Cheslie Kryst Ex-Miss USA Dead at 30 from Suicide ... Jumped from NYC Apt.

Cheslie Kryst, who won the Miss USA crown in 2019, is dead after a Sunday morning fall from her high-rise home in New York City ... TMZ has confirmed.

NYPD responded to a 911 call at 7:13 AM to Cheslie's midtown apartment building on 42nd Street. Officers and paramedics responded, but she was pronounced dead on the scene. Police are investigating, but they believe Cheslie -- who lived on the 9th floor -- jumped from high up in the building.

She was last seen on a 29th-floor terrace of the building ... according to the NY Post, which was first to report Cheslie's death.

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Just a few hours before she died, Cheslie posted a photo of herself on Instagram with the caption, “May this day bring you rest and peace.”

Kryst took home the top honors at the Miss USA pageant back in 2019 as Miss North Carolina. She was an attorney, and after winning the title, she also worked as a correspondent for Extra.

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PROUD TO DO THE WORK
TMZ.com

She used her Miss USA platform to speak out about social and criminal justice reform. She once joined us on "TMZ Live" to discuss that very topic.

She reportedly left a note Sunday morning, stating she was leaving all her belongings to her mother. Her family released a statement saying, "Her great light was one that inspired others around the world with her beauty and strength. She cared, she loved, she laughed and she shined."

The family added, "Most importantly, as a daughter, sister, friend, mentor and colleague -- we know her impact will live on."

Cheslie was just 30 years old.

RIP

Lisa Vanderpump Bucked Off Her Horse ... Hospitalized with Broken Leg

Lisa Venderpump got thrown for a loop on the horse she was riding ... and she ended up in the hospital with broken bones.

'The Real Housewives' star was riding her horse Sunday at The Paddock in the Los Feliz part of L.A., when the equine apparently got spooked, reared up and bucked her off. An eyewitness tells us she flew over the horse's head and landed squarely on her back.

Lisa was in a lot of pain, and for good reason ... we're told she broke her leg in 2 places, just above the ankle. She also has bruising on her back.

She was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Hubby Ken Todd followed behind and he's with her at the hospital now. We're told she'll undergo surgery. Our Vanderpump sources say once she's all healed, she'll be fine.

The horse is no stranger to Lisa ... they've been together for 6 years. Some friend!!!

You know what they say about getting back on the horse ...

Jeff Bezos I'm Slap Happy Over My GF!!!

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'HELI' HUNGRY
TMZ.com

Jeff Bezos was having a Sunday Funday with GF Lauren Sanchez … and after a couple of years, he still can’t keep his hands off her!!!

Jeff rode shotgun earlier in the day as Lauren piloted a helicopter that came in for a smooth landing at the Camarillo Airport ... between L.A. and Santa Barbara.

They apparently flew there to meet some friends for lunch at the Waypoint Cafe at the airport. It's unclear if people knew it was them when they entered the cafe with masks and all, but it seems everyone noticed once they were seated and maskless.

On their way out, Jeff gave Lauren the ol' slap-on-the-ass treatment ... which both clearly enjoyed.

Eyewitnesses say security was tight … in fact, one of the diners tells TMZ, when Bezos went into the bathroom, security blocked the entrance to the bathroom. A lot of commotion for a leak!

Bezos and Sanchez are clearly into PDA…. they were spotted getting handsy back in December on a hike in St. Barts.

The question ... is 2022 the year they'll seal the deal?!!?

Patrick Mahomes Fiancée Chiefs Fans Want Champagne Encore!!! Begging to Get Sprayed

Patrick Mahomes’ fiancée, Brittany Matthews, could have a tough decision to make at the AFC Championship -- some Chiefs fans want her to repeat the exact celebration she caught so much flak for last week.

Brittany is at today's game in Kansas City, and while some people try to avoid the splash zone ... some KC fans are all about that life!! In the middle of the fired-up crowd, you can see signs like, “Let’s spray some more champagne!” and “Ready for the champagne shower!”

Some are even adding the #TeamBritt ... making it clear they have NO issue whatsoever with what she did after the Chiefs' OT victory.

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CHAMPAGNE CELEBRATION
@brittanylynne / Instagram

Remember, after the clip of Brittany spraying champagne on fans below her luxury box went viral, she got a lot of online backlash. She complained, "Wish I could do what I want without getting attacked every week.”

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LIFTING UP THE CITY
@brittanylynne / Instagram

A few days later, Brittany announced she would be making “Team Brittany” shirts for her fans -- she said the intent was to stand up to what she considers online bullying, and a portion of proceeds are going to an anti-bullying charity.

If the Chiefs QB pulls off a huge victory over the Cincinnati Bengals -- to get back to the Super Bowl -- all eyes will be on Brittany to see if she gives some fans exactly what they want.

'WKRP' Star Howard Hesseman Dead at 81

Howard Hesseman, best known as Dr. Johnny Fever on "WKRP in Cincinnati," died Saturday in Los Angeles.

Hesseman’s wife, Caroline Ducrocq, tells TMZ he was at Cedars-Sinai in L.A. for colon surgery last summer … but when it resulted in complications ... that’s when things started to go south.

Caroline says he was hospitalized January 5 due to complications from that surgery. It got worse 5 days later when he had trouble breathing. He began experiencing breathing difficulties and ended up in ICU. Caroline says that was the beginning of the end.

Howard first appeared under a fake name -- Don Sturdy -- on the show “Dragnet” in ‘68, playing a hippie editor of an underground newspaper. He then appeared in shows such as  "The Andy Griffith Show," "Boston Legal," "That '70s Show," and "The Bob Newhart Show." He appeared on the final season of "One Day at a Time," marrying the star character played by Bonnie Franklin.

His movie roles are vast ... "Halloween II," "The Sunshine Boys," "Silent Movie," "The Big Bus," and "The Other Side of Midnight."

Howard's breakout role was the hilarious Dr. Johnny Fever on “WKRP." Hesseman prepared for the role by working as a DJ in San Francisco at KMPX-FM for several months leading up to the production. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy.

To show you how times have changed, he was jailed for 90 days back in 1963 for selling a single ounce of pot. And he was fired from a $100,000-a-year radio gig for using the word "booger."

Caroline was with him by his side, holding his hand when he passed. He was surrounded by other family members.

He was 81.

RIP.

Nick Cannon Hosts Baby Shower with Johnny Manziel's Ex ... It's a Boy!!!

Nick Cannon may be adding another baby to his brood ... at least that sure the way it looks, because there was big gender reveal party which appears to have been hosted by Nick and Bre Tiesi.

The party went down in Malibu Sunday afternoon. Pink and blue balloons created the drama as they were surrounded by friends and family. Bre, who just finalized her divorce from Johnny Manziel, was posing proudly with an obvious baby bump. A bunch of guests posed with Nick and Bre as she cradled her belly.

It seems pretty obvious Nick and Bre are together. He's cradling her baby bump, they're hugging, holding hands ... clearly the center of attention.

As for the reveal ... guests unloaded party poppers filled with blue confetti, so, it's a boy!!!

As you know, Nick shared some devastating news ... his 5-month-old son Zen died last month after fighting cancer.

Zen was Nick's 7th child, born earlier this year with model Alyssa Scott. Zen was the 4th of Nick's kids born in the last year-and-a-half, twins Zillion and Zion were born in June and his daughter, Powerful, last December.

Cannon said on "The Breakfast Club" ... "The idea that a man should have one woman ... we should have anything ... I have no ownership over this person. It's about what exchange we can create together. So I've never really subscribed to that mentality. I don't want ownership over anybody. I don't have ownership over any of the mothers," adding, "Every woman that I deal with or dealt with, they know how I feel."

Farrah Abraham I've Had Suicidal Thoughts Since Arrest

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ENOUGH OF THE TOXICITY
TMZ.com

Farrah Abraham says she's been a wreck since her arrest for allegedly slapping a security guard at a club ... it's gotten so bad she's had suicidal thoughts.

We got Farrah in Hollywood Saturday where she was packing up her stuff and putting it in a U-haul. She says she's moving out of California ... that's how upset she says she is over the arrest, where she ended up face down in the dirt outside the club.

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FARRAH'S WILD ARREST
TMZ.com

Farrah tearfully says she now has no body function on her upper right side and she's afraid to go out in public.

TMZ broke the story ... Farrah was having dinner at Grandmaster Records in Hollywood January 15th when there was some sort of confrontation inside and a security guard claims Farrah slapped her. The club made a citizen's arrest and security took the former star of 'Teen Mom' outside while police were on the way, and Farrah ended up in the dirt.

She says she's doing physical therapy and hopes surgery is not in the cards.

Farrah is now going the way of a bunch of other celebs, who are done with L.A. and have moved on to other parts of the country or world.

Kanye West Australia's a No Go Unless You Get Double Jabbed

Kanye West needs a shot in the arm ... if he wants a shot at performing down under.

Kanye reportedly has his eyes set on performing a couple of stadium concerts in Australia in March ... but he said recently on the "Drink Champs" podcast he's only one jab in. Australia requires 2 shots for entry into the country.

If anyone is wondering whether Aussie officials are serious, take a look at how they booted Novak Djokovic from the country on the heels of the Australian Open. And the government fought hard to boot him ... there were court hearings that went back and forth for nearly 2 weeks.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison made it clear Saturday ... celebs are not exempt from the rules of COVID, saying, "Those are the rules. They apply to everybody, as people have seen most recently. It doesn’t matter who you are, they are the rules. Follow the rules. You can come. You don’t follow the rules, you can’t."

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HALFCCINATED?
Revolt TV / Drink Champs

It's unclear if Kanye has received the second dose or plans to ... Ye said, "I traveled to Paris a couple of weeks ago, and I had to go through Lisbon because you can go through Lisbon without being vaccinated."

Kanye has had issues with the vaccine in the past ... in 2020 he called it "the mark of the beast" and claimed it was an attempt to microchip people.

It's interesting ... it seems Australia kicked Djokovic out because he's an anti-vaxer and his views are damaging to a country promoting vaccines. Kanye's past comments may not serve him well if there's an issue with the Australian government.

Stay tuned.

Kylie Jenner Obsessed Fan Arrested Nearby ... Cops Nab Him At Neighbor's

UPDATE

5:55 AM PT -- We just found out why Mesgan was arrested for burglary, which requires an intent to steal something ... turns out he drank a beer and allegedly tried to take alcohol with him. That apparently wasn't enough for the D.A., who kicked the case to the City Attorney for misdemeanor prosecution.

Kylie Jenner's not the only one dealing with the fallout from one of her obsessed fans ... because cops say they arrested the same guy at one of her neighbor's houses this time around.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... this week a guy named Jrue Mesgan, who was arrested just last month for showing up at Kylie's place and violating a restraining order, was busted again after entering a home super close to Kylie's place in Bev Hills.

We're told when police arrived, Mesgan was arrested for burglary and taken to jail. FYI ... burglary not only requires unlawful entry ... the criminal must also have an intent to steal or commit some other felony.  Cops aren't saying if Mesgan had such an intent.

Our sources say Kylie's security came over too and recognized the guy ... because he's been to her house on multiple occasions.

Cops sent the case to the D.A. for possible felony prosecution, but the D.A. wasn't into it and sent the case to the L.A. City Attorney, who hit Mesgan with 11 misdemeanors, including trespassing and violation of a court order.

During Mesgan's arraignment Tuesday, his attorney claimed he was not competent to stand trial ... and the case was referred to the Los Angeles County Mental Health Court. Unclear how it will proceed.

'SNL' Peyton Manning Says Forget the Playoffs ... 'Emily in Paris' is Awesome!!!

Peyton Manning KILLED on 'SNL' Saturday with an absolutely hilarious breakdown of the NFL's season playoffs, and how it paled by comparison to "Emily in Paris."

Manning joined Colin Jost at the Weekend Update desk ... presumably to talk in part about the incredible season playoff games last weekend and the reported retirement of Tom Brady.

Well, Peyton had the best of intentions to watch the games, but an hour before he decided to kill some time by watching the first episode of 'E.I.P.' Season 2.

Peyton said at that point it was football, schmootball ... because he was hooked and watched the entire season, missing all the games.

You gotta see how Peyton uses the telestrator to show Emily's playbook. It's super funny.

Peyton also thinks "Emily in Paris" is the secret reason Tom Brady will retire.

It's really, really funny. Have a look!

Nils Lofgren Springsteen Guitarist Yanks Music Off Spotify ... Protesting Joe Rogan Podcast

Neil Young has more company in his Spotify bailout campaign ... this time the likes of the guitarist for none other than The Boss himself.

Nils Lofgren is 86'ing his music from Spotify ... to protest the vaccine misinformation on Joe Rogan's podcast.

Nils said, "A few days ago, my wife Amy and I became aware of Neil and Daryl [Hannah] standing with hundreds of health care professionals, scientists, doctors and nurses in calling out Spotify for promoting lies and misinformation that are hurting and killing people."

He went on ... "When these heroic women and men, who’ve spent their lives healing and saving ours, cry out for help you don’t turn your back on them for money and power. You listen and stand with them."

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NO SHOT
The Joe Rogan Experience/Spotify

Nils is a major musician ... a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, longtime Crazy Horse and E Street Band member ... but he's not one of the younger musicians who might make this a horse race for Spotify.

As we reported, Neil Young gave his ultimatum before yanking his music off the platform, and Joni Mitchell followed.

Nils is now asking other musicians to follow his lead.

Rogan is by far the most popular podcaster on Spotify, bringing in a ton of subscribers for Spotify.

Meghan and Harry Jumpin' in Joe Rogan/Spotify COVID Controversy

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have jumped into the Spotify/Joe Rogan fracas ... urging the platform to blunt "serious harms" over COVID misinformation.

As you know, the couple has a lucrative deal with Spotify -- $30 mil -- but they've come out swinging, with their rep saying, "Since the inception of Archewell, we have worked to address the real-time global misinformation crisis. Hundreds of millions of people are affected by the serious harms of rampant mis- and disinformation every day."

The rep went on ...  "Last April, our co-founders began expressing concerns to our partners at Spotify about the all-too-real consequences of COVID-19 misinformation on its platform. We have continued to express our concerns to Spotify to ensure changes to its platform are made to help address this public health crisis. We look to Spotify to meet this moment and are committed to continuing our work together as it does.”

As we reported, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and now Nils Lofgren have yanked their music off Spotify, in protest of Rogan. Meghan and Harry have not pulled the plug ... instead, they're just asking.

So far Spotify has not budged and is standing behind The Joe Rogan Experience ... it's the most popular podcast.

Rapper BIA I Want to Help with Lauren Smith-Fields Death Case

Rapper BIA is joining Cardi B in raising awareness about the death of Lauren Smith-Fields, and going a few steps further ... meeting with the family lawyer and hoping to sit down soon with the fam.

Smith-Fields' family attorney Darnell Crosland tells TMZ ... BIA is actively helping by using her platform to focus attention on the case.

BIA and her manager have met with Darnell in Connecticut, not long after Lauren's death, to talk about the case and offer support. We're told the case hits home for BIA and she feels celebs have an obligation to speak on social justice issues.

As you know ... 23-year-old Lauren died while on a December date with a man she met on a dating app. The medical examiner announced this week Lauren died from an accidental drug OD, which the family questioned. With public pressure mounting -- from BIA, Cardi B and others -- police finally opened a criminal investigation into her death.

Darnell says BIA also wants to meet with Lauren's mother and brothers. We're told she didn't meet with the family before because they were grieving and she wanted to give them space.

Lamar Odom Lakers Will Win NBA Championship ... Despite Struggles

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CHANNEL YOUR MAMBA MENTALITY
TMZSports.com

Lamar Odom is still holding out hope for this season's Lakers ... telling TMZ Sports despite their struggles, the Purple and Gold are still his pick to win the NBA title.

LeBron James and Co. have underperformed so far in 2021-22 -- they're far from the top of the Western Conference and can't seem to find a rhythm.

Odom -- who won 2 titles with the Lakers -- says he's not concerned about the Lake Show's lack of success so far ... and it's all thanks to the talent on the roster.

"I think they're good enough to win a championship," Odom tells us. "They're still my pick to win the championship. I don't know if that's Laker pride or me just being a Laker at heart. But they're still my pick."

"Anytime you have LeBron James on the court and a healthy Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony as your 6th man, I think they'll give you a really good shot."

Odom -- who recently launched the Savvy Talent Management Group -- says the team needs to pick it up defensively ... and would like to see LeBron lead the team like Kobe Bryant did for 20 years.

"Of the teams that I played for that won championships, we had a tremendous leader in Bean Bryant," Odom adds. "A lot of his will, tenacity ... it kind of rubbed off on us. I would like to see LeBron James' will and tenacity and his will to win rub off on these Laker guys."

"I think once that happens, once they coincide that, they'll be all right."

As for Westbrook -- who's had a tough stretch in 2022 -- Odom has a message for people criticizing the former MVP.

Famous San Francisco Niners Fans ... Gold Rush!

The NFC Championship is finally here -- and these famous 49ers fans will be cheering when their team takes on the Los Angeles Rams at the SoFi Stadium!

Of course, rapper E-40 is gonna be reppin' the Bay Area -- he's been a hardcore 49ers fan since forever ...  and how can we forget the "Niner Gang" song?!

Speaking of forever -- let's take it back to Joe Montana days like "Workaholics" actor Blake Anderson and "Full House" actor Dave Coulier ... who keep it OG with their vintage 49ers fits.

Not all 49ers fans are from SF, though ... "The Vampires Diaries" actress Phoebe Tonkin (who's from Australia), Aaron Paul -- an Idaho native -- and NY actress Hayden Panettiere rock the red and gold on a regular.

Even Mr. Yeahhhh himself, Lil Jon -- who's from Atlanta -- has been spotted showing love for the Niners ... sorry, Falcons.

And, get this ... Miranda Cosgrove is from Los Angeles but the "iCarly" star is staying loyal to the 49ers. Granted, the Rams did just move to L.A. in 2016.

There's also the couples that cheer together -- actress Katharine McPhee and her hubby David Foster plus Sabina Gadecki Rich and Tyler Rich.

Let's see if the 49ers fans end up cheering for their team in Super Bowl LVI!

Las Vegas Strip Club Bitcoin for Lap Dances!!! Now Try Making That Rain

Here's the latest offering in Las Vegas and a sign of things to come ... one famous strip club is now accepting cryptocurrency for lap dances!!!

The good folks over at Crazy Horse III tell TMZ ... customers can now pay for their dances with Bitcoin, and they're one of the only strip clubs in the country where you can use digital currency for adult entertainment.

CH3 says the Bitcoin option will allow folks to get lap dances and tip entertainers with no paper trail at all ... which, of course, makes it totally COVID-safe with no paper money getting exchanged.

Here's how it works ... guests scan a QR code for an instant Bitcoin payment transaction through their crypto wallet, trading Bitcoin for "dance dollars" which are valid towards lap dances and tips.

The gentlemen's club started accepting Bitcoin for VIP bottle purchase packages back in July 2020, but high customer demand moved them to expand cryptocurrency's buying power.

One potential downside -- the customary, and some say controversial, act of "making it rain" on dancers won't be nearly as flashy. As Dylan put it ... times, they are a-changin'.