TMZ.com Home

It's been four months since Brittney Griner was released from a Russian penal camp, but the WNBA star hasn't forgotten about the Americans left behind, vowing to continue to fight for the release of U.S. citizens being held captive in Russia.

32-year-old Griner made a surprise cameo at Al Sharpton's National Action Network's Women's Empowerment Luncheon in NYC on Thursday, where she addressed the crowd.

“I want to continue to fight to bring home every American detained overseas. That means everything to me,” Griner said, flanked by her wife Cherelle Griner and Sharpton.

Of course, Brittney was sentenced to 9 years behind Russian bars after being found guilty on a drug charge. After 10 months spent in a jail cell and penal colony, she returned home on December 8 in a high-profile prisoner exchange.

After months of negotiations, the U.S. agreed to send Viktor Bout, known as the "Merchant of Death," serving a lengthy prison sentence in the States, back to Russia as part of a trade.

At the time of her release, the government was criticized for not getting back U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who has been locked up in Russia since late December 2018.

On Thursday, Griner made it clear she hasn't forgotten about Whelan and several other Americans who are still overseas.

Everything really is bigger in Texas ... including prison sentences, because a man is potentially going to spend the rest of his life behind bars for spitting at police officers during his arrest.

A Lubbock jury handed down the headline-grabbing punishment Wednesday for 36-year-old Larry Pearson ... who was found guilty of 2 counts of harassment of a public servant.

Prosecutors say Pearson spit at 2 Lubbock PD officers who arrested him in May 2022 on domestic violence charges after a woman told cops Pearson hit her in the face.

According to prosecutors, Pearson was upset the alleged victim was not arrested instead, and started kicking at the doors in the cop car where he was being held ... and he spit at the officers when they opened the car door.

Prosecutors say the spitting didn't end there ... claiming Pearson kept hocking loogies upon arrival at the Lubbock County Detention Center.

During the trial's closing arguments, prosecutor Jessica Gorman asked jurors to consider a sentence that would "send a message" to not only Pearson, but also society ... and he ended up getting 70 years.

Pearson also had prior convictions for family violence and aggravated robbery, and, as a result, the minimum sentence the jury could impose was 25 years.

The guy's no angel, for sure, but there's a huge gap between 25 and 70 years! And, for a crime like spitting ... that seems extreme. Even in Texas.

Post Malone’s one-of-a-kind Raising Cane’s is officially open for business, and the rap-n-roller conducted ribbon-cutting duties Thursday to seal the deal!!!

The Diamond-certified artist fired up the staff inside his restaurant and autographed cups ahead of the grand opening with much enthusiasm.

Outside, Post kept that same energy  … smacking high fives and posing for pics with swarms of fans who ignored the rain and flocked to the new Midvale, Utah location.

Post and Cane’s founder Todd Graves relayed to the crowd how their mutual admiration for one another birthed this collaboration -- the joint's loaded with Post’s memorabilia such as axe guitars and past custom outfits … including the dress he wore for Billboard and a super ping-pong funnel!!!  Seriously, the thing goes across the whole restaurant.

Fans who visit this particular location will be able to eat like Post as well ... his custom meal, the “Posty Way” is highlighted on the menu.

"The Real Housewives of Orange County" star Tamra Judge is emotionally recounting a gut-wrenching situation -- one that's far too common -- a man armed with a weapon entering her daughter's school.

Tamra shed tears Thursday as she told her IG followers about the armed suspect that was at her daughter Sophia's high school. She says the students were forced to barricade themselves in their classrooms, and were equipped with hammers in case things got worse.

Luckily, Tamra says they caught the individual, and it doesn't sound like anyone was physically harmed ... but everyone is traumatized after the close call, including her daughter ... who she says doesn't want to set foot on campus.

She also shared the heart-dropping texts she received from 17-year-old Sophia ... who filled in her mom, in real-time, about what was going down. As Tamra puts it, "The text no parent wants to get."

Lady Gaga is getting some political experience, because President Biden is tapping her to co-chair a committee devoted to the arts.

The Prez appointed her Thursday to be Co-Chair of the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. She's joining some other big names listed as members, including Jennifer Garner, Shonda Rhimes, and George Clooney ... according to Deadline.

Gaga's fellow co-chair will be producer Bruce Cohen.

Now, this won't get her closer to EGOT status, but it's a glowing honor nonetheless. For those unaware, the PCAH was created in 1982 and its purpose was to address policy questions regarding arts and humanities, and jumpstart partnerships in line with its beliefs.

On top of that, the committee also took time to recognize others who demonstrate excellence in the field -- focusing on things like cultural exchange and education. It was disbanded during the Trump administration, but Biden announced its revival last year.

You'll recall, Gaga had the honor of performing the national anthem during his inauguration ... so he might've had her in mind long before today's announcement -- which officially takes her from the "House of Gucci" to the White House.

BMX rider Kriss Kyle is back at it again ... performing a series of jaw-dropping bike tricks while suspended 2,000 feet in the air by a hot air balloon.

Check out the insane video ... you see the moments before Kyle, whose been on the BMX scene since he was 10, climbs into the hot air balloon as everyone wishes him well as he embarks on the death-defying journey.

Kriss came dangerously close to the edge of the floating skatepark multiple times  ... but the dare-devil stuck his landing each time and even found time to admire the breathtaking scenery of the Cotswolds in the UK.

And, while he may have been wearing a parachute, this was still very dangerous.

Kyle, with major help from Red Bull, pulled off the project as part of a new documentary he's working on called "Don't Look Down" ... which examines how the stunt started as a daydream and became a reality.

Kriss has earned a reputation for pushing the envelope on the BMX landscape since his first major competition at the Transgression Skate Park Jam in 2008.

Simply put, Kyle has been a pioneer in the industry, and he's taken the sport (BMX) to new heights (very literally) by pulling off wild stunts for his fans.

The L.A. "pothole" Arnold Schwarzenegger fixed was indeed a service trench for the gas company ... but TMZ has learned that service was done months ago, and that's why Arnold went all DIY on the ditch.

We got to the bottom of Arnold's roadwork adventure -- a story with more twists and turns than one of his action blockbusters.

ICYMI, Arnold rolled up his sleeves and went to work Tuesday ... using muscle, Quikrete and some tools to pave over what he saw as a "giant pothole." Frankly, he was fed up with the shoddy pavement that was wreaking havoc on tires for months in his Brentwood neighborhood.

Arnold posted his good deed on social media, and was mostly met with applause ... like the driver who stopped during the middle of his construction project to thank him.

But, the Los Angeles Department of Public Works came out and said the "giant pothole" was actually a service trench being used by SoCalGas to repair a pipeline. That's true, however, the gas co. work was wrapped up way back in January!

What's worse is the city had no plans to fill in the trench until May. That was way too long for Arnold and several other annoyed neighbors ... which is why he took matters into his own hands.

As Arnold explained ... "Today, after the whole neighborhood has been upset about this giant pothole that's been screwing up cars and bicycles for weeks, I went out with my team and fixed it. I always say, let's not complain, let's do something about it. Here you go."

The saga is not done yet ... the gas company reportedly sent crews Wednesday to level off the patch Arnold filled, in order to strengthen the paving mixture he used.

Courtney Clenney, the OnlyFans model accused of murdering Christian Obusmeli, is being dragged to court by her slain boyfriend's family ... they want her to pay for his funeral.

According to a new lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Christian's estate is suing Courtney and others for negligence related to his brutal stabbing death.

In the docs, the estate says it racked up a ton of expenses for Christian's medical care and funeral arrangements ... and they want Courtney to help foot the bill.

What's more, the estate is demanding damages from Courtney to cover past and future mental pain and suffering for Christian's family ... plus past and future loss of his future support and services to his fam.

Remember ... Courtney is charged with second-degree murder for Christian's April 2022 stabbing death.

She was arrested 4 months after the fatal incident, and while she admits stabbing him ... she claims it was done in self-defense.

All along, Christian's family has believed Courtney killed him in cold blood ... and the family has previously told us they hope she's convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

We reached out to Courtney's camp about the lawsuit ... so far, no word back.

Drake Bell has been reported missing, and cops are deeply concerned for his well-being.

Daytona Beach police have declared Drake MIA, saying, "He is considered missing and endangered."

He was last seen driving a 2022 grey BMW Wednesday at around 9 PM, somewhere in the area of Mainland High School. Some people online think this is all a hoax, but cops say it's definitely real.

Drake has had lots of troubles since his time on Nickelodeon's "Drake & Josh." He just completed his probation over an attempted child endangerment case, in which he pled guilty. He allegedly engaged in inappropriate conduct in a club where he was scheduled to perform with a girl under 18, with whom he allegedly had an online relationship.

He's faced other accusations over the years, including a 2015 DUI arrest and alleged abuse by a woman who had a 5-year relationship with the actor.

Drake also filed for bankruptcy back in 2014.

Anyone with information about Drake's whereabouts is urged to contact the Daytona Beach Police Dept. at (386) 671-5207.

Pete Davidson officially premiered his "Bupkis" series trailer on "The Breakfast Club," but it kinda got overshadowed by Pete's dong, and its effect on his dating resume.

Charlamagne Tha God sat down with Pete Thursday, and grilled him about his alleged super-sized penis, which is at least related to "Bupkis" ... it's a thing on the show.

Pete's been linked to Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande, Kate Beckinsale and most recently, Chase Sui Wonders ... but the 29-year-old star swears there's nothing special about his penis. Like a tailored suit, he says it's just the right fit. 😉

Which is where "Bupkis" comes in.

The series serves as a fictionalized version of his regular life and brings together an ensemble cast of Chase, Joe Pesci, Charlie Day, Ray Romano, Machine Gun Kelly, Jadakiss, Cam'ron and many more.

Fact is Pete's life hardly needs dramatization ... as we reported last week, he's currently dealing with a stalker so mentally ill, they were deemed unfit to stand trial ... and he and Chase were involved in a March car accident that landed them in a Bev Hills yard!!!

Jamie Foxx suffered what his family is calling a "medical complication" ... though his daughter says her famous father's condition is already improving.

Jamie's daughter, actress Corinne Foxx, posted the medical update Wednesday on social media ... and she says Jamie suffered the issue Tuesday but immediately got "great care" and is now on the mend.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the condition was serious enough that Jamie was hospitalized.

Corinne adds ... "We know how beloved he is and appreciate your prayers. The family asks for privacy during this time."

At this time, it's unclear exactly how Jamie came to discover the still unspecified complication, or if he was experiencing symptoms that prompted him to get checked out.

We do, however, know Jamie's been working in Atlanta on a film called "Back in Action" with costars Glenn Close and Cameron Diaz.

It's unclear how long Jamie will need to remain in the hospital, or if and when he'll be able to return to working on the movie.

Story developing ...

Ja Morant is countersuing the teenager who says he was assaulted by the NBA star ... claiming the guy is lying about their July 2022 pickup basketball altercation -- alleging he's the one who was actually threatened during the incident.

The Memphis Grizzlies point guard spelled out his claims in new court documents that were filed in Shelby County, TN on Wednesday night.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ Sports, Morant acknowledged getting into a tiff with H.S. basketball star Joshua Holloway during the July 26 game at his home in Memphis, but says Holloway was the aggressor in the situation.

Morant says after things "got heated" during the game, Holloway intentionally threw a basketball at Morant's face. The teen then, according to Morant, "balled up his fists and walked aggressively" toward the NBA star "as if to attack him."

Morant said in the docs he did hit the boy, but claimed it was self-defense. He added that following an ensuing skirmish, Holloway yelled that he would come back to Morant's house and light it up "like a firework show."

Morant says he -- and other witnesses at the scene -- took that as "a threat to use a gun."

But, in the countersuit, Morant says Holloway then went to cops and lied to them about the situation, telling officers he was the victim. Morant says the boy also falsely told the cops Morant had a gun on his person following the altercation.

Morant said in the docs that once the boy's fabricated story became public through the media, it caused him ridicule and humiliation.

Morant is now countersuing Holloway for slander, battery and assault. He's asking for unspecified damages.

As we previously reported, Holloway sued Morant over the incident in September -- claiming the two-time All-Star and one of his good friends roughed him up in the confrontation at the pickup game.

Megan Thee Stallion's battle with her label, 1501 Certified Entertainment, is hitting a new low -- a financial one, because she claims Carl Crawford is draining all its money without paying her.

Megan filed a new motion Thursday, raising all sorts of red flags about 1501's bank accounts. In the docs, obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, she claims label head Crawford is lining his pockets with money earned off her hits ... while she's getting squat.

Her immediate concern is the company's money is running low. Megan claims 1501's primary account has less than $10,000 left in it, but much more than that was deposited. The exact amount is redacted in the documents, but Meg says it's in the millions.

So, where's the money going? Megan claims Crawford, J. Prince and Gee Roberson -- who are both involved in running the label -- are the only ones getting paid.

As we've reported, Megan is suing her label for royalties and to be released from her contract. She's filing this motion because her fear is that when there's finally a judgment in her favor, 1501's cupboards will be bare.

Cops have arrested a man in the stabbing murder of Cash App founder Bob Lee, and the alleged suspect is a fellow tech exec.

The arrest went down early Thursday in Emeryville, CA ... near San Francisco where Lee was stabbed, this according to Mission Local, which broke the story. The outlet reported the man arrested is Nima Momeni, the founder of ExpandIT, a Silicon Valley tech start-up. TMZ has confirmed, Momeni was arrested and booked in San Francisco Thursday morning.

Law enforcement sources told the outlet, Lee and the suspect were driving together in San Francisco, in the early hours of April 4. The car was registered to the suspect, according to M.L., adding some sort of confrontation ensued in the car and continued after Lee left the vehicle.

Lee was stabbed at least twice ... and the outlet says the knife has now been recovered near the area where Lee was fatally wounded.

Cops say this was not a robbery or random crime.

It's the Magic Hour in the DMV -- Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder has reportedly agreed to sell his team to Lakers legend Magic Johnson and Sixers owner Josh Harris ... and the final price tag is a whopping $6 billion!!

The two sides reached an agreement on Thursday ... with Sportico reporting Harris and Johnson's group, which also includes billionaire Mitchell Rales, was able to seal the deal.

Snyder -- who bought the team in 1999 for $750 million -- hired Bank of America to explore a potential sale back in November ... which garnered interest from Jeff Bezos and Jay-Z.

Snyder's tenure as owner of the Commanders was plagued by several controversies, especially over the last few years. In 2020, 15 former employees claimed they were sexually harassed and/or verbally abused in the workplace.

Things were allegedly so bad, Congress stepped in, with several former Commanders staffers testifying on Capitol Hill.

Once the sale is final, it will be the biggest transaction in U.S. sports history -- passing the Denver Broncos franchise, which sold to Walmart billionaire Rob Walton for $4.6 billion in 2022.

The sale adds to Magic's growing collection of professional sports teams in which he has an ownership stake -- including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Sparks and LAFC.

Harris -- who made his fortune in finance -- also owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils.

If the sale goes through, there will be plenty of Commanders fans thrilled with the new era for the franchise.

We reached out to the NFL regarding the report ... which declined to comment.

Mary Quant, a British designer who revolutionized fashion and is credited with making miniskirts popular, is dead.

Mary died peacefully Thursday at her home in Surrey, in southern England ... according to her family.

She's famous for designing colorful and sexy miniskirts that defined the swinging '60s, as well as tights that went along with them, helping make fashion accessible to the masses with her simple, mix-and-match designs.

Mary started making her own clothes way back in 1955, when she opened her first boutique called Bazaar on London's famous King's Road, in the heart of Chelsea, and it was an instant hit ... ultimately making the area the epicenter of British fashion.

Within a decade, Mary was a global brand ... she had a fashion line at J.C. Penney, her own makeup, a doll, and boutiques in New York department stores. When she came to the United States, she needed police protection because she was treated like a fifth member of The Beatles.

Mary was named an officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1966 for helping British exports with $20 million in sales ... and in 2009 she was honored with her own Royal mail postage stamp, featuring a model wearing a black Mary Quant miniskirt.

She was 93.