Sinbad Suffers Stroke ... Family Says He's Recovering

Sinbad's recovering from a recent stroke ... according to his family.

The veteran comedian's family said ... "While he is beginning his road to recovery, we are faithful and optimistic that he will bring laughter into our hearts soon."

The 64-year-old Sinbad is known for his stand-up work and starring in sitcoms like "A Different World" and "The Sinbad Show," along with a string of '90s comedy films like "Jingle All the Way" and "First Kid."

Sinbad's loved ones say in a statement to the AP, he's "a light source of love and joy for many generations," and add ... "Our family thanks you in advance for your love and support and ask for continued prayers for his healing. We also ask that you please respect our privacy during this time."

Get well soon, sir!!

Ex-MLB Great Jim Edmonds Rips 'RHOC' Ex for Partying, Getting COVID ... You Put My Family at Risk!!!

Retired MLB star Jim Edmonds is pissed at his estranged wife for being reckless with COVID -- he claims her partying and jet-setting ways put his family in danger.

Jim's estranged wife, "Real Housewives of Orange County" alum Meghan King, says she's isolating after testing positive for COVID-19. Jim's rep, Steve Honig, tells TMZ ... Jim thinks Meghan has a lot of explaining to do because she attended a major Halloween event in St. Louis before jetting down to Miami, where she continued to party.

So, he says Jim's hardly surprised she announced she tested positive ... but he is pissed.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

Videos and pictures from the Halloween bash show Meghan rubbing elbows with tons of people, the vast majority of whom are not wearing masks.

And, photos from Meghan's trip to Miami again show her with lots of maskless folks. She says she loves feeding her "wanderlust spirit" ... even in a pandemic.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

A source close to the situation claims Meghan came over to Jim's house after her Miami trip to pick up their kids ... after allegedly being exposed to the virus. The source claims Meghan was hugging and kissing the kids, putting not only their children at risk, but also Jim's girlfriend.

Our source claims Meghan's lying about the timing of everything to make it seem like her reckless partying has nothing to do with her positive COVID diagnosis.

We're told after Meghan went public with her diagnosis Sunday, Jim reached out to her directly and expressed disappointment with her lack of responsibility.

Bottom line ... Jim's rep says he thinks Meghan's not acting like a responsible parent.

Quawan Charles Family's Autopsy Also Points to Drowning ... Manner of Death Still Undetermined

15-year-old Quawan Charles appears to have most likely died from drowning -- the family's independent autopsy results now reaffirm that, but they still don't know the how behind his death.

The findings are in from American Forensics -- the agency that did a separate autopsy on Quawan's body -- and according to the report, obtained by TMZ, the experts discovered evidence of a possible drowning ... which they note the first autopsy also concluded.

They also say that the initial autopsy -- conducted by the coroner's office in Iberia Parish, LA -- was thorough. The independent autopsy also mentions no sign of trauma or natural disease, and that the body was undergoing decompositional changes upon arrival. With all that said, the jury's still out on Quawan's exact cause of death and the manner of death.

The autopsy says a final report is pending toxicology and histology results, as well as other investigative information as it becomes available.

For now, both examinations seem to jibe with what cops told Quawan's family ... that he probably drowned. Both autopsies found water was in his lungs, but the family wasn't buying the drowning theory because of the damage to his face -- which they compared to what to Emmett Till's 1955 lynching.

On that front ... Quawan's family attorney, Ronald Haley, tells us investigators believe the teen's face was gnawed on by wild animals in the sugar cane field where his body was found. However, we're told the family is NOT buying that explanation ... they still suspect foul play, and Haley also says cops are currently investigating this as a homicide.

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IT DOESN'T ADD UP
TMZ.com

You'll recall, Haley and other family members were adamantly opposed to the narrative of Quawan's death being accidental ... telling us last week there were too many holes in the police's story to justify that response. That, and just looking at him made them believe he was killed.

In any case, Haley now tells us he's troubled by the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office's slow response in finding Quawan in the first place -- noting it took them a total of 4 days just to ping his phone on Nov. 2 ... which led them to his body the next day. He'd been reported missing on Oct. 30.

Haley tells us Quawan's case proves why it's so important for cops to aggressively investigate a missing person's case as soon as it happens -- any delay could lead to a tragedy like this.

'Tiger King' Star Dillon Passage Cops Say He Pulled the Celeb Card ... During DWI Bust

UPDATE

9:43 AM PT -- Cops say Dillon had no idea what city he was in or what time it was when they busted him for DWI. According to the police affidavit ... when cops pulled him over they asked him what city he was in and the time and Dillon responded he was in Belton, which is an hour north of where he was located ... and said it was 7 o'clock when it was really around 1:30 AM.

UPDATE

And then get this ... cops say Dillon pulled the ol' celebrity card and made cops "aware of his social status and marriage to famed Joe Maldonado-Passage (Tiger King) on scene of the incident." Cops still arrested him. TMZ's obtained video of the arrest.

UPDATE
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TIGER CUFFED
UPDATE

Dillon, who said he was waiting for his sister because his car had suddenly turned off, allegedly had slurred speech and had bloodshot eyes. They also said they detected booze on Dillon's breath. Cops also said Dillon admitted to having 3 Modelo beers and told them he was "maybe a bit intoxicated." After cops say he bombed a field sobriety test, Dillon was arrested for DWI.

"Tiger King" star Dillon Passage was arrested Sunday for DWI ... TMZ has learned.

Dillon was stopped by cops in Travis County, Texas just after 3 AM. He failed his field sobriety test and was handcuffed and taken to jail. He was booked just after 5:30 AM for misdemeanor Driving While Intoxicated.

Dillon posted a video of himself at an event last night on Instagram.

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OUT ON THE TOWN
@dillert_lclm / Instagram

Dillon's husband, Joe Exotic, tells TMZ, “I’ve tried my hardest to get him to quit drinking, I love him."

Joe Exotic continues to serve his 22-year prison sentence for putting a hit out on Carole Baskin ... something he strongly denies. He has asked President Trump for either a commutation of his sentence or an outright pardon.

Joe and Dillon got married on Dec. 11, 2017. They tied the knot two months after Joe's previous husband, Travis Maldonado, fatally shot himself accidentally.

Dillon is currently behind bars so we were unable to contact him for comment.

Originally Published -- 12/15 9:51 AM PT

Elon Musk Trolled By Dr. Who Calls Him 'Space Karen' ... For Talking Smack Over COVID Test

Elon Musk was spectacularly triumphant Sunday over the historic SpaceX launch, but that didn't stop critics from slapping a 2020 label on him -- "Space Karen," and it all has to do with coronavirus.

Dr. Emma Bell tore into Musk after he groused that his COVID tests were, as he put it, "extremely bogus." As we reported, Elon wrote Friday, "Something extremely bogus is going on. Was tested for covid four times today. Two tests came back negative, two came back positive. Same machine, same test, same nurse."

That criticism didn't sit well with Dr. Bell -- who by the way, is a PhD -- who said, Rapid antigen tests trade sensitivity for speed. They return a result in [less than] 30 minutes, but can only detect COVID-19 when you're absolutely riddled with it. What's bogus is that Space Karen didn't read up on the test before complaining to his millions of followers."

Thing is ... Elon's right about the accuracy of the test -- it's dicey. Apparently, Dr. Bell thinks Elon's creating doubt over testing, which is a bad thing. On the other hand, it's Elon's opinion the test is bogus because he says it lacks reliability.

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LIFTOFF!
NASA/SpaceX

As for "Space Karen," Elon could not attend the launch of his Falcon 9 that hurled 4 astronauts into space Sunday, because of COVID concerns. The launch is historic, and cements the partnership between NASA and SpaceX. The astronauts are on the way to the International Space Station, where they'll stay put for 6 months.

Jordyn Woods Surprises Karl-Anthony Towns for Bday ... w/ Gifts Honoring Late Mom

Talk about a thoughtful 25th birthday gift ...

Jordyn Woods celebrated Karl-Anthony Towns' quarter-century day over the weekend with a very special celebration -- complete with golf, gifts and some incredible tributes to his late mom.

FYI, the NBA star's mother, Jackie, passed away back in April after she contracted COVID-19.

KAT and his mother were extremely close and he was devastated when she died.

Woods decided she would use KAT's 25th birthday as an excuse to get him some very cool items to remember his mom -- including an unbelievable custom ring featuring the name "Jackie" decked out in gold and diamonds.

She also got him a fancy Louis Vuitton handbag with his mom's full name, "Jacqueline" painted on the side ... underneath a halo and a pair of angel wings.

Pretty touching gifts ...

There's more ... Woods also surprised KAT with a special golf outing at the legendary Torrey Pines course in San Diego.

She even got him a special golf-themed cake!!

The two have been dating for about a year -- and if you're wondering what KAT got Jordyn for her 23rd birthday back in Sept., those gifts weren't too shabby either!

We're talkin' 2 Birkin bags, a Chanel clutch and an autographed Michael Jordan jersey ... among other things.

"Thoughtful" and "rich" make for a pretty solid combination when it comes to presents!

Megan Thee Stallion Tory Lanez Denies Trying to Pay Her To Be Quiet After Alleged Shooting

UPDATE

7:59 AM PT -- Tory's attorney tells TMZ ... he "has never offered money to any witness for their silence or for any other reason. Any reports to the contrary are false."

Tory Lanez offered Megan Thee Stallion money in return for her silence after allegedly shooting her twice in the foot ... so she claims in a new interview.

The rapper says Tory begged her to stay quiet and tried to pay both her and her friend off shortly after the July incident ... for which Lanez has been charged with felony assault.

Megan tells GQ she was really scared because what happened with Tory went down during the middle of the national unrest and protests over police brutality and systemic racism. She says her response to Tory's offer was ... "I can't believe you even think I want to take some money. Like, you just shot me."

MTS goes on to call the incident and the weeks that followed the worst experience of her life, which as we reported ... included her first coming out publicly to address rumors and speculation, and then flat out accusing Tory of pulling the trigger.

Though Lanez has been charged with felony assault for allegedly inflicting great bodily injury on Megan -- and ordered to stay away from her -- he's defended himself by saying a charge is not a conviction ... and went even further on his new album.

Several of the tracks on the album seemingly profess his innocence ... and suggest Megan is a liar.

Originally published -- 6:30 AM PT

Barack Obama Michelle Adamantly Opposed Me Running for Prez

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HERE'S MY ADVICE...
60 Minutes / CBS

Barack Obama laid it all out on the table for "60 Minutes" -- offering advice to President Trump, dishing on how we can overcome systemic racism ... and giving rare insight into how pissed Michelle was at him for pushing for the presidency.

44 gave a wide-ranging interview to CBS's Scott Pelley, and the first order of business was Trump's refusal to concede the election ... despite a clear and decisive win for Joe Biden. Barack was asked what he might tell the sitting President in a time like this, and his answer was both meaningful and heartfelt ... this, to someone who by all accounts hates his guts.

Barack says if Trump wants at all to be remembered in any sort of favorable light -- even at this point -- the best thing to do is bow out gracefully and help Biden transition easily ... just like almost all administrations before him. Not only is it tradition -- it's the right thing to do, in BO's eyes anyway.

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It's bigger than the cops
60 Minutes / CBS

44 was also asked about systemic racism and police brutality -- specifically, about George Floyd and what he made of the video and the aftermath that followed. First, Barack said he had seen the clip -- which broke his heart. At the same time though, he also says he was heartened to see how many people, regardless of race or party, came out to decry Floyd's death and call it what it was ... murder.

As for what to do about police shootings on African-Americans, Obama said the issue will require more than just looking at how cops and police forces run -- although he said that needs to be reexamined and restructured as well.

In his mind, the police should be looking to get to the root of poverty, inequality and other issues in communities instead of just trying to "keep a lid on things," which he says so many officers in this country are trained to do. He also says that responsibility is on all of us, from the top down -- which extends to corporate America.

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IT WAS HARD ON US
60 Minutes / CBS

Lastly, Obama got brutally honest about how his political ambitions affected his family life -- especially as it pertains to his wife, Michelle, who told him she did NOT want him to run for President ... this according to Barack himself, as told in his new book, "A Promised Land."

Check out the clip to hear what she said to him -- it's clear the former First Lady wasn't totally on board with the White House stint, even after they'd won it. It also says a lot about Michelle's grace in general -- the fact we never saw this side in public speaks volumes.

It made for a fascinating interview, and it's definitely worth seeing in its entirety. You can watch the full "60 Minutes" segment with Obama here.

Benny the Butcher Shot in Leg, Attempted Robbery ... But Back on His Feet!!!

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PUSHIN' THROUGH
@getbenny / Instagram
UPDATE

7:53 AM PT -- 11/16 -- Good news for Benny the Butcher fans ... the guy seems to be doing okay, which is evident in the video he just posted.

UPDATE

BTB just threw up a clip of himself on his IG Story, which shows that he's out of the hospital and about to board a private jet ... with the help of some friends and crutches, of course. Still it's a promising sign that he's gonna be alright and is on his way to a full recovery.

UPDATE

Feel better, dude.

Benny the Butcher is the latest rapper to suffer a gunshot wound below the belt this week -- this time, it happened out in Houston during what sounds like an attempted robbery.

Houston PD tells TMZ ... the New York rapper was in town Saturday and visiting a local Walmart with a couple friends in tow. While they were in their car in the lot, we're told a car with 5 guys inside pulled up next to them and whipped out guns ... demanding their chains.

Apparently, Benny and co. were moving too slow for the alleged robbers' liking ... and cops say one of the 5 fired a round into Benny's leg, which caused the crooks to flee. We're told Benny and his friends booked it too, but eventually pulled over and called the police.

Benny was taken to a hospital for treatment -- his condition is unknown at this time. Cops say the men who attempted to rob him are also still at large, and an investigation is underway.

You'll recall ... Boosie was also shot in the leg in the Lone Star state just a few hours away that same day. Somewhat different circumstances there, but same result ... he was left with a bullet hole in his leg as well. We've heard Boosie's gonna be alright, however.

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

Originally Published -- 11/15 12:07 PM PT

Alaska Airlines Plane Kills Bear While Landing ... 2-Year-Old Cub Spared

A jetliner tragically hit a brown bear while landing in the dark of night, causing an alarming amount of damage to the jet -- but, thankfully, a nearby cub narrowly survived.

It was an Alaska Airlines plane that got caught up in the freak accident early Saturday morning, with the flight coming in from Cordova, AK and touching down at the Yakutat Airport before the sun had come out.

According to reports, all normal procedures were followed prior to landing -- airport personnel on the ground didn't see the mama brown bear and her cub crossing the runway ... this just 10 minutes after they'd done a scan and given the all-clear.

The plane struck the bear after it had landed and was coming to a stop, before taxiing to the gate. The aircraft's left engine hit the bear, and was clearly damaged afterward. Considering the size of a 737 compared to your average car ... you get a picture of just how dangerous an afternoon drive could be in Alaska.

No one on board the plane was injured, and a 2-year-old cub that was with its mom avoided the jet.

Folks in Alaska say they've seen animals like deer, caribou, geese and other critters getting swept up in a jet -- but this might be a first for a bear.

Jack Black Masters School of 'WAP' in Red Speedo!!!

Jack Black's the hero 2020 needed ... getting down to the "WAP" challenge that'll make Cardi B proud.

The "Tropic Thunder" star threw on nothing but a red Speedo to pull off the hilarious challenge in a TikTok video he posted late Sunday night and captioned it, "Challenge accepted." The actor karate chopped, twerked and gyrated the hell out of the dance while getting soaked by a so-called "water technician."

Check out the video ... there's no way curiosity will let anyone not want to see the challenge -- which originated in August after the track dropped -- but beware ... because there's also no way to unsee it!!! It's worth it ... if starting the week off with a laugh is kinda your thing.

BTW ... the comments will also have ya rolling. One person responded saying Jack's dance looked like when a "fish accidentally jumps out of the bowl and lands on the floor." Robert Downey Jr. also implored, "Get it!!!"

Ditto.

NYC Wet Market Bloody Chicken Parts In Dumpster ... Leaking Into Street!!!

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REPULSIVE RUBBISH
TMZ.com

New York could really use the COVID vaccine Trump's threatening to withhold ... the Big Apple's still seeing unsanitary practices in wet markets, and it's on video.

The latest gross-out spectacle was on full display in Queens, where folks with the animal rights nonprofit, NYCLASS, caught a glimpse of what's still going on in our domestic one-stop-shop slaughterhouses and live animal factories.

In the gnarly footage, you see an unattended dumpster absolutely overflowing with trash bags, which appear to be packed to the gills with cut-up animal parts ... you can see a severed chicken head in a bag at the top of the heap as the dumpster sits out in the open on a sidewalk.

Not only that ... check out the blood leaking from the dumpster and flowing into the street, filling up cracks in the pavement like a mini river and puddling up.

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BLOOD IN THE STREETS
NYCLASS/Edita Birnkrant

We're told the dumpster is outside the same wet market where a similar scene was filmed back in May, so it seems like nothing has changed.

NYC and the rest of the country are dealing with another COVID wave, so it's pretty harrowing to see these unsanitary conditions still in practice.

It goes without saying, this is a massive public health risk 8 months into the pandemic.

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BLOODY AND DIRTY
TMZ.com

We've seen several of these wet market operations from coast to coast, like this stomach-turning scene in California.

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AWFUL CONDITIONS
TMZ.com

Trump likes to talk about red states and blue states ... well remember, wet markets are also operating in ruby-red Texas.

Ya gotta wonder why these issues aren't being talked about on a national level ... this is supposedly how COVID got started in the first place, right? Seems most politicians don't wanna get near this, for whatever reason. So, the question is, why?

NYCLASS executive director Edita Birnkrant says she constantly files complaints with regulators and contacts politicians and health officials, but nothing ever happens.

Bottom line ... the vaccine can't come soon enough.

Jeremih Responsive, Better in COVID-19 Battle ... 50 Cent Says

UPDATE

6:38 AM PT -- 50 Cent thanked fans for sending prayers Jeremih's way. The rapper also gave a brief update on the singer ... saying in a Sunday tweet, "he is responsive today, doing a little better."

UPDATE

1:04 PM PT -- Sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... Jeremih is currently on a breathing ventilator within the ICU he's being treated at, and we're told his condition has recently gotten worse.

Jeremih is fighting for his life, battling COVID-19 -- he's currently hospitalized in the ICU and the prognosis is bleak ... sources tell TMZ.

Sources with direct knowledge tell us the R&B singer is being treated at a hospital for COVID-19. It's unclear how long he's been admitted, or how long he's had the virus ... but he is not doing well.

Word that he was seriously ill started percolating online Saturday -- with rappers like 50 Cent, Chance the Rapper, producer Hitmaka and others asking for prayers on Jeremih's behalf, but not necessarily saying what exactly was wrong with him at first.

Fitty was the only one who gave a bit more insight, claiming it was COVID-related -- while also saying Jeremih was hospitalized in his native city of Chicago.

50 wrote, "pray for my boy Jeremih he’s not doing good this covid s*** is real." He added, "he's in ICU in Chicago."

Chance also touched on the seriousness of the situation, writing ... "Please if you can take a second to pray for my friend Jeremih, he is like a brother to me and he’s ill right now. I believe in the healing power of Jesus so if you can for me please please say a prayer over him."

Originally Published -- 12:50 PM PT

Viral 'Dreams' Skateboarder 320,000 Reasons to Smile I've Got a New Home!!!

Nathan Apodaca -- the viral Fleetwood Mac "Dreams" skateboarder -- can add a new title to his long list of monikers ... HOMEOWNER!!!

According to sources familiar with the deal ... Nathan paid $320,000 in cash for a 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom crib in his hometown of Idaho Falls. We're told Nathan gets the keys to the house next week and he's still in shock over the purchase.

Remember ... before taking social media by storm after posting a video of himself drinking Ocean Spray juice and vibing to Fleetwood Mac on his skateboard, Nathan was living in an RV with no running water. The RV was parked in front of his brother's house, where he'd use the shower and toilet.

Not long after racking up more than 11 million views on his TikTok vid ... donations started pouring in from strangers all over the place. His merch also started selling like crazy. He had said he wanted to save up for a new ride and RV ... but after Ocean Spray gifted him a truck, it changed his plans for the better, which now includes a new home.

We're told Nathan liked the house because it's got enough room for him and his family ... his new fiancée, Estela Chavez and his 2 daughters and stepson -- 15-year-old Angelia, 14-year-old Makyla and 15-year-old stepson Andreas Chavez.

As if Nathan wasn't already raking in 2020 ... the dude's got even more reason to grin after recently getting new veneers worth a whopping $40k, courtesy of Dr. Aamir Wahab.

Moral of the story ... keep smilin' while steady vibin'.

NFL's Demario Davis Great News for 1-Year-Old Daughter!!! 'Her Body's Free Of Cancer'

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WE'VE BEEN BLESSED
TMZSports.com

Amazing news from Demario Davis -- the Saints linebacker says his 1-year-old daughter is cancer free after being diagnosed with a rare eye disease earlier this year.

Carly-Faith Davis was diagnosed back in May with Retinoblastoma -- a disease that caused a tumor to form behind her left eye which required the eye to be surgically removed.

Carly-Faith -- who now has a custom prosthetic eye -- has recovered well and tests show the cancerous threat is gone!

TMZ Sports spoke with the 31-year-old about his daughter's recovery ... and Demario says his family is truly blessed.

"I'm a person that just never try to take anything for granted and to know what she's been through, even to the point of having to lose her eye, but her body is free of cancer," Davis tells us.

Demario says his youngest has maintained her joyful personality despite her challenging journey ... and even danced and cheered the Saints' most recent win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

"We're able to use her story and bring awareness to a lot of families that probably wouldn't of known about it if it wasn't for us going through it."

Davis says he is grateful for the doctors and resources his family was able to use during treatment ... and hopes their story will help others going through similar challenges.

"So, we're just anxious as parents to see if God is gonna take her eye what is He gonna restore her with, what is He gonna give her because we know He's not just gonna take something without giving a double portion back."

"It's exciting! That just seeing that video is just a reminder of so many blessings that we have around us."

We also spoke to Davis about his decision to suit up this season ... and he gives a detailed breakdown on why he wanted to play.

Ledisi Jussie Smollett's a Great Guy ... People Make Mistakes!!!

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SHOWING HIS HEART
TMZ.com

Ledisi's giving Jussie Smollett a rave review as a first-time director, but more importantly -- she's going to bat for him as a human being ... regardless of what everyone else thinks.

The R&B artist and actress is starring in Smollett's upcoming movie, "B-Boy Blues," and she has nothing but glowing words for his debut behind the camera ... telling us she had a very fun time filming.

Ledisi also says she didn't think twice about signing on with Jussie -- and doesn't believe other actors did either -- because she loves him and he's always been there for her. She adds ... "He's a good human. He means well with everything he does."

Of course, we had to ask if she hesitated ... remember the January 2019 incident in which he allegedly staged a hate crime.

Though Ledisi clearly supports Jussie, she doesn't say he DIDN'T do what he's accused of. Instead, she tells us ... "He does good work. People make mistakes, and they do things around the wrong people."

She goes on to say Smollett's doing the right thing now by focusing on his work and insists his heart's in the right place.

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I'M STILL INNOCENT
@marclamonthill / Instagram

Ya gotta think Jussie will appreciate his star's kind words, but he might take issue with her implication he made a mistake. As we've reported ... he still insists the "attack" was not a hoax, and says he has new evidence to back it up.

Smollett is still facing criminal charges and a civil lawsuit from the City of Chicago ... so he'll get a chance to present his case.

Old news is old news!
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