Rich Paul wants to clear the air about his recent Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James take ... saying even though he'd want MJ to take a last shot over his bestie/top client ... the King is still 100% his G.O.A.T.
ICYMI, Paul and his "Game Over" podcast co-host Max Kellerman were talking hoop recently ... when the big-time sports agent revealed he chose His Airness to be the guy shooting the ball at the end of a game over Bron or Kobe Bryant -- saying there's "no question about it."
When we caught up with Paul out in Beverly Hills this week ... he said folks made it out to be like he was dissing LBJ in favor of MJ ... which was not the case at all.
Christian Pulisic's calling a penalty on speculation he's dating Hollywood bombshell Sydney Sweeney ... and he's calling on the media to do better.
Here's the deal ... rumors cropped up -- based on anonymous sources -- in a few outlets that the U.S. Men's National Soccer team star was euphoric in a new relationship with Sweeney.
Seems these sources had some bad info though ... because, while he didn't name-drop Sydney specifically, he did ask people to stop making up stories about his personal life.
Ana de Armas might not be a real "Ballerina," but she's certainly got the physique of one ... just check out her slender frame in this form-fitting workout ensemble.
The actress stepped out in Los Angeles Saturday ... baring her abs in a crop top and leggings combo while leaving the gym.
de Armas looked every bit the movie star in her sungalsses ... her face naturally a sexy smolder.
3:42 PM PT -- There's more evidence the DOJ deleted the video because it realized it was BS. TMZ reviewed former Attorney General Bill Barr's final report on Epstein's suicide, and it includes a detailed review of all "available recorded video footage." There is no mention of any cameras recording inside Epstein's cell ... only the ones in the common areas of the Special Housing Unit (SHU), and the stairways leading to that unit.
UPDATE
You'll recall, infamously, Epstein's cell door was not within the view of those cameras ... hence, the conspiracy theories around his death. If the DOJ had a camera inside Epstein's cell, those rumors could have been squashed immediately.
3 PM PT -- The video has been taken down from the DOJ link ... the URL now leads to a defunct page.
There's a date on the video -- August 10, 2019 -- from the day he was found dead in his cell in Manhattan as he awaited trial on federal sex trafficking charges. The video also says "J Epstein" in the bottom corner.
The DOJ began releasing the Epstein Files last Friday, and this video looks like it's been added to the document dump.
Actress Lilah Pate is firmly in her dad Jonas' corner following accusations he grabbed and shook a female production assistant on the set of "Outer Banks."
TMZ broke the story ... Jonas -- who co-created the Netflix show along with Shannon Burke and his twin brother Josh -- allegedly put his hands on a P.A. and shook her while shouting in her face in October. We were told several of the show's stars -- including Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline -- had to intervene.
What's worse, a source told us the behavior wasn't unusual for Jonas.
Lilah, who stars on the show, addressed the situation over the weekend when a fan commented on one of Lilah's TikTok videos ... they asked if Jonas yelled at her "like he did the employee."
Timothée Chalamet still won’t confirm or deny he’s EsDeeKid ... but he’s absolutely riding the chaos, teaming up with the masked singer himself for one heck of an epic collab!
The Oscar-nominated star just dropped a wild video collaborating on the Liverpudlian’s "4 Raws Remix," releasing both the track and visuals with them appearing together -- which might put the rumors to bed ... except it’s 2025 and A.I. can stitch anyone together🤷♀️.
Either way -- undercover British rapper or not -- Timmy put his rap game all the way out there, name-checking his "Marty Supreme" film, flexing about stacking $100 mil, and even shouting out GF Kylie Jenner with the line, "It’s Timothée Chalamet chillin', tryin’ to stack $100 million / Girl got a billion."
Lil Baby is telling a successful OnlyFans model that she sits on a throne of lies -- after she's publicly calling him a cheapskate for allegedly only paying for her poom-poom with $2,000!!!
A woman who calls herself "Jaw Morant" -- an homage to the famous basketball player while playing up to her alleged explosive mouth skills -- conducted a full-blown interview where she claimed Baby was pinching his pennies.
Kimora was once rumored to have had a secret relationship with the Cash Money Records head honcho ... and that's the tea Flex was spilling.
Funk Flex took over Hot 97's Monday mornings in place of the fired Ebro Darden -- and told the entire planet, via MediaCo Holding's airwaves, thatKimora Lee Simmons once got her back BLOWN OUT by rapper DaBaby!!!
Funkmaster Flex had the internet in a chokehold this morning after spilling what many are calling gossip tea on Hot 97 involving an alleged claim about DaBaby and Kimora Lee Simmons. No confirmation or official statements at this time but the timeline is on fire debating whether… pic.twitter.com/Am9dPtQGuf
The wild claims came during an on-air report discussing the recent volcanic eruption between Kimora and her ex-husband, Russell Simmons.
Flex labeled Kimora a "bird" -- as in the kind that don't fly straight -- and went on to claim she used to let DaBaby slip and slide inside her once upon a time.
Ex University of Michigan coach Sherrone Mooredidn't offer OnlyFans Model Mia Sorety season tickets in exchange for a foursome, she says ... but the two have exchanged texts in the past -- including after his recent arrest!
We spoke with Mia ... who is all too happy to clap back at gossip that Moore offered a sex-for-tickets quid pro quo ... theorizing social media users or an ex-assistant of hers may have planted the "crazy" story.
That said, Mia conceded she exchanged direct messages with Moore over Instagram for quite some time -- including after he was released from jail Friday -- and she even shared the receipts with us.
Honey Boo Boo's dad is doing just fine, TMZ has learned ... following rumors he died in a tragic car accident.
And, we even have video to prove it! Check it out -- Mike Thompson says in the clip recorded Saturday he's "alive and well" ... just living life "day by day" in Georgia. Phew!
You may have seen ... there were some unsubstantiated social media rumors that he had passed away earlier this week. Honey Boo Boo -- real name Alana Thompson -- didn't feed into the chatter.
Mike shares Alana with June "Mama June" Shannon. They split in 2014 and don't have a relationship at this point. He is also estranged from Alana.
Kyle Richards' friendship with country singer Morgan Wade has inspired years of dating rumors ... and now Kyle is admitting to having a secret relationship following her split from Mauricio Umansky.
Kyle never lists a name -- or even a gender -- for this mysterious former lover, but the clues she gives to Erika Jayne on the latest "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" make it seem obvious.
Kyle says she cared about them "very much" ... check. They avoided public scrutiny ... Morgan opted not to appear on Season 14. And the show's obsession with the relationship is what led to its demise. Basically checks all the boxes.
Erika seemed to put the pieces together, saying, "I think you've been as forthcoming as you can be."
While the dating rumors surrounding aespa's Winter and BTS' Jung Kook continue to heat up, the girl group's agency, SM Entertainment, is reportedly taking legal action in response to the backlash its singer is receiving.
Speculation about the two K-Pop idols dating started back in 2023 ... but have recently gained more traction with fans noticing them sporting similar 'fits and what appear to be matching tattoos.
Positive reactions to the potential romance have hit social media, but there has also been a ton of backlash from people who disapprove ... forcing aespa's label to step in to protect Winter from posts that they feel have crossed the line.
SM stated, "In particular, we have identified numerous acts damaging Winter’s character and reputation, as well as malicious postings and sexually harassing content made with the intention of publicly slandering the artist ... After reviewing these posts, we will be expanding the filing of complaints in stages."
Amy Schumeris dismissing the gossip that she and Chris Fischer are dunzo in the most Amy way -- a no-BS Instagram post.
Check out the video she shared on her page Monday ... it's a house tour her 6-year-old son Gene filmed with text overlay to address the recent chatter. She immediately brings up her recent ringless IG pics, noting ... "I never wear jewelry."
Instagram/@amyschumer
At another spot on the video, she cheekily adds ... "Whatever ends up happening with Chris has nothing to do with weight loss or autism … fingers crossed we can make it through … he’s the best."
Miley Cyrus can buy herself flowers, but she might not have to ... 'cause she has fans convinced she's engaged to Maxx Morando.
The "Wrecking Ball" hitmaker had fans chatting after arriving at the "Avatar: Fire and Ash" world premiere in Los Angeles on Monday with a diamond ring on that finger.
The sparkler -- set in a thick gold band -- couldn't be missed as she rested her left hand on the musician's chest as they posed on the red carpet.
Cherisn't headed to Netflix anytime soon ... despite reports she locked down a multimillion dollar deal ... 'cause TMZ has learned it's flat out not true.
A U.K. report circulated last week, claiming the music legend inked a massive $13 million deal with the streamer for a seven-episode tell-all series about the highs and lows of her life. The supposed project, allegedly titled "Sharing Her Story", was said to be targeting a 2026 release.
However, sources close to Cher tell TMZ ... the chatter is pure fantasy and a Netflix series isn't happening. There's no deal or anything in place at all.
