Alan says he did some research, calling the Portland bank that issued the check and the Portland construction company -- Benson Industries -- that allegedly wrote it. Both are real! Alan says the bank confirmed it's an active account, but wouldn't say for whom. Benson told him they had no knowledge of any such check being cut.
Federal and local law enforcement sources tell us this scam is like the new Nigerian Prince letter ... except with much higher dollar amounts to target rich celebs. We're told, a rash of celebs have been hit up lately -- and if Dog had deposited the check, the funds would have vanished a few days later. So, if he'd sent back the $250k, it would've come out of his own pocket.
We're told it's next to impossible to track down these scammers -- so, Dog dodged a big bullet.
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Kylie Jenner Here Comes The Bride?!? Boards Plane With Travis and Wedding Dress, BUT ...
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Kylie Jenner just boarded a private plane to her birthday yacht party with a very interesting piece of luggage ... a garment that certainly looks like a WEDDING DRESS ... but TMZ knows otherwise.
Check out this pic from the tarmac Tuesday afternoon at the Van Nuys Airport ... there's a flowing, feathery, white dress protruding out the bottom of a garment bag as it's loaded into the plane. In the worker's other hand -- what appears to be a suit ... possibly a tux.
Don't cue the wedding bells just yet though ... several of our Kardashian-Jenner sources tell us Kylie's NOT walking down the aisle with Travis Scott.
Fact is ... Kylie is notorious for messing with people, and it seems odd she would leave the train to her wedding dress exposed, knowing full well there are paparazzi watching.
What's more ... multiple Kardashian-connected sources tell us, she's not getting married on the trip.
As we first reported ... Kylie is jetting off to Italy begin her 22nd birthday celebration, which is going down on the $250 million mega-yacht, "Tranquility."
Kylie boarded the plane with Travis and their baby Stormi, plus Kris Jenner, Scott Disick, Sofia Richie and Corey Gamble ... as well as her assistant, Victoria, and her friends Stassi Karanikolaou and Yris Palmer.
Noticeably absent on the flight -- Caitlyn Jenner and all of Kylie's sisters. Of course, Kourtney's been vacationing in Europe, and it seems she'll join the party at some point.
One source says it's definitely NOT a wedding because Kim and Khloe are not going to join on the trip.
You could argue ... Travis set the stage when he gifted Kylie a garden of rose petals Monday, covering the floor of her mansion. Travis wrote, "We're just getting started." She also got a $21,000 custom floral arrangement from La Fleur Bouquets inspired by the Kaws x Dior collab from her best friend Yris Palmer.
FYI ... Kylie and Travis have been together for a little over 2 years. Marriage is certainly in the cards ... just not on this trip, we're told.
Stay tuned ...
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Ian Ziering New '90210' is Gonna Kick Butt, But ... It's Not What You Think!!!
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The highly anticipated reboot of "Beverly Hills, 90210" isn't just another cookie-cutter play for nostalgia -- it's taking the idea in a bold new direction ... and Ian Ziering thinks you're gonna love it.
The guy who played Steve Sanders on the wildly popular '90s TV show joined "TMZ Live" Tuesday and broke it down so viewers know what to expect ... as much as possible anyway.
From the sound of it, it's not quite "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and not quite "Desperate Housewives" ... but somewhere in between for the stars of '90210' who've reunited for the project.
As you know ... all the major players -- Jennie Garth, Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, Gabrielle Carteris, Brian Austin Green and Tori Spelling -- are back along with Ziering. The exception is Luke Perry, who sadly passed earlier this year.
Ian says the new show -- with the slightly tweaked title, "BH90210" -- will highlight the differences between the actors' real lives and the characters they play on screen ... but with a twist.
He also touches on how surreal it was to gather with his costars back at the ol' Peach Pit after all these years -- especially when Ian's moved on quite a bit from his Sanders character, now starring in and producing a new movie called "Zombie Tidal Wave."
Seems like the group had a ton of fun filming the 6-part miniseries together, and don't worry ... the classic theme song is back too. Check it out Wednesday night on FOX.
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Zayn Malik Lists $10M Bachelor Pad Penthouse ... So Long, SoHo (& Gigi)!!!
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Zayn Malik's ex, Gigi Hadid, appears to have moved on from their relationship -- now, it looks like her former beau has too ... 'cause he's moving on out of the neighborhood.
The One Direction star listed his SoHo penthouse -- which is a stone's throw away from Gigi's NoHo apartment -- just over a year after purchasing it for north of $10 million. Zayn snapped it up in March of 2018 shortly after he and Gigi temporarily broke up ... now, he's put it on the market again a few months following what seems like a permanent split.
The on-again, off-again couple reportedly called it quits for good in January of this year.
Zayn bought the place above its listing price of $10.5 mil, shelling out $10.69 big ones. He's currently selling it for $10.8 million -- trying to recoup some of that cash, apparently.
If you got $10 million or so lying around, it might be a good buy. The penthouse has 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and 932 square feet of a private roof terrace space. It also features heated floors, 12 foot vaulted ceilings and sprawling floor plan.
Zayn doesn't really have much reason to live near Gigi anymore -- she's got her hands full with 'Bachelorette' hunk Tyler C -- so he's searching for buyers. Step right up!!!
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Bam Margera Mom Hopes Dr. Phil Intervention Works ... 'We're at the end of our rope'
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Bam Margera's mother is counting on the mini-intervention they held with Dr. Phil to pull her son out of his substance abuse tailspin ... because her family's patience is wearing thin.
April Margera tells TMZ ... Bam's loved ones are at the "end of our rope" with his substance abuse and mental health issues. She says the family is offering its full support, but they've been down this road before, and they know it's no sure thing Bam sticks with rehab, or remains on the right path once he gets out.
As we first reported ... Bam is on his way to a rehab facility after Monday's 3-hour session with Dr. Phil, and the "Jackass" star is starting a 60-90 day stay in treatment. April and Bam's wife, Nikki, both participated in the segment.
As for why April and the rest of Bam's family are running out of patience -- he's been to rehab several times before. His most recent stint was in January and Bam bailed on that after a few days, but his mom says there's reason for hope: an example set by one of Bam's close friends.
She adds ... her son's social media rant over the weekend was "embarrassing" and he's been lashing out at those closest to him.
April feels Bam is his own worst enemy, but she's cautiously optimistic Dr. Phil can be the one to finally got through to her son.
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Wendy Williams House with Kevin Just a Check Now ... Sell, Sell, Sell!!!
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For Wendy Williams, what used to be a home built on love is now just a cold, hard asset ... and it's gotta go.
Sources close to the daytime talk show host tell TMZ ... the New Jersey mansion Wendy and Kevin Hunter have on the market right now for $1.895 mil doesn't have her feeling any type of way other than ... show me the money. (*insert "Jerry Maguire" scream*).
It was put to us this way ... Wendy views the home as nothing more than "a vessel to be liquidated" in the pending divorce. We're told, while she thought she'd be upset at the loss, she's actually happy to be getting rid of it ... for a couple reasons.
For one, our sources say Wendy feels like the house served its purpose in her life -- namely, a place to raise her and Kevin's son, Kevin Jr., in a suburban home.
Now that Junior's 18 years old, though -- and the fact she's finally called it quits with her husband of more than two decades -- we're told Wendy's ecstatic to be living the single life in NYC. She now lives just 10 minutes away from her studio ... so no more bridge and tunnel commuting which used to take upwards of an hour.
As one source told us, Wendy is "living her best 25/55 life" -- a 55-year-old living like 25. She's got no minor kids to raise, and no more Kevin Sr., either. The house might've been a part of her life for a long time, but at the moment ... she's only seeing it in her rear view mirror.
Tell us how you really feel, Wendy!
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Bam Margera On Way to Rehab Convinced by Fam, Dr. Phil
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4:04 PM PT -- Bam is en route to a rehab facility after a 3 hour session with Dr. Phil helped him see he needed professional help ... TMZ has learned.
Sources with direct knowledge of the conversation tell us it was a very emotional sit down, with Bam tearing up several times. We're told things came to a "boiling point" when Bam's wife, Nikki, joined Dr. Phil. Bam confronted Nikki about what he considers her "extreme stubbornness" ... according to our sources.
We're told Bam's mother also participated in the session -- and she and Nikki asked Phil for help identifying what kind of substances Bam was abusing.
Bam's now on his way to begin what we're told will be a 60-90 day stay in treatment.
Bam Margera's public plea for help from Dr. Phil worked -- TMZ has learned they're on set right now getting ready for a one-on-one session ... then it might be off to rehab.
Our Dr. Phil sources say the good doc has agreed to meet with Bam and tackle his issues head-on -- just the 2 of them -- with no studio audience. It's being shot in the green room.
Based on what we know, it's likely the "Jackass" star will be urged on to a rehab facility afterward to get his life in order.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Bam just posted that he's on the Paramount lot -- where the show films -- getting ready ... and hanging out with his old buddy, Johnny Knoxville.
As we reported ... Margera shared a series of concerning videos on social media Sunday practically begging for Dr. Phil to take his situation on and help him with his ongoing struggles. Bam said he's worse than he's ever been and his "family is in shambles."
This came on the heels of Bam seemingly relapsing, getting kicked off a Southwest Airlines flight and getting into a verbal altercation with an employee. Margera was in rehab earlier this year after a meltdown at a comedy club.
Our Dr. Phil sources tell us the 1-on-1 session with Bam will be filmed and will air next month when the new season premieres.
We're told, over 17 seasons of the show, "Dr. Phil" has spent $32 million on aftercare for guests ... and it's pretty clear Bam needs it too.
Originally Published -- 11:19 AM PT
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Meghan Markle Live Like British Royalty in L.A. ... Old Crib Hits the Market
Before the palace, Meghan Markle was shacking up in a chic Los Angles pad smack-dab in the middle of Tinseltown -- a home you can now call your own ... if you've got the cash.
The Duchess of Sussex's former L.A. house -- where she lived when she worked as an actress, before Prince Harry -- is currently for sale at a cool $1.8 million. It's in the mid-Wishire/Miracle Mile area near Hancock Park ... so close to just about everything Hollywood.
Meghan's old crib is a 4-bed, 3-bath colonial style house with over 2,000 sq. feet of space and an open floor plan. It's got a fireplace in the living room and a huge kitchen with an eat-in breakfast area. The interior of the home is super modern, with stainless steel appliances and hardwood floors throughout. It's got a pretty sweet backyard too, with a built-in awning.
A property fit for a West Coast king, really ... or a duchess, we should say.
Meghan owned the house while she was married to producer Trevor Engelson between 2011 and 2013. Eventually, they split and she moved to Toronto to film "Suits." It's unclear if Meghan was in possession of the home this whole time -- we doubt it -- but it just hit the market this month.
Of course, she's living at Windsor Palace now across the pond. Marrying a prince will do that.
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Kylie Jenner B is for Billionaire and ... This Baller Yacht for My Bday Bash!!!
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Feast your eyes on what's floating Kylie Jenner's boat for her 22nd birthday -- a $250 million dollar luxury yacht that will be home to the next over-the-top Kardashian-Jenner celebration.
This 300 foot long (that's a football field, folks) gem of a super-yacht is called the Tranquility, and sources familiar with the deal tell us Kylie's rented it out to celebrate her bday later this month. Kylie & co. will be partying, sunbathing, and just generally luxuriating on a floating venue that don't come cheap.
We're told Tranquility -- which used to be named Equanimity -- will set the average Joe back around $1.2 million ... PER WEEK!!! Luckily, the birthday girl's worth a billion.
No word on who will be setting sail with KJ, but the ship accommodates 22 guests. Here's what they'll be enjoying -- 10 cabins, a sauna, helipad, beauty salon, theater, steam room, Jacuzzi and swimming pool with underwater lights for anyone who wants to do some night swimming.
Oh yeah, and they'll have a 29-person crew waiting on them hand and foot.
We're told the party will hit ports somewhere in the Mediterranean, and we know big sisters Kendall and Kourtney are already over there -- so, it's a good bet they'll make the guest list.
Ahhh ... what could've been, Jordyn Woods.
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'Selling Sunset' Christine Quinn Crooks Hit My Crib ... Jacked $120k in Jewelry!!!
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Christine Quinn from the hit Netflix show "Selling Sunset" had a rude homecoming from a trip abroad -- someone got into her home and made off with six-figures worth of pricey jewelry.
Sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... Christine returned to her Bev Hills pad a few days ago and noticed her entire jewelry collection -- including expensive watches -- had been swiped from her safe.
We're told cops have little to go on, but here's what Christine knows for sure -- the suspect made off with more than $120,000 worth of her stuff!!! We're also told the only person who was supposed to have access to Christine's crib was the housekeeper, and there was no sign of forced entry.
LAPD's now investigating, but so far, there are no suspects.
Christine's bummer news comes on the heels of some great news for one of her "Selling Sunset" costars. As we told you ... Heather Rae Young made headlines when she was seen locking lips with "Flip or Flop" host Tarek El Moussa.
Ya take the good, ya take the bad ...
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Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner Dog Day Afternoon ... New Puppy in the Pack
Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner are getting over the death of their dog with the help of a new furry friend ... they got a new pup in their company just over a week later.
The couple was out Saturday in Miami, settling into what appears to be a vacation home with Joe's bro, Kevin, his sister-in-law, Priyanka Chopra, as well as some friends in tow. No word on whether Nick and Danielle tagged along -- they might be joining later.
The biggest addition to the crew though was a puppy golden retriever, who Sophie brought out of the van on a leash and what looks like a harness of some sort. Later, she gave this little lady a bath in the pool, and she didn't even seem to mind. Good girl (we think)!!!
There was another pooch there with them too, but Joe and Sophie's other dog, Porky, didn't show up in these photos. He's the brother of their Alaskan Klee Kai, Waldo -- who was tragically hit and killed by a car in New York last week, after breaking free from his leash.
As you'll recall, the pet owners were devastated in the following days ... and definitely didn't hide their emotions in grieving the loss of their canine family member.
Looks like they've found a new way to cope now -- whether the puppy here is a rental or permanently part of the pack, it sure is lifting their spirits.
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Bam Margera Booted from Southwest ... After Berating Airport Police
11:07 AM PT -- According to Atlanta PD, a call for service came in Friday for a dispute at the gate of an airport, which we're told appears to be related to this incident Bam was involved in here. Luckily for him, no arrests were made -- which jives with what you hear the video below. The officer says he was taking Bam to a hotel shuttle so he wouldn't get in trouble. APD also clarified that the guy in the yellow vest is not a police officer, he appears to be an airport employee.
Bam Margera was off the rails Saturday after just laying into an airport police officer, calling him an idiot and ultimately getting taken off the flight.
It's unclear what exactly happened, but it looks like Bam was wasted when he got on a Southwest flight in Atlanta and was told he was too drunk and/or obstinate to fly.
Bam told the officer he had 50 shots of tequila, and then called him an idiot for believing it ... then insisting he only had one drink.
It looks like he was taken into custody, and he just posted his therapist was flying to meet with him.
Bam has struggled with addiction and spent time in rehab. Bam's clearly been struggling recently ... most notably with a drunken public outburst at his own comedy show.
He's also been posting pics calling out his wife, Nikki and "Jackass" costar, Brandon Novak ... saying he's done with them.
Originally Published -- 9:07 AM PT
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Stevie J Judge Issues Arrest Warrant for Joseline ... After She Refuses to Turn Over Their Child
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2:28 PM PT -- Looks like Joseline stuck to the plan. We're told she handed over Bonnie to Stevie's adult daughter, as scheduled. Both of them are on their way to L.A. to reunite with him.
8:30 AM PT -- Plot twist! Stevie and his attorney tell us Joseline has flown back to Miami with Bonnie. Stevie is in L.A., but says one of his adult children who lives in South Florida is going to pick up Bonnie.
At least ... that's the plan. We'll see if Joseline cooperates.
"Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta" star Joseline Hernandez is on the verge of getting arrested after she blatantly disregarded the child custody agreement she has with Stevie J by denying him the right to see their daughter.
Stevie had a right to take custody of their 2-year-old daughter, Bonnie Bella from July 28 to August 11. Joseline was in Miami shooting "Marriage Boot Camp," so he traveled there on the 28 to pick up his daughter. According to court documents, obtained by TMZ, instead of turning Bonnie Bella over, Joseline took the child and flew to L.A.
After Stevie's attorney, Adamma McKinnon ran to court, the judge in the custody case issued an arrest warrant Thursday, ordering Joseline to turn the baby over STAT or she would be taken into custody.
We've learned Stevie J flew to L.A. late Friday and the stage is now set for a showdown. The judge made it clear ... if Joseline doesn't turn the child over, the L.A. County Sheriff's Dept. is ordered to immediately arrest her.
And, there's more ... because Joseline violated the custody agreement -- which gave her physical custody and Stevie J visitation -- the judge switched it around and now Stevie has sole physical custody of Bonnie Bella ... until August 15 when they're back in Fulton County court.
We'll let you know if Joseline complies, or if she's arrested.
Originally published -- 8:20 AM PT
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Kevin Spacey Gather 'Round for Some Poetry!!! First Gig Post-Groping Case
Kevin Spacey is returning to the arts -- a couple of 'em, actually -- with a pop-up performance at a Rome museum where he's reciting some poetry ... that apparently speaks to him.
The actor threw on a brown suit Friday and waltzed into Palazzo Massimo. He set up shop in front of the famous sculpture of the "Boxer at Rest" and read the Italian poem, "The Boxer."
A crowd gathered as Kevin recited the elegant words of Italian poet Gabriele Tinti -- in English, though -- and it seems like his Massachusetts criminal case, and other sexual misconduct allegations, might have influenced his poetry choice.
The poem's about a beaten and tired boxer who is determined not to give in or give up. One passage reads ... "The more you're wounded, the greater you are. And the more empty you are."
As we first reported ... Kevin scored a huge victory a couple weeks ago when prosecutors dropped the case where a then-18-year-old male accused Spacey of groping him in a Nantucket bar.
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We've seen this kind of display from Spacey before ... when the groping accusations first surfaced on Christmas Eve, he posted a bizarre video urging people not to rush to judgment, hopping into character as his old "House of Cards" character, Frank Underwood, to deliver the message.
No word if Kevin brought pizza again ... but he's in the right place to find a good slice.
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'Bachelorette' Hannah Tyler C. Leaves Her Home ... EARLY in the Morning!!!
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'Bachelorette' fans rooting for a romantic rekindling between Hannah and Tyler Cameron can officially start freaking out -- 'cause it looks like they spent the night together.
We got these shots of Hannah's runner-up Friday, shortly after 10 AM ... doing what some would call the walk of shame from her L.A. crib. Clearly, Tyler C. is settling into the second fiddle role just fine as he left her place with backpack in hand. They reportedly went out on a date Thursday night, and we're guessing it went very well.
It's possible he just swung by her place bright and early to show her something funny on his phone. Either way ... Hannah's coy smile screams she was damn happy to see him.
For those outside 'Bach' nation -- during this week's finale, fans saw Hannah pick Jed for her final rose ceremony and they got engaged. However, she called it off weeks later when she learned Jed had a girlfriend before coming on the show.
Hannah ended up running back to Tyler and they reconnected, live on the finale. She asked if he'd be down to grab a drink and hang out. He said yes, and apparently things are heating up.
However, Tyler notably did NOT hook up with Hannah in the fantasy suite -- because he said he respected her too much -- which made fans love him even more.
Another fun fact -- Tyler's one of a few contestants on Hannah's season rumored to be in the running to be the next 'Bachelor.' Obviously, dating Hannah would throw a major wrench in those works.
We smell a possible Sophie's choice ahead for Tyler!!!
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Honey Boo Boo Pretends to Snort Cocaine on Camera ... As Sister Scolds Her
Honey Boo Boo is in the dog house with her big sister after pretending to do a line of cocaine -- a shocking move that comes as her mother, Mama June, battles drug addiction.
HBB went live on Facebook Thursday evening to answer questions from her fans, but at one point the 13-year-old got extremely agitated and yelled at her sister, "Tell me what's f**king next right now!" Then she picked up a plastic knife and said she would need to take a break.
That's when she mockingly lined up something on the table, and started snorting it ... and a woman we believe to be her older sister, Pumpkin, went off.
She yelled, "Alana quit f**king doing ... dont' even f**king mimic that on f**king live!!!"
As we first reported, Alana's now living with Pumpkin, and has been since shortly after June and her BF, Geno, were arrested earlier this year for crack possession.
The video's especially troubling since Honey Boo Boo was so distraught during her family recent attempt to have an intervention for June.
One way to view this is Alana trying to mock or shame June for her ongoing drug issues. You'll recall, we got video of June and Geno outside their home right after he crashed his truck into their garage ... and he was so wasted he couldn't stand.
An even sadder theory is she was mimicking something she'd seen someone do ... possibly her mother. We've reached out to a rep for the family, but no word back yet.