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Travis Kelce's ex-girlfriend is opening up on her decision to cut ties with Brittany and Patrick Mahomes on social media ... saying she still has love for her friends, but she had to create a distance to "protect" herself amid the tight end's new romance with Taylor Swift.

Kayla Nicole -- who dated Kelce for five years -- hit the "unfollow" button on her longtime friends' Instagram accounts last month ... something she says she discussed with Brittany in private.

"I do think it's important to publicly address this because I did publicly unfollow people," Nicole told People. "The reality is I know these people in real life. And so, in real life, I've communicated to these people why I've had to publicly make the decisions that I made."

Shortly after Kayla's social media activity, many speculated she was pissed about Brittany getting chummy with her ex's new woman ... but she says that's not the case -- seemingly claiming she is still in contact with not only the Mahomeses, but Travis as well.

"To everyone it's like, 'Oh, you broke up a year ago,' and that meant it's like a light switch, you turn it on and off and everything goes dead and black and you don't ever speak to anyone ever again. That's not reality. I have ongoing relationships with all parties involved."

Kayla added Brittany knows she still cares about her ... but it sounds like she decided to separate herself in the public space to avoid further drama as she looks to move on with her life.

Britney Spears' book isn't the only thing with a lot of eyes and ears right now ... cuz her music has racked up MILLIONS of streams just one day after her tell-all hit shelves.

According to data from Spotify and YouTube, Britney's library received over 7.1 million streams Wednesday -- the day after "The Woman in Me" became available -- with Spotify accounting for 4.7M of those listens.

As for how the listening streams break down -- Britney's album, "In The Zone," grabbed around 1 mil ... "Circus" got 790k, "...Baby One More Time" got roughly 750k, and "Oops!...I Did It Again" had around 650k streams.

In terms of individual songs on Spotify, "Toxic" came out on top with around 680,000 streams -- while her other megahits like "Gimme More" "Oops! ... I Did it Again" and "... Baby One More Time" landed bewteen the 400,000 - 500,000 mark.

YouTube data shows "... Baby One More Time" -- her debut single -- grabbed over 400k clicks alone. Safe to say, there's some great cross-promotion going on here.

As we reported, Britney is reeling in 25% of net profits from her new book. Sources told us it should cover the advance she got, which was $12.5 MILLION. More than 400,000 copies have already been sold ... but our sources say the trajectory could go over 1M.

Britney Spears says she once felt something otherworldly while driving through the Arizona desert ... describing the eerie feeling as God, a higher power or a paranormal experience.

The singer says the feeling came over her when she was speeding through the desert in a convertible with a friend ... saying she had escaped to Arizona to mentally recover from her abortion and breakup with Justin Timberlake.

In her "The Woman In Me" memoir, Britney says the split made her feel like she was under a curse and she went to Arizona with a friend who had broken up with JT's best friend at around the same time ... with the goal of getting away from it all.

Britney says the sky overhead was full of stars and they were driving with the top down and the wind blowing in their hair when "an eerie feeling settled over me," later describing it as "a profound beauty, otherworldly and humbling."

She says she stopped herself from asking her friend, "Do you believe in aliens?"

Britney says she "stayed quiet and sat there with the feeling for a long moment" ... until her friend asked her, "Do you feel that? What is that?"

While Britney can't put her finger on what they felt out there in the desert that night, she says "we felt it at that moment because we needed it. We were so spiritually open and so raw. It showed us there was more than just what we could see."

Shakira's stage presence clearly didn't rub off on Gerard Piqué during their relationship ... 'cause the soccer star took a nasty fall off a platform Tuesday night -- and the singer's fans are dubbing it payback.

The retired Spanish defender was finishing up an event for his new 7-on-7 organization, Kings League Américas ... when he started walking toward the side of the stage to interact with his supporters.

Unfortunately for GP, it appears he wasn't too focused on where he was going ... and the dude straight-up plunged right into a hole.

The crowd above the stage quickly peeked over the railing to check and see if the former Barcelona star was okay ... and according to reports, he was able to escape uninjured.

The incident was quickly shared on social media ... and Shakira's fans started firing off posts about how the whole thing was revenge for his nasty split from the Grammy winner last year.

"Don't disrespect the stage queen and then expect the stage to respect you," one X user said ... while another added, "Things haven't been working out for him since Shakira got her hips outta there."

Of course, Shakira went scorched-earth on her ex after he went public with Clara Chia Marti seven months after their breakup ... even dropping a diss song featuring the famous line, "You traded a Ferrari for a Twingo."

Mark Zuckerberg's Meta made sure to design Facebook and Instagram so they are super hard to quit, and the result has been bad for society ... at least that's the allegation from Tennessee's Attorney General, and 41 other AGs.

Jonathan Skrmetti, the Volunteer State's top cop, joined us Wednesday on "TMZ Live" to lay out why 41 states -- and Washington, DC -- are suing Facebook and Instagram's parent company for allegedly harming our nation's youth.

He says the social media apps are intentionally designed to take advantage of the way we're all wired -- making the platforms extremely addicting with features like infinite scrolling, reminders and notifications, just to name a few.

Skrmetti says Meta is fully aware the apps are hard to quit and bad for folks -- he says they cause sleep deprivation, anxiety, ADD, depression and potential suicide.

In his eyes, there's only so much parents can do to stop their kids from getting hooked on social media, and it's at a point now where the government needs to step in to make changes.

Britney Spears stands to make a fortune off her memoir, because TMZ has learned she's pulling in 25% of the net profits from the book.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ, the 25% Britney is getting should cover the advance she got -- $12.5 million. There have been reports she received a $15 million advance, but we know it's $12.5 mil.

"The Woman in Me" is selling at $23.05 a pop on Amazon from its original $32.99 price ... $16.99 for Kindle. The audio CD goes for $29.69 a pop.

More than 400,000 copies have been sold, and the trajectory could take the book north of a million.

Our sources say the unsung hero in the success of the book is Britney's best friend/manager Cade Hudson. Multiple sources tell TMZ, Hudson repeatedly pushed Britney to write and finish the book. There were times she wanted nothing to do with it, but Hudson pushed her and eventually -- belatedly -- it happened.

Wiz Khalifa says he's been dry for 8 months and is a better man for it ... but he's got no plans to abandon weed and shrooms.

The "Black & Yellow" rapper is back with a new album "Khali Sober," which he explained on the "Cuhmunity" podcast as his custom spin on sobriety living in the Golden State.

Wiz says his key to quitting drinking was he stopped taking sips in between takes while recording in the booth and ultimately decided to stop after the occasional lapse during performance time or family functions.

He tested out being booze-free on the road for the first time ever this past summer when he and Snoop Dogg embarked on their High School Reunion Tour ... and had everyone getting in shape without worrying about hangovers.

Rappers have been cleaning up their act left and right this year ... the last time we spoke to Lil Uzi Vert, they praised the act of sobriety, having recorded "The Pink Tape" drug-free before it became the first hip hop album to go No. 1 in 2023.

French Montana, Busta Rhymes, Method Man and several other rap legends recently banded together for a healthcare initiative ... it's a growing trend.

Chandler Jones spent about 30 minutes with officers during his September arrest ... and new police video, obtained by TMZ Sports, shows he rambled and made bizarre requests throughout nearly the entire duration of their interaction.

According to police documents, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept. officers initially confronted the former Raiders star outside of his ex's house ... after they said he was in violation of a temporary protection order.

In footage captured on one of the responding officer's body cameras ... you can see almost immediately, Jones began making strange requests from inside his Mercedes.

"I want you to grab me and take me out," he said. "Please."

He then asked to have one of the officers put his phone in the other cop's pocket ... before he tried to explain why he was parked out front of his ex's house.

"I'm sorry about this," he said. "The reason why I'm here is because I was taking out her trash, and I was just dropping off the dumpster in the backseat. No problem."

Jones then began asking for more favors from the cops. First, he wanted them to take off his hat. Then he asked if he could sit on the ground -- before he tried to get an officer to itch his nose and pull up his shirt.

Eventually, cops told him they were going to have to take him to jail for violating a TPO -- but when they tried to get him into a squad car, Jones had more issues.

He swore he couldn't fit in the ride, saying, "Look at me. I'm 6'5. I'm a professional athlete, bro. I have 112 sacks -- I play for the Raiders."

Later, he complained that his back was cramping ... and when officers said he could get water at the jail, he asked, "What kind of water do you guys have at the county? Is it Dasani or is it Aquafina?"

Jones then asked the cops for yet another request, seeing if they could give him the keys to his car. A few minutes later, he clearly became agitated.

"Sir, can you take me to jail, sir?" he said. "Because I'll make louder noises, and make a sheriff come out here. Take me to jail now, or I'll make louder noises."

"Sir!" he then yelled. "Oh my God! I need help! Help! Give him the key!"

As Jones piled back into the squad car, he then told a cop, "I will not sue you," before later adding, "I'm a millionaire."

Jones was eventually booked on two separate charges of violating a domestic violence temporary protection order ... before he was released.

According to police documents, though, Jones was arrested once more in early October just days after he got out of jail ... after cops said he violated a TPO again by sending Instagram messages to his ex.

Kyle Richards deleting the photo of Mauricio Umansky and his dance partner on "Dancing With the Stars" was intentional ... it directly connects to the photo of Mauricio walking out of an L.A. restaurant holding hands with Emma Slater.

Sources close to the estranged couple tell TMZ ... Kyle isn't buying what Mauricio is selling over the pics ... he says he was holding hands with Emma because he was overtaken with emotion ... when he talked to Emma over sushi about fond memories of getting married to Kyle. The story and the motivation just don't hold water.

As you may know, Kyle removed the pic of Mauricio and Emma supporting them on 'DWTS' from her Instagram feed, and not by accident.

Fact is ... everyone's talking about a rumored relationship between Kyle and Morgan Wade, although the 2 have never confirmed or denied it. There have been no PDA pics of Kyle and Morgan, so the photo of Mauricio and Emma is a new twist .... some folks close to the couple call it " super disrespectful" to Kyle.

Mauricio and Emma's performance on "Dancing with the Stars" Tuesday night came off as pretty sexy, too ... and people online have been sure to point that out.

That said ... the 2 are still living under the same roof and their relationship is "generally amicable," sources say.

In terms of any possible reconciliation, we're told this photo could be a buzzkill. As one source put it, "It's obvious what's up."

Paris Hilton is continuing to protect her son, Phoenix, after social media trolls posted a bunch of rude comments about the infant's head size ... and she says the remarks hurt more "than words can describe."

She reacted to the wave of hate Tuesday on X, admitting that living in the spotlight comes with folks commenting left and right, before adding ... "but targeting my child, or anyone else’s for that matter, is unacceptable."

She says the things she's seen about her baby boy hurt her heart, saying she's "worked hard to cultivate an environment that is all about love, respect, and acceptance, and I expect the same in return."

Paris even points out the corner she's backed into ... "If I don't post my baby, people assume I'm not a great mother and if I do post him, there are some people who are cruel and hateful 😢."

Regardless of the haters, Paris says she's a "proud working mom" and has always dreamt of being a mother -- calling Phoenix 'the biggest blessing of my life."

Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann have finally listed their house, and a new court order hopes to keep the peace while they're still under the same roof ... giving Kim exclusive use of the basement/nanny suite and Kroy the primary bedroom.

New court docs, obtained by TMZ, lay out the living arrangements, stating, "Neither party shall enter the other party’s individually awarded space in the marital residence without permission." The docs also state they'll share common areas like the kitchen and living room.

What's more ... in an effort to protect the couple's 4 young kids, it's ordered both Kim and Kroy act civilly towards one another, further stating, "Neither parent shall disparage the other parent in the presence of or earshot of the minor children."

The documents also state neither parent can eavesdrop while the other has time with the kids ... and the kids can't be used as messengers from one parent to the other.

While the order may sound drastic, it's certainly necessary as things in the Zolciak/Biermann household have been anything but cordial since the couple filed for divorce.

TMZ broke the story, during one instance where cops were called, Kim accused Kroy of locking her out of their primary bedroom -- and refused to open the door, even for officers.

BTW ... the new arrangement officially gives the green light on the sale of the couple's Georgia mansion. We were first to report when the home hit the market for $6 million ... money that will certainly go toward the couple's massive debts.

The teens accused of fatally mowing down a retired police chief with a stolen car giggled in court Tuesday -- smirking at the victim's family and flipping them the bird.

Jesus Ayala, 18, and Jzamir Keys, 16, appeared for a morning hearing in a Las Vegas courtroom after they were indicted on charges of murdering former top cop Andreas Probst and other serious felonies.

An 8NewsNow camera crew filmed the suspects in their blue jail uniforms, smiling and laughing as they sat watching the court proceedings.

At one point, the pair covered their faces with their hands to shield themselves from the cameras. As they were led out of the courtroom, they grinned smugly at Probst's wife and daughter -- and made the offensive gesture at them.

After the hearing, Probst's daughter, Taylor, blasted the teens, telling KSNV, "These guys did not respect the court whatsoever. They were just dicking around the entire time."

She went on, "They were flipping us off. How can you sit there after taking a man's life and act like such an entitled punk?"

On August 14, the suspects were allegedly driving in a stolen car down a Las Vegas street -- when they intentionally rammed into the back of the 66-year-old Probst while he was riding his bicycle, killing him.

Earlier that day, they did the same thing, crashing the vehicle into another cyclist, who fortunately suffered only minor injuries, according to police.

In both cases, the offenders shot videos of their deliberate attacks -- while they were chuckling. Newly released surveillance footage shows them running away from police -- and one of them wearing a face mask.

Travis Kelce knows he's doing the right thing in dating Taylor Swift ... and it's all thanks to Chiefs head coach Andy Reid giving his stamp of approval on the relationship.

Big Red gave a glowing review of the pop superstar following the Chiefs' big win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday ... saying "Taylor can stay around all she wants" as Kelce continues to ball out every time she attends his games.

Travis addressed Reid's comments on his "New Heights" podcast with his brother Jason on Wednesday ... saying the coach's endorsement is a good sign.

"I love Coach Reid, man," Taylor's boo said. "What a guy. Listen, when you’re getting Big Red’s approval and blessings, you know you’re doing something right."

Of course, Jason noted Travis' stats see a huge spike whenever T. Swift comes around ... saying he averages nearly 100 yards a game when she's present, and just 46.5 when she skips.

Kelce laughed it all off ... saying there's no way he couldn't know about Taylor's impact on his game -- considering everyone's talking about it on social media.

7:31 AM PT -- Jason Alexander's got a bad case of revisionist history, at least when it comes to how sober he and Britney Spears were on their wedding day. Eight years after the ceremony he told ABC News they'd been drinking and had "party favors."

When asked if he meant drugs, he coyly pointed out alcohol, caffeine and cigarettes are all drugs. Point is, they were far from sober, and Britney fans are calling him out for lying.

Jason Alexander, Britney Spears' ex-husband, is clapping back at her claim she only married him because she was drunk and bored ... instead, he insists it was true, sober love.

Jason, who was married to Britney for a whopping 55 hours in 2004 before getting an annulment, tells TMZ ... readers shouldn't believe a word Britney says about their marriage in her new memoir.

In "The Woman In Me," Britney says she and Jason "got sh**faced" before tying the knot early one morning in Las Vegas back in January '04 ... adding, "People have asked me if I loved him. To be clear: he and I were not in love"

Britney also writes, "I was just honestly very drunk -- and probably, in a more general sense at that time in my life, very bored."

JA says that's BS because they were absolutely in love and weren't boozing -- which, btw, is exactly how their wedding officiant described the couple in a previous interview.

Jason says they've been friends since childhood, and he still cares for and loves her -- however, he adds, he'd never buy her memoir, and would only accept a copy if it was signed ... and, even then, he admits he'd probably "sell it to the highest bidder."

So much for the love!

Britney's revealed a ton of bombshells in the book ... and Jason says, in his opinion, Britney's abortion from her pregnancy with Justin Timberlake was a "horrible decision." Jason believes the two would've had enough money to raise a kid and get help as well.

He also weighed in on Britney's rationale for her nude photo posts ... saying he sees it as "childish behavior" from a mother, but he believes Justin cheated, and then broke up with Brit in response to her cheating. That's his 2 cents, anyway.

Chris Pratt says his mother-in-law, Maria Shriver, has held onto a treasure trove of Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt's childhood achievements ... and that revelation has folks debating trophy hoarding.

The actor shared some pics Tuesday of Katherine with her plastic gold, and said, "Maria has been storing special items from Katherine’s childhood for years. Which is so very thoughtful."

He jokingly added, "I cannot say how proud I am of my wife for being a fourth-grade problem-solving superstar. There’s also a trophy for 'most improved two-year-old' in swim class. Wow!!"

Chris then dropped the punch line, pointing out Katherine was the only 2-year-old in that swim class. Hey, still counts for something!

He said the huge smile on Katherine's face must be Maria's "payoff for the work it took to store this stuff."

Chris put it all in perspective, saying ... "To pray one day that your children will look back on their childhood with glee is a blessing. It is the hope of parenthood."

But, here's where the debate started -- Chris asked, "real talk… once your kid goes through the stuff, is it okay to toss? I mean… do we need the 'I was on a sports team trophy?'"

He's probably thinking about it, because he's got 3 kids -- 10-year-old Jack with Anna Faris, and 3-year-old Lyla and 1-year-old Eloise with Katherine -- so it's a question he's for sure gonna need an answer sooner than later.

Folks have been chiming in the comments, sharing their thoughts on the trophy topic ... so let's settle this debate.

Britney Spears is over the moon over the spectacular success of her tell-all memoir, "The Woman in Me" ... and she jumped online to thank her millions of fans for their help in breaking records.

The singer hopped on Instagram Tuesday night -- the same day her book dropped -- to share her excitement ... "My book is the highest selling celebrity memoir in history and it’s only day 1 !!!"

She went on to thank the fans for their support, with good reason ... the book's sitting atop both Amazon and Barnes and Noble's best sellers lists since it debuted. It hasn't shown up on the New York Times Best Sellers List ... at least not yet.

As you know, Brit left a lot of juicy details about her past on the pages of her memoir ... dishing about her rocky relationship with Justin Timberlake -- claiming she had an abortion at his behest.

She also talked about her conservatorship, left a glowing review of her ex, Sam Asghari, and wrote about how her former hubby Jason Alexander "got sh**faced" before getting married in 2004 -- something Jason told us was total BS.