Subway Worker Scared To Go Home After Robbery ... Crook Knows Where I Live!!!

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TURNING THE TABLES
@yadalove07/Tik Tok

The Subway worker who got suspended for aggressively stopping an armed man from robbing the store and then posting the surveillance video says she's afraid to go home ... because the crook has her info.

Araceli Sotelo, the Subway worker who went viral for fending off her attacker, tells TMZ ... she's scared the robber could be waiting for her outside her house because he stole her purse and her ID, and the whole ordeal has taken a huge toll on her mental health.

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"NO ONE IS HELPING ME"
TMZ.com

Araceli says she feels like Subway doesn't have her back after she got indefinitely suspended from the store she works at in Rockford, IL ... and she's not sure when she'll be allowed back.

She tells us why she defended herself and the store instead of just letting the crook have his way. She's also considering legal action against Subway.

A spokesperson for Subway tells TMZ ... "We are deeply concerned about the recent incident at a franchised location in Rockford, Illinois. The restaurant owner and management are fully cooperating with the police investigation, and we request patience until that process is complete."  They did not address Araceli's suspension.

Vitor Belfort I'm Jake Paul's 'Daddy' I'll Teach That Boy A Lesson

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TIME TO LEARN
TMZ.com

Vitor Belfort says he's about to be $30 MILLION richer ... that is, if Jake Paul has the guts to step in the boxing ring, telling TMZ Sports The Problem Child's a coward if he doesn't accept the fight.

"I'd like to teach that boy a lesson. Your parents give you behaviors and all that, so he's gonna meet his big daddy," 44-year-old Belfort says.

"And, if he likes money, we got big money. There's no excuse to run away from this fight. So, he has to take it, and if you don't take it, he's gonna show he's a coward and he's looking for easy fights."

Shots fired.

Paul's 4-0 professionally -- with wins over Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren -- but Belfort has zero doubt he'd knock out the YouTuber-turned-boxing star, saying ... "I'm gonna knock [Jake] out. There's no doubt about it."

Of course, Belfort called out 24-year-old Paul in the ring following his 1st round KO of Evander Holyfield ... with Triller's Ryan Kavanaugh pledging $30 million to the winner of the potential scrap.

$30 mil is A LOT of money, but what's unclear ... after signing a deal with Showtime Boxing, could Jake take the fight, even if he wanted to?

"I think it's worth it. $30 million to get your a** whooped by a legend like myself," Belfort says.

If not Jake, Vitor told us he's also interested in Canelo Alvarez (there's a $40 mil offer on the table from Triller), Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, Lennox Lewis and even Tyson Fury.

As for Paul, he recently called out Jorge Masvidal ... but with Gambred under contract with the UFC, it's highly unlikely Dana White would sign off on the fight.

Bottom line, money talks ...  and it's clear Belfort will be waiting.

Guess Who This Goofy Guy Turned Into!

Before this spoonful of silly was mixing up drinks on a popular reality television show, he was just another goofy guy growing up in Monterey, California.

This funny fella gained an instant following after he stepped out of the limo and into the spotlight looking for love. Even though his journey on this reality show ended earlier than expected, he still got another shot in a spin-off located in a place of paradise.

Now, since this celebrity personality got engaged to a rose-worthy actress, he has been the voice of reason behind the bar on the romantic island.

Can you guess who he is?

Ben & Jen More Like The Make Out Gala

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are turning the Met Gala into the make out gala ... and they're not letting COVID protocols stop them from packing on the PDA.

Ben and Jen were together Monday at the Met Gala in New York City, where they were locking arms, hugging and kissing through their face masks.

J Lo wore a brown ensemble complete with a plunging dress and a long train, plus a hat, necklace, and a feather boa. She's also got an interesting accessory around her neck, something like a big choker.

Ben, meanwhile, went with a more classic look in his tuxedo ... kinda like he did last week at the 78th Venice International Film Festival, when they went to their first showbiz event together since reuniting.

Now we can add the Met Gala to the Bennifer 2.0 PDA tour.

Kim Kardashian Stuns in Faceless Look for Met Gala Thanks to Balenciaga & Ye

Kim Kardashian West is already turning heads on her way to the Met Gala -- this time, without even showing her face -- and it's all thanks to a look from Balenciaga and inspiration from her estranged hubby.

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INSPIRED BY YE
TMZ.com

Kim just left her hotel in NYC wearing the custom outfit designed by Demna Gvasalia, the creative director of Balenciaga. The look includes a curve T-shirt under a T-shirt dress with an incorporated bodysuit, completed with jersey boots Pantaleggings, jersey gloves and a mask hiding her whole face.

Sources connected tell us that while Kanye won't be at the Met in person, he gave Kim the courage to push the envelope with creativity and people's imagination through art.

We're told Kanye was also the one who introduced Kim to Demna -- who will join her at the Gala -- so he's a big reason the look came together in the first place.

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HAND-IN-HAND
TMZ.com

Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker were also spotted leaving the same hotel as Kim, but both were dressed down and likely headed to dinner ... no Gala.

We saw Kim rocking another head/face mask over the weekend in the Big Apple -- a head-to-toe black leather getup.

As you know ... Kanye's been all about the full head wraps lately too, and it sure looked like Kim might've taken a cue from him for the ensemble -- which appears to have been from the Spring 2019 Vetements collection.

The ensemble tonight is also a complete departure from what Kim's worn during past Met Galas -- especially over the last handful of years when her dresses were bright, shiny and sleek. She's rocked gowns designed by Thierry Mugler, Versace, Balmain and Vivienne Westwood -- just to name a few.

Now, she's going the Balenciaga route, and still looking incredible.

Originally Published -- 4:14 PM PT

Britney Spears Already Taking Prenup Steps ... After Engagement to Sam

UPDATE

4:25 PM PT -- There are reports Jamie Spears is involved in hooking Britney up with a lawyer for the prenup. Those reports are false. Jamie has no involvement in the prenup. Our Britney sources say Mathew Rosengart is involved, although it's doubtful he'll write the prenup ... it will probably end up with a family law attorney.

Britney Spears has already taken steps to get a prenup drafted ... just a day after she and Sam announced their engagement ... sources tell TMZ.

Sources with direct knowledge who are close to Britney tell TMZ ... her camp is already mobilizing to get a prenup drafted. Britney's net worth reportedly hovers at around $60 million ... this money is hers, but although she's not making nearly what she raked in when she was performing, she's still making considerable coin.

Sam joked HE was the one who wanted a prenup, to protect his jeep and his shoes, but the reality is ... a prenup is not only in the cards -- it's necessary.

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wedding bells?!?
Instagram / @britneyspears

As we reported, Britney had a prenup with Kevin Federline, and that was before the conservatorship. It may be even more important now ... not because it's an omen -- it's just smart.

Britney announced the engagement Sunday, but did not say when they were getting married. This would be her third marriage, and it's unclear when they would tie the knot. But, her team isn't wasting any time getting the document signed, sealed and delivered ahead of the nuptials.

Originally Published -- 9:35 AM PT

Met Gala 2021 Stars Arrive, High Fashion is Back!!!

The Met Gala is back after a year off due to COVID, and it looks like the stars were chomping at the bit to put on their best suits and dresses in a return to normalcy.

This year's hosts include Keke Palmer, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman, Timothee Chalamet and Naomi Osaka -- and they've already arrived in with their own getups ... which were eye-popping and extravagant.

Some of the stars expected to show include Rihanna, J Lo, Kim K, Emily Ratajkowski, Camila Cabello, Lupita N'yongo, Beyonce, Addison Rae and more. This year's theme is "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" -- so we'll see wears to rep that.

We know what you're thinking ... what about the Delta variant? There are strict protocols in place to help mitigate that -- including requirements for proof of vaccination prior to showing up, not to mention a negative COVID test as well. Masks indoors are also required.

Remember -- last year's Met Gala got scrapped altogether due to the pandemic ... so, it's been a year-plus since folks have been able to flex their fashion muscles anew.

Some of the stars have already started to arrive ... we'll keep adding pics as we see 'em!

Britney Spears' Fiance I Bagged Britney, 'She Said Yes' ... But It Wasn't Easy!!!

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SECURED THE BAG?
BACKGRID

Britney Spears' fiance is wearing his emotions on his sleeve face after their engagement ... and the bag over his head might be a metaphor for how he kept his proposal plan hidden.

Sam Asghari had a pep in his step Monday as he made a pit stop at a 7-Eleven ... grabbing a Gatorade inside before hopping in his Jeep with his bride to be ... and wearing a Trader Joe's bag over his head with the words, "She said yes!"

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MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
BACKGRID

Britney's fiance was rolling solo later in the day when a photog caught up with him going inside a gym for a workout, with Sam saying the road to their engagement wasn't easy.

It's interesting ... Sam says he had to keep the custom engagement ring secret for 3 months ... but he's not giving out any free game on how to woo a pop star.

As we reported ... Sam popped the question Sunday at Britney's home and she said yes, and he gave her a huge rock with "lioness" inscribed on the band.

Sounds like Sam's also keeping a secret when it comes to the wedding date ... he says it's Britney's call because, as he puts it, she's the one wearing the pants.

Vili Fualaau Mary Kay Letourneau's Estranged Husband ... Busted for DUI

Vili Fualaau -- estranged husband of the late Mary Kay Letourneau -- was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after nearly hitting a police car ... law enforcement tells TMZ.

A Washington State Patrol rep tells TMZ ... Fualaau was driving erratically on the highway around 4 AM Saturday when he made an abrupt lane change and nearly struck a Seattle PD vehicle.

We're told Vili was pulled over and a state trooper was also called to the scene. Cops say Fualaau had bloodshot, watery eyes and performed poorly in field sobriety tests and after he submitted to a voluntary breath test ... he was arrested.

The result of his test has not been disclosed, but it clearly didn't help get him off the hook -- Vili was taken to the Snohomish County Jail and booked on a DUI charge.

As you'll recall ... Fualaau is best known for his notorious relationship with his teacher, Letourneau, which made headlines in the late '90s. She was 34, married and had 4 children when she began having sex with him -- her 6th-grade student. He was either 12 or 13 at the time.

Mary pled guilty in 1997 to 2 counts of felony second-degree rape of a child and ended up serving 7 years in prison, but also gave birth to 2 of Vili's kids ... and after she was released, they got married in 2005.

The couple split in 2017 and Mary died last year of cancer. We were told Vili was by her side while she was in hospice until the end, helping take care of her.

Kate Hudson Engaged to BF Danny Fujikawa

Kate Hudson is engaged for the third time in her life -- saying yes to marrying her longtime boyfriend and baby daddy Danny Fujikawa ... and she did it with a great view too.

The actress announced her engagement Monday with a post showing Danny and her smooching on a cliff overlooking a beach. She's flashing the ring in the pic (no middle finger, a la Britney though), and they're both all smiles as DF snaps the shot.

Kate captioned it, "Let's go!" while adding a bunch of wedding-themed emojis for good measure.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

The couple has been together for nearly 5 years now -- first linking in December 2016, and then going on to have a kid together ... their daughter, Rani, who's turning 3 this year.

Kate and Danny had known each other for years before they got involved romantically. He's the stepbrother of her best friend, and Kate knew his family well too. Dan's an actor, musician and the co-owner of his own record label, Lightwave.

This appears to be his first go at fiancedom -- but it's Kate's third time with a rock on her finger. She was engaged (and eventually married) to Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson in the early 2000s, and then got engaged to Muse frontman Matt Bellamy ... but called things off before ever walking down the aisle. She has kids with both of those guys too.

Congrats!

Bears Vs. Rams Fans Get In Violent Brawl ... In Bowels Of SoFi Stadium

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BEAR DOWN
TMZSports.com

Several Bears and Rams fans got into a wild brawl Sunday night -- with multiple men throwing and landing massive haymakers -- and the violence was all captured on video obtained by TMZ Sports.

The calamity all started at the beginning of L.A.'s game against Chicago ... when one witness tells us a Bears fan got into a verbal argument with several Rams fans for cheering the action on the field.

The witness says things got so aggressive in the seats, security at SoFi Stadium had to step in and request people swap chairs in order to keep the peace.

We're told after the game, though, some of the men ran into each other inside the concourses at the newly built arena -- and it didn't take long for the fists to start flying.

In video of the battle, you can see multiple scraps broke out ... including one where a man in an Akiem Hicks jersey was pummeled by punches and kicks.

In fact, the fights were so violent ... you can see blood actually ended up smeared all over the man's Hicks jersey.

We're told security was eventually able to break things up ... ultimately putting one of the combatants in handcuffs -- though it's unclear if any actual arrests were made.

As for the game itself, the Rams handled the Bears easily ... beating Chicago, 34-14.

Dr. Oz COVID Lesson #1: Get Healthier, America ... That's Not Fat Shaming!!!

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AMERICA'S 'BIG' PROBLEM
TMZ.com

Dr. Oz says the coronavirus pandemic is proof most Americans desperately need to improve their outlook on personal health -- especially when it comes to weight loss ... and insists he's not fat shaming.

The doc joined us Monday on "TMZ Live" to reveal the new focus for his upcoming 13th season on the air ... and it's all about folks taking their mental and physical health up a notch.

Dr. Oz says a lot of the problems facing the country in the COVID era are due to people being overweight, and he says it's not fat shaming to encourage people to exercise.

Oz understands it's still important to isolate due to COVID, but he says that doesn't mean walling yourself off from friends and family ... he wants folks to be more social, but in a safe and virtual way.

The doc says you don't even have to leave your house to get in better shape, and he's got a few simple tips on what you can do ... while watching TV.

Bill Maher has long been saying fat shaming needs to make a comeback ... but Oz says it's time for someone other than a comedian to carry the torch.

Of course, Oz breaks from Bill in one key area on the obesity epidemic ... and he's walking a fine line in this day and age.

Death Row Inmate Julius Jones May Escape Lethal Injection Life With Parole Now on the Table

A death row inmate Kim Kardashian has been advocating for finally got a major break in his fight for freedom -- the guy got the green light, albeit partially, to maybe walk out one day.

There's a recommendation to commute Julius Jones' death sentence to life with the possibility of parole. The recommendation is from the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board... which now means his fate lies with Gov. Kevin Stitt, who'll decide whether to follow the suggestion.

Stitt's office says he takes his role in this process seriously, and will carefully consider what the Board has recommended here -- as he does with all cases.

Jones isn't at the end of the tunnel yet ... but he's closer than he ever has been before. The decision came down on a 3-1 vote -- with one of the members recusing themselves after calls from the D.A.'s office to do so ... and allegations of bias and conflict of interest.

Alex Weintz -- one of the reps for Julius’ family -- tells TMZ … "We are overjoyed," with the rec, while adding, "Although that recommendation means he will not be walking out a free man as soon as we hoped, Julius would be able to spend his days inside prison no longer on death row and, in the future, be eligible for parole."

Weintz says the entire team is praying Gov. Stitt rules in their favor so Jones can return home for the first time in over 20 years.

As we reported ... Kim visited Julius on death row back in November of last year, meeting with his family and working behind the scenes to help out. She became interested in his case after watching Viola Davis' docuseries, "The Last Defense" ... which spotlighted Jones.

She and other celebs have been outspoken about what they perceive as injustice here -- as critics of Jones' conviction say there was little evidence to tie to the murder of Paul Howell. Prosecutors, however, say every criticism has been disproven -- and insist he's the killer.

Jenn Harley Domestic Violence Case Dismissed

Jenn Harley won't be dragged into court over her domestic violence case from earlier this year -- because the charges have been dismissed.

According to the Clark County District Attorney's Office ... prosecutors are dropping the 2 criminal counts they'd filed against her this summer -- assault with a deadly weapon constituting domestic violence (a felony) and misdemeanor battery constituting domestic violence.

Unclear why they're letting it go -- we're trying to get clarity from the D.A. -- but in any case, Jenn is walking free from this one.

You'll recall, Harley -- who shares a daughter with "Jersey Shore" star Ronnie Ortiz-Magro -- was arrested and subsequently charged after her now ex-BF, Joseph Ambrosole, claimed she pointed a gun at him and threatened to pull the trigger during a nasty altercation while out on the town.

He also alleged she dropped the n-word repeatedly while doing so. This, of course, followed what we were told amounted to Jenn driving off with Joseph's car and leaving him behind following an argument they had at an establishment.

All the fighting was supposedly over Jenn's drinking -- something she'd addressed by checking into rehab. Her attorney, Michael Cristalli, had also told us the domestic violence charges against her wouldn't stick because they were "unsubstantiated."

Now he tells us ... "Jen is relieved that the matter is over and is looking forward to moving on from these unfortunate accusations."

Miami Falling Cat Hero Couple Says Kitty Made it Rain!!! Peed All Over the Crowd

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FELINE FRENZY
TMZ.com

Dangling from the nosebleeds at a college football game was enough to scare the crap piss outta one very lucky cat ... according to the couple who saved the feline with a U.S. flag.

Kimberly and Craig Cromer are the heroes who pulled off the rescue mission during Saturday's University of Miami football game, and Monday on "TMZ Live" they told us they just happened to be in regular-season seats ... AKA right place, right time.

Craig says Kimberly brings their American flag to display whenever "Da U." has a home game -- and luckily for the cat from this viral video, it ended up dangling right over the Cromers.

Craig and Kim say the kitty definitely knew it was in danger as it dangled from the stadium's upper deck -- and they know this because it started peeing in a steady stream on everyone down below.

If ya missed it ... the falling cat bounced off the flag and survived, making the crowd go wild.

Sounds like the Cromers weren't the only heroes here ... they say some UM students had another flag under theirs, which helped cushion the cat's fall even more.

The cat's whereabouts are unclear and while the Cromers say they'd take it in, they also explained why their home might not be the best fit.

Not for a cat running low on lives, anyway!

Capitol Police Arrest Man w/ Bayonet, Machete Near DNC Headquarters

A California man is in Capitol Police custody after cops found several weapons in his truck -- including a freakin' bayonet -- and Nazi swastikas all over on his ride ... as he camped out near the Democratic party's HQ.

44-year-old Donald Craighead was arrested early Monday morning in D.C. -- where cops say one of their officers noticed him lurking in his pickup outside the DNC headquarters. To the cop, he seemed suspicious ... having no visible license plate, and baring painted-on swastikas on the vehicle.

The cop approached to see what was up, and USCP says their guy saw a bayonet and a machete inside, plus a ton of other white supremacist symbols. Craighead -- who had come all the way from Oceanside, CA -- was booked for possession of prohibited weapons.

As for what the heck he was doing there in the first place, Capitol Police say Craighead told them he was on "patrol" ... and that he started spewing hate-filled rhetoric.

Cops posted pics of the weapons allegedly found during the bust, and it's a pretty eerie scene ... especially the swastikas.

The symbols are scribbled on the inside of his door, on his steering wheel ... and the side-view mirrors.