You Might Want to Rethink

R. Kelly is trying to get some cash in the bank, but before what seems to be one of his first paid events in a while ... he's already getting ahead of potentially bad optics.

The embattled R&B singer took to Instagram Saturday to record a video of himself in front of what appears to be his Trump Tower residence in Chicago. He says he's gonna be at an event tonight in Springfield, IL ... one that's gonna line his pockets, apparently.

R. Kelly asks the media for a big favor -- to "take it easy" on him, as this is one of the few ways he can make money at the moment. In the clip, he says if and when the media sees him in the club with a couple drinks in his hand -- which presumably means photos or video of this will be leaked at some point -- just know he's only there to collect a check.

It sounds like R. Kelly was anticipating his appearance getting out to the public, and wanted to get ahead of a bad look of him partying in the middle of a serious criminal case. It's unclear where exactly he'll be Saturday night ... he didn't mention the venue by name.

As we've reported ... R. Kelly's been stuck between a rock and a hard place financially these past couple months, with people having to put up major dough not once but TWICE to get him out of jail. He's partially blamed his ex-wife for hindering his ability to make a living.

WWE legend Bret Hart was just tackled to the ground by a man who bumrushed the former wrestler while he was literally being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Bret was making his induction speech Saturday night during WWE's HOF ceremony -- in which BH and Jim The Anvil Neidhart were to be sworn in -- when out of nowhere a guy wearing what appeared to be a Rasta hat hopped into the ring and tried to take Bret down.

It wasn't a publicity stunt or a staged moment either -- security immediately swarmed in and dog piled the man, as other wrestlers nearby also hopped in to help. It was an immediate frenzy, if only momentarily.

You can tell the WWE community wasn't happy about the attempted take-down -- RAW Tag Team champ Dash Wilder unloaded one good sock to the face as security was dragging the dude away.

Even Ronda Rousey's husband, Travis Browne, got in on the action early ... as he leaped in to help Hart as soon as the guy made his way into the ring.

According to reports, the guy in question was removed from the building and Bret was able to finish his speech. Mind you ... Bret has suffered a stroke in the past.

Kodak Black doesn't seem to care that Lauren London just lost Nipsey Hussle to a brutal murder, 'cause he's already contemplating when and how to holler at her.

The Florida rapper posted a video to his IG Live, which began getting circulated Saturday -- and it shows KB hanging out with some buddies of his and openly talking about Lauren like a piece of meat that he wants for himself in the wake of Nipsey's death.

Check out the clip -- he calls Lauren "that baby" and a "whole widow out here," while also musing that he'll be the best man he can be to nab her next. He says he's even willing to give her a whole year of "crying and s***" before he makes any potential moves on her.

One of his friends asks if Kodak's shooting his shot, but he says he isn't ... he insists he's just being friendly, and wouldn't mind being a shoulder for her to lean on. Kodak also says she "can call my line."

Keep in mind ... it's been less than a week since Lauren's long-term partner and father to her child was gunned down in his own neighborhood. She said she's lost at the moment without him.

Dwyane Wade hasn't responded to Paul Pierce's bold claim that he had a better career than the Heat vet -- but he might not need to ... 'cause Gabrielle Union's got it handled.

Wade's wifey took to Twitter Saturday to put the retired Boston Celtic-turned broadcaster in check after he went on national TV Friday night to say he had a stronger run in the NBA than the Flash of Miami -- while also going on to speculate he'd have more championships under his belt if he had the help Dwayne had through the years, like LeBron and Shaq.

Paul got obliterated on social media, 'cause the fact is ... D-Wade has, for the most part, a better resume all-around than PP -- more All-NBA Teams, First Teams, All-Defensive Teams, more PPG and on and on. Plus, Dwyane has more ships ... period.

Gabrielle chimed in with her own two cents as well, saying Paul was obviously wrong for so many reasons but went on to point to what she saw as a larger issue ... hatin' just to shine.

Mrs. Wade-Union wrote, "[W]hat I find most troublesome is this idea of a man trying to diminish another man that looks like him, was raised like him, in order to shine a tad brighter. Sh*t isnt entertaining, it's sad."

Jussie Smollett was a man of no words as he left an office building Friday in the San Fernando Valley.

Jussie was leaving the Warner Center in Woodland Hills in the PM when he was asked about the civil lawsuit the City of Chicago intends to file against him to recover the $130k cost of investigating the alleged attack.

The Empire actor's lawyer, Mark Geragos, went on and on how the City was maliciously defaming his client, suggesting they would file a lawsuit of their own, but Jussie was mum.

Jussie's in a box on this one ... he has been so strong proclaiming his innocence, settling with the City for ANY amount would be off script, despite the fact a settlement is often made to minimize the enormous costs of trial.

Debra Tate is unmoved by the olive branch extended by the director who cast Hilary Duff to play her sister, Sharon Tate, in a horror movie ... because Debra says it's just an attempt to cover his ass.

Debra, who started blasting Daniel Farrand's independent film from the jump, tells TMZ ... the director only reached out to her AFTER the movie was complete, sending her a letter explaining what he was trying to express in "The Haunting of Sharon Tate."

Debra strongly feels the director's email was too little, too late ... and she's calling BS on his intentions, because she doesn't think it's the least bit earnest. What's more, Debra tells us she's convinced Daniel only reached out to make himself look better after she totally slammed his work.

It's a stark contrast to Debra's interactions with Quentin Tarantino, who cast Margot Robbie to play Sharon in his Charles Manson flick, "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood." Debra sat down for a 1-on-1 with Tarantino BEFORE production wrapped, reading the script and even being invited on set.

Hilary's movie just hit theaters, and Debra's warning moviegoers to spend their money elsewhere ... 'cause Debra says it's extremely exploitative and socially irresponsible, taking Sharon's life and spinning it for a new generation on the 50th anniversary of her violent death.

Debra, who was 16 when Manson's cult followers murdered her sis, also says the film is extremely hurtful and hateful ... and she thinks the director's just out to make a quick buck off her family's tragedy.

The Big Show is about to pin John Oliver's scathing critique about professional wrestling ... saying the sport is safer than it's ever been, and pointing to himself as proof.

Oliver DESTROYED the WWE on his HBO show, saying the organization is unsafe and exploitative of its workers, pointing to the untimely deaths of several of the past wrestlers as proof.

We got Big Show out in NYC -- gearing up for Wrestlemania35 -- and asked him what he thought of Oliver's 20-minute tirade ... and he said wrestling has cleaned up its act, and used himself as the proof.

"The industry's changed. It's done everything it can to protect the athlete and create longevity for the athlete. I'm 47 and I'm still rocking and rolling, so they're doing something right."

Show also says wrestlers -- including himself -- know the dangers before they sign up, and that's gotta mean something.

"I've had a lot of injuries, I knew from day one stepping through the ropes that it was not an easy job, it was a job that was gonna put myself at risk. I took the paychecks, I took the fame, I took the fortune."

9:30 AM PT -- Attorney Gloria Allred tells us she is representing the woman from Texas, but would not comment further on the case.

Mally Mall had his home raided and searched because police are investigating allegations of multiple sexual assaults and human sex trafficking, along with alleged importation of exotic animals ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ, but the music producer says the principal accuser is an extortionist.

Sources connected with the investigation tell us, the LAPD SWAT informed supporting officers, the raid was triggered by allegations of "multiple rapes and human sex trafficking, as well as firearms on the premises." They added they also believe, "he was illegally importing exotic species into California for people working in the entertainment industry."

As for the alleged rapes and alleged human trafficking, sources involved in the investigation tell TMZ, a woman claimed back in January, Mally Mall flew her out from Texas after seeing her fitness videos on social media. She says she was staying at his home and he drugged and raped her and locked her in a room.

The woman claimed she stayed another day and had intercourse with him a second time because she felt she had to be "submissive." The following day she says she developed a rash and went to a hospital where a nurse called the cops after observing vaginal trauma.

Sources close to Mally Mall say everything was consensual and they were partying together the entire weekend. They add the woman was in no hurry to leave his home. He also says he has voicemails and texts proving she was trying to squeeze money out of him.

We're told the woman has been in touch with various authorities, including the sex unit in the LAPD's Robbery Homicide Division. Our sources say cops believe there are at least 3 women who have come forward with similar allegations of rape.

As for the exotic animals, law enforcement sources tell us, Mally Mall's social media posts showing the various creatures triggered the interest of the California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. We're told 3 animals were seized in Tuesday's raid ... 2 monkeys and a Serval cat.

Our sources say the initial search warrant was issued on March 21 but was never executed, and police went back to a judge a week later to get an extension that allowed them to conduct Tuesday's raid.

Mally Mall was NOT arrested but rather detained and released, however, cops tell us the investigations are ongoing.

Mally Mall's lawyer, Steve Sadow, tells TMZ, "If they had real evidence, they would have arrested him. They don't have evidence. It's bogus. Period."

Democratic Presidential hopeful Andrew Yang wants to soften the perception he's taking a hard stance against circumcisions, and as we learned ... it's no laughing matter to him.

We got the NY entrepreneur Wednesday afternoon in Times Square and asked him to clear up his position on circumcision. If you haven't heard ... Yang made headlines last month when he said he opposed the practice.

Andrew says everyone who is on his jock needs to cut him a break. The candidate told us people have twisted his words, because his official position simply isn't that cut and dry. He cleared things up with our photog, and made it known ... he meant no offense to his Jewish homies.

One last tip: Watch all the way to the end, you'll get a glimpse of the candidate's sense of humor. Then again, maybe our guy's just not that funny.

Joe Biden is promising to change his ways in the wake of allegations he's gotten way too close for the comfort of at least 2 women.

The former Veep -- and expected Presidential candidate for 2020 -- is addressing the handsy allegations head-on ... saying it's just who he is, or at least who he HAS been. Biden added, in a video posted Wednesday, he'll get himself in check going forward and be mindful of people's personal space.

Joe says he's always thought of politics as a way to connect to people ... and that he took that to heart quite literally, with handshakes, hugs, shoulder squeezes and other forms of embrace.

He doesn't mention kissing women's heads, though, as Lucy Flores claims he did to her back in 2014. Another woman accused him of pulling her in by the neck to rub noses at a fundraiser in 2009.

In his kinda-mea culpa vid, Biden acknowledges the boundaries of personal bubbles have been reset, and says he'll change too.

His video response couldn't have been better timed, as President Trump and the GOP lean into lampooning Biden for his touchy-feely tendencies.

Lance Bass has some choice words -- and a splash of sarcasm -- for the Sultan of Brunei on the day his country will start stoning gay people to death.

We got the 'NSYNC singer Wednesday leaving NBC in NYC -- where he was plugging his new doc, 'The Boy Band Con' -- and asked about the deadly law that takes effect Wednesday in the Asian country -- gay people can now be stoned to death for who they are.

Lance clearly has a POV, but it was tough for him because while we were talking to him a slew of fans were asking for selfies so whatever he said he had to say with a smile on his face.

Our camera guys also asks Lance if he was on board with George Clooney's renewed call to boycott hotels owned by Brunei's leader, including The Beverly Hills Hotel and the Hotel Bel-Air. Check it out ... sounds like he's been with it for a while.

Miley Cyrus climbed a tree for the Gram -- and now, she's been taken to task for it.

The singer slipped into a floral onesie Tuesday and perched herself in a Joshua tree. Good fun, right? Not exactly ... because the Joshua is a protected species in California -- and as soon as Miley posted a few pics of her tree climbing ... a lot of her followers started blasting her for arboreal adventures.

One user wrote, "Joshua trees are dying out because of their fragility, and folks climbing on them isn't helping curb that. Delete this before more damage is done."

Joshua trees are currently endangered, and what's more ... they have shallow roots that can't withstand extra weight -- ya know, like a human hanging from them.

Posing with or on Joshua trees is a major fad right now among the young and "free-spirited" ... although most of 'em get grilled for it, just like Miley. There's actually a social media account dedicated to the cause called @joshuatreehatesyou.

Sen. Marco Rubio says the allegations against Joe Biden -- ahead of his anticipated presidential run -- are nothing new in D.C., and he's suggesting the whole thing is Dirty Politics 101.

We got the Florida senator at Reagan National Airport and got his take on the 2 women who've claimed Biden inappropriately touched them years ago. Rubio says he's not surprised at all it's coming out now because it's perfect timing.

Rubio feels someone's been sitting on this information for a while, and it's only being weaponized now to hurt the former Veep, ahead of his expected 2020 run for Prez.

Watch the clip ... it's going too far to say Republican Rubio is defending Democrat Biden -- but, at the very least, he empathizes with him. Remember, Rubio's been down the Presidential campaign trial, and he thinks anyone running for office should expect the same kinda treatment Biden's getting.

For the record, no one's accusing Biden of sexual misconduct ... it's more about invading personal space and inappropriate touching.

He's been very touchy-feely with lots of folks over the course of his career -- and a lot of it's been caught on camera. He's said his public displays of affection never carried any intent to harm, and he never thought he'd acted inappropriately.

Grant Gustin -- the guy who plays "The Flash" on the hit CW series -- wasn't so quick on his feet when he needed to find a way to relax while on a flight to Canada ... 'cause his plan went up in smoke.

We're told Grant was aboard Compass Airlines Flight 6006 Sunday night from LAX to Vancouver, sitting in first class. When the plane -- carrying 68 passengers -- leveled off, Grant headed straight to the bathroom and allegedly put his vaping pen to serious work.

Witnesses tell us the smoke coming outta the bathroom was so intense, it set off a smoke alarm after seeping into the cockpit ... where the captain and co-pilot were forced to wear oxygen masks.

Our sources say Grant -- who has also appeared on "Glee" and "Supergirl" -- copped to vaping. According to witnesses, he wanted to relax during the flight. We're told the flight attendants confiscated his vape without incident.

We're told the plane was NOT diverted ... and after landing in Vancouver, Grant was kept on the plane where he was met by Canadian authorities. As you probably know ... vaping on a flight is a huge no-no, but luckily for Grant, he was let off with a warning.

A rep with Compass Airlines tells TMZ ... flight 6006, "experienced a smoke indicator from the forward lavatory while in flight. A vaping pen was confiscated from a cooperative passenger. The flight landed safely in Vancouver, without delay."

We reached out to Grant's rep, who had no comment.

Forget John Calipari ... UCLA hoops should offer Earl Watson its head coaching job -- so says ex-Bruins star Ryan Hollins, who tells TMZ Sports, the school "needs to hope" he takes the gig.

Of course, Hollins -- a 4-year contributor for the Bruins from 2002-2006 -- says he'd LOVE to see Cal bolt from the Wildcats to take over the reins in Westwood.

But, the dude says UCLA needs to be honest with itself ... and understand that the Kentucky coaching legend is probably a long shot for the Bruins' vacancy.

And, why?? Hollins says he's seen the Bruins get burned going down this road before ... saying it was just a couple years ago when UCLA lost out on Brad Stevens and Shaka Smart and had to settle for Steve Alford instead.

"These top coaches that you want to go after -- which we can't knock -- it's not a guarantee they're going to come," Hollins tells us.

"And, when you ended up with Steve Alford ... man, he was the third or fourth or fifth down the line! So, if you're going to be realistic, you might as well keep it in house."

Earl's a UCLA alum who is VERY interested in taking the job ... and in fact, just reportedly interviewed for the spot last week.

Hollins says he thinks it'd be a slam dunk hire for the Bruins ... telling us the school isn't in any shape to pass on EW for the pipe dream of Calipari.

"It's a slap in the face, bro, when UCLA wants to go after a coach and they get denied," Hollins says.

3/31 -- Joe Biden has issued a second statement on Lucy Flores' accusation of kissing her on the head in 2014, again saying he doesn't recall the encounter the way Flores describes it ... but clarifies by saying that in all the moments he's been publicly affectionate with someone, he never thought he was acting inappropriately, adding it was never his intention.

He follows up by saying, "[W]e have arrived at an important time when women feel they can and should relate their experiences, and men should pay attention. And I will." He also promises to remain a strong advocate for women's rights.

2:00 PM PT -- Elizabeth Warren says she believes the claims made by Flores, and Biden needs to answer for them.

Biden spokesman Bill Russo has responded, saying ... "People know Joe Biden and they know his character, his integrity and his values. They know him to be someone who is empathetic, caring and who understands their problems and concerns. That’s how he reacts to people and it’s how people react to him."

He adds ... "In fact, some of the people who know him best — people who have worked for him throughout his career — are speaking up to say that he has always been a champion for women in his office."

Joe Biden says he doesn't recall planting an awkward kiss on the back of the head of Lucy Flores ... as he's been accused of by the Nevada politician.

The former vice president and potential 2020 presidential candidate allegedly came up behind Flores and placed his hands on her shoulders, leaned closer and inhaled her hair, then slowly kissed the back of her head in 2014 as the 2 were waiting to take the stage at a rally for Democrats running for office.

Flores -- who was running for lieutenant governor of Nevada at the time -- says she was embarrassed, shocked and confused ... and felt powerless to do anything about it.

She wrote about the encounter in a blog with The Cut, saying ... "Why is the vice-president of the United States touching me?" She continued ... "Even if his behavior wasn’t violent or sexual, it was demeaning and disrespectful."

Biden hasn't outright denied Flores' claims, but says neither he or his staff had any idea she felt uncomfortable at the time ... "nor do they recall what she describes."

The ex-VP says Flores has every right to share her own recollection of events and "that it is a change for better in our society that she has the opportunity to do so."

Biden attended the 2014 rally to support Flores for Liet. Gov. and speak on her behalf. She was defeated by Republican Mark Hutchison.