Fans Spark 'Betty White Challenge' ... Encouraging Animal Rights Activism
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Fans from all over the nation are gearing up for what would've been Betty White's 100th birthday ... joining in on a challenge encouraging fans to spread the love to animals in need and donate to local orgs.
Brittany Vizcarra from Paw Works joined us on TMZ live to pitch the "Betty White Challenge." As you know, Betty was a fierce animal rights advocate who spent her adult life tirelessly working for animal rights orgs. Brittany says this challenge is about everybody doing more -- just like Betty -- by caring for abandoned and abused animals.
Paw Works is an animal rescue org that places unwanted animals in L.A. shelters into loving homes.
Since the Betty White challenge has taken off on social media, some orgs have seen an uptick in donations ... and with the help of people like Brittany, those donations are bound to pour in all over the U.S., as the 17th approaches.
Brittany says it's super simple to "be more like Betty" ... folks can volunteer, adopt, foster or find any other way to get involved.
Tune in to "TMZ Live" Monday to watch the full interview, and to celebrate what would have been Betty's 100th!!!
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Muhammad Ali Walkout Robe From Iconic '65 Liston Fight Hits Auction ... Could Fetch $500K
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The robe worn by Muhammad Ali in the leadup to his famous 1965 fight with Sonny Liston is up for auction ... and TMZ Sports has learned it's such a rare piece of boxing history, it could sell for over $500,000.
Ali donned the garment on his way to the ring in his rematch with Liston -- which many consider one of the most memorable fights ever.
Ali not only knocked out Liston in iconic fashion in the ring (you've no doubt seen the picture of the KO at this point) ... but the fight also marked the first time he had boxed under the name Muhammad Ali.
You'll recall, following his first match with Liston in 1964, Ali changed his name from Cassius Clay, calling it "a slave name." He never fought using the moniker again.
For the rematch with Liston a year later, just before he won in convincing fashion, Ali donned a white piece with "Muhammad Ali" emblazoned on the back in red letters.
According to Goldin Auctions, it's been photo matched with footage from the event to prove it's real ... and experts now tell us it could bring in half a million dollars when bidding ends next month.
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Little Paul Maclean in 'A River Runs Through It' 'Memba Him?!
Montana native Vann Gravage was only 7 years old when he was cast as the cute kid version of the mischievous younger brother Paul Maclean -- who lives a life of fly fishing and adventure-seeking alongside his older brother Norman Maclean -- in Robert Redford's Academy Award-winning 1992 film "A River Runs Through It."
The coming of age classic is packed with A-list actors including Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the young version of the big bro, Norman, Craig Sheffer as the adult Dartmouth grad who returns home, Norman Maclean ... and of course Brad Pitt as the hometown big fish and gambler and grown-up version of, Paul Maclean.
Guess what Vann Gravage he looks like all grown up and still fishing!
More 'Memba Thems!
Novak Djokovic Deported from Australia ... After Losing Appeal
Novak Djokovic won't participate in the Australia Open after all ... he's finally been deported.
The tennis star got the boot Sunday after a 3-judge panel rejected his appeal to stay in the country after Aussie Immigration Minister Alex Hawke revoked his visa for a second time ... now under a "health and good order" rationale. He was scheduled to start playing Monday.
Djokovic left Australia on a plane to Dubai earlier in the day ... but it's unclear where his final destination lies. Serbia's Prime Minister called the decision "scandalous" ... and ND said he was disappointed as well.
One of Djokovic's arguments for being allowed to stay -- even though he's unvaccinated, which is a requirement for anyone traveling down under right now -- was that kicking him out would only fan anti-vaxx sentiments, antithetical to what the Aussie government wants.
The court wasn't buying that though ... and ruled against him. This, of course, comes after Djokovic was cut loose earlier last week when a judge found the government acted too hastily in revoking his visa/detaining him the first time ... but the government struck again under different reasoning the 2nd time -- citing public safety/interest.
Djokovic was given a medical exemption to begin with by two different tennis bodies, because he'd caught COVID in December -- but in the end, the Australian government overrode that ... pointing that, in and of itself, wasn't a loophole that could be allowed on their watch.
'Til next time!
Leah Remini Dishes on Scientology Upbringing ... While Celebrating NYU Stint
Leah Remini says her enrollment at NYU stands in stark contrast to the education she says she was afforded growing up as a Scientologist -- or a staggering lack thereof, rather.
The actress peeled back even more layers to the religion -- one which she says she used to be deeply involved in, starting from a very young age -- in a long Twitter thread Sunday ... which ended with gratitude for being able to break free and obtain proper schooling.
1. This photo was taken when I was 16.
— Leah Remini (@LeahRemini) January 16, 2022 @LeahRemini
I was so proud of this headshot. I thought my side pony made me look versatile and like a consummate actress.
I was ready to take on the world.
But by this point, I had been living the life of an adult for years even though I was a kid. pic.twitter.com/7XbJ5ReucA
Leah starts by describing an old headshot she submitted at 16, explaining how she had to start working very early to support herself and her family ... which she insists was necessary due to her fam's affiliation with the church of Scientology.
She claims the church drained them of their time, attention and, most importantly, their resources. And not just that, but she alleges she was starved from a formal, normal education for years throughout her youth ... something she says is the direct result of the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard.
3. Even though I was just 16 at the time, I hadn’t received any sort of formal education for years.
— Leah Remini (@LeahRemini) January 16, 2022 @LeahRemini
Instead, I had been working for years so that I could support myself and my family.
For the last 38 years of my life, I have been living and working with an 8th grade education.
LR goes on to say her entire life revolved around Scientology ... down to her circle of friends, and even employers, including her first agent. As she's indicated many times over the years, she says she felt suffocated by the church ... and now says she had to get into showbiz merely to survive, which doesn't sound like it was easy.
Leah describes getting turned down time and again, until finally breaking through. Eventually, she says she was able to escape Scientology altogether, and now looks back as a current NYU undergrad in awe of what she's been able to accomplish without them on her back.
10. And the idea that I would leave Scientology and work to expose the abuses that current and former members face was not a thought I could even conjure up. Only Scientology's darkest enemies would think in such a way.
— Leah Remini (@LeahRemini) January 16, 2022 @LeahRemini
The 'King of Queens' star got accepted at the university last year at the ripe age of 50 ... and it would seem things are going well on that front.
As for her bashing of Scientology ... it's nothing new. She had a huge show on A&E that ran for a few years, which dished all sorts of alleged secrets about the church -- a majority of which Scientology leaders have outright denied in very strong terms, often calling her a liar.
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Amber Rose Disavows 'Kartrashians' Tweet ... Amid Kanye Drama
Kanye West's Kardashian drama has folks eyeing something Amber Rose said years ago ... but she's here to speak for herself on the issue, instead of letting the past do the talking.
Ye's ex took to Instagram Sunday after a 2015 tweet of hers resurfaced this weekend and went viral ... one in which she wrote at the time, "@kanyewest I'll leave that up to the Kartrashians to humiliate u when they're done with u."
The harsh message was in response to a back and forth Kanye and her were having back then -- this after he dissed her on 'The Breakfast Club' by saying he had to take 30 showers to rid himself of her, well aura ... just to be able to move on and get with Kim.
In light of the nasty accusations flying amid Kanye and Kim's divorce today, the Internet gleefully pulled this old thing out of the grave ... and let the jokes fly, at the expense of Ye and Kardashians.
But Amber doesn't want anything to do with that ... so says the woman herself. She says while never got an apology for Kanye's mean showers remark, AR says she's not sulking in 2015 anymore ... and even acknowledges what she said about Kim and co. was wrong.
She says a lot of good came out of those bitter times, including the creation of the Slut Walk -- something she started to help women feel unashamed of their sexuality. Amber also writes, "Kim nor her sisters deserved that tweet and y'all shouldn't co-sign that either."
Amber goes on to say she was younger and more immature back then, while emphasizing they're the KarDASHians, not -trashians, as she previously suggested. She finishes by saying she wants to do nothing but spread love and positivity in her life from now on ... that's all.
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Prince Estate's Value Settled ... IRS & Administrator Agree, Worth $156M
Prince and everything in his orbit at the time of his death is worth a pretty penny -- at least according to Uncle Sam, who's finally settled on a price tag ... and it's in the 9 digits.
The IRS has come to terms with the administrator of Prince's estate, Comerica Bank & Trust, after years of fighting about what exactly the late artist's pot of assets should be valued at ... and the figure they all landed at stands at $156.4 million -- per the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
This number is one that Prince's heirs -- surviving siblings and/or their families -- have also agreed to, BTW ... and not just that, but the Minnesota Dept. of Revenue also signed off.
Of course, $156M is helluva lot more than what Comerica had initially estimated the estate to be worth ... just $82.3 million, which the IRS pushed back on with ferocity in court -- as they argued it oughta be priced north of $160 mil, a figure that would've made taxes due back to them upon distribution balloon into the tens of millions.
In the end ... it appears the IRS was more right than wrong on their numbers, at least on the face of things. And, indeed, the taxes the estate has to pay out will be significant.
With that said, Comerica reportedly filed docs last week acknowledging the settlement was "fair and reasonable," but also insisted they would've prevailed at a would-be trial if the family wanted to press the issue ... but it seems they wanted this to be over and done with.
As part of the agreement, the IRS has dropped its request for a $6.4 million accuracy penalty. Now, once taxes are paid, the rest of the dough can be divvied out among the remaining parties of interest ... thus putting an end to a long and winding saga.
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Walmart We're Busting Into the 'Metaverse' ... W/ Our Own NFTs, Crypto!!!
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If you thought all this talk of digital goods and wealth was just some sort of nerdy fad, think again -- because the retail market space is going all in on VR ... including Walmart.
The big-box behemoth has reportedly filed a number of trademark apps in recent months seeking to gain exclusive rights to sell virtual goods on their digital shelves -- and we're not just talking about their website either. Sounds like Walmart is ramping up for a full-blown online experience, where their customers can actually own stuff ... within this dimension itself.
NEW: Walmart appears to be getting ready to enter the #metaverse and launch its own NFTs 👀 $wmt https://t.co/0rkpuhJTcv
— Lauren Thomas (@laurenthomas) January 16, 2022 @laurenthomas
Per CNBC, 7 separate applications were filed of late ... and in addition to being able to hawk Walmart-related products in this forthcoming virtual reality, they're also apparently gunning to offer their own lines of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and even a unique cryptocurrency.
No word on what those tokens might look like ($5 DVD bin NFT, perhaps?) or when all this is supposed to be rolled out ... but it seems they're getting their 4D ducks in a row for what most everyone in Corporate America is scrambling for ... a seat at the metaphysical table.
This is how Walmart envisions Shopping in the #Metaverse.
— Homo Digitalis (@DigitalisHomo) January 3, 2022 @DigitalisHomo
Thoughts? 💭 pic.twitter.com/5l7KhoBse7
Several different companies have been doing the exact same thing recently -- including other big shots like Nike (which is said to be developing a VR venture called "Nikeland"), Gap, Under Armor and even smaller outfits like Urban Outfitters, Abercrombie and Ralph Lauren.
Essentially, everyone took Zuckerberg's announcement about the metaverse last year and ran with it ... looking to protect their brand within this new frontier ... and to make money there too, obviously, if they can. So far, it seems to be a very popular/lucrative endeavor.
Funny enough, Walmart actually had a vision for what an augmented shopping reality might look like in their cyberworld about 5 years ago, when they commissioned a tech company called Mutual Mobile to create a demo of Walmart in the metaverse ... before that term was even a thing.
The video resurfaced a few weeks ago ... and let's just say, it got a lot of 'Second Life' comparisons. Here's hoping the real McCoy is a little more impressive when it arrives!
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Farrah Abraham Arrested for Allegedly Slapping Security Guard
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10:07 AM PT -- Farrah tells TMZ ... "I’m tired of being maliciously battered, attacked, conspired against while having dinner at Grand Master Records, this was a private person's arrest my lawyer is handling from here. It is terrifying and traumatizing that people attack me and I can not even enjoy dinner as I’m the only person out of 3 attacked and harassed when. I look forward to court as always, warning this place is a danger to public figures."
She claims that the establishment's workers attacked her, and further alleges they filmed the whole thing to leak to the media. Farrah also insists she was singled out, pointing out that her two friends were not hassled ... only her.
Farrah Abraham was arrested Saturday night, after allegedly slapping a security guard at a club ... TMZ has learned.
Law enforcement sources say, Farrah allegedly slapped a security guard at Grandmaster Records in Hollywood, where she and a friend were partying. An eyewitness tells TMZ someone in the club allegedly assaulted them ... someone described as a Farrah "hater."
Farrah allegedly got belligerent and was asked to leave the club but refused. At some point, she allegedly slapped the guard.
We're told initially cops weren't called. Rather, someone called for paramedics and when they arrived they say someone -- presumably Farrah -- was so belligerent they called the cops for backup.
Someone made a citizen's arrest -- we're assuming it's the security guard but we haven't confirmed. Farrah was taken into custody and released shortly thereafter.
No one was injured. No word on whether Farrah will be charged.
BTW ... it's not the first time Farrah was arrested for allegedly hitting someone who asked her to leave. Back in 2018, she was busted after allegedly striking an employee at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel. She has been banned from there as a result.
Originally Published -- 8:05 AM PT
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Colleyville, TX Synagogue Hostages Break Free ... Gunman Killed in Wild Video
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1:40 PM PT -- 01/16 -- An ABC affiliate in the Colleyville, TX area has obtained wild footage of what appears to be the moment the four hostages at the synagogue narrowly escaped in the dead of night -- and not just that ... but the moment the suspected gunman was taken down, it seems.
Check out the clip, shot by WFAA photographer Josh Stephen, which shows 4 people rush out a side door of the building ... and the perp following close behind with his own firearm. They thankfully eluded any harm, but the gunman was then left to the SWAT units on hand, which seem to have taken him out in a loud gun fight ... something you hear on the tape.
10:29 AM PT -- 01/16 -- The FBI says their man is actually 44-year-old Malik Faisal Akram, who died during the standoff. All 4 hostages made it out safely.
A gunman has reportedly taken several people hostage at a synagogue in Texas, and his demands are simple ... free his sister, who was once suspected of terrorist activities.
According to ABC's Aaron Katersky, the armed man who wandered into the Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville Saturday has allegedly been ID'd as Muhammad Siddiqui, whom he says is claiming to be the brother of convicted felon Aafia Siddiqui.
She was sent to prison in 2010 after being found guilty of attempted murder of a U.S. military officer in Afghanistan -- among a slew of other charges -- and is serving out an 86-year sentence in the Fort Worth area. She's alleged to have had ties with al-Qaeda over the years ... and has been placed on federal law enforcement terrorism watch lists in the past.
Per Katersky, the gunman is demanding her release. Other reports say the perp claims to be armed with bombs, among other weapons ... the full extent of which is still unknown. Local law enforcement has descended on the scene to negotiate, as has the FBI.
BREAKING: "I'm going to die at the end of this" is what the Colleyville, Texas synagogue hostage taker said, shortly before the livestream ended. pic.twitter.com/lgJ6lvQRmP
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) January 15, 2022 @TPostMillennial
Even crazier ... there was apparently a bar-mitzvah going on when the guy busted in, which was being live-streamed to the synagogue's FB account ... a stream that has since been deactivated. Still, some of the snippets that were captured are now surfacing, and you can hear what is presumably the hostage-taker railing on America, and saying he's willing to die.
The fact this man crashed a synagogue for hostages is not lost on those who covered the Siddiqui case. She is reported to have had strong objections to Jewish people representing her in her defense. She also asked for Jews to be tossed from the jury pool at the time.
UPDATE 1/15/22, 2:20 PM The situation at the 6100 block of Pleasant Run Road posted about earlier remains ongoing. We ask that you continue to avoid the area. We will continue to provide updates via social media.
— Colleyville Police (@ColleyvillePD) January 15, 2022 @ColleyvillePD
At the moment, the synagogue's rabbi and three others are believed to be among those being held captive. No word on injuries or deaths yet, but SWAT units have arrived.
Originally Published -- 1/15 1:33 PM PT
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Kanye West I Had a Great Time at Chicago's Birthday Bash ... Thanks to Travis Scott Giving Me the Address
Kanye West was all smiles after attending his daughter Chicago's 4th birthday party, but there's some shade he's throwing in the process.
Kanye seemed thrilled he was able to show up to the shindig but said it was Travis Scott who told him the party was being thrown at Kylie's home. He also thanked Kris and Corey ... and Kylie for letting him in, but made no mention of Kim. He also groused that security stopped him briefly at the door.
He was clearly happy, saying his kids are the priority in his life ... and you can see and hear he really seems to mean it. We're told he spent about 2 hours there.
The party looked super fun, and Kanye is smiling as he chatted with some of the guests. You can see Kanye and Kim in the same shot, but they are not together.
As we reported, Kanye accused Kim earlier in the day of keeping him from seeing Chi on her birthday -- he says she refused to give him the address of the party -- and claimed it was an example of how fathers have been kept out of the family unit.
Our Kim sources say this was a simple case of crossed signals, and she never wanted to exclude him. The sources say Kim and Kanye discussed having 2 parties for Chicago, and Kanye was supposed to throw the second one after 4 PM when he picked her up.
All's well that ends well -- ish.
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'16 & Pregnant' Star Jordan Cashmyer Dead at 26
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Jordan Cashmyer, who starred in "16 & Pregnant," has died ... TMZ has learned.
Although the medical examiner has confirmed her death with TMZ, no cause or manner of death was provided.
Jordan and her boyfriend, Derek Taylor and daughter Evie were on the show back in 2014. Their situation was desperate ... they were homeless as she was about to give birth. Jordan's family did not approve of her relationship with Derek and essentially disowned her.
Their struggle did not end when the cameras stopped rolling.
Jordan and Derek broke up after the show, but they were not able to properly care for their daughter. Jordan's dad and stepmom stepped in and shared guardianship with him for a time.
Jordan signed away her custody rights to Derek's mom back in 2015, on a temporary basis. She was struggling with mental health issues, addiction and had suicidal thoughts.
By 2017, Jordan was working at a strip club and ended up getting arrested for drug possession.
It's a really sad story. Jordan was 26. RIP
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Sara Evans Estranged Husband Arrested ... Allegedly Tried Ramming His Car Into Hers
The husband of country music singer Sara Evans was arrested for alleged domestic violence Saturday after cops say he tried slamming his car into the car in which Evans was being driven.
Jay Barker, a former Univ. of Alabama quarterback, was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was placed on a 12-hour hold in Davidson County and released Saturday night after posting $10k bail.
Evans says she was leaving a party, got in the passenger seat of a friend's car, and as they backed out of the driveway, she says she saw Barker gunning his car in reverse, trying to hit them ... this according to the affidavit obtained by station WIAT. Barker's car missed Evans' car.
The affidavit says the 2 are still married but have separated.
Barker has a radio talk show which is Alabama-based ... “The Jay Barker Show.”
Baker was drafted in 1995 by the Packers and was also a member of the Patriots and Panthers ... but never played.
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Lil Durk Ladies and Gentlemen ... Morgan Wallen!!! Performs at MLK Festival in Nashville
Morgan Wallen made an unsurprising appearance Saturday night in Nashville, hopping on stage with Lil Durk ... and the crowd loved it.
#LilDurk brings out #MorganWallen in Nashville 🎤 https://t.co/QoEKewho7V pic.twitter.com/7xA5bw6lKl
— WGCI (@WGCI) January 16, 2022 @WGCI
Durk and Wallen performed their song, "Broadway Girls," and it was all part of the Martin Luther King Freedom Fest ... a concert celebrating MLK Day.
Before Wallen came out, Durk told fans at Bridgestone Arena that his singing buddy was "genuine at heart." He went on ... “Can’t nobody cancel shit without me saying it, you know what I’m saying?”
With that intro, Wallen came out, asked the crowd what's up, and they began singing.
The festival lineup includes Moneybagg Yo, Rod Wave, and Latto.
Wallen appeared in Nashville last weekend at the Grand Ole Opry and sang "Flower Shops" with Ernest. Some artists, including Jason Isbell, Rissi Palmer and Joy Oladokun, were critical, this after video surfaced of Wallen using the n-word a year ago.
Durk's been solidly in Wallen's corner, telling us earlier this month he wants other rappers, including Kendrick Lamar, to work with Wallen. He said he had a long talk with Wallen as they worked on "Broadway Girls" and says he has no doubt Wallen is not a racist.
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Bob Saget Family History of Heart Attacks ... Affected Dad, Three Uncles
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Bob Saget wouldn't be the first one in his immediate family to die from a heart attack ... it's what killed 3 of his uncles.
In Bob's book, "Dirty Daddy: The Chronicles of a Family Man Turned Filthy Comedian," he references that 3 of his uncles died from a heart attack between the ages of 37 and 41.
When Bob was 8, his Uncle Ozzie died at 40 from a heart attack while chasing some kids down the block after they stole a tire.
Tragedy struck again the following year ... Bob lost his Uncle Manny to a double heart attack.
Then, when Bob was 15, he says his Uncle Sammy died at 37 of a heart attack suffered while playing tennis.
Bob also notes his own dad suffered a massive heart attack when he was a kid ... then had another heart attack just 6 months later.
Bob's family history of heart attacks may be significant ... TMZ broke the story, the operating theory is that Bob died in his Orlando hotel room of either a heart attack or a stroke, although the official cause of death won't be determined for weeks.
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'SNL' 'Biden' Says 'Spider-Man' Causes COVID!!! And Pete Davidson's Hilarious!!!
Well, chalk this up to, if you don't laugh you'll cry, because 'SNL' slayed with their cold open, where "President Biden" blamed COVID and pretty much every other problem plaguing on America on ... SPIDER-MAN!!!
Pete Davidson -- who's become the star of 'SNL' -- appeared in all his glory as Joe Biden in the real universe, and it's pretty hilarious.
But before that, Biden (played by James Austin Johnson) explained there's a cure for COVID, and it's not the vaccine ... simply put, "Stop seeing 'Spider-Man!'"
Biden's getting grilled like a cheeseburger at a White House news conference, connecting the dots by saying, "Now, think about it. When did ‘Spider-Man’ come out? Dec. 17. When did every single person get Omicron? The week after Dec. 17."
And then there was this advice from the Prez ... "See anything else.” I saw the first half-hour of ‘House of Gucci.’ That’s more than enough movie for anyone."
As for how you know if you have COVID ... "You want to know if you have Covid? Look at your hand. Is it holding a ticket that says you recently went to see ‘Spider-Man’? If so, you have Covid."
Then Pete appears, baring his tattoo-covered chest and explaining why, in the real world, Biden was not President. It's funny, but treading on dangerous territory.
So how long before Pete hops on a plane to return to his home away from home?