celebrity kids

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez reaching a breaking point came as a total shock to their kids -- and that's one major reason the couple's together right now in the Dominican Republic trying to patch things up.

Sources close to the couple tell TMZ ... neither of them expected news to break on Friday about their split, and as a result, they didn't have time to prepare their 4 children ... who've all grown very close.

We're told J Lo's 13-year-old twins, Emme and Max, and A-Rod's teenage daughters, 16-year-old Natasha and 12-year-old Ella, were all devastated by the discussions the modern family had on Friday of a possible break up. As one source put it, "There were many tears."

As we first told you ... people close to the couple acknowledged things were "bad" between J Lo and A-Rod that day -- but on Saturday morning they told us "We are working through some things," and there was no third party involved in their issues.

We're told the kids weighed heavily in the long conversation Alex and Jen had Friday night.

The fact is, both families have blended as one, enjoying holidays and vacations together and all the other fun stuff kids do, so there's a lot at stake.

TMZ broke the story ... Alex fueled up the jet and flew to the D.R. to be with Jennifer, who's been down there shooting a movie. They'd been apart for about 2 weeks, but on Monday morning Alex posted video from their oceanfront pad, tagged J Lo and said he was moving "onward" and "upward" in the new week.

Before this baby with bangs was one of the most famous supermodels of her day, she was just another smirking sweetie growing up in DeKalb, Illinois.

This little lady made her mark on the modeling industry by gracing the covers of numerous fashion magazines and even posing for Playboy twice -- once in 1988 and a second time ten years later. This beautiful bombshell didn't shy away from the big screen either ... she has made a few debuts showing off some acting skills.

Now, this celebrity is married with two children of her own.

The Univ. of Arizona didn't make the Big Dance, but here's a solid dose of positivity from star center Christian Koloko ... who tells TMZ Sports the Wildcats will be back and better than ever next season!!!

Oh yeah, AND he says fellow Sierra Canyon HS product LeBron James Jr. should come play college ball in Tuscon, too!!

We spoke with the 7'1" sophomore about the 'Cats missing the NCAA tournament in 2021 ... and while it may sting now, Koloko says his guys are gonna work like crazy to get back in March Madness next season.

"We're thinking about the team," Koloko tells us. "We gotta come back next year and be stronger and have a chance to make it in the tournament next year."

FYI -- the Wildcats went 17-9 this season ... missing the cut alongside powerhouse programs like Duke and Kansas.

On top of the disappointing season, head coach Sean Miller is battling the NCAA over alleged recruitment violations ... but Koloko says the team isn't considering it a distraction.

"We just put it behind the back and we just try to play basketball and do what we love."

As for Bronny, Koloko -- who also played high school hoops at Sierra Canyon in CA -- says the kid is for sure an NBA talent and should strongly consider following his path to Arizona when the time comes in 2023.

Claudia Jordan says the Royal Family will continue to be labeled exactly what it claims it isn't -- racist -- until Archie gets the same respect as other royal babies.

Claudia -- who co-starred with Meghan Markle on "Deal or No Deal" -- tells TMZ ... if Queen Elizabeth wants to patch things up with Prince Harry and Meghan, the Royals need to prove the monarchy is inclusive.

She believes the best way to do that ... is to give Archie the title of prince and the private security that comes with that.

Claudia says Archie not only deserves security but NEEDS it ... citing rabid British media and fans that can be "stalker-ish."

While current British monarchy rules dictate only Prince William's firstborn -- George -- gets the title of Prince, that rule can be broken by the Queen. In fact, she did just that for Wills and Kate's other kids ... Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Claudia does acknowledge the Royals made sure there was a strong Black presence at Meghan and Harry's wedding, which at least made it seem the monarchy was down to become more modern and inclusive.

She now questions how genuine that was ... on the heels of Harry and Meghan's claim one or more family members were concerned Archie's skin might be too dark when he was born.

Before this garbage pail kid was rising to the top of television's favorite actors, she was just another super soaker sitting in a tub in Miami, Florida.

This little lifesaver got her start in acting in the movie industry by starring in the sequels to a psychological thriller trilogy that first premiered in 2000. Now, she has made headlines with her lead role in one of the most binged Netflix series to date.

Last month, she just took home the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Miniseries for her strategic play in front of the camera.

'Pioneer Woman' Ree Drummond's nephew is hospitalized in critical condition after an accident at the family's Oklahoma ranch, where her relatives were battling a fire.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol tells TMZ ... Ree's 21-year-old nephew, Caleb Drummond, was involved in a head-on collision Wednesday, and the force of the crash sent his body flying 70 feet away.

OHP says Caleb was driving a fire truck when he crashed head-on into another fire truck driven by Ree's husband, Ladd Drummond. When they collided there was low visibility due to high winds on a dirt road, and we're told Caleb was not wearing a seatbelt.

He's been transported to a Tulsa medical center, where he's in critical condition with head, arm and leg injuries as well as internal bleeding.

Before this cool kid was taking a ride to the top of the music charts, he was just another pipsqueak posing for the camera in Austin, Texas.

This model man became well-known when he released one of the most popular R&B songs to date ... this hot track still remains on the US Billboard Top 100 All-Time chart. This multi-faceted star has also made debuts in acting -- such as on the big screen alongside Adam Sandler and on a comedic parody series.

You might know him by his single stage name, but he was born Cornell Iral Haynes Jr.

Black lives do NOT matter to the Royal Family ... at least according to a co-founder of Black Lives Matter, who is now calling for a royal boycott.

Opal Tometi, one of the originators of the BLM movement, tells TMZ ... after hearing Meghan Markle's experience with racism within the Royal Family, people should no longer stand with the Royals or the monarchy.

Opal says Meghan and Prince Harry's admission to Oprah, that at least one member of the monarchy wanted to discriminate against their son Archie because of his skin color, makes it clear the Royal Family places virtually no value on Black lives ... and thus, the masses should turn their backs on the Royals like at least one of them did to little Archie.

As you know ... the entire globe has been left to guess who brought up the skin color concerns to Harry, and neither he nor Meghan is ratting them out. The Palace remains silent, though Oprah did offer ... it wasn't Prince Philip or the Queen.

Regardless of who it was, Opal says Meghan and Harry's experience shows just how problematic the Royal Family has been for quite some time, and the world doesn't need to have institutions that treat Black people as if they don't matter.

Remember, Meghan also says things got so bad she contemplated suicide and went to human resources begging for professional help, but she got turned down flat.

Opal says Meghan's experience is what all too often happens with Black people ... they try to go through the proper channels to resolve problems, but then it turns out the issue is with the institution itself.

Before this smiling sweetheart was starring as one half of a dynamic sister duo, she was just another baby all tied up with bows in Gelnhausen, West Germany.

This cute kid was featured on-screen at an early age -- where she twinned with her sister for many years to follow. Not only are she and her sister in the spotlight, but their younger brother secured his role as a lead actor on television with a spin-off of their popular sitcom.

Now, a mother of two, this television personality is still acting in family-driven comedies.

Beyonce paid homage to one of her fans who tragically died Friday after a 2-year battle with brain cancer, and it was truly moving.

Lyric Chanel's journey was chronicled by her family on Instagram. 600,000 people followed her, along with numerous celebs including Cardi B and, of course, Beyonce.

Things took a turn Wednesday, when the family was told Lyric only had days to live. After her passing Friday, an account posted in her honor -- Go Gold for Childhood Cancer.

Beyoncé connected with Lyric back in September. Lyric caught Bey's attention after posting a video of her years earlier, singing Bey's "Love On Top."

Beyonce's tribute song features a montage of Lyric photos and videos ... it's a celebration of her life, showing her singing and dancing to a mashup of "Brown Skin Girl," "Halo" and "Love On Top."

Notice how she switches out the word "baby" with "Lyric."

Lyric was 13.

Before this sweetheart in stripes was singing for audiences all across the world, she was just another cute kid attending the Glastonbury Festival in England.

This little lady has been popular in the public eye for almost two decades ... she has had no shame about talking openly about her struggles within the music industry. Now, this talented star has more to smile about -- last year she married her boyfriend, a hilarious actor who stars in the "Stranger Things" series on Netflix, in an epic Las Vegas ceremony with an Elvis Presley impersonator.

Before this bathtub baby was making waves at the top of the music charts, she was just another sweetheart in suds showing off her mohawk in Santa Clara, California.

This bubbly babe has launched her career with epic beats and sweet verses on some of the most popular hip-hop songs today. Audiences recognize her by her sugary stage name, but friends and family might know her better as Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper.

You may have also seen her hitting up Hollywood hotspots with her boyfriend -- and member of a popular rap group -- by her side.

Before this little runt with red hair was spicing up your life, she was just another pigtailed pipsqueak growing up in Watford, United Kingdom.

This funny-faced female is best known for promoting her girl power and musical abilities alongside a group of talented young women who took the world by storm -- this British band is still the best-selling girl group of all time. Not only did this singing ensemble have multiple popular albums and tours, but they also starred as themselves in their very own quirky movie.

She isn't a wannabe, she's the real deal!

Before this little lad set his sights on a career in the television industry, he was just a tiny tot looking to the sky in Toronto, Canada.

This cute kid in overalls was born into a famous family but soon claimed his name for himself after finding his stride as a television writer, producer, director and star of his own comedy show -- which also features some of his relatives. This hilarious series finished its 6th and final season last year ... just before winning a record number of Primetime Emmy Awards in a single year.

Tekashi 6ix9ine's free to run his mouth because he has bodyguards, but his baby mama says she doesn't ... and fears his escalating beefs are putting their little girl in harm's way.

Sara Molina tells TMZ ... she thinks the rapper's been unhinged lately, going off on Instagram Live tirades and trading barbs with Chicago rappers like Lil Reese and 600 Breezy.

Sara says unlike 6ix9ine -- who can afford hired muscle to keep him safe while he stokes feuds with other rappers -- she and their 5-year-old, Saraiyah, are much more exposed ... and she's concerned they might become a target for his enemies.

6ix9ine's baby mama also claims he hasn't made any attempt to rekindle his relationship with Saraiyah -- so he's oblivious to the potential danger to her.

Sara tells us she doesn't want anything from Tekashi other than to think about their daughter's safety and stop provoking possible violence, stay inside, and stay away from them.

Before this toothless tot was renovating farm-style homes for television, she was just another picture-perfect kid growing up in Wichita, Kansas.

This smiling sweetheart has made a name for herself -- and her husband -- by starring in a hit HGTV series that revolves around the couple purchasing property, fixing up houses, and redecorating them for their clients. Located in Texas, this popular series that designed these sought-over homes ended in 2018.

Now, this celebrity personality and entrepreneur has a specialty lifestyle and home collection line stocked in Target stores throughout the country.