TMZ.com Home

Barack and Michelle Obama's personal chef, who used to cook for them at the White House, is dead ... after drowning in water near the couple's Martha's Vineyard estate.

Tafari Campbell's body was found by divers Monday after going missing Sunday night in water that backs up to the Obama's compound ... this according to police in Massachusetts.

In a statement, Barack and Michelle say Tafari was a beloved part of their family and their hearts break over his death.

The Obamas are remembering Tafari as a talented sous chef who was "creative and passionate about food, and its ability to bring people together" ... and as a "warm, fun, extraordinarily kind person who made all of our lives a little brighter."

Police say they received reports Sunday of a missing paddleboarder, and a search of the waters near the Obama estate ended Monday morning when divers recovered Tafari's body from Edgartown Great Pond.

Cops say Tafari's body was found 100 feet from shore and 8 feet below the surface.

The Obamas were not home at the time of the incident, according to police, and an investigation into Tafari's death is underway.

Tafari is survived by his wife, Sherise, and their twin boys, Zavier and Savin. He was 45.

Steve-O is firing back at Bam Margera after his former 'Jackass' costar said he sucks at skateboarding ... and he's got video with Tony Hawk backing him up.

In a video response to Bam's diss track, Steve-O brushes off Bam's criticism as jealousy and envy, and then hammers his point home with a skateboard mixtape showing off his skills.

TMZ broke the story ... Bam's featured on a new rap song, and in his verse, he takes shots at all of his former 'Jackass' buddies, mostly knocking Steve-O for his skating ability compared to himself and other pro skaters.

Steve-O says the fans buying his autographed skateboard decks are probably making Bam upset... and he's taking serious offense to Bam's claim he can't skate worth a damn.

Ya gotta see Steve-O's compilation vid -- he's doing kickflips, board slides and wall rides and it's Tony Hawk approved!!!

Singer Tori Kelly is currently hospitalized and getting treatment for blood clots around her vital organs, with one source telling us the situation is "really serious."

Sources close to the Grammy-winning singer tell us she was at dinner in downtown L.A. Sunday night with friends when her heart started beating really fast. We're told Tori passed out, and was "out for a while."

Our sources say Tori's friends wanted to make sure she wasn't taken to a hospital downtown, and instead taken to Cedars-Sinai -- one of the country's premiere hospitals -- so they carried her outside, loaded her in a vehicle and sped to the hospital instead of calling an ambulance.

We're told Tori's getting care in the ICU, doctors have discovered clots in Tori's legs and her lungs ... and are still working to determine if any clots are around her heart. The singer's been in and out of consciousness during her hospitalization.

Tori's been in the biz for a lot of years -- both as a singer and a songwriter -- she took home Grammys in 2019 for Best Gospel Album and Best Gospel Performance/Song and won the Billboard Women in Music Breakthrough Artist Award in 2015.

Carlee Russell's kidnapping story is a fictional one -- she's now fessing up to it all being a big fat lie, and she's also apologizing to the community that rallied to search for her.

Russell's attorney, Emory Anthony, released a statement to Hoover, PD -- and the police chief read it Monday during a news conference. In part, Anthony's letter says, "My client has given me permission to make the following statement on her behalf. There was no kidnapping on Thursday, July 13th, 2023. My client did not see a baby on the side of the road."

He continues, "My client did not leave the Hoover area when she was identified as a missing person. My client didn’t have any help, this was a single act. My client was not with anyone, or not at a hotel with anyone. My client apologizes for her actions. Ask for prayers for Carlee as she addresses her issues and attempts to move forward, ask for forgiveness."

Russell's attorney did not elaborate further in his remarks about a possible motive for her fabrication. He is, however, meeting with HPD alongside his client to discuss next steps.

Unclear if charges are going to be filed ... Hoover PD says it's deferring to the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office on that front. Presumably, she could face serious punishment for this -- a lot of money and resources went into the 48-hour long search.

As we reported ... this saga had been questioned from the get-go. Some felt the facts of the case weren't adding up as the information started to seep out ... especially when Carlee turned up out of nowhere on Saturday night, with her family insisting she'd been abducted.

The police also had its doubts, saying last week they were unable to confirm her kidnapping story, or that a toddler was spotted on the side of a highway. There were a lot of other clues they say they stumbled upon ... like suspicious searches for things like amber alerts and the movie "Taken."

Lionel Messi's clearly looking to make South Florida feel more like home ... the new Inter Miami star was spotted house hunting over the weekend -- scoping out a massive mansion in Fort Lauderdale.

The 36-year-old -- fresh off scoring the game-winning goal in his debut for David Beckham's MLS squad last Friday -- used his day off on Sunday to check out the potential new spot for him and his family.

Messi's wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and all of their tykes joined the footballer on the trek ... looking at a big place that was right along the Intracoastal Waterway.

No word yet if Messi liked it enough to put an offer on it ... but one thing is obvious -- the guy can certainly afford whatever price tag it came with.

As part of his new 2.5-year deal with Inter Miami, he'll reportedly make roughly $5 MILLION per month!

Of course, he's already shown he's worth it ... 'cause he lifted his new squad over Cruz Azul with a free kick in the 94th minute of his first match with the team.

Pete Davidson will be legally in the clear for smashing his car into a Beverly Hills home ... that's if he complies with certain conditions in the next 18 months.

The 'SNL' alum was charged with reckless driving last month. We've learned last week he entered a diversion program without pleading guilty or no contest to the offense.

Pete is required to do 50 hours of community service, which he can do in New York. We've learned he'll be allowed to put in the 50 hours at the New York City Fire Dept., where his father worked and died in the 9/11 tragedy.

Pete must also complete 12 hours of traffic school. He must also appear at a morgue for some education on what happens to people when they're victims of a reckless driver.

If Pete completes the requirements, there will be no criminal offense on his record. Score one for his lawyer, Mike Cavalluzzi.

A tragic story out of Atlanta, as 3-year-old girl has drowned in the home swimming pool of "Married to Medicine" star Quad Webb ... TMZ has confirmed.

Law enforcement sources tell us police and fire in Cobb County responded to a drowning at Quad's Marietta home July 7. Two men told officers they were hanging out around the pool before going inside -- later noticing what they thought was a doll floating in the water ... according to a police report, obtained by WSB-TV Channel 2 Atlanta.

The report states the men immediately called 911 after realizing it was the little girl. The child who drowned is Aryanna "Ari" Rice, daughter of Tamica Webb. She was taken to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead.

It's unclear if Quad was at home at the time of the incident.

Quad posted about a girl named "Ari" turning 3 earlier this year ... writing, "I remember you falling to sleep laying on my chest ... You're so special to me and I'm grateful to be apart of your life! I got you forever!!!"

She spoke out about Ari back in 2020 when she was born, telling The Daily Dish she's "not my adopted daughter" ... noting the child has a mother, but adding she's in a supportive role for her.

We've reached out to Quad's rep for comment ... so far, no word back.

Gisele Bundchen is brushing off the fact her ex-husband Tom Brady is now dating another supermodel, Irina Shayk ... and it sounds like Gisele expected it to happen eventually.

A source close to Gisele tells TMZ ... "Why wouldn't she be happy for Tom? She divorced him. It is helpful to her freedom that he moved on."

The source says Gisele and Irina are NOT friends, but they have known each other professionally for years and have always been cordial when they cross paths.

TMZ broke the story ... Tom and Irina spent the entire weekend together in Los Angeles and are now officially dating, after first meeting at a billionaire's wedding where several models were hitting on Tom.

Some of our other sources say Gisele is "not happy" about the Tom and Irina news ... but now, people close to GB are pushing back.

For her part, Gisele has been spending a lot of time with her jiu-jitsu instructor in the wake of her and Tom's divorce ... though people close to her have consistently said she's not dating Joaquim Valente.

So, Tom's the first to officially move on ... and Gisele is rolling with it.

We covered it all in the latest episode of The TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms.

Cam Newton rubbed out a heckler who was chirpin' at him recently ... taunting the guy with a crude gesture -- while bragging about the money in his bank account.

The scene appeared to take place at some sort of football camp ... when Newton had clearly had enough of a person who was taunting him from the sidelines.

Video from the event shows Cam walked over ... and immediately began jawing with the guy.

Cam was hit with the classic "how many rings you got?" diss ... to which he replied "none." When the agitator said "we got the same amount" ... Cam went off.

"But, we don't got the same bank account," he said ... before making an X-rated motion with his hand.

One of the people on the sideline chided the former NFL star for the gesture ... saying, "You're too famous to be acting like that."

Cam's response ... "No, no, don't play the victim now." The video then ended.

Of course, this ain't the first time Cam's gotten into it with some young spectators on a football field ... back in 2021, he and an H.S. player jawed back and forth about his free agency.

Tom Brady seems to have a new love in his life -- and it just so happens to be Bradley Cooper's ex ... Irina Shayk, who spent the night at the dude's house this weekend.

Paps caught TB12 and Irina apparently cozying up in L.A. over the course of 2 days -- which all started on Friday, when we're told he first picked her up at Hotel Bel-Air in the afternoon ... only to drive her over to his crib. Our sources tell us Tom and Irina walked into his pad -- all smiles-- and that she didn't leave his place until the following morning ... at about 9:30.

Tom dropped Irina off at the hotel, only to pick her back up later that same afternoon. It was here they were photographed and filmed having a sweet interaction in his car.

They were stopped at a light ... and, clear as day, Tom is seen stroking Irina's cheek -- very tenderly, we might add. She's leaned over in her seat with a huge smile ... and Tom is also flashing a big grin. They even seem to be laughing together.

After this brief moment of PDA ... we're told Tom and Irina went back to his pad yet again.

Funny enough ... rumors of these two possibly being involved have been swirling for about a month now. Reports said they were at the same wedding back in June, and that Irina was allegedly "throwing herself" at Tom all throughout the evening ... something her rep denied.

In fact, Irina's team came out swinging at the notion she was into him ... calling that report "totally malicious and fictional." Welp, it would appear there was some truth in it. Tom and Irina haven't said anything about this themselves yet -- but on its face, it looks like they're romantically involved ... if not fully dating. TB ain't stroking anyone else's face like that!

Of course, they're both single ... especially Tom, who recently divorced Gisele Bundchen. Irina and Brad have been done for a while -- and she's dated around since, as we've seen.

Tom is certainly the most eligible bachelor in Hollywood ... and has a lot more time on his hands post-football. Sure seems like he's making good use of it -- have fun you two!

Originally Published -- 6:00 AM PT

Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann might be bickering again amid calling off their divorce -- but they're still breaking bread together, and doing it in public, no less.

TMZ has obtained photos of Kim, Kroy and their kids hitting a Chili's Sunday in Georgia, and they all sat in the same booth ... with eyewitnesses telling us mom and dad were right next to each other during their 45-minute meal.

While they might've been shoulder to shoulder, our sources tell us Kim and Kroy weren't interacting much. On its face though, it looks like they were playing nice as a family.

It's interesting they went to such a highly trafficked restaurant, especially amid some renewed bad blood we're hearing is brewing between them right now.

As we reported ... sources are telling us Kim and Kroy are fighting once more, this after some police body cam footage was released from earlier this year -- when they were still in the throes of their nasty divorce, which they've withdrawn from the courts.

Some harsh allegations were hurled on both sides during a police visit in May. Kroy claimed Kim had a gambling problem ... and Kim said Kroy might be suffering from a brain injury.

Minnie Driver went to the beach in Malibu with her son, but their day took a dark turn when a man allegedly started masturbating nearby ... and police got involved.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... sheriff's deputies responded Sunday to Paradise Cove Beach Café just before noon for a report of a man pleasuring himself, and Minnie was one of the witnesses who told them the guy was cranking one out in a cabana.

Our sources say the alleged masturbator was gone by the time cops arrived ... and we've got video of Minnie and another woman speaking to deputies.

We're told Minnie and the other beachgoers didn't want to press charges, and simply wanted to make police aware of the situation.

Five years before Irina Shayk got cozy with Tom Brady in L.A. ... she was desperate to see him lose in one of the biggest games of his career -- cheering heavily for his Eagles opponents in Super Bowl LII.

The model showed up to the Feb. 4, 2018 Big Game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota with her then-boyfriend Bradley Cooper -- a die-hard Philadelphia sports fan -- wearing a white Birds cap.

She was spotted rubbin' elbows with fellow Eagles fans Miles Teller and Keleigh Sperry on the field in the leadup to the contest ... making it clear she was hoping Brady's Patriots would take the L.

Of course, Tom and his New England squad did just that ... falling to Nick Foles, 41-33.

It's unclear if Shayk ever crossed paths with Brady before or after the game ... but we know they eventually connected down the road -- 'cause the ex-quarterback took her to his home for a night this past weekend.

Shayk was seen appearing to stay the evening at Brady's place in L.A. on Friday ... before the two put on some big PDA inside of a car later Saturday.

No word yet on if they're officially an item or just having a fun fling ... but one thing we know -- as a retired man, there can't be too many hard feelings if the Philly fandom is still ingrained in Shayk.

A$AP Rocky sent a few stray shots in Travis Scott's direction during his headlining set at Rolling Loud Miami … at least that's what fans think about a new track he performed!!!

Rocky previewed 3 unreleased songs Sunday night from his upcoming album, "Don’t Be Dumb," and completely crapped on an unnamed artist he says has been swagger-jackin' him for too long ... and there are plenty of indicators that artist is Travis.

Rocky was all smiles letting his lyrical missiles fly ... “First you stole my flow, so I stole your bitch/Then you stole my style, I need at least like 10 percent/ All due disrespect, I hope you take offense!!!"

The A$AP Mob rapper is currently expecting his 2nd child with Rihanna, but years before, back in 2015 ... she and Travis were a thing -- and that's about as long he and Rocky have been rivals.

If you remember, it was also that same year when Travis completely lost his cool after someone in NYC mistook him for Rocky ... something Rocky thinks is totally on Travis.

Just last year, Rocky publicly stated he felt Travis stole his entire style, but didn't take much offense to the copycatting ... referring to the Astroworld rapper's imitation as flattery.

Obviously, Rocky's tone has changed, and he's using the controversy to market "DBD."

Travis also has a project to promote ... he revealed his long-awaited "Utopia" album will drop on Friday during his Rolling Loud set.

Just when things seemed to be turning around for Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann, there's more drama at home ... and it's all because of what each said about the other in police body camera footage.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Kim and Kroy are fighting again, and this time it's over the newly released footage from their interactions with police during their nasty divorce, which they've since called off.

Specifically, we're told Kim and Kroy are upset about what each said about the other to the cops. In the video, Kroy tells police Kim has a gambling problem and she tells officers Kroy may be suffering from traumatic brain injury.

The footage is from May, when police responded to the couple's Georgia estate for a domestic dispute amid their nasty split.

TMZ broke the story ... Kim and Kroy called off the divorce two weeks ago, at a time when sources said things were good between them and they wanted to make the relationship work for the sake of their kids.

With the police body cam footage opening some wounds, people close to them say it wouldn't come as a shock if Kim and Kroy broke up again soon ... though this time our sources don't believe Kim and Kroy would rush to file for divorce a second time.

Jeff Bezos is lookin' absolutely JACKED taking a dip in the ocean ... at least, according to a shameless thirst trap -- posted by none other than his boo, Lauren Sanchez.

Lauren shared the pic of her hunky fiance Sunday, showing the bigwig coming out of the water in his trunks. She captioned it, "Is it just me, or is it hot outside?" The comments make it clear ... it ain't the weather that's heating things up.

Jeff ain't the only tech guru gettin' shredded ... because Mark Zuckerberg's been looking as fit as ever, thanks to his training with UFC legends Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski while a potential fight with Elon Musk looms over his head -- better to be prepared.

Mark and Jeff are both looking pretty fire, so we gotta ask ...

As we reported, Jeff and Lauren have been having a blast on his $500 mil superyacht -- dubbed Koru -- and his $100M support vessel named Abeona.

The shirtless pic was taken aboard the Koru during their latest Mediterranean vacay near Italy.