Village People Star Victor Willis 'YMCA' Gay Anthem Label 'Hurting' Song ... Blames Media for Lasting Label

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Y.M.C.A. ... NOT GAY???
TMZ.com

Victor Willis, who is best known for being a founding member of the Village People, is calling out the media for perpetuating the idea that "Y.M.C.A." is a gay anthem.

We caught up with the songwriter on "TMZ Live" Tuesday, where Victor elaborated on his feelings about his song's reputation and its longtime ties to the LGBTQ+ community.

As he put it ... he never intentionally wrote the song with the intention of it having a queer double entendre. While he has no problem with the LGBTQ+ community adopting the song, he's frustrated with the media for repeatedly perpetuating the idea that track was crafted in order to be a gay anthem.

Aaron Rodgers, RFK Jr. Politics Talk Captured on Video ... In New Doc

The cameras were rolling when Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tried to get Aaron Rodgers into politics ... with new footage showing the former presidential candidate asking the quarterback about the possibility of a career in government -- and it's all featured in a new Netflix documentary.

A teaser for the upcoming Rodgers project dropped during his weekly appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday ... and there are plenty of interesting nuggets throughout the short clip.

While Rodgers said the three-part series chronicles a lot of his Achilles rehab and a trip down to Costa Rica -- where his Ayahuasca experiences famously took place -- it also briefly shows a conversation between Rodgers and RFK Jr.

Bhad Bhabie Ready for a Baby Boom With BF ... Needs to Finish Cancer Treatment First!!!

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MORE ON THE WAY

Bhad Bhabie is hoping to expand her brood with boyfriend Le Vaughn ... expressing her desire to have more kids, despite her recent health setback.

The rapper, who is also known as Danielle Bregoli and the "Cash Me Outside" girl, appeared optimistic about her future in a new video posted to social media.

Watch the video ... Le Vaughn -- who filmed the conversation as they snuggled in bed with their daughter Kali Love -- asked the Internet personality point blank if she wanted to have more children in the future ... and received a pretty positive answer.

Leighton Vander Esch Dad Tried To Strangle Ex-Cowboys Star's Mom ... Cops Say

Leighton Vander Esch's dad was arrested over the weekend after he allegedly attempted to strangle the former Dallas Cowboys star's mom, new court documents, obtained by TMZ Sports, show.

According to the docs, the incident happened around midnight on Dec. 1 in Idaho County ... when Darwin Vander Esch allegedly got physical with his wife, Sandy Vander Esch, following an argument at a nearby bar.

Cops wrote that Sandy told them Darwin had locked her out of their house after the dispute, so she broke in ... and soon after, officers say she claimed her husband confronted her and put both of his hands around her neck and "was pushing and squeezing, not letting her talk or breathe."

Beyoncé GREATEST POP STAR OF 21ST CENTURY ... Billboard Put Her Love on TOP!!!

It wasn't really a mystery ... when you take Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Drake and Lady Gaga out of the equation ... it was pretty clear Billboard would name Beyoncé the Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century ... and that's exactly what it just did.

Billboard ran through all of Bey's achievements in music, including "Countdown" and "Love on Top." It's all pretty impressive.

They also directly addressed putting Bey at the No. 1 spot over Taylor ... who is technically the bigger artist based on numbers alone.

Matt Rife No Surgery, I Just Hit Puberty Late!!!

Matt Rife didn't go under the knife ... or so he claims -- saying despite people thinking otherwise, his drastic face change is just the result of delayed puberty.

In his new memoir, "Your Mom's Gonna Love Me," the 29-year-old comedian said he went from looking 13 to his actual age when "puberty, after its sweet time for more than 20 years, finally decided to hit me square in the face."

So, we gotta ask...

Matt Rife ...

Matt said in just a few months, his face got wider, his features popped, and even his body grew a few inches. On top of that, he started hitting the gym with fellow comic Dane Cook, which helped fuel the transformation.

Shailene Woodley Failed Aaron Rodgers Romance Makes Me Cry!!!

Shailene Woodley is looking back on her relationship with ex-fiancé Aaron Rodgers ... and two years on, it's safe to say she's still pretty emotional about the whole thing.

The actress explained she hasn’t shared much about the breakup because it always makes her tear up ... but summed up their 2022 breakup after two years together by saying it just wasn’t right, even though the relationship was beautiful.

Shailene made it clear there’s no bad blood between her and Aaron -- but elsewhere in her Outside mag interview, she also opened up about a "really awful, traumatic thing" that happened to her in early '22, around the time she first split from the NFL star in February that year.

Ariana Grande 'Wicked' Popularity Is 'Surreal' ... Couldn't Be Happier!!!

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TOGETHER FOREVER
TMZ.com

Ariana Grande can't believe "Wicked" defied the odds by becoming the highest-grossing Broadway musical movie adaptation ever ... calling the flick's growing popularity "surreal."

We caught up with the pop star outside CBS Studios in NYC on Tuesday, where she met with her adoring fans and signed a number of autographs -- feeling as "Popular" as ever.

However, Ari made it clear she's blown away by audiences' response to the movie ... noting she and her "Wicked" peers are all moved by the worldwide attention.

The Chainsmokers' Drew Taggart Engaged To Model Mari Fonseca!!!

Drew Taggart from The Chainsmokers is off the market -- he's announced his engagement to model Mari Fonseca, sharing pics and vids from the romantic proposal.

The head-over-heels pair were all smiles in the IG post Tuesday, with Mari proudly flaunting her massive ring as they celebrated over a romantic candlelit dinner.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

Drew couldn’t contain his excitement, writing in the comments, "HELL YEA!! 💍," letting everyone know he’s pumped to spend forever with his fiancée. Fans flooded his comments with congrats right away.

Eminem Mom Debbie Nelson Dead At 69

Eminem's mom Debbie Nelson has died following a battle with advanced lung cancer, TMZ has learned.

Sources tell us Debbie passed away due to lung cancer. She died last night in St. Joseph, Missouri. TMZ has confirmed her death with Eminem's rep, Dennis Dennehy.

Debbie's diagnosis was first revealed in September ... and reports at the time said she didn't have long to live.

Kim Zolciak Kroy Threw Me to the Ground ... But Kids Don't Back Her Claim

Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann's Thanksgiving holiday had plenty of family drama ... we've learned cops were called after the estranged couple got into a heated exchange in front of their kids just before Turkey Day.

In a new incident report obtained by TMZ ... the Milton Police Department explains they were dispatched on Wednesday to Kim and Kroy's Georgia home -- which is set to be auctioned off today -- for a domestic violence call.

Per the report, Kim says she and Kroy got into a tense argument while taking curtains down in their home ... with "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" alum painting her estranged hubby as the aggressor. She claims Kroy got confrontational with her, resulting in him physically removing her from the ladder by throwing her to the ground.

Jay-Z Cut Ties With Weed Co. Before Half-A-Billion FAILURE Things Got Messy After Exit

Jay-Z's cannabis brand Monogram isn't affiliated with The Parent Company. This money-bleeding weed hub was recently discovered to have blown through $575 million in cash ... and hasn't been linked for a couple of years!!!

A source tells TMZ Hip Hop, "Jay-Z stepped away years ago and it just went up in a mess” ... with an official separation timeline of December 2022 and is currently owned by another LLC.

Jay and Monogram launched an aggressive campaign beginning in 2020, promising a premium cannabis experience ... but still were accused of selling overpriced mid in the market.

'Wicked' Dolls Mattel Sued Over Porn Link Error ... Exposed Minor Girl to X-Rated Images

Mattel's "Wicked" doll drama has just escalated ... we've learned the toy company has been sued over last month's X-rated misprint.

Here's the skinny ... Mattel issued a recall in November after accidentally putting a porn link on the back of its Elphaba and Glinda dolls to coincide with the release of the "Wicked" movie. The company responded by pulling the toys from shelves and issuing an apology for the NSFW error.

However, in a new court document obtained by TMZ, a South Carolina mother says Mattel didn't do enough ... launching a class action lawsuit against the maker of Barbie.

Bryce Hall Fighting Kimbo's Son, 'Baby Slice' ... In Bare Knuckle Boxing!

Bryce Hall is returning to the ring ... and he's fighting MMA star turned boxer, Kevin Ferguson Jr. -- son of the street fighting legend, Kimbo Slice!

TMZ Sports has learned the 25-year-old TikTok star turned fighter will throw down with the former Bellator MMA star at BKFC's KnuckleMania V event next month at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Eddie Alvarez vs. Jeremy Stephens -- both former UFC stars -- will be the main event.

"Baby Slice" last fought in April 2023 with Misfits Boxing ... losing via second-round TKO to Okemka Jibunor.

Young Thug Co-Defendant Yak Gotti Not Guilty On All YSL RICO Charges!!!

update

9:22 AM PT -- Yak Gotti's mother Latasha Kendrick gave a passionate speech outside the courtroom after her son's not-guilty verdict ... doubling down support on his decision not to take a plea deal and fight the case, even at the risk of her own freedom.

Young Thug's co-defendant Yak Gotti just shrugged off a jailhouse stabbing, and he's set to walk out a free man ... after being found NOT GUILTY on all charges in the spiraling YSL RICO trial!!!

The embattled rapper, who's been integral for Thug's YSL Records since the start, was smiling as he hugged his lawyer, Doug Weinstein, who supported him through the knife attack a few days ago.

Another defendant, Shannon Stillwell, was given probation for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and also shared an emotional moment with his attorney. He was found not guilty of murder, among other charges.

The YSL RICO trial is the longest-running in Georgia's history and its top target, Young Thug, struck a plea deal that sprung him with a lengthy probation ... legal pundit Meghann Cuniff said the Peach State should be embarrassed about their results.

Jeff DiSantis, a spokesman for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, told the media outlets on the scene ... “We always respect the verdict of a jury.

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COMING HOME!!!
TMZ.com

Yak and Stillwell were the last two defendants in the case and now assume to resume business as usual ... making hit records!!!

No word or not if that includes Gunna going forward.

Originally Published -- 9:22 AM PT

James Van Der Beek In Tears Discussing Cancer Battle, Family Support

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A NIGHTMARE DIAGNOSIS
ABC

James Van Der Beek got all choked up as he praised his wife’s support during his battle with colorectal cancer ... adding he hoped to look back on his health journey in the future and be thankful for what he went through.

On "Good Morning America" Tuesday, James shared that for the first time, he had to put himself in a position to ask for and accept help, which turned out to be a blessing -- especially since his wife Kim has shown him what unconditional love really is.

James noted his whole family has stepped up, helping them all grow stronger ... even though his 6 kids call his diagnosis "butt cancer" -- and, for the record, he’s hoping they’ll stop with that nickname.