Astronaut Nicole Stott Billionaire Spacewalk Good for Humanity ... Don't Be Cynical!!!

Astronaut Nicole Stott says folks who are cynical over seeing a billionaire complete the first-ever civilian spacewalk need to cool their jets ... because it's actually to everyone's benefit.

Nicole, who did her own spacewalk in 2009 at the International Space Station, tells TMZ ... billionaire Jared Isaacman bankrolling a historic spacewalk is good for humankind in the long run, and it will help us eventually reach Mars.

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The way Nicole sees it ... private space exploration is vital toward our goals of going further into space than ever before, and while the average person can't pay for a trip into orbit right now, it likely will be affordable in the future.

Britney Spears Happy 18th Jayden!!! But Child Support Doesn't Stop

Happy Birthday, Jayden James!!! It's time to celebrate, both your adulthood and the fact child support from Britney Spears will not end on this special day.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the original child support order in the Britney/Kevin Federline divorce provided that child support payments would cease on the 18th birthday of Jayden, the youngest son, OR when he graduates high school, WHICHEVER IS LATER. We've learned Jayden will graduate from high school in Hawaii in November -- it's an early graduation -- so the child support payments will continue until then. That means Britney will make payments in October and November, and then it all stops.

We're told the original child support order was $20,000 a month. But, in 2018, it went up to $40k a month, partly because Kevin pretty much had the kids all the time, and there were additional expenses as the kids got older.

Johnny Wactor's Mom Livid Over Potential Sentence in Son's Murder Case

Johnny Wactor's mom is devastated over the potential 5-year sentence one of the suspects in her son's murder case is facing ... telling TMZ she believes he's got zero remorse for his alleged role in the crime.

Scarlett Wactor tells TMZ she fears Leonel Gutierrez, 18 -- who pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and grand theft charges in connection with the case -- was merely charged with whatever was available for his alleged participation. But, she thinks that's not good enough.

Scarlett believes he'll probably only end up serving 1-2 years due to prison overcrowding ... and then will walk free to live a full life -- something Johnny will never get the chance to do.

Julie Chen No 'Big Brother' Live for Me!!! Calls Out Over COVID Diagnosis

Julie Chen is taking a brief step back from "Big Brother" ... announcing she'll be skipping the upcoming house eviction for health reasons.

The TV personality took to Instagram Thursday, where she confirmed she'll be missing out on filming the new live episode of "Big Brother" ... as she's been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Per the announcement, Chen first began feeling under the weather on Friday last week and decided to visit her good friend, who happens to be a doctor. The "Big Brother" host shared this is the second time she's been diagnosed with the disease, but noted her symptoms were "very mild" ... just a sore throat this time around.

AJ McLean Celebs Can Endorse Whoever They Want

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TMZ.com

Backstreet Boys' AJ McLean is all for celebs diving into politics -- a hot topic seeing as how Taylor Swift’s recent endorsement of Kamala Harris has made quite a powerful impact.

We caught up with the singer at LAX ... and he tells us he believes everyone, including big-name stars, has a right to their own opinion, especially if they use their platform for good, and have a positive message.

He admits he's not one to make grand political statements, but he's not shy about who he's backing -- check out the video to see who’s got his vote!

Joe Schmidt Detroit Lions Legend, HOF'er Dies

Detroit Lions legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Schmidt passed away on Wednesday, the team announced. He was 92 years old.

"Joe Schmidt had the heart of a Lion," team owner Martha Firestone Ford said on Thursday ... "which made it appropriate that he was also the heart of our team."

"Joe was a key part of our Championship seasons and continued to be an important part of our organization until his passing."

Cardi B Gives Birth to Third Child!!!

Cardi B's family just grew a little larger ... 'cause she just gave birth to her third child -- announcing it moments ago on social media.

The rapper -- who just revealed her pregnancy last month amid divorce proceedings with long-time partner Offset -- confirmed the news Thursday with pics and videos of her holding the baby girl in the hospital bed.

Offset's with Cardi in the hospital in the photos ... sitting with their kids, and each holding on to the newest addition to the family -- who Cardi calls "the prettiest lil thing." She writes 9/7/24 in the caption -- so, looks like the baby was born Saturday.

Jack Antonoff Wears Earplugs During Katy Perry's VMAs Performance ... Being Shady???

Jack Antonoff is getting slammed as "disrespectful" after he put in earplugs during Katy Perry’s performance at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards … 7 years after his infamous banana drama.

Here’s what went down … Katy took to the stage at the UBS Arena in New York Wednesday evening, where she performed a medley of her greatest hits before accepting the show’s coveted Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

While the consensus online was that KP killed it in her VMAs performance, one person seemed less than impressed with her act … as the music producer was caught on the audience camera slipping some noise-canceling plugs into his ears.

Wyclef Jean On Donald Trump Haitians Are Good People ... Let's Vote For Policy, Not Crazy Talk!!!

Wyclef Jean is not amused by Donald Trump's bizarre debate tangent about Haitian immigrants supposedly eating household pets -- and tells TMZ Hip Hop that America needs to strictly focus on the facts this election!!!

Wyclef says, "I will be forever grateful for my family’s life, for having a fair chance to live what is called the 'American Dream.'"

"One of our greatest assets in America is that we are a country of immigrants," Clef says. "I speak from the heart when I say, Haitian people living in the U.S. are good neighbors and good people. We care about humanity. We care about our neighbors."

Cucumber Man Vulgar Veggie Vid ... Cops Hunt Suspect

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UPDATE

11:17 AM PT -- Cops in Washington, D.C. are investigating the incident as a lewd act.

In the police report, obtained by TMZ, cops say the homeowner called to report the incident around 5:30 PM last Friday, telling cops the guy stuck a cucumber in the grille of her car and used the vegetable to perform sexual acts.

Cops say the suspect also performed lewd and obscene acts on the cucumber at the back of the car ... before leaving the scene.

Groceries are not as affordable as they used to be ... but, they're still remarkably cheaper than sex toys -- and, one man was caught on video enjoying the less-expensive option.

A man near Washington, D.C. appeared to abuse his lunch last week ... video captures him ducking through a broken fence with a lunch box in hand, placing it on a small flight of stairs.

Check out the clip ... the man walks over to the front of a car -- taking a cucumber with him, and appears to shimmy the veggie into the car's grille.

Nikki Bella Asks For Legal, Physical Custody of Son in Divorce Docs

Nikki Bella wants to keep her son with her ... asking for legal and physical custody of her son Matteo in her divorce from Artem Chigvintsev.

The former WWE star cites irreconcilable differences in the dissolution docs ... citing August 29 as the date of separation, the day Artem was arrested for felony corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant.

Bella checked the box to block the court's ability to award spousal support to either of them.

Shannon Sharpe ESPN Won't Discipline Star ... Over Sex Stream

Good news for Shannon Sharpe ... the viral video of his Wednesday afternoon romp won't affect his day job -- as TMZ Sports has learned ESPN isn't going to discipline its star for his accidental sex stream.

A source at the network tells us ... Sharpe's absence from Thursday's "First Take" had nothing to do with what went down on his Instagram some 24 hours ago -- as his usual days off are Thursdays and Fridays.

The source says Sharpe is expected back on Monday -- and no punishment whatsoever is coming his way.

President Biden Funny Banter With Trump Supporter ... Before Wearing Trump Hat

President Biden and a Donald Trump supporter teased each other before POTUS put on a red MAGA hat ... and there were jokes about Biden's age and Trump's conspiracy theories.

New video from the President's viral moment Wednesday in Pennsylvania shows the build-up to Biden briefly donning a Trump 2024 cap ... and there's lots of playful banter between Biden and a local man.

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Biden presents the man with one of his own hats adorned with the presidential seal, and the guy asks POTUS to autograph the hat ... joking, "You remember your name?"

Harvey Weinstein Indicted by Grand Jury on New Charges ... Ahead of Rape Retrial

Harvey Weinstein is facing new criminal charges ahead of his rape retrial in New York ... with prosecutors hitting him with a brand new indictment after more accusers came forward.

Manhattan prosecutors revealed in a hearing Thursday a grand jury handed up additional charges, which will remain sealed until Weinstein is arraigned -- which won't happen until he gets out of the hospital.

Weinstein reportedly faces the possibility of 3 new criminal complaints from 2005, 2006 and 2016.

JoJo Siwa on Taylor Swift 'Brave' for Sharing Endorsement ... But Not Ready to Do the Same!!!

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JoJo Siwa has nothing but respect for Taylor Swift after she decided to publicly endorse Kamala Harris for president ... but she isn't ready to follow in her footsteps.

We caught up with the entertainer at LAX after the debates, where the "Dance Moms" alum applauded the pop star for speaking out ... and noted the singer's endorsement will likely have an impact.

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As she put it ... "The Swifties rule the world at this point."

2024 VMAs After-Party Stars Party Hard Post-Ceremony ... T-Swift, Sabrina, Shaboozey and More!!!

The 2024 Video Music Awards were full of shocking moments and good vibes ... and, the celebs in attendance kept those good times rolling after the show ended -- congregating for a star-studded after-party.

Taylor Swift led the bold-faced names into the New York City party with her third outfit change of the night ... opting for a mini skirt paired with a corset and jacket, similar to the UFO-themed dress she wore earlier.

Sabrina Carpenter -- winner of the Song of the Year VMA, her first -- channeled her inner Dolly Parton ... white mesh dress and platform heels, matching her fierce white nails.