TMZ.com Home

Simon Cowell is speaking out for the first time since former protégé Liam Payne died ... issuing a poignant statement on social media.

"The X Factor" creator posted on Instagram, revealing he is "truly devastated" following the news about the singer -- who Simon tapped to join One Direction back in 2010.

Simon wrote to Liam directly in his statement, expressing ... "Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you."

Liam Payne's heartbroken dad made his first public appearance since his son's tragic death, after making the trip from the UK to Argentina.

Geoff Payne was spotted leaving his hotel Friday morning, on his way to the Buenos Aires Judicial Office.

Geoff, wearing a navy suit, had a crowd of people around him ... no doubt there to support him during this tough time.

Lil Wayne has a new cook in his kitchen who has the keys to his heart and stomach, TMZ Hip Hop can reveal.

Wayne and chef LeahAngelie Murphy started working together at the top of 2023 after his last chef situation went kaput ... and we've learned emotions between the "Lollipop" rapper and LeahAngelie began to heat up like the oven range shortly after ... and they've been together since!!!

She hails from Los Angeles and lives with Wayne, providing him with round-the-clock meals 24/7.

Taylor Swift is feeling "glorious" ahead of her upcoming "Eras" tour blowout in Miami ... and is locked into that new GloRilla and Sexyy Red track melting the streets!!!

The 'Tortured Poet' posted herself cradling her cat on Instagram on Friday as she soaked up the calm before her 3-day storm inside Hard Rock Stadium.

Glo and Sexyy's “Whatchu Kno About Me” collaboration soundtracked Taylor's post ... an update of Boosie Badazz & Co.'s "Wipe Me Down."

The viral sailor who braved Hurricane Milton on his tiny boat in Tampa, Florida is behind bars ... and it appears it's all because of an issue with where he was keeping his vessel.

Joseph Malinowski -- better known as "Lieutenant Dan" on TikTok -- was arrested first thing Friday morning in Tampa and hauled off to jail ... according to Tampa Police.

Cops tell us Dan is charged with 2 outstanding warrants for failure to appear in court, and one misdemeanor charge of trespassing in a city park after warning.

9:09 AM PT -- We've now obtained the arrest report in which cops claim they responded to a call at around 5 PM Thursday about a White Ram that had allegedly rear-ended a car and had attempted to pay off the other driver with $2,000 so they wouldn't call the police.

When they arrived, they say they found Jay Cutler staggering around, slurring his speech and smelling of alcohol. Officers say Cutler claimed he hadn't had anything to drink before amending his statement and saying he had a little. Cops say he turned down the field sobriety tests. At that point, the officer arrested Jay.

Another officer searched his car and says he found a rifle in the backseat and a loaded Glock handgun in the center console.

His court date is set for January 2025.

7:40 AM PT -- Jay Cutler's DUI arrest started with an afternoon car accident. According to law enforcement, he allegedly rear-ended another vehicle, and when officers arrived they noticed a strong smell of booze. They also claim Cutler was slurring his words and had bloodshot eyes.

We're told he refused to take field sobriety tests, but cops took him to a hospital to get a blood sample. No word yet on what his BAC was. Cops say one of the 2 firearms in Cutler's vehicle was a loaded pistol.

Jay Cutler spent time in a Tennessee jail Thursday after he was busted for driving while intoxicated and gun possession ... TMZ has learned.

The former NFL star and ex-husband of Kristin Cavallari was arrested for DUI and 3 other offenses Thursday evening in the city of Franklin, TN. The other crimes were failure to exercise due care, violation of implied consent law, and possession of a handgun while under the influence.

Cutler was booked into the Williamson County Jail, where he posed for a scruffy mug shot -- and, as you can see, the dude doesn't look too happy. Jay posted $5,000 bond and was released later that night, according to a rep for the Franklin Police Department.

David Harbour is making big promises about the upcoming end to Netflix's "Stranger Things" ... currently in production for its 5th and final season.

The actor, who has played Sheriff Jim Hopper throughout the drama's entire run, attended the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast celebration at New York Comic Con Thursday and spoke about what's to come in the show's final installment ... including the series' last episode ever.

As David put it ... the series finale will be "the best episode [the Duffer Brothers have] ever done," sharing the cast broke out in tears during a recent read-through.

Brooke Mueller is turning to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for help ... alleging she is the victim of extortion, TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Charlie Sheen's ex-wife says she's being blackmailed by her former drug dealer, who claims to have videos of her buying drugs and other compromising actions.

We're told the dealer told Brooke he'd go to the media or make the videos public to ruin her if she did not pay him off.

Bradley Martyn -- the famous fitness influencer known for starting ZOO Culture -- is being sued by a man who says Martyn's security got rough with him ... slamming his head into a pole for no reason.

Charles Mancusco says he attended an event at the popular Encino gym back in January for the gym's 2-year-anniversary ... an event he says was open to the public.

During the event, Mancusco says he thinks Martyn and others at ZOO Culture created a frenzy by distributing free promotional materials ... while also encouraging people in attendance to use drugs and wrestle.

Donald Trump poked fun at his Democratic rivals during his speech at the Al Smith charity dinner in NYC Thursday night, mocking Sen. Chuck Schumer and VP candidate Tim Walz for their support of transgender rights.

With wife Melania looking on ... the Republican presidential nominee, decked out in a tux, lambasted Dems at the sold-out dinner -- surrounded by New York's elite, including Mayor Eric Adams, Governor Kathy Hochul, and former mayors Mike Bloomberg and Bill de Blasio.

The famous event is always attended by the presidential candidates of both parties prior to the November election every four years -- with proceeds benefiting Catholic charities in New York. However, VP Kamala Harris, the Dem nominee, did not attend Thursday, citing a scheduling conflict.

Elton John has already said "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" ... finishing up his farewell tour last year -- but, lucky fans got a chance to see him in London -- at Dua Lipa's show.

The legendary singer-songwriter stopped by Dua's concert at Royal Albert Hall in the UK Thursday ... joining his fashionable colleague onstage as they dueted their popular song "Cold Heart" for the audience.

Check out the clip ... EJ's iconic voice still reverberates around the famous venue as he belts out the hit track inspired by his 1972 song "Rocket Man."

Niall Horan is still struggling to accept the death of his friend and former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne ... opening up about his grief in a new statement.

The Irish singer posted to Instagram Friday morning, 2 days after Liam died in Buenos Aires, Argentina after falling from his hotel balcony. In the note to fans, Niall reiterated how "absolutely devastated" he's feeling after the passing of his longtime friend ... a sentiment previously expressed in One Direction's joint message Thursday.

Niall remembered Liam for his "energy for life and a passion for work," adding LP was "the brightest" in every room they were in.

More superstars from the UK are showing their love for Liam Payne online ... with both Sharon Osbourne and Robbie Williams sending out messages to the late One Direction star.

Osbourne -- who was a judge on "The X Factor," though not when One Direction formed on the show -- posted to Instagram Thursday ... saying her heart goes out to Liam, and claiming the whole industry let him down.

She says LP was just a kid when he came up in the music world ... and, she doesn't think there was enough protection for him -- asking "Who was in your corner?"

The 2024 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show might be over, but not for Bella Hadid who posted a bunch of snaps from the event and trust us, you don’t wanna miss these.

Bella uploaded a series of sexy images to her Instagram page, showing her behind the scenes at Tuesday's star-studded gathering in Brooklyn, New York. And the model looks totally amazing.

In the pics, she wears a red bra and matching panties with a feathered floor length jacket. She also dresses in a white brassier with undies topped off by a pink striped satin bathrobe.

Radio host Tony Massarotti is apologizing for muttering a racial slur while live on air this week ... telling his fans he had no idea the term was a derogatory one.

Massarotti unleashed the 80-second mea culpa during Thursday's episode of "Felger & Mazz" ... insisting he had no malice in his heart when he said "z*****head" during his show on Wednesday.

Massarotti was adamant he was simply trying to poke fun at his Gen Z-aged colleague ... and nothing further.

Patrick Mahomes Sr. tried to use his son's name to get out of his DWI stop earlier this year ... with police video -- obtained by TMZ Sports -- showing the elder Mahomes tell cops multiple times that an arrest would likely cost the Chiefs star and his team Super Bowl LVIII.

It all happened back on Feb. 3 -- after authorities in Tyler, Texas pulled over Mahomes Sr. following allegations he was driving a white four-door Genesis that didn't have updated registration.

Initially, Mahomes Sr. -- wearing a hat with his son's branding on it as well as a "Kansas City Vs. Everybody" sweatshirt -- was cooperative and cordial with cops. The police video shows he handed over all of the information and paperwork that officers wanted -- and he even passed along an open can of Coors Light that he had in his center console cupholder.