Queen Elizabeth Mourns Loss of Faithful Companion
Queen Elizabeth is in mourning after her faithful companion died at Windsor Castle ... people knew it was coming but it's still a heartbreaking loss.
The Queen's beloved Corgi, Whisper, has passed after an interesting 12-year run at life.
Q.E. adopted the pooch from a former staffer back in 2016. The staffer died and the Queen adopted Whisper. It's her second big loss ... her other Corgi, Willow, died earlier this year.
The 92-year-old monarch still has 2 other dogs to keep her company. And, also Prince Philip.
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Ronda Rousey Passionately Defends WWE In Saudi Arabia ... We Can Build Bridges
Ronda Rousey tells TMZ Sports ... pulling out of the WWE event in Saudi Arabia would be the WRONG move, because there is SO much good that can ultimately come from it.
And she's so passionate about the event, she was fighting back tears while making her point.
The WWE superstar was out in NYC promoting Sunday's all-female Pay-Per-View event 'Evolution' -- and explaining the cultural impact it can have ... when we naturally segued into the Saudi Arabia event.
Several politicians and other high powered people have been calling for Vince McMahon to postpone the event in the wake of the Jamal Khashoggi murder and alleged Saudi cover up.
But, Ronda tells us she supports the decision to move forward with 'Crown Jewel' on Nov. 2nd in Riyadh -- based on previous experience as an athlete who's competed internationally.
"I’m a 2-time Olympian, so I’m an idealist when it comes to sports," Ronda says ... while explaining how she bonded with a boxer from Iraq while the U.S. was at war with his country.
"Nowhere else in the world would some man from Iraq and a little girl from Venice Beach be respecting each other and sharing space. And, I think that sports is where we really find that common ground with each other."
"And, I think that pulling out of the 'Crown Jewel' would be the wrong move because I think that this is an opportunity to be able to share our cultures, and to define what we have in common and in times especially when, you know, times of adversity between two countries that’s the absolute wrong time to be able to pull away."
"I think that’s the time for us to be able to find what we have in common and be able to understand each other more."
She also hopes the event will inspire women in Saudi Arabia -- saying, "Women can’t compete in Saudi Arabia right now, but I think if the 'Crown Jewel' is a huge success, and WWE really takes off in Saudi Arabia, they’re going to be demanding to see the women soon."
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Suge Knight New Home Sweet Home ... Shipping Off To Wasco
Suge Knight is now at the California state prison he could call home for the remainder of his 28-year sentence ... TMZ has learned.
Suge arrived Tuesday at Wasco State Prison ... and based on his super sad mug shot, it doesn't look like the former Death Row Records exec is thrilled with his new digs.
The prison is basically in the middle of nowhere in Kern County, and has 400 beds. It's a far cry from the lavish lifestyle Suge enjoyed when he was at his peak, partying in Hollywood with Tupac, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.
He'll undergo a battery of exams -- physical and mental -- and review his records before determining his permanent "home." He could stay at Wasco or be shipped off to a different state pen.
TMZ broke the story ... Suge struck a plea deal last month, and got a 28-year prison sentence. He got credit for time served and, due to prison overcrowding, could be out in a little over 10 years.
The last time we saw Suge ... he was flashing a menacing glare in court immediately following sentencing.
As we reported ... Knight ran over Terry Carter back in January 2015 in the Tam's Burgers parking lot in Compton.
TMZ obtained surveillance video from Tam's showing Knight putting his truck in reverse, knocking over one man, then driving forward over Terry ... killing him.
He was arrested and charged with murder, but pled guilty to manslaughter.
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Alex Rodriguez Check Out My Pimped Out Jeep ... with Cigar Humidor
Alex Rodriguez was rollin' around L.A. in style on Thursday -- hitting up Bev Hills in a custom Jeep made by the "Pimp My Ride" crew ... and he gave us an inside look right on the street!!!
A-Rod's 2018 Jeep Wrangler was customized by West Coast Customs as part of a Celebrity Customs challenge (yeah, XZIBIT was there) -- and it's SIIIICK.
It even features a functional cigar humidor right on the center console.
There's more ... it also features a custom grille, giant 26" Forgiato wheels, LED lighting, an iPad Pro embedded on the dash, souped-up wheels and tires and a nightclub-quality sound system.
Not too shabby!
We also asked Alex -- who was headed to Mastros to host a D'USSE dinner for his FOX colleagues -- to help break down the World Series ... and tell us if he REALLY thinks the Dodgers have a chance at a comeback.
But really, this clip is all about the car.
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Lonely Pizza Party Kid Parents Insist ... This Wasn't a Publicity Stunt!!!
The parents who threw a party for their kid but no one came say they never meant for their sad photo to go viral ... and we're inclined to believe 'em.
Sil Mazzini, the mom of 6-year-old Teddy, whose pizza party went bust over the weekend, tells us they would never stage such a deflating event for their son ... ever.
Mazzini gives a play-by-play breakdown for those who think the soiree was staged ... explaining why pieces of the pies were missing and how the photo got out in the first place.
Check out the clip and judge for yourself ... but this mama bear's got us convinced this was no scam.
One group that definitely believes her ... the Phoenix Suns! They caught wind of the story -- as did DJ Khaled and other big-time celebs -- and they treated Teddy to a VIP experience at one of their games this week.
As for future birthday parties ... Mazzini tells us they're out of the question for a while. Aww.
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Aretha Franklin's Lawyer A Bill is Still a Bill ... Even If You're Dead
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EXCLUSIVE
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Aretha Franklin is getting dogged in death over legal bills ... TMZ has learned.
The late singer's lawyer, Gregory Reed, apparently had some trouble collecting what Aretha owed him when she was alive ... so he's now hoping her estate will cough up some financial R-E-S-P-E-C-T. It sounds harsh, so soon after Aretha's passing, but Reed's filed docs demanding the estate pony up nearly $54k to cover bills dating back 6 years.
In docs, obtained by TMZ, Reed's firm says it provided a number of services to the Queen of Soul -- who died in August -- including negotiations on her final Atlantic Records contract. The firm says her last payment, for about $10k, was made in August 2012.
Seems Reed doesn't want to be added to anyone's chain-chain-chaaaain ... chain of fools.
Aretha's team tells TMZ ... "David J. Bennett, Esq., the attorney for The Aretha Franklin Estate is aware that Mr. Gregory Reed recently filed a claim and Mr. Bennett is looking into the matter.”
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Isaac in 'Children of the Corn' 'Memba Him?!
John Franklin is best known for playing the cult leader, Isaac Chroner -- opposite Courtney Gains as Malachai -- in the 1984 fright film "Children of the Corn." Guess what he looks like now!
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TMZ Live: Kylie & Travis Go Halfsies On New Mansion!
- Halsey: No G-Eazy, No Problem!
- Megyn Kelly Out At NBC After Blackface Comment
- Christina Milian: Bar Fight!
- Tyler, The Creator: Insane Car Crash
Jenelle Evans I'm Not Being Abused, Trust Me
Jenelle Evans wants everyone to know she's not in an abusive relationship with husband David Eason ... insisting she's totally fine, while trying to sweep her hysterical 911 call under the rug.
Jenelle posted a confessional Thursday explaining why she's vanished from social media and why her marriage is nothing like the domestic violence she experienced before.
The "Teen Mom" star says she doesn't care anymore if you believe her ... even if her sobbing 911 call alleging David pinned her to the ground so violently she felt her collarbone crack paints a drastically different picture than her hunky-dory dinner with the fam.
She says she's always been an open book, and doesn't understand why people think she's lying about DV.
Without dropping names, Jenelle hints David treats her better than ex-husband Courtland Keith Rogers, who was arrested in August for allegedly assaulting a different woman.
Jenelle says her mom is back in her life and her friends know the truth -- everything is rosy.
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Ashanti to 50 Cent Hey, 'Officer Curtis' Stop Trolling!!!
Ashanti is giving 50 Cent a taste of his own medicine after he dissed her hard on social media -- labeling him a social media bully while using one of his least favorite nicknames!
We got Ashanti Thursday at LAX, and asked her about Fiddy's latest attack over a concert she recently canceled due to low ticket sales. If ya missed it, he said ... "Do basement parties then it can still feel like it's lit." Trolling. It's definitely his thing.
Aside from saying he's 100 percent a bully, Ashanti put a nice twist on her rebuttal ... refusing to call him 50 Cent. Check out the vid -- she threw major shade with a title referencing an old rumor about the G-Unit boss being a snitch.
Here's the thing ... Fiddy deleted his posts about her concert, but after this clip -- we smell a fresh meme coming with Ashanti's name on it.
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The Weeknd Hey, Bella ..... Shack Up with Me in My New $60k/Month Condo!!!
The Weeknd and Bella Hadid are getting VERY serious ... so serious in fact, he's asked her to come live with him in an incredible new NYC condo.
Sources close to the couple tell us the singer signed a lease on a $60,000 per month condo in Tribeca. NY Post was the first outlet to report the move. Shortly after signing on the dotted line, Abel invited longtime girlfriend Bella Hadid to shack up with him, who we're told happily obliged.
As we reported, Weeknd and Bella reconnected months ago after some time off from one another. Now it appears all the possible bad blood is way behind them, and they're strong as ever.
Massive real estate purchases certainly aren't a new thing for Abel ... he plunked down $20 million on a sprawling estate in Hidden Hills just last year.
It's good to be bi-coastal.
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Megyn Kelly Demands $50 Mil Settlement from NBC
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EXCLUSIVE
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Megyn Kelly is a day away from settling with NBC, and we've just learned something shocking -- NBC was paying her $25 million a year and the network may end up settling for close to $50 MILLION.
Sources familiar with the negotiations tell TMZ ... Megyn's deal is 3 years firm, and she has around 1 year and 10 months to go. We're told her lawyer, Bryan Freedman, is going to have a call with NBC brass tomorrow and demand the network pay her full remaining salary, or face a lawsuit.
We're told Freedman's case is that Kelly was targeted early on after she made critical remarks about Matt Lauer on her show after he was fired for sexual harassment. Lauer was well-liked at NBC, and the staff and talent became royally pissed off at Kelly because they felt she was attacking Lauer "with glee."
Our sources say Kelly believes her comments about NBC News Chairman Andy Lack pissed off Lack and other brass, and they had it out for her.
As for ending the relationship over her blackface comment, Kelly and Freedman will argue she was treated with gross unfairness, pointing to a town hall meeting Wednesday where NBC talent, including Al Roker, blasted her and she wasn't invited to defend herself.
They also point to other NBC talent that got a pass for insensitive comments, such as Joy Reid, who made homophobic comments in a blog before she started at MSNBC, but was never punished.
And, TMZ can confirm, attorney Freedman sent an email to NBC News Prez Noah Oppenheim saying he wanted a face-to-face to discuss a settlement and wanted Ronan Farrow in the room. Farrow is about to release a book highly critical of NBC and the way it handled his Harvey Weinstein reporting. NBC shut down that request.
We're told the showdown between NBC brass and Freedman will go down Friday during a phone call.
There are a lot of pissed off NBC staffers, who are watching the network cut costs left and right, yet they made a $75 million deal with Kelly to do 2 shows, neither of which showcased the skill set that made her famous.
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Caitlyn Jenner I Was Dead Wrong About Trump ... Denounces the Prez
Caitlyn Jenner is doing a full 180 over her previous support of President Trump, now saying she was wrong about the guy ... this in the wake of mounting backlash from the LGBT community.
In an op-ed piece through the Washington Post, Caitlyn says she has come to realize there is simply no getting through to the Trump administration on issues important to her and the trans community.
She says it in no uncertain terms ... "Despite the criticism I received from segments of the LGBTQ community for engaging with this administration, I remained hopeful for positive change. Sadly, I was wrong."
Caitlyn says she went to D.C. to lobby the educate members of Congress over LGBT issues, which sound like they were outwardly successful, but after reports suggesting the Trump administration wants to strictly define gender across the country ... she says she's given up on him.
She goes in on Trump, saying ... "The reality is that the trans community is being relentlessly attacked by this president. The leader of our nation has shown no regard for an already marginalized and struggling community. He has ignored our humanity."
She adds, "He has insulted our dignity. He has made trans people into political pawns as he whips up animus against us in an attempt to energize the most right-wing segment of his party, claiming his anti-transgender policies are meant to 'protect the country.'"
Caitlyn mentions one last clear sign that she's no longer on Team Trump by saying ... "My hope in him — in them — was misplaced, and I cannot support anyone who is working against our community. I do not support Trump. I must learn from my mistakes and move forward."
Ouch.
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The Game Gets Arrest Warrant Dropped
The Game is free to move about the country without fear of the U.S. Marshals swooping in on him -- he just got an arrest warrant dropped.
The federal judge in his sexual assault lawsuit yanked the warrant after Game's attorneys handed over the financial documents that have been requested more than 3 weeks ago. TMZ broke the story ... the judge gave Game 48 hours to hand over several records, and when he didn't ... the judge issued the warrant.
As we've told you ... Game lost the lawsuit filed by Priscilla Rainey -- a former contestant on his reality show, "She's Got Game" -- and was ordered to pay her $7 million.
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Tony Joe White Country Legend Dead at 75
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Breaking News
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Country and blues icon Tony Joe White -- who had the huge '60s hit "Polk Salad Annie" -- has died ... according to his record label.
White died Wednesday in Nashville, according to his label, Yep Roc Music Group -- however, they did not release details about the cause of death.
He performed and wrote tunes in several genres -- including country, rock, blues and R&B -- but scored his biggest hit for himself with 'Polk Salad' in 1969.
The song was covered by the likes of Tom Jones and even Elvis Presley.
He also wrote the hits "Rainy Night in Georgia" for Ray Charles ... "Undercover Agent for the Blues" and also "Steamy Windows" -- which Tina Turner turned into a Top 40 hit when she covered it in 1989.
Over the course of his career ... Tony recorded 20 albums, with the most recent one being "Bad Mouthin'," which released was on September 28 of this year.
He was 75.
RIP.
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PBS NewsHour Sued You Can't Fire Me For Admiring Meghan Markle!!!
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EXCLUSIVE
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Meghan Markle's drop-dead-gorgeous looks are having unintended consequences for a writer, who claims PBS NewsHour canned him due to a comment he made about the Duchess' looks.
Hugh Heckman, an award-winning newswriter, is suing over his firing. In docs, obtained by TMZ, he says on November 25, 2017, a female coworker sitting 20 feet from his desk complained to her boss after hearing him say "not bad" in reference to a photo of Meghan they were using for a story.
He says another female employee overheard and chimed in, "Haven't you learned?"
Heckman says he was embarrassed because he didn't mean it in a sexual way, and only wanted to convey he thought Meghan "possessed charm and beauty and was a suitable match for her fiance."
He says 2 days later he was fired. In the suit, Heckman says he heard the same 2 female coworkers once call Justin Trudeau "hot," but they were not fired. He's pissed about what he calls an obvious double standard at PBS NewsHour.
Heckman is suing for wrongful termination based on gender. We've reached out to PBS NewsHour ... so far no word back.