Awards / Awards Shows

Morgan Wallen deserves the opportunity to prove he's a changed man ... at least according to Shawn Stockman, who says the country star's probably not the only one guilty of casually using racial slurs.

That might come off as a very backhanded compliment, but the Boyz II Men singer was genuinely calling for the music biz to let up off Morgan ... when we talked to him Thursday at LAX.

As we reported, the American Music Awards banned Morgan from attending their ceremony next month, even though he's nominated in 2 categories. Shawn thinks the move is purely about optics, but adds ... at some point they gotta "let the man live" and show he's grown up and learned from his mistakes.

Speaking of mistakes ... Shawn says the industry needs to stop pretending Morgan is the only country star who's used the n-word the way he did earlier this year. Watch the clip ... Shawn was laughing as he broached the delicate subject, but only half-joking.

The Country Music Association has also yanked Morgan from the guestlist for its award show next month, but Shawn's calling for more forgiveness in the world.

Not everyone's ready to forgive Morgan Wallen ... the country music superstar is being blocked from the American Music Awards, even though he'll likely win a couple of the trophies.

The award show announced Thursday it's barring Morgan from attending this year's show due to that video showing him using the n-word. Reps for the show said, "As his conduct does not align with our core values, we will not be including him on the show in any capacity."

Here's the thing, though ... AMA nominees are determined purely by Billboard Chart performance, and despite the backlash against him most of the year, Morgan's album has dominated sales. That's why he's still nominated for 2 AMAs -- favorite country album and favorite male country artist.

It's unclear how producers of the award show will handle it in the likely event Morgan wins one or both categories. Remember, the winners are determined purely by fan votes ... and we know Morgan's fans have stood firm behind him all year.

Morgan has issued an apology, and did an interview with GMA back in July saying he'd been working on himself. The AMA reps say they'll "evaluate his progress in doing meaningful work as an ally to the Black community and will consider his participation in future shows."

The Chicago Sky got a presidential surprise after celebrating their WNBA Finals win -- getting a phone call from Barack Obama!!

#44 -- who's a HUGE hoops fan -- hit up the Sky right after the festivities in downtown Chicago on Tuesday via speakerphone ... and naturally, they were stoked!!

"I just want to let you know that Michelle, Malia, Sasha and Barack are all proud, as Chicagoans, to have world champs in our neighborhood," Obama said.

"I saw you guys ball out! I saw Parker doin' Candace Parker things. I saw those hot-shooting point guards and I saw [Kahleah] Copper going to the basket."

BO ain't lying. In fact, Copper -- who was named WNBA Finals MVP -- averaged 17.7 points per game during the playoffs along with Parker's 13.8 points and 8.4 rebounds.

And, this W hits different for Parker ... it's her second title, but the first for her hometown of Chicago.

"I know it's special for you, Candace, bringing the trophy back home," Obama said. "So, thank you for bringing some joy to the city."

"What an amazing team effort and I could not be prouder of you guys!"

Bubba Wallace had to fight back tears Monday after he won his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series race ... getting emotional thinking about how he's the first Black driver to accomplish the feat since 1963.

The 27-year-old took home the victory after rain forced the YellaWood 500 to end early at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama ... and it didn't take long for Wallace to realize how big the moment was for him.

Wallace went crazy with his team seconds after NASCAR called it -- hugging friends and letting out loud yells of joy.

Eventually, Wallace was interviewed on the scene ... and he nearly cried after he was asked about being the first Black driver to win since Hall of Famer Wendell Scott did it in 1963.

"Yeah, I never think about those things and when you say it like that, it obviously brings a lot of emotion, a lot of joy to my family, fans, friends," Wallace said. "It's pretty damn cool. Just proud to be a winner in the Cup Series."

The historical win (which is also Michael Jordan's first win as co-owner of 23XI Racing), comes 16 months after Wallace's team believed they found a noose in their garage at the same racetrack.

Wallace spoke about the significance of that ... saying, "This is to all those kids that want to have an opportunity in whatever they want to achieve and be the best at what they want to do."

"You're going to go through a lot of bulls*** but you always got to stay true to your path and not let the nonsense get to you."

Wallace added, "Stay strong, stay humble, stay hungry. There's been plenty of times where I wanted to give up. And, you surround yourself with the right people and it's moments like this that you appreciate."

Jason Sudeikis and Kate Winslet know the only one way to celebrate bringing home a shiny, wing-woman trophy is to hit up the after-parties ... with that Emmy in hand, of course.

Jason and Kate were among the throng of celebs who kept the night going after the Emmys were awarded. Jason ended up at the famed Sunset Tower in L.A. ... and looked pretty damn sharp rocking his Tom Ford tux.

He snapped selfies with fans before going inside. Jason won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role on the hilarious Apple TV+ series, "Ted Lasso." The series also won for Outstanding Comedy Series.

Anya Taylor-Joy didn't let getting snubbed at the Emmys for her role in "The Queen's Gambit" bring her down ... she was also at Sunset Tower partying it up.

About a mile or so down the road ... Kate hit up the San Vicente Bungalows in WeHo with her hubby, Abel Smith. She looked pretty stoked carrying around her statue after winning the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie category for HBO's "Mare of Easttown." The Weeknd also joined the Bungalows celebration.

If an awards show isn't followed up by a slew of celebs hitting up afterparties all over town ... is it even an awards show at all???

Attendees at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards made the night official by celebrating around NYC afterward ... with events hosted by the likes of Travis Scott, Dave Chappelle and Doja Cat.

Other celebs spotted toasting to success included Justin and Hailey Bieber, Madonna, Pete Davidson and the night's big winner -- Lil Nas X, who won Video of the Year for "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)."

There was also a couple's dinner sighting, as MGK and Megan Fox shared a "future baby daddies" meal at Cipriani with Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian ... before MGK and company made it over to Chappelle's party at Lure.

As you'd expect, Dave's event had major star appeal with Colin Jost, Dave Grohl and Jon Hamm joining the festivities.

Katie Nageotte better brush up on her French ... 'cause the Team USA pole vaulter tells TMZ Sports she's hoping to defend her gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris!!

30-year-old Nageotte shocked the world by edging out Russian Olympic Committee world champ Anzhelika Sidorova on her third attempt of the event earlier this month ... after failing on her first two tries.

She ended up crushing it at 4.90 meters ... with Sidorova taking silver at 4.85.

The Ohio native has received praise from Cleveland stars like Jake Paul and Bernie Kosar following the awesome success story ... as well as other celebs including Katie Couric.

Despite her rising popularity, Katie tells us it still hasn't really set in that she's the greatest in the world ... but she won't have much more time to dwell on it -- because she's already competing again at the Prefontaine Classic on Saturday.

A few weeks later, she's got the Diamond League Final in Zurich, Switzerland ... and then it's FINALLY time for a well-deserved break!!

She tells us she made a deal with her trainer that if the Olympics went well -- which they definitely did! -- she'd be able to have a few weeks off to do whatever she wants!!

But, Nageotte ain't ready to hang up the vaulting pole just yet -- she says as long as she stays healthy, she'll be ready to go for gold again in Paris!!

Jake Paul was so amazed by all the U.S. women in the 2020 Olympics, he's personally inviting one to his Tyron Woodley fight -- pole vaulter and fellow Ohioan Katie Nageotte!!!

Paul took a second to show love for all the U.S women who competed at the Tokyo Games on Twitter Monday ... congratulating the American ladies on their "amazing stats."

"U.S. women won 66 medals, comprising a record 58.4% of the American total ... that’s insane!!," the YouTube superstar said.

Of the 66 medals, 23 were gold ... one belonging to Nageotte.

The 30-year-old won it all in the pole vault after clearing a 4.90 meter on her second attempt ... making her the third woman in U.S. Olympics to win the gold in the event.

Nageotte also happens to be from Northeast Ohio -- just like Paul -- and he's inviting her to come watch him box in the ring against Woodley in The Land.

"Katie if you are reading this I hope you will come to my fight in Cleveland as my guest on August 29th!"

Nageotte noticed the invite and retweeted the post ... so maybe we'll see her front and center rocking the gold at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

BTW -- Nageotte channeled her inner LeBron James after her big moment ... saying, "Cleveland, this is for you!!!"

Simone Biles faced incredible pressure at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics ... and by overcoming the stressful situation, she'll now be a strong advocate for mental health, according to Dominique Dawes.

Dawes -- a gymnastics icon with 4 Olympic medals -- applauds the 24-year-old for stepping back when she needed to ... telling TMZ Sports Biles was doing "what was right for her mentally as well as for her physically."

"It didn’t matter about having to prove fans wrong or prove the federation wrong or whatever it is, and you know, listen to what those around her are telling her what she should do."

Of course, Biles withdrew from competition last week after dealing with a mental block and "twisties" ... which she explained is when your mind and body don't connect while performing.

Dawes continued ... "But yet, she at 24 was mature enough to know, hey this is not a healthy environment for me to participate in right now."

Biles did recover ... and won the bronze in the balance beam finals on Tuesday -- her 7th Olympic medal (which ties for the most by a female American gymnast).

"She gave herself the time that she needed," Dominique tells us, "and then was able to get back out there and shine and that’s exactly what she did."

Dawes says mental health issues have been more openly talked about in sports over the last few years ... and Biles is now carrying the torch.

"It started with Michael Phelps and Naomi Osaka and it will continue with Simone Biles."

"I know when she comes back to the States she’s going to be a strong advocate for mental health.

We also asked the gold medalist what advice she has for Biles now that the Olympics are over and done with.

"Just enjoy and bask in this moment, and really work on her healing."

Donald Trump just unloaded on Megan Rapinoe and the USWNT ... calling them "leftist maniacs" who cost the United States a gold medal at the Olympics.

The former President went off Thursday morning ... stunningly claiming the women's team's kneeling protests and political comments were the reasons they didn't win gold in Tokyo this summer.

"If our soccer team, headed by a radical group of Leftist Maniacs, wasn’t woke, they would have won the Gold Medal instead of the Bronze," Trump said.

"Woke means you lose, everything that is woke goes bad, and our soccer team certainly has."

Trump's rant didn't stop there ... he went on to say the team's protestors should be kicked off the squad, and then criticized Rapinoe for her political statements and her play.

"They should replace the wokesters with Patriots and start winning again," he said.

"The woman with the purple hair played terribly and spends too much time thinking about Radical Left politics and not doing her job!"

As we previously reported, several members of the USWNT took knees prior to the kickoff of the Olympic games this summer ... a continuing effort by the squad to raise awareness for injustice across the globe.

Several members from other national squads also took part in the kneeling protests during the Games as well.

Peyton Manning will have his longtime rival present when he gets his gold jacket this weekend -- 'cause none other than Tom Brady is reportedly slated to attend his Hall of Fame ceremony!!!

Of course, the Manning vs. Brady matchup is as epic as it gets ... with the guys dominating the NFL from 2001 to 2015.

While Peyton and TB12 went at it on the field -- Brady came out on top with an 11-6 overall record, but Manning got three of his wins in AFC title games -- the superstars remained tight over the years.

Now, as Manning is set to get enshrined in Canton on Sunday, his pal, Brady, will be present for his buddy's big moment, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians told the Tampa Bay Times.

Remember, Arians was Manning's QB coach with the Indianapolis Colts way back in the day ... before teaming up with Brady in Tampa.

There's a bunch of other guys getting in the Hall this weekend as well -- from Calvin Johnson to John Lynch to Charles Woodson and more ... so it's really gonna be a night filled with legends.

Lamar Jackson is about to be immortalized in Louisville ... the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner is getting a statue in his honor at Cardinal Stadium!!

Of course, the Baltimore Ravens MVP only left the school 4 years ago ... but the Cards wanted to waste NO time getting the ball rolling on the major tribute .... with Athletic Director Vince Tyra making the announcement during "The Deener Show" on Monday.

Tyra didn't expand on any of the details like location, timeframe or how big the statue will be ... but knowing Jackson's impact on the school, we can only expect it to be nothing short of incredible.

From 2015-17 with the Cardinals, Jackson had a total of 9,043 passing yards, 4,132 rushing yards and 119 overall touchdowns!

LJ also broke records ... having the most rushing yard and rushing touchdowns for the Cardinals football program.

On top of that, he's the youngest player -- and first Cardinals player -- to ever win the Heisman ... and first to make the All-American team for Louisville.

Now, the 24-year-old is entering his 4th season with the Ravens and has made the playoffs ever season -- but eventually hopes to win the Super Bowl.

USA!!! USA!!! USA!!!

Team USA's Suni Lee just brought home the gold in the women's gymnastics all-around event at the Tokyo Games ... with teammate Simone Biles showing support from the stands!!

The 18-year-old star crushed her routines en route to the top Olympic honors Thursday night ... becoming the 5th-consecutive American to win the event with a score of 57.433.

Of course, Biles was the heavy favorite to win the event ... but the 4-time gold medalist backed out earlier this week to focus on her mental health.

Biles' absence cleared the way for Lee -- she edged out Brazil's Rebeca Andrade, who took silver with a 57.298 score.

It was quite the nail-biter leading up to the final round -- Lee actually trailed Andrade before the floor routine ... but once it was all over, it was the Red, White, and Blue at the top of the podium.

Biles and the rest of the USA gymnasts cheered on their teammate from the crowd ... and Lee's parents and family went completely BONKERS after Lee won it all!!!

USA's Jade Carey also competed in the event ... finishing 8th.

Congrats to Lee ... now time to celebrate!!!

Awful news for Reggie Bush -- the ex-USC superstar will NOT be getting his 2005 Heisman trophy back ... despite the NCAA's new rules allowing athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness.

Remember, the NCAA made a monumental policy change last month ... finally giving players the opportunity to rake in dough via endorsement deals and sponsorships.

Bush -- who gave up his 2005 Heisman in 2010 after receiving improper benefits -- called out the NCAA and Heisman Trust after the new rules were announced ... saying both organizations were ignoring his pleas to have his Heisman returned.

The NCAA finally addressed the situation on Wednesday ... saying Bush's case is not covered by their new order -- therefore, he will not get his trophy back.

"Although college athletes can now receive benefits from their names, images and likenesses through activities like endorsements and appearances, NCAA rules still do not permit pay-for-play type arrangements," an NCAA spokesperson said.

"The NCAA infractions process exists to promote fairness in college sports. The rules that govern fair play are voted on, agreed to and expected to be upheld by all NCAA member schools."

Bush is considered one of the best college football players ever -- from 2003 to 2005, he logged 3,169 rushing yards, 1,301 receiving yards, and 38 overall touchdowns.

He also won the 2004 BCS Championship ... a victory that was vacated as a result of Bush's punishment.

Gymnastics legend Dominique Dawes is keepin' it real ... telling TMZ Sports Simone Biles would've SMOKED her in competition -- even during her prime!!

"Biles is unreal," the 3-time Olympian says. "She is so talented, and I am so grateful that I’m retired because I would have just not even had a chance going up against this young girl."

It's high praise, considering Dawes is a gymnast icon -- remember, she was part of the famous Magnificent Seven Olympic team in 1996, and she also won silver and bronze medals at World Championships in the '90s.

She and teammate Betty Okino were also the first African-American females to win the Olympic gold in gymnastics.

But, despite that resume ... Dawes says she just flat-out wouldn't stand a chance against Simone.

And, she might not be wrong -- after all, Biles has been killin' it, and is the favorite to take home some golden hardware in Tokyo this summer, especially if she hits her Yurchenko double pike move -- a twist that Dawes says is absolutely insane!

"I remember when I was maybe fooling around in the gym once with one of the National Team coaches and he wanted me to try a double," Dawes said. "And, I was like, 'Not going to happen.'"

Dawes added, "Like, it was unheard of, even with a free-foam pit I was unwilling to do it. And yet, she’s doing it almost to perfection, and doing it on a hard landing and even over-rotating it."

Dawes tells us she believes Biles will be "on top of that podium" in this year's Olympics ... beating all types of records -- including her own!

"I mean she’s going to probably surpass what I accomplished." the 44-year-old says.

"But, again I can’t stress the importance of how much I admire her, not for just being an athlete but for her being a spokesperson and activist and recognizing that there’s a lot of changes that need to be made in the sport of gymnastics."

Kanye West treated his fans to a one-of-a-kind experience at his "Donda" listening event, but he also received a couple gifts after the show ... including one honoring his late mother.

According to our sources ... the City of Atlanta presented the rapper a plaque backstage after his performance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kanye was born in ATL, and the city officially proclaimed July 22 Kanye West Day.

On top of that, and perhaps more importantly to Kanye ... Kevin James -- President of ATL's HBCU, Morris Brown College -- was also on hand to give Ye a token of appreciation on behalf of his mom, Donda West, who taught at the school for nearly 2 decades and was Chair of the English Department.

The award presented to Kanye is called the Dr. Donda West Meritorious Service to Morris Brown College. Donda started her career at Morris Brown, which was founded in 1881 and is the only HBCU in Georgia founded by Black people.

As we reported ... Kanye revealed his new album, named after his mother, Thursday night in front of a huge crowd that included Kim Kardashian and their kids, along with Khloe.

Our sources say his family was with him when he received the awards backstage, and he got super emotional about it.