Rick Ross Be the Boss of Your Healthcare ... With New Telehealth App!!!
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Rick Ross says he's been exactly where millions of Americans are today -- avoiding doctor visits due to lack of healthcare -- which is why he's backing an affordable new option.
Da Boss and healthcare vet/entrepreneur Tommy Duncan joined us on "TMZ Live" to discuss their telehealth app, Jetdoc ... and reveal why the music mogul jumped into healthcare. Rick told us part of it is personal, and part of is addressing what's become an obvious need.
As you know, the COVID-19 pandemic forced clinics/hospitals to pivot and rethink how doctors can treat and diagnose patients during lockdowns. As a result, nearly 25 million people used a telehealth service between March and October, and the vast majority of them were satisfied with the service.
Enter Rick Ross and Tommy, who've both coped with serious health issues -- Rick's battled seizures, and Tommy suffered a stroke at just 30 years old. Still, the rapper says he knows all too well that people who don't have access to health insurance avoid getting medical care ... and he wants to change that.
The duo told us Jetdoc, available for download on Google Play and the App Store, is incredibly reasonable at just $20 for the first virtual urgent care visit or $10 a month for an unlimited membership.
For now, it's only available in Florida, but it's slated to expand to other states in 2021. Rick and Tommy say access to a doctor isn't the only benefit for users. In fact, you gotta see why Rick thinks this really could be a holiday gift that keeps on giving.
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Asante Samuel Time For Eagles To Bench Wentz ... Go With Hurts!!!
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Carson Wentz's time as the starter in Philly should be over -- at least for now -- so says Asante Samuel, who tells TMZ Sports the Eagles should play Jalen Hurts!
"If it was my decision," the former Philly defensive back said, "I think I'd go with the rookie."
Wentz has devolved this year into one of the NFL's worst quarterbacks ... he leads the league in interceptions with 15 and has the Eagles underperforming at just 3-8-1.
But, head coach Doug Pederson has been non-committal about sitting the QB in favor of Hurts (their second-round pick) ... and Samuel tells us he thinks that's a mistake.
The ex-Eagles star says a QB swap could inject some life -- and wins -- into a team that still has a very good shot at winning the NFC East crown.
"It's all about the W," Samuel says. "It's all about winning. It's all about production. If we have to bite a big cap loss, give away a lot of money and we think we got to move forward to make our team better, that's what I think you definitely have to do."
Pederson DID make the switch from Wentz to Hurts late in the Eagles' loss to the Packers on Sunday ... and Hurts seemed to be comfortable under center, throwing for 1 TD and 1 INT and rushing for 29 yards.
JALEN HURTS' FIRST NFL TD! 👏
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 6, 2020 @SportsCenter
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/XulcSoswXU
It remains unclear if Wentz will get the reins back this Sunday against the New Orleans Saints ... but, if it were up to Samuel, he's making it clear the decision would've already been made.
"That would be my move."
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Guess Who This Cute Kid Turned Into!
Before this playful pipsqueak was a rapper and an award-winning actor, he was just another cute kid growing up in Wembley, United Kingdom.
This wide-eyed darling set his sights on a successful music and acting career, which he achieved in an acclaimed film starring alongside Jake Gyllenhaal as his cameraman sidekick. Soon after, this talented celeb won a Primetime Emmy Award for Best Actor in a Limited Series ... securing his place as the first Asian and Muslim to achieve this award.
You can also catch him going rogue in the 'Star Wars' galaxy.
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Jared & Ivanka Trump Buy $30M-Plus Lot of land in Miami ... Keeping NYC Crib
Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump are apparently looking to become Sunshine State residents like their old man is said to be -- 'cause they reportedly spent a fortune on a plot of land there.
Trump's daughter and son-in-law recently threw down upwards of $30 million to snap up space in the exclusive Miami neighborhood of Indian Creek Island ... this, per Page Six.
The outlet reports they actually purchased a lot of land that used to belong to Julio Iglesias -- and that they got almost 2 acres of dirt to play with which is right on the waterfront. PS says the couple plans to build an estate on the grounds, and that the sale closes in 10 days.
Indian Creek Island is heavily guarded too, BTW -- there's a small police force that works just there, protecting only 29 homes in the community, which boasts neighbors like billionaire Carl Icahn, ex-football coach Don Shula, Adriana Lima, and other CEO and business tycoons who are uber-rich. That's the company Jared and Ivanka will keep while there.
Speaking of that, it doesn't sound like they're planning to permanently establish roots in Florida -- unlike Donald, who's rumored to be getting out of NYC completely and heading off to Mar-a-Lago once his presidency is over.
Page Six reports the couple is planning to keep their Park Ave. apartment in the Big Apple, so this might just be a getaway home for when they wanna visit dad.
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President Trump Campaign Sues Biden Directly ... Over Wisconsin Results
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President Trump is now directly blaming Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in his quest to overturn the election results -- throwing out a new legal twist that reeks of desperation.
Trump, Vice Prez Pence and the Trump Campaign are suing Biden and Harris in Wisconsin -- seeking to set aside the absentee ballots that helped them win in 2 key counties that went blue on Nov. 3 ... Milwaukee and Dane.
In the suit, Trump and co. ask the court to set aside the Board of Canvassers' legal determination that in-person absentee ballots should be counted ... alleging that doing so violates a Wisconsin law requiring written applications for such ballots.
The campaign's argument is the absentee ballots cast for Biden/Harris in those counties did not follow the proper procedure.
As for why Trump's now going after the President-elect and Vice President-elect as defendants, it's not entirely clear. Dozens of Trump's election results lawsuits -- without Biden and Harris as defendants -- have been tossed out by judges all over the country.
On the surface, this seems like a last-ditch effort to get at least one decision in their favor. Time's running out though ... January's right around the corner.
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Ex-Israeli Space Official Aliens, 'Galactic Federation' Real ... Hiding 'Til We're Ready
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The guy who used to run Israel's space security program is sounding the alarm -- claiming aliens are real, and they're secretly working with our governments and biding their time.
Haim Eshed reportedly told the Israeli publication Yediot Aharonot he can confirm the existence of aliens, because he claims they've been among us for a damn long time. He even says they have their own org ... the "Galactic Federation."
Not only that, but Eshed -- who worked for the Israeli government from '81 to 2010 -- also alleges President Trump was about to blow the lid off the whole thing recently, but that he was convinced to shut his trap, 'cause most humans weren't ready for the truth ... yet.
The 87-year-old reportedly said, "There’s an agreement between the U.S. government and the aliens. They signed a contract with us to do experiments here. They, too, are researching and trying to understand the whole fabric of the universe, and they want us as helpers."
So ... they come in peace???
One more outlandish claim -- Eshed said there's an underground space base on Mars RIGHT NOW, where man and alien are working side-by-side for the betterment of the "Federation."
Ooookay ... so why's he going public? Much like comedy, Eshed says it's all about timing -- noting that if he had brought this up 5 years ago, he would've been written off as nuts.
BTW, plenty of people are still going with that take ... insinuating the dude's not all there anymore.
Conspiracy theorists, on the other hand, are pointing to Trump's fascination with ramping up Space Force, as evidence Eshed's on to something. And, don't get us started with UFO sightings either.
Remember, Obama all but confirmed the existence of aliens himself too -- but wasn't as loose-lipped as old Haim is here.
Thanks for sharing, bud ... now beam us up, E.T.!
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NASA Sends Holiday Resupply to ISS ... Fresh Fruit/Grub for Xmas!!!
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NASA sent a massive goody bag of supplies and treats up into space this week to help their astronauts out for the holidays -- and we found out what they're noshing on!!!
A rep for NASA tells TMZ ... part of the resupply load, aboard a SpaceX capsule, that docked at the International Space Station Monday were thousands of pounds of cargo for scientific research -- and also some fresh grub.
We're told among some of the fresh food items -- which is a rare treat in space, since most everything is either freeze-dried or thermostabilized -- was a bunch of fruit. Sounds basic, but in space ... even a first bite at the apple is something to savor for these expeditions.
Some of that produce included Gala apples, navel and blood oranges, mandarin oranges, and ... lemons!!! Hey, when life gives 'em to you, gotta make the most of it right???
We're told there were also some holiday-themed hot foods sent up as well -- which are all probably arriving in some type of airtight packaging, a la Tang.
Among that lot, NASA says it shipped stuff like cherry blueberry cobbler, cornbread dressing, cranapple dessert, jellied cranberry sauce, macaroni & cheese, potatoes au gratin, roasted turkey, shortbread cookies, southwestern corn, sparkle gel, spicy green beans, french vanilla cappuccino and wheat flatbread. Mmmm -- space munchies 😁.
BTW, these are the same astronauts that were shot up into the sky a few short weeks ago in another SpaceX Dragon capsule. So, they're probably due to a fresh shot of fuel.
As for any gifts ... NASA's mum, saying they don't wanna get ahead of Claus. Fair enough -- hopefully it's something like PS5 ... something most earthlings can't even get their hands on.
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Olivia Jade Confronted About Admissions Scandal ... I Understand How Wrong It Is
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Olivia Jade's breaking her silence on the college admissions scandal in which she and her parents became the poster family for white privilege ... and it ultimately landed her mom and dad in prison.
Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli's youngest daughter joined Jada Pinkett Smith's crew on "Red Table Talk" to address the elephant in the room -- her family's involvement in the massive college bribery ring that became national news last year.
At one point during Olivia's sit-down -- which included Willow Smith and Jada's mom, Adrienne Banfield-Jones -- Adrienne confronted Olivia, asking if she could understand why so many people were upset with her family.
Olivia says she gets it, and it's helpful for her to hear so she can better understand the problem. She also seemingly admits her family used their means to gain an advantage ... which, of course, is the heart of the issue for many people.
The popular YouTube influencer's full interview will drop Tuesday. Olivia said she felt comfortable discussing the scandal at the 'Red Table' because "it feels really safe," adding ... "but it also feels honest and it feels like we’re gonna all lay it out here and it’s gonna be an open conversation." Jada platform's becoming a go-to place for celebs in crisis.
As we reported ... Olivia's parents both took plea deals for their roles in the admissions scandal, which included paying fixer Rick Singer $500,000 to help her and her older sister, Isabella, get accepted into USC.
Part of the scheme included creating a bogus resume for Olivia ... making it look like she was a member of a rowing team so she could get a spot on USC's crew team. There were even action shots taken of both Olivia and Bella practicing their "rowing."
Remember, Olivia posted back in 2018 that she didn't even want to go to college ... other than for game days and partying. Olivia hasn't spoken about the scandal ... until now.
As we reported ... Lori was sentenced to 2 months in prison after pleading guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud. Mossimo pled guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and 1 count of honest services wire and mail fraud and was sentenced to 5 months behind bars.
If all goes according to plan, Olivia's mom will be released around Christmas time, and her dad will be out in the spring.
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'B.A.P.S.' & 'Madea' Star Natalie Desselle-Reid Dead at 53 ... Colon Cancer Battle
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Natalie Desselle-Reid -- a prolific actor known for roles in "Eve," a 'Madea' film and 'B*A*P*S' -- has died after a battle with cancer ... one she'd kept private.
The veteran comedic actor passed away Monday morning. A family member tells TMZ she died of colon cancer after having been diagnosed earlier this year. We're told she was in hospice care in her final days, and was surrounded by family when she went.
An official statement reads, "It is with extremely heavy hearts that we share the loss of our beautiful Natalie this morning. She was a bright light in this world. A queen. An extraordinary mother and wife."
Just absolutely decimated by this news...
— Holly Robinson Peete😷🥰 (@hollyrpeete) December 7, 2020 @hollyrpeete
Actress Natalie Desselle, a bright shining star passed away this morning. I got to know her when my mom was managing her.
She will be so missed...sending out prayers to her children and husband.
💔🙏🏽😢
Rest In Peace, Sweet Girl🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/BsyltHxKRG
Actress Holly Robinson Peete also shared the news, writing ... "Just absolutely decimated by this news... Actress Natalie Desselle, a bright shining star passed away this morning. I got to know her when my mom was managing her. She will be so missed...sending out prayers to her children and husband." She added, "💔🙏🏽😢 Rest In Peace, Sweet Girl🙏🏽"
Natalie was perhaps best known for her sidekick role opposite Halle Berry in the 1997 comedy film "B*A*P*S" in which she played the hilarious role of Mickey. She also starred on the sitcom "Eve" for three years, playing Janie Egins -- as well as having starred in Tyler Perry's "Madea's Big Happy Family" as Tammy.
Her acting credits go well beyond that though -- NDR also played a prominent character on the TV shows "For Your Love," and "Built to Last."
Her other big-screen credits include "How to Be a Player," "Set It Off," "Divas," "Gas" and quite notably ... the made-for-TV movie "Cinderella," featuring Brandy ... in which Natalie played the evil step-sister, Minerva.
Natalie leaves behind her husband, Leonard, and 3 children. She was 53.
RIP
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Michael Rapaport COVID Restrictions Flawed & Frustrating ... Just Calling It Like I See It!!!
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Michael Rapaport understands the need for coronavirus mitigation, but man, is he fed up with different rules applying to different people and businesses without logical explanations.
The actor joined "TMZ Live" Monday on the heels of his epic rant about a flea market on Melrose Ave. being open this weekend while other outdoor establishments are shut down.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Rapaport says it makes no sense, especially when businesses are taking all the COVID precautions they can to safely keep making money -- so he understands people's frustrations boiling over ... even at that bar in Staten Island.
Michael explained the flea market deepened his empathy for people struggling to make a living amid the pandemic, and he was not knocking the market vendors. His issue is restaurants right across the street not being allowed to be open when their employees are struggling just as much.
Don't get it twisted, though, he's still all about wearing masks and taking steps to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, he just thinks the rules should apply to everyone -- and if they don't, leaders should explain WHY.
For the record, a strict shutdown did go into effect Sunday night in much of California, which limits all restaurants to carry-out, closes indoor and outdoor play areas, hair salons, museums, movie theaters, amusement parks and live-audience sports, and prohibits people from congregating with anyone outside their household.
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Kristin Cavallari, Jeff Dye ¡¡¡Besame Mucho!!! Steamy PDA in Cabo
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Kristin Cavallari and Jeff Dye still won't officially say they're dating, but their lips are making it abundantly clear during a Mexican vacay ... they are definitely a thing.
Kristin and the comedian were all over each other in Cabo San Lucas ... kissing, hugging and laughing constantly. The only time they seemed to take a break from the PDA was to sip a drink while hanging with friends down south.
While they're openly enjoying each other's company it still seems like Kristin's trying to keep this unofficial-relationship on the DL.
For starters, she posted a pic on Instagram but didn't tag Jeff ... and did the same when she posted an IG Story with a couple of friends on the trip.
BTW ... she's wearing the same pink bikini on her Instagram post as the one she wore while out with her apparent new bae.
Kristin, who back in April announced she and Jay Cutler are getting divorced, was first seen hanging out with Jeff in Chicago in October making out, then in Nashville in November. Before reportedly meeting up again at Craig's in Los Angeles.
Sooo ... they ain't saying it, but their vacay pics are worth a thousand or so words.
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White Suspect vs. Cops Standoff Vid White Privilege Looks Like This ... Says Michael Eric Dyson
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The wild body cam footage showing a white suspect threatening to shoot a cop -- not once but TWICE -- is a stark illustration of white privilege according to author Michael Eric Dyson.
Michael joined "TMZ Live" Monday and didn't mince words about the body cam video of a tense standoff with cops in Ohio, and as he put it ... "You and I both know that had that been a motorist of color that motorist would have been dead."
ICYMI ... the video shows Merak Burr, who is white, refusing to get out of his car, flaunting a handgun on the seat next to him, and even threatening to shoot the cops!!! And, having done all of that, Burr was still able to defy the cops and drive away ... without getting shot.
Michael told us the incident highlights a point he makes in his new book, "Long Time Coming: Reckoning with Race in America" ... which is that white privilege has little to do with wealth, and everything to do with the color of someone's skin.
Michael makes it clear ... he's glad Burr's confrontation didn't end violently but certainly wishes non-white people also got the same treatment.
It's easy to argue ... had cops given Jacob Blake the same treatment in Kenosha, Wisconsin as Burr got in Ohio, Jacob would not be paralyzed today. Remember, Jacob was shot 7 times in the back as he tried to get into his vehicle. He was unarmed but cops said they recovered a knife from the driver's side floorboard in Jacob's car.
Michael says had Burr been a person of color instead, the outcome would have likely ended in what ultimately would have been determined as a justified shooting ... and that's gotta end.
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Pete Buttigieg Vetted for Cabinet Posts ... Commerce, HUD, EPA on the Table
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Joe Biden said the LGBTQ+ community would be represented in his cabinet, and sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ, Pete Buttigieg is actively under consideration for various posts, but we're told he didn't get his first choice.
Sources privy to the selection process tell TMZ, Buttigieg is being vetted for what could be a significant appointment. We're told the possible appointment includes Secretary of Commerce and HUD. We're told he's also under consideration to head the EPA.
Our sources say another post that has been a subject of discussion is Veterans Affairs. As you know, Pete served in Afghanistan and has a strong connection to the military. We're told, although the V.A. remains a possibility for Pete, it's unlikely.
We're told what Buttigieg really wanted was U.N. Ambassador, but obviously, that position has already been filled.
Buttigieg was a strong supporter of Biden's during the campaign, and we're told he will "almost certainly" be offered a significant position in the Biden Administration.
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NYPD Cop Shouts Down Trump Supporter ... Who Refuses to Wear Mask
An NYPD cop went ballistic on a Trump supporter who wouldn't wear a mask in public ... a guy who cussed the cop out ... despite waving a pro-police flag.
The shouting match was captured on video this weekend in NYC at 30 Rock, where Trump supporters came face-to-face with counter-protesters. Of course, many in the Trump crowd weren't masked up -- and eventually, an officer got involved.
The cop was trying to talk over the Trump-er and the other NYC demonstrators, but wasn't getting anywhere ... that is, until she screamed at the top of her lungs.
It's kinda funny, but also pretty shocking ... because she then gets in the face of the main antagonist here (the dude with the red MAGA hat, sans mask) and they start exchanging heated words. She cools down by trying to talk to the other side, which seem more receptive to her words, but then goes right back to jawboning with the Trump supporter.
BTW, the Trump guy is holding a huge black and blue flag -- colloquially known as a Back the Blue symbol -- but he's not showing a whole lot of respect to the badge in person.
The juxtaposition is stunning ... this kind of anger with the backdrop of the Rockefeller Center XMAS tree. 2020, folks.
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Pete Davidson Ripped by Staten Island Locals ... For Defiant Bar Jokes on 'SNL'
Pete Davidson making fun of a bar in his hometown and its stance against COVID restrictions is pissing off a lot of the locals, and they're blasting him for it.
A Staten Island activist named Mr. Tobacco tore the 'SNL' star a new one Monday during a news conference over the watering hole called Mac's Public House -- which has been in the news a lot lately for defying COVID closures.
ICYMI ... one of Mac's co-owners, Danny Presti, was arrested AGAIN this weekend after he allegedly let people inside (against a closure order). Tobacco and co. were addressing that when he referred to Pete's 'Weekend Update' appearance, where he criticized the Staten Island community and Mac's owners for acting like babies.
Co-owner of Staten Island bar 'Mac's Public House' arrested after refusing Cuomo covid order to shut down
— TalkRadio 77 WABC (@77WABCradio) December 2, 2020 @77WABCradio
City released statement: "Covid-19 doesn't respect autonomous zones and neither does the Sheriff..."
WATCH ARREST HERE: pic.twitter.com/VIvinRZ39x
Welp, Mr. Tobacco says Pete's words are a betrayal, considering people in town know him and his fam. He got very personal and even referenced Pete's father ... a firefighter who died on 9/11 in the Twin Towers.
You'll have to watch the video to see how he frames it ... but it's pretty clear that Tobacco and some of the other Mac members were hurt by Pete, who Tobacco calls someone with a huge platform putting the little guy down.
Mr. Tobacco also evokes Pete's nickname -- the King of Staten Island, which was turned into a Judd Apatow movie starring Pete.
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Jenelle Evans Taking Care of Litter of Puppies ... Claims Cops Called
Jenelle Evans' pet family just got a whole lot bigger ... but it seems a lot of people have a problem with that.
The reality TV star shared a cute video of her 9 new pitbull puppies nursing on their mama. Jenelle says she found the mother a couple weeks ago chained outside in the cold and took her home after attempts to locate the owner were unsuccessful.
Now she's given birth to the litter, and that means Jenelle -- and most notably, her husband, David Eason -- are caring for 10 new puppies ... something that doesn't sit well with a lot of animal lovers.
Jenelle says people keep calling the cops once they see what's going on in her house. Jenelle posted photos and videos of the newborn pups.
Of course, that's because David snapped and killed their family dog in April 2019 after it nipped at their baby ... which they'd foolishly left too close to the dog. The disturbing ordeal led to their kids being temporarily taken away and a brief breakup of their marriage.
They've gotten the kids back and reconciled, though ... and already welcomed a new puppy earlier this year, along with 2 other dogs and a goat.
Still, people clearly haven't gotten over what David did -- or, they're worried about more examples of his troubling behavior -- and don't like the idea of Jenelle and him having more pets.
Jenelle insists she's done nothing worthy of having the cops called on her in this case, though ... she simply saved a dog and her puppies.