Awards / Awards Shows

Taylor Swift's shaking off critics who compare her to a "drunk turtle" -- and serving up big compliments to Post Malone for one of his hits.

The superstars came face-to-face backstage Sunday night at the Billboard Music Awards, and she immediately told Post she was a huge fan of his track, "Better Now." One part of it, in particular.

It looks like this was the first time they met because Post seemed surprised by Taylor's shout-out -- but, still ... cool backstage moment we rarely get to see.

Taylor's bubbly mood shows she's hardly reeling from the harsh, yet hilarious, criticism of her cover of Earth, Wind and Fire's "September."

She performed it during one of her recent concerts, and the co-writer of the track said Taylor sounded like a "a drunk turtle dozing under a sunflower after ingesting a bottle of Valium."

Von Miller went absolutely BONKERS after the Broncos drafted Bradley Chubb Thursday night -- screaming from the top of his Vegas hotel ... even getting his own daddy in on the party!

The Broncos took 6'4", 270-pound defensive end Chubb with the 5th pick in the draft -- making the Denver defense even scarier than before!

Chubb was a freak at NC State -- racking up all sorts of awards including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which goes to the best defensive player in college football. He also won the 2017 ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

Miller is VERY excited -- he even worked up a sweat celebrating. And we get it ... Chubb once broke his finger during a game and KEPT PLAYING! Dude is a monster.

So, who's NOT fired up about the new Chubb and Miller duo? Every other offense in the AFC West.

If you're gonna thank Jesus for helping you win a Pulitzer prize ... might as well do it at the Vatican ... like Kendrick Lamar.

The rap god hit up the Pope's house in Vatican City with his fiancee, Whitney Alford ... and the SINGLE LARGEST BODYGUARD EVER!!!!

The couple -- along with their entourage -- checked out all sorts of museums and restaurants in the area while blending in with the rest of the tourists.

Seriously, check out the pics ... no mob scenes, no lines for selfies ... just your average world-famous celebrity taking in the sites.

Kendrick's notoriously private and, apart from the Grammy red carpet, he and Alford are rarely spotted in public together.

Fun Fact: Vatican City reportedly has the highest crime rate in the world -- lots of pickpockets.

Lindsey Vonn says women competing against men in sports like skiing is a matter of WHEN, not if ... and it would've happened already if people weren't so opposed to change.

Lindsey -- arguably the GOAT female skier -- has been pushing to race with the bros for years ... but the International Ski Federation still hasn't signed off.

The Olympic gold medalist admits it may not happen during her career ... but says she's hopeful the old heads will eventually get it right.

"No one likes change, you know?" Vonn told TMZ Sports. "It’ll eventually happen -- it’s just, how long will it take?"

Don't worry -- we didn't forget to ask Lindsey about her, shall we say, unique dress at the ACM Awards ... and you could tell she ain't sweatin' the haters even a little.

Danielle Bregoli says she's already winning by being nominated by Billboard Music Awards as the Top Rap Female Artist with Cardi B and Nicki Minaj.

We got Danielle -- who goes by Bhad Bhabie in the music world -- on the heels of her being nominated for the prestigious award Tuesday along with arguably 2 of the biggest rappers in the game right now, and she was feeling pretty confident.

Danielle thinks she's the real winner at the end of the day -- the kid's just 15 years old, after all -- even though she concedes Cardi will probably walk away with the actual trophy. She explains why by taking multiple shots at Nicki ... and it ain't pretty, just petty.

Kendrick Lamar might find it harder to be humble -- his "DAMN" album just won a prestigious Pulitzer Prize.

The Pulitzer committee made the unprecedented announcement Monday ... hailing Kendrick's album as "a virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life."

Translation: That s**t is dope.

With the win, Kendrick becomes the first non-classical or jazz artist to win a Pulitzer since they started awarding them for music in 1943.

Move over Kobe Bryant ... you're gonna have some company on the "NBA Players with an Academy Award" list ... because Whitney Cummings says Blake Griffin is a shoo-in to get one, too.

Cummings directed Blake in her new movie, "The Female Brain," and when we got her leaving the Improv in Hollywood, we had to know if she thought Griffin had the talent to get a gold guy.

"I think Blake Griffin will win an Oscar in his lifetime, for sure."

Important to note ... Cummings -- who is a big-time creative boss in addition to her stand-up comedy -- DIDN'T HESITATE when proclaiming this, so it's clear she 100% believes in Griffin's talent.

Hear that Kobe? He's coming for you.

The man accused of stealing Frances McDormand's Oscar is looking way rougher around the edges than he did on Oscar night -- he made his first court appearance Wednesday, pleading not guilty.

Terry Bryant went from tux to jumpsuit for his arraignment on a charge of felony grand theft. As we reported, Bryant was arrested for swiping McDormand's award at the Governors Ball.

Bryant and his attorney, Daniel Brookman, might have an uphill battle in this case. He not only posted his own video kissing Oscar Sunday night, but was also caught leaving the ballroom with the statuette in hand as he posed for cameras.

Frances said she didn't want to press charges, but she has no say in the matter. The Academy is technically the victim, and they've asked for the case to move forward.

The man accused of stealing Frances McDormand's Oscar has quite the support system -- including his rabbi, who says the arrest is more about society than a guy allegedly making off with someone's trophy.

Terry Bryant's arraignment was postponed Wednesday morning, but his attorney, Daniel Brookman, held a news conference outside court, where -- no offense, counselor -- rabbi Naomi Levy stole the show.

Levy told reporters Bryant's "story" served as a commentary on our society and its "obsession with its 15 minutes of fame." Hard to figure what the hell she meant ... especially considering the new video showing Bryant brandishing Frances' Oscar Sunday night, as he exited the Governors Ball!

Bryant's attorney said his client will enter a not guilty plea once he gets in front of the judge -- which we're now hearing should happen late Wednesday or Thursday.

Ya can't say Terry Bryant was trying to sneak out with Frances McDormand's Oscar, because he brazenly hoisted it up -- in full view of cameras -- as he fled Sunday night.

Associated Press cameras set up outside the Governors Ball captured the accused Oscar thief, and the video is bizarre. Bryant actually stopped outside the ballroom to make sure every camera got a shot of him with the statuette -- looking like a proud winner, and not a thief.

There's also this video of Bryant strolling into the Governors Ball WITH Frances!! It doesn't look like she knows him, but Bryant is clearly trying to make it seem like he's part of her entourage.

Kobe Bryant's Oscar win has gotten mixed reviews amid the #MeToo movement, but Matt Barnes is 100% behind his ex-NBA rival -- giving Bryant mad props for paving the way for sports stars.

"I think it's dope. He's breaking down barriers, still being great," Barnes told TMZ Sports out at Poppy in Hollywood.

Want proof? Matt says things are really coming together for a Huey Newton/Black Panthers biopic he's producing ... and he can't wait to tell "the whole truth" behind the real BP (sorry, Marvel).

The man who pilfered Frances McDormand's Oscar has now been officially charged with the crime of felony grand theft ... and the stakes are years in prison.

The L.A. County D.A. has just filed the case. TMZ broke the story, although Frances has no interest in having Terry Bryant prosecuted, her Oscar is technically owned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and they want the book thrown at him.

Bryant took Frances' Oscar off her dinner table at the Governors Ball following the ceremony and then videotaped himself with the hardware. It's unclear if he intended to take the Oscar out of the Beverly Hilton.

If convicted, Bryant faces a maximum of 3 years in state prison.

Diane Warren was bummed about losing her 9th Oscar but was NOT gonna let that drag her down.

We got the songwriting legend at Madeo Monday night in Bev Hills and our guy told her he saw her at the Oscars and wanted to know if she thought there were any surprises. She shot back, "You saw me? You didn't see me win. Ninth time. Someday."

It's true ... she earned her 9th nomination for Best Original Song for "Stand Up for Something" from "Marshall." We ask her how many more nominations before she finally brings home a statue.

Watch ... Diane manages to put a good spin on the ordeal and even congratulates someone who was nominated 13 times before finally scoring a win. BTW ... sound mixer Kevin O'Connell was nominated 21 times before he finally won for "Hacksaw Ridge" in 2017.

It's coming, Diane.

The guy who allegedly stole Frances McDormand's Oscar is not going to escape criminal charges just because she doesn't want him prosecuted ... and that's because she's not the victim.

We did some checking and it turns out the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences owns the hardware ... despite the fact the statue was bestowed on Frances and even engraved with her name. Thus the Academy is listed as the victim on the police report.

According to Academy rules, the winner of an Oscar has the right of possession but not ownership, and that's why the statue cannot legally be sold to anyone without first offering it to the Academy for $1.

Terry Bryant is currently behind bars after being arrested for felony grand theft. He took the Oscar off the table where Frances was sitting and videotaped himself with the award in hand.

Academy officials have told the LAPD they want Bryant prosecuted and that's why the case is going forward.

No word yet on whether charges will be filed.

Bryant remains in custody ... apparently he's been unable to post the $20,000 for bail.

Jamie Foxx couldn't believe Frances McDormand temporarily had her Oscar stolen away from her at an after-party -- but he's got an easy fix for all future winners.

Jamie was leaving Mr Chow Monday night in Bev Hills when our photog asked if he'd heard the crazy news ... that Terry Bryant jacked Frances' golden statue at The Governors Ball, before security stepped in and called cops.

As we reported ... Bryant swiped Frances' award off her table and was kissing and posing with it on camera before he was apprehended, and the hardware was returned to its rightful owner. He was charged and booked for felony grand theft by police.

Jamie -- who won an Oscar for "Ray" back in 2005 -- was stunned by Frances' ordeal ... and told us how he avoided that kinda nightmare on his big night.

Gary Oldman's ex-wife would like to give the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences the Oscar for Best Hypocrite for doling out awards to her former hubby and Kobe Bryant.

Donya Fiorentino -- who was Gary's 3rd wife and married to him for 4 years -- expressed frustration with the Academy Monday on the heels of her ex and Kobe walking away with golden statues ... Best Actor and Best Animated Short, respectively.

She tells TMZ ... "Congratulations, Gary and congratulations to the Academy for awarding not one but two abusers with Oscars. I thought we had evolved. What happened to the #MeToo movement?"

Fiorentino accused Gary in '01 of physically and emotionally abusing her during their marriage -- and claimed in court docs that he once beat her with a phone. In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Gary said they were struggling over the phone, and that it accidentally hit her when he let go.