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*NSYNC's Chris Kirkpatrick is stirring the pot ... telling TMZ, talks about getting the band back together are indeed heating up.

Chris says he's definitely had lengthy discussions with JT, JC Chasez, Lance Bass, and Joey Fatone about the band's future -- and it's just a matter of getting everyone on the same page about what they wanna do next.

He confirms to us they're working on it, and it's not a categorical no to a stage comeback -- much to the delight of tour promoters and music labels eager to cash in on the guys getting back together.

Kid Rock is pushing his provocative persona to erratic new levels -- at least according to a new feature by Rolling Stone ... which claims he waved a gun around and said the n-word.

The outlet dropped a fresh piece that chronicled an interview with the rapper Sunday ... where KR is described as brandishing a firearm to the reporter, as well as dropping the racial slur a number of times while talking about politics and the history of the Republican party.

Per the journo, David Peisner, KR ranted at him after drinking several Jim Beam/Diet Coke cocktails ... at which point he allegedly pulled out a handgun from behind a leather chair. Kid Rock allegedly yelled ... "And I got a f***ing goddamn gun right here if I need it ... I got them everywhere!"

Adele's got the public buzzing with some life news, 'cause she let a little secret slip -- apparently, she's feeling motherly again ... and now, it sounds like she wants a little girl.

The British singer reportedly spilled the beans during her Friday Las Vegas show ... telling the crowd once her residency wraps up, she's putting baby-making on the top of her to-do list with Rich Paul -- and she's totally hoping for a pink gender reveal.

Adele said she wants a girl 'cause she's ready to balance out her squad. Remember, she was previously married to Simon Konecki, and together they share their son Angelo, who's now 11.

Britney Spears is in increasing danger of hurting herself or others, or even worse ... so say numerous people in and around her life, and they are scared for her and believe the only path for long-term survival is another conservatorship.

Multiple sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ, Britney's mental health has been in a tailspin since the conservatorship ended. They say she often is not taking the meds that stabilize her, and she is drinking and using various drugs which is especially dangerous, because she has substance abuse problems that sent her to rehab multiple times.

We're told Britney has radical mood swings and often goes into rages that end in physical violence. There are times we're told it's impossible to communicate with her because she can't engage in rational conversation.

Katy Perry got a sweet sendoff on the TV show she's been on for 7 years -- with "American Idol" paying tribute to her by having the remaining contestants sing a bunch of her songs.

The pop star showed up on 'Idol' Sunday night for the season finale ... and before they announced the winner (Abi Carter), Ryan Seacrest and co. gave KP her own special moment in the broadcast ... and of course, it included music.

The 'Idol' producers brought back the Top 12 girls -- several of whom had already been eliminated, but only appeared for this highlight -- to belt out a medley of Katy's biggest songs ... including "Teenage Dream," "Dark Horse" and "California Girls."

Jon Wysocki, best known as a founding member and drummer of Staind, has reportedly died.

The news of his passing was shared on social media by Jon's bandmates -- from his other rock group Lydia's Castle -- who confirmed the drummer died Saturday evening while surrounded by his family and friends.

Though the members of Lydia's Castle did not share Jon's cause of death, the musician was reportedly having issues with his liver -- requiring medical care.

Kate Hudson is in her singer era – hitting the stage at her album release show this weekend ... and looking like a real pro too.

The actress showed off her music side by performing a number of songs off her new album, "Glorious," in Los Angeles Saturday ... and we gotta say, she fits right into the scene, as her show looked and sounded freaking awesome.

Kate looked and played the part of songstress well, as she hit the stage at The Bellwether ...  keeping her long blonde locks down and lose while wearing a bodysuit with a sheer pink number over it.

Amy Winehouse's biopic "Back to Black" left out a viral moment ... cutting her dig at Justin Timberlake right before she won her Record of the Year Grammy.

The new movie -- released this week -- touches on some of the biggest moments of AW's life including her famous 2008 Grammy performance and win ... but, apparently, it leaves out the moment just before her victory.

If you don't remember ... Amy live streamed from a studio in London for the show -- and, when Tony Bennett and Natalie Cole read out the names of the RotY competitors Winehouse reacted negatively to JT's album name.

John Oates is showing love for his longtime partner turned legal adversary Daryl Hall ... calling him one of the all-time greats, despite the dispute that's blown up the Rock Hall of Fame duo.

The legendary singer-songwriter opened up about their early days recording together, telling the New York Post -- he ended up taking more of a backup singing role to Daryl because he quickly learned what an amazing voice he has.

John actually called his ex-partner one of the greatest singers ever -- extremely kind words, especially considering DH filed a lawsuit against John late last year.

Taylor Swift seems to be sending a big F-U to Billie Eilish on the day BE dropped her new album -- 'cause Tay released new versions of her own (eco-friendly) project simultaneously.

Billie put out her latest album "Hit Me Hard and Soft" Friday -- which had been scheduled for a good while now ... and while all her fans were stoked over it, Taylor swooped in out of nowhere Thursday to announce 3 fresh digital releases of "The Tortured Poets Department."

Taylor is basically releasing the same album but with three separate bonus tracks ... and that means 3 separate downloads for fans -- which will undoubtedly affect streaming numbers.

Reba McEntire and Post Malone stole the show at the 2024 ACM Awards ... coming together for a surprise performance of a country classic.

After Post impressed with a solo performance of his songs, "I Had Some Help" and "Never Love You Again," Reba joined PM onstage at the Ford Center in Frisco, TX ... asking him to indulge her with a surprise collab.

Specifically, Reba invited Posty to join her for a performance of the Allman Brothers Band's 1973 hit, "Ramblin' Man" ... in honor of the late Dickey Betts.

Elle King's finally addressing her flubbed Dolly Parton performance in full ... chalking up the alcohol-infused moment to dealing with difficult issues in her life -- and, praising DP's grace.

The singer hopped on Chelsea Handler's podcast "Dear Chelsea" when she ruminated on the disastrous January performance ... calling the incident a huge mistake and diving into the lead-up to the show.

EK says she'd been going through something major at the time ... and the day of the performance was significant in whatever this major trauma was. She didn't get into detail about what exactly was troubling her ... but whatever it was caused her PTSD, she says.

Avril Lavigne -- or someone presenting as her -- is eye-rolling about the long-held conspiracy theory the real Avril has been replaced by a lookalike, but she also realizes they could be saying a lot worse.

The singer-songwriter hopped on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast Wednesday where host Alex Cooper asked about the wild rumor claiming she died back in the early 2000s, and the woman now calling herself Avril ... is really an actor named Melissa Vandella.

Avril says the theory's totally ridiculous ... 'cause she says she's definitely her -- and the whole idea she's not is just "dumb."

Olivia Rodrigo handled a disastrous wardrobe malfunction like a pro ... not missing a beat as her top came undone during her London concert, and keeping the damn thing in place.

The singer took the stage at The O2 Arena Tuesday as part of her world tour -- and during a vigorous performance of her hit, "Love Is Embarrassing" ... Olivia's upper-body garment broke open ... forcing the former Disney Channel star to hold it in place.

Still, Olivia kept it together ... continuing on with the performance while motioning to her nearby dancer to fix the busted bustier. While they weren't able to get it fixed on the spot, Olivia didn't cut the song early ... only venturing offstage for help once the track wrapped.

Tyrese's legal woes appear to be following him wherever he goes, but he dodged a bullet out in Georgia this past weekend ... bailing on a concert after someone tried serving him.

A video making the rounds online shows the singer serenading a crowd at the Stockbridge Amphitheater a couple days ago ... when a security guard attendant appears to whisper something in his ear while he's in the middle of performing.

Tyrese keeps singing for a bit before abruptly jumping down from the stage and booking it up the side steps towards the exit, telling the crowd he loves them (and continuing to sing!)