Austin Butler Teams Up With Bad Bunny On Movie Set ... Filming Gritty Scenes

Austin Butler's back in action on set, filming scenes for his new movie "Caught Stealing" -- and he's got some star-studded company, teaming up with none other than Bad Bunny.

The rapper was almost unrecognizable in a dark red hairdo and matching beard as the cameras rolled in NYC Wednesday, and Oscar nominee Austin was splattered with fake blood -- so you can bet your bottom dollar they’re diving deep into the gritty crime thriller.

Looks like they got a lot of action in the can during the evening shoot for Darren Aronofsky's upcoming film. At one point, Austin and Bunny were locked in an intense scene, cruising around in a car ... in another scene, Zoë Kravitz joined Austin in a bar setting.

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ON SET
BACKGRID

British Man Real-Life Hungry, Hungry Hippo ... Hospitalized After Being 'Badly Chewed Up'

It turns out you probably don't want a hippopotamus for Christmas ... 'cause they've got some pretty dangerous chompers -- just ask the British tourist who ended up in one's mouth, and then the hospital.

Roland Cherry -- a 63-year-old Brit -- was canoeing in Zambia on part of a 5-week African safari ... when he says a hippo charged his boat and latched its teeth around him.

Cherry -- who spoke with UK-based outlet Sky News -- says his wife Shirly swam away from the animal to safety ... but, Cherry dislocated his shoulder when the hippo hit and couldn't get away from the temperamental beast.

Lady Gaga Quinning At Life At London's 'Joker' Premiere ... Wacky Outfit Changes!!!

Lady Gaga was channeling full Harley Quinn vibes ... dripping in wackiness as she strutted out of the after-party for the London premiere of "Joker: Folie à Deux."

Exiting London's Nomad Hotel, the star rocked a bodysuit covered with bleeding faces stitched together, and of course, she paired it with matching stockings and towering baby blue platforms -- because when does Gaga ever do low-key?

Gaga rolled up to the after-party with her fiancé, Michael Polansky in a striped blue and beige dress, quirky checkered tights ... and, another pair of platform heels.

Halsey Feeling Lucky After 'Very Scary' Seizure!!!

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Recovering Together

Halsey celebrated Bi Visibility Day in an unconventional way this year ... sharing an update from the hospital following a "very scary" health incident.

The singer took to Instagram Wednesday, where she uploaded a belated Bi Visibility Day post ... which featured her lying in a hospital bed as her fiancé Avan Jogia looked on.

According to the hitmaker, she spent the day "celebrating by dying with a man by my side" ... though she clarified she wasn't actually near death, and it was just a joke.

Shohei Ohtani 50/50 Ball Auction Going Forward ... Despite New Lawsuit

MLB artifact hunters will still have the chance to bid on Shohei Ohtani's historic 50th home run ball on Friday ... despite a new lawsuit that's reportedly trying to halt the proceedings.

According to cllct's Darren Rovell, the suit was filed on Wednesday evening in Florida -- just hours after Ken Goldin revealed his auction house will put the ball up for sale at the end of this week with a starting bid of $500,000.

Rovell reported the plaintiff is an 18-year-old named Max Matus ... who's convinced he's the rightful owner of the baseball. Matus alleges in his suit, according to Rovell, that he had full control of the ball before Chris Belanski wrongfully stole it from him during a scrum.

Rosalía Celebrates Turning 32 in Paris W/ A-List Pals!!! Gigi, Kendall, Kylie, and More

Rosalía's 32nd birthday made the City of Light shine brighter ... given the number of stars in attendance at the singer's big bash.

The Spanish artist's birthday celebration took place in Paris, France Wednesday evening at the Hotel Particulier -- which sits in the romantic city's Montmartre neighborhood.

Rosalía dressed to the nines for her party, stepping out in a chic white top and matching flared skirt, carrying a brown fur stole. Who said you can't wear white after Labor Day???

Hoda Kotb See Ya Later 'Today' Show ... Leaving Cohosting Role

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EMOTIONAL DEPARTURE
NBC

Hoda Kotb is saying so long to the "Today" show.

Hoda just shared a letter to the "Today" staff, telling them she will be exiting her cohosting gig after 5 years alongside Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager. Kotb took over the role from Matt Lauer in 2017 after he was fired over sexual misconduct.

She explained her tough decision on-air Thursday -- and got weepy as she gave her reasons.

DIDDY HE Will TESTIFY IN CRIMINAL CASE

TAKING THE STAND
TMZ Studios

Huge news in the Diddy criminal case ... he's chomping at the bit to defend himself in a federal courtroom ... and he will take the witness stand to tell his story.

Diddy's attorney, Marc Agnifilo, appears in a new TMZ Studios documentary -- "The Downfall of Diddy: The Indictment" -- which is dropping soon on Tubi ... and he tells us Diddy can't wait to testify in court.

It's a risky move ... Diddy's going to be able to tell his side of things, but he's also going to be cross-examined ... and obvious topics include the Cassie beating video, the famous "freak off" parties and accusations he blew up a car belonging to one of Cassie's exes.

Eric Adams Shocking Mayor's Mansion Raid Caught on Video ... Law Enforcement Swarms!!!

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MOVING IN ON GRACIE MANSION
FreedomNews.TV

Eric Adams is facing an indictment ... and, law enforcement has searched his official residence too -- swarming the place in an early morning raid caught on video.

Law enforcement agents arrived at the New York City Mayor's official residence Thursday morning -- Gracie Mansion on the Upper East Side -- converging as a group before marching up the driveway to begin their search.

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THE FEDERAL RAID
X/@robertmosesfox5

Watch the vid ... about a dozen agents in business attire congregate outside the building near a fleet of black SUVs -- at least one reportedly has a federal law enforcement parking placard on its dash.

Cardi B & Offset Fight Over New Cheating Accusations ... As Divorce Turns Ugly

Cardi B's divorce from Offset is getting uglier with fresh accusations of infidelity and fights over property/assets.

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SINGLE CARDI IS BACK

The latest drama between the estranged hip hop couple unfolded Wednesday as Cardi hopped on Instagram Live to give Offset a piece of her mind. But, it was Offset who really turned up the heat.

During the IG Live session, Offset wrote in the comments section that Cardi cheated on him with another man while she was pregnant. He said, "U f***ed with a baby inside tell the truth !!"

Derrick Rose I'm Retiring

Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose is calling it a career -- announcing his retirement in a heartfelt social media post on Thursday.

"Thank you, My First Love..." Rose said on Instagram. "You believed in me through the highs and lows, my constant when everything else seemed uncertain. You showed me what love truly meant."

"You turned the court into my sanctuary, a home where I could express myself freely. You made every early morning and late night we spent together worth every drop of sweat."

Caitlin Clark Beefs With Courtside Fan ... Security Gets Involved

Caitlin Clark and a courtside fan got into such a bizarre tiff on Wednesday night ... security guards actually had to get involved in an apparent effort to cool things off.

The curious scene all unfolded in the first quarter of the Indiana Fever's playoff matchup with the Connecticut Sun ... following a foul call on the floor.

After appearing to exchange words with a man in the second row, Clark got the attention of the refs -- and pointed at the guy. She seemed pissed ... and moments later, arena officials tapped the man on his shoulder and escorted him away from the area.

Bengals Legend Willie Anderson Burrow Criticism Is 'Totally Ridiculous'

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ridiculous !!!
TMZSports.com

Bengals legend Willie Anderson is racing to Joe Burrow's defense ... telling TMZ Sports anyone who's blaming Cincinnati's early season woes on the quarterback is flat-out wrong.

The former offensive lineman snapped on the JB haters during an interview with us on Tuesday -- some 24 hours after the Bengals fell to 0-3 with a "Monday Night Football" loss to the Commanders.

"That's ridiculous, bro," Anderson told us of the Burrow criticism. "Like, they're in these games because of him. It's just totally ridiculous."

Sexy Salsa Dancer Javier In 'Along Came Polly' 'Memba Him?!

American actor Jsu Garcia was 40 years old when he played Javier -- the sexy salsa dancer -- playing opposite Jennifer Aniston and Ben Stiller in the classic rom-com film "Along Came Polly" back in 2004.

Hollywood greats, Ben Stiller played the risk assessment analyst and germaphobe with IBS, Reuben Feffer, Jennifer Aniston played the waitress, risk-taker and lover of salsa dancing with a pet ferret, Polly Prince and Debra Messing played Ben's wife who cheats on him on their honeymoon.

Other cast worthy mentions include Philip Seymour Hoffman and Hank Azaria and Alec Baldwin.

"Let it rain! Rain dance!"

Guess what he looks like now!

NYC MAYOR ERIC ADAMS INDICTED BY Federal GRAND JURY

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is now facing federal criminal charges, after a grand jury indictment ... TMZ has confirmed.

Adams, now the first NYC mayor to ever be charged while in office, is planning to surrender next week, according to the NY Post. The charges, which are currently sealed, are in connection with a federal probe, and the indictment is expected to be unsealed Thursday morning.

Adams told the NY Post, "I always knew that if I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target -- and a target I became. If I am charged, I am innocent, and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit."

Nick Carter Meet My New Opener ... This Barista Has Bars!!!

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A SHOT AT STARDOM
Courtesy of Who I Am Tour

Nick Carter's looking for aspiring musicians to serve as his opening act on a nationwide tour ... and the first honor goes to a guy who served him coffee.

The Backstreet Boys singer just started the U.S. leg of his "Who I Am" world tour and he needed an opener for Tuesday's show in Cleveland, OH ... and he found his man at a local restaurant.

Nick was grabbing coffee before the show when he started talking to his server, Jordan Tellez ... and when the dude showed him his music on Spotify, Nick asked him to join him at his show.