Drugs & Alcohol

Andy Cohen is firing back at Leah McSweeney's claims about him -- but one specific allegation has got him and his lawyers fired up ... and they're threatening a lawsuit.

The Bravo honcho -- who was, along with the network, sued by McSweeney in an explosive lawsuit last week -- fired off a letter to Leah through his attorneys ... and they make it crystal clear that they believe her allegation of cocaine use against Andy is false and defamatory.

His lawyers don't mince words, saying virtually everything she said about Cohen in the lawsuit is baseless and false, but on the cocaine claim specifically they write ... "[W]e demand that you immediately retract and withdraw all allegations relating to Mr. Cohen’s purported 'cocaine use.'" If she doesn't, they say they're taking her to court.

Andy's legal team continues ... "To be clear: these allegations are categorically false. Mr. Cohen never used cocaine with any cast member on any Real Housewives show or with any other Bravo employee. The absence of any reasonable basis to make such allegations is confirmed by your pleading itself."

They point out there are no details included in her allegation here, which they think points to her not knowing anything concrete ... because it's simply not true. Her attorneys say they believe Leah levied this salacious claim against Andy recklessly just to get headlines and potentially a quick payday.

Andy's lawyers end by saying ... "The truth matters. Litigation cannot be used to create fake news. And it cannot be used as a vehicle to spread false and malicious lies, in furtherance of a shakedown. We demand that you issue an immediate public retraction and apologize to Mr. Cohen. Every day you fail to do so only increases the damages suffered by Mr. Cohen."

McSweeney’s attorney, Sarah M. Matz tells TMZ ... "That Andy Cohen had his counsel and PR agents write a threatening letter to give to the press is hardly surprising.  Mr. Cohen is accustomed to using his power in the media to scare and intimidate people like Ms. McSweeney so that they will not speak out. Mr. Cohen’s attempt to discredit and intimidate Ms. McSweeney to deter her from engaging in legally protected activity in Court is exactly the type of retaliation that this lawsuit was brought to address and only is further evidence for Ms. McSweeney. We do not intend to litigate this matter in the press, and if Mr. Cohen wants to address Ms. McSweeney’s claims, we suggest he do so in Court, not in a letter for the press."

A source close to Leah tells TMZ that she's flabbergasted that he wants to keep bringing attention to this in the press, rather than just letting it play out in court.

La modelo de Playboy y Maxim Masuimi Max murió a causa de una sobredosis accidental de cocaína y fentanilo, según ha podido averiguar TMZ.

La muerte ha sido oficialmente declarada como un accidente más de un mes después de su impactante muerte. Tal como nos comentó la policía previamente, Masuimi, que también era actriz, fue descubierta sin vida en su casa de Las Vegas el 25 de enero.

En ese momento, las autoridades dijeron que no sospechaban de crimen violento, pero se puso en marcha una investigación.

La carrera de la modelo comenzó a principios de la década del 2000 y la llevó a aparecer en varias publicaciones importantes como Playboy, Maxim, Alt Magazine y Bizarre Magazine, entre otras. Aunque Masuimi nunca alcanzó el estatus de estrella de la actuación, en su página de IMDB figuran varios créditos en películas como "Cornman: American Vegetable Hero" y "Giantess Battle Attack".

Incluso actuó junto a Samuel L. Jackson e Ice Cube, después de haber jugado un papel no acreditado en la película de acción de 2005 "xXx: State of the Union". Por si no lo saben, se puede ver a Masuimi en la película como la novia del rapero Xzibit.

Su crédito más reciente fue en 2023 para una película de terror indie, titulada "Protege Moi", en la que interpretó al personaje de Mercel.

Playboy and Maxim model Masuimi Max died from an accidental overdose of cocaine and fentanyl, TMZ has learned.

The death has officially been ruled an accident more than a month after her shocking death. As law enforcement sources previously told TMZ ... Masuimi -- who was also an actress -- was discovered dead in her Las Vegas-area home on January 25.

At the time, authorities said they did not suspect foul play ... but an investigation was set to be conducted.

Masuimi's modeling career began back in the early 2000s and led to appearances in several big publications, including Playboy, Maxim, Alt Magazine, Bizarre Magazine, and others. While Masuimi never rose to A-list status while pursuing an acting career ... she did have several credits on her IMDB page -- including "Cornman: American Vegetable Hero" and "Giantess Battle Attack."

She even acted opposite Samuel L. Jackson and Ice Cube, having played an uncredited role in the 2005 action flick "xXx: State of the Union." ICYMI ... you can see Masuimi in the movie as rapper Xzibit's character's girlfriend.

Her most recent credit was in 2023 for an indie horror movie, titled "Protege Moi" -- in which she played the character Mercel.

Renee Graziano says she nearly lost her life when she overdosed last year on a bad batch of drugs -- which she calls her come-to-Jesus moment ... and which finally got her clean.

The "Mob Wives" star is the latest guest for Bunnie XO's "Dumb Blonde" podcast ... and in a sneak peek clip from their chat -- set to air in full on Wednesday -- you can hear Renee get into the details of an OD she suffered in 2023 ... which ultimately sent her to Odom Recovery Group.

The story is harrowing, to say the least -- RG describes what drug it was that ended up being laced with fentanyl, unbeknownst to her ... and she says it landed her in the hospital.

Take a listen for yourself ... Renee says she had no clue she was dabbling in bad drugs -- but before she knew it, she'd lost memory over the course of 3 days ... and was bedridden for a total of 9, a period in which she says her family never came to see or visit her.

Renee goes on to say she had to learn to walk again from this horrific episode -- and it ended up being what made her realize she had to kick her drug habit ... which she has.

As we reported ... Renee entered into treatment back in November -- a couple months after this overdose -- and it sounds like she's been on the straight and narrow ever since.

Good to hear she's doing well ... and it sounds like a lot more will be discussed on the pod.

Emily Willis' family is crowdfunding to help pay the adult film star's mounting medical bills after she was hospitalized following an apparent overdose.

Emily's family has set up a GoFundMe to raise money to pay for her hospital stay and recovery ... with folks pitching in $13,305 towards a $60,000 goal.

TMZ broke the story ... Emily was transported to a medical facility in Thousand Oaks, CA last month following a call for service reporting a possible OD.

Emily, who is just 25 years old, was at a well-known celeb rehab location in Malibu when the incident occurred ... so it seems she was being treated for addiction when she was rushed to a hospital and placed in a critical care unit.

Her father says Emily is fighting "an incredibly tough and unforeseen battle" with a long road to recovery ahead, requiring lots of care.

Emily's dad says donations will go towards her medical bills, plus travel and accommodations for her family so they can be with her in the hospital.

Tori Spelling and her estranged husband Dean McDermott aren't reunited as a couple, but they're at least on public speaking terms again ... based on some new pics.

The exes were together in a park in Agoura Hills, CA -- it's the first time they've been seen photographed together in nearly a year. Both of them were dressed very casually, and most of the convo seemed pretty chill.

However, there were also what seemed like some tense moments during their chat. Tori and Dean have 5 kids together, so co-parenting issues were likely among the things they discussed.

But, there's plenty more for them to catch up about, too. For instance, Dean moving on ... he's reportedly living with new GF Lily Calo ... while Tori and the kids have moved into a new home, which reportedly rents for $15k/month.

They announced their separation last summer on social media, ending 17 years of marriage.

Since then, Dean has spent time in a sober living facility ... after admitting last November he'd had a drunken altercation with Tori.

Tori Spelling y su marido Dean McDermott no se han reunido como pareja, pero al parecer todavía tienen cosas que solucionar... todo esto basándonos en algunas fotos nuevas.

Los ex estuvieron juntos en un parque en Agoura Hills, California, y es la primera vez que han sido fotografiados juntos en casi un año. Ambos estaban vestidos muy informal y la mayor parte de la conversación parecía bastante relajada.

Sin embargo, también hubo momentos de tensión durante la charla. Tori y Dean tienen 5 hijos juntos, por lo que las cuestiones de co-paternidad fueron probablemente temas delicados a discutir.

Pero tienen muchas cosas más para ponerse al día. Por ejemplo, Dean sigue adelante, se informa que está viviendo con su nueva novia Lily Calo, mientras que Tori y los niños se han mudado a una nueva casa, que al parecer alquila por $15k al mes.

Anunciaron su separación el pasado verano en redes sociales, poniendo fin a 17 años de matrimonio.

Desde entonces, Dean ha pasado tiempo en un centro de vida sobria, después de admitir el pasado noviembre que había tenido un altercado borracho con Tori.

Tish Cyrus is looking back at her parenting and seeing ways she could've improved ... chief among them, rolling up a joint and mellowing out a bit!

The mother of Miley and Noah Cyrus opened up about her parenting skills on a recent episode of her "Sorry We're Stoned" podcast ... telling guest Wiz Khalifa she regrets not doing some toking back when her kids were growing up.

The way Tish puts it ... she didn't pick up the Mary Jane until she was in her mid-40s, years after her kids were in their teens -- so she feels she wasn't as much fun as she could've been with a little pot.

Tish's daughter Brandi -- seated right alongside her mom -- said she probably woulda chilled out about a few things too ... a jab Tish couldn't have agreed with more.

BTW ... Wiz also has a song about smoking weed with Miley Cyrus titled "23" which came out in 2013 -- a song that made a then-anti-marijuana Tish really upset!

It's a bit ironic Tish is looking back on her parenting ... since a lot of people online are currently gossiping about her relationship with her daughter Noah.

Remember ... reports surfaced earlier this week that Noah was actually dating Tish's new husband Dominic Purcell first -- before Mama Tish swooped in and stole him away.

The Cyrus family's dealing with a ton of issues ... with Miley not thanking Billy Ray Cyrus in her Grammys acceptance speech and Noah reportedly estranged from TIsh.the

Comedian David Koechner's standup comedy act is smoking these days as some fans in Maryland discovered when he tried to catch a cannabis high on stage ... courtesy of an audience member, no less!

David hit the stage Friday night at Magooby's Joke House in Timonium, Maryland, where he performed for about an hour to a packed crowd, which included at least one fan who was puffing on a weed pen ... something Dave noticed from the stage.

Thirty minutes into his show, he must've caught a whiff of the sinsemilla, and decided to apply the golden rule -- sharing is caring!

Check out this video obtained by TMZ ... Dave looked out into the sea of people and asked, "Who is smoking? Is that weed?"

The man responded, "Yes" .... and motioning with his hand, David replied, "Give here."

The dude walked up to the stage and handed the vape to Dave, who started bantering with his fans as they egged him on to take a few tokes.

Dave finally caved and took two huge drags, blowing out the smoke. Of course, we can't tell from the video it really was marijuana ... but everyone in the crowd seemed convinced.

Assuming it was, it's NBD in Maryland ... where recreational cannabis was legalized last year.

We're not so sure puffing indoors at a comedy club is kosher -- but there were no narcs in the crowd, as David's show continued ... and, we're told everyone had a damn good time.

He's currently on a national comedy tour called "Blue Skies And Dirty Lies" -- and he's probably best known for his role as sportscaster Champ Kind in the 'Anchorman' movies.

You might recall in 2022 ... David was busted for driving while under the influence of alcohol in Ohio, receiving a ticket for the offense. He was also arrested and charged with DUI and hit and run in California's Ventura County on New Year's Eve 2021.

El comediante David Koechner está dando bocanadas de humo por estos días, como cuando los fans de Maryland descubrieron que intentó alcanzar un vaporizador de cannabis desde el escenario, cortesía nada menos que de un fanático de la audiencia.

David se subió al escenario del Magooby's Joke House en Timonium, Maryland, el viernes por la noche, donde actuó durante aproximadamente una hora frente a una multitud de personas. Uno de ellos estaba fumando un caño de marihuana, algo que Dave notó desde el escenario.

A los treinta minutos de empezar su show, debió haber olido un poco de la hierba y decidió aplicar la regla de oro: ¡compartir es cuidar!

Echa un vistazo a este video obtenido por TMZ: Dave miró hacia el mar de gente y preguntó: "¿Quién está fumando? ¿Eso es hierba?"

El hombre respondió: "Sí", y haciendo un gesto con la mano, David respondió: "Dale aquí".

El tipo se acercó al escenario y le entregó el vape a Dave, que empezó a bromear con sus fans mientras le animaban a darle unas caladas.

Dave finalmente cedió y dio dos enormes bocanadas. Por supuesto, no podemos decir en el video si realmente era marihuana, pero todos en la multitud parecían convencidos de ello.

Suponiendo que lo era, no es la gran cosa en Maryland, donde el cannabis recreativo fue legalizado el año pasado.

No estamos tan seguros de si era apropiado fumar en el club de comedia, pero no había narcos en la multitud y el show de David continuó. Nos dicen que todo el mundo lo pasó increíble.

Actualmente, está en una gira nacional de comedia llamada "Blue Skies And Dirty Lies" y es probablemente mejor conocido por su papel como comentarista deportivo en las películas "Anchorman"

Se pueden recordar que en 2022, David fue arrestado por conducir bajo la influencia del alcohol en Ohio, donde recibió una multa por el delito. También fue detenido y acusado de DUI y atropello y fuga en el condado de Ventura, en California, en la víspera de Año Nuevo 2021.

3/2 9:58 AM PT -- Rachel Leviss' rep is responding to Lisa's dig ... calling the comments, "A disappointing choice for an executive on the show since victim shaming is a defense mechanism often used by abusers and coming from a person in a position of power can cause even further harm to a person's mental health.”

Lisa Vanderpump is coming to the defense of her old friend Andy Cohen amid some new allegations -- and in the same breath ... she's taking a swipe at Rachel Leviss.

The former 'Housewives' star -- who obviously ended up getting up her spinoff show on Bravo -- was arriving at LAX at landing back in town Friday ... where our photog ran into her and asked her all about the latest drama going on in the reality world, and there's a lot.

For starters, our camera guy asked about Leah McSweeney's claims in a new lawsuit she filed this week against the Bravo honcho ... alleging he'd partaken in cocaine, not to mention claiming Bravo at large was a toxic hell hole that coaxed their stars into boozing/debauchery.

Well, Lisa has some thoughts on all that ... and she goes to bat for AC here, telling us she's never seen him do any hard drugs -- nor does she know him to be how Leah described.

On the notion that Bravo is pressuring 'Housewives' into drinking on set ... Lisa says what a lot of her contemporaries have already been making clear -- the stars are adults, and they don't have to do anything they don't want to. Bottom line ... she calls BS on Leah's suit.

Lastly, Lisa weighs in on the legal battle brewing in her own world ... namely, Rachel suing Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix over revenge porn, among other things.

She doesn't have very nice things to say about that either -- noting Rachel probably should've never compromised herself on camera the way she did if she didn't want it out.

We clarify, though, that Tom's alleged to have recorded her from his phone and circulated it with the cast ... but even then, she doesn't have much sympathy for her ex-employee.

Bottom line ... Lisa's good with Andy, not so much with Leah and Rachel. That much is clear.

Several 'Real Housewives' stars are coming to the defense of Andy Cohen in the wake of Leah McSweeney's shocking allegations ... slamming her and rallying around their boss.

Several housewives are speaking out in support of Andy in the wake of Leah's lawsuit earlier this week ... making it clear they've never done drugs with the 'Watch What Happens Live' host.

Kyle Richards -- who said she was one of the housewives closest to Andy -- told Page Six that she has "never seen Andy do drugs, offer drugs or do anything inappropriate ever."

Kyle went on to praise Andy as a professional -- highlighting how he even refuses to follow many Bravo stars on Instagram to keep "a distance from all of them."

"RHONJ" star Margaret Josephs was equally vocal in her support of Andy -- she said point-blank that the father of two "has never offered any 'Housewife’ cocaine.'"

Margaret -- who notably doesn't drink -- adds ... "I am appalled that someone would just go so low to assassinate and target someone’s character in that way.”

Likewise, Cynthia Bailey ...  who appeared on "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" and "The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip" -- assured TMZ on Wednesday that she was "never forced" to drink and has definitely "never seen him do blow."

ICYMI ... the 'RHONY' alum hit Andy, as well as Bravo, with a discrimination lawsuit on Tuesday -- claiming the reality TV honcho created a toxic work environment, where AC allegedly used cocaine and encouraged other housewives and Bravolebrities to participate ... giving good TV edits to his favs.

A rep for Andy denied the allegations -- telling TMZ … "The claims against Andy are completely false."

'RHOC's Heather Dubrow and Meghan King have also offered up public support of Andy, applauding him for his professionalism and respect.

Leah isn't the only unhappy ex-housewife, however ... as 'RHOBH' vet Brandi Glanville also recently accused Andy of sexual harassment after he invited her to watch him hook up with another Bravo personality over FaceTime.

Andy hit back at that ... calling the exchange a joke that's been blown out of proportion.

Rick Harrison's son, Adam Harrison, died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl and methamphetamine ... TMZ has learned.

The Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner tells us that the cause of death has been ruled an accident for the "Pawn Stars" personality's son, who died in Las Vegas last month.

TMZ was the first to report Adam's passing ... after a rep for RH shared that Adam had died from a fatal OD. The Harrison family told TMZ shortly after his passing ... "Our family is extremely saddened by the death of Adam. We ask for privacy as we grieve his loss." At the time -- the Las Vegas Metro PD told us they were investigating the case.

As we reported ... Adam was struggling in the days leading up to his death -- with former roommates telling cops that AH was displaying erratic and strange behavior before allegedly barricading himself inside a guest house where he was staying. He reportedly had just been released from jail after serving 3 months behind bars -- although we don't know the cause for his incarceration.

Adam -- one of Rick's three boys -- kept mostly out of the limelight ... having stepped away from helping out at the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. Adam is Rick's kid from his first marriage to ex-wife Kim, with whom he also shares son Corey.

The "Pawn Stars" leading man later welcomed son Jake with his second wife, Tracy. Corey and Jake are regulars on his reality show -- but Adam did not appear on camera.

On losing his son, Rick shared on Instagram, "You will always be in my heart! I love you Adam."

Adam was 39.

Juventus star Paul Pogba was banned for four years for doping ... a crushing blow for the international soccer star who says he's innocent and will appeal the decision!

The 30-year-old midfielder -- who has been ineligible to play since a drug test showed elevated testosterone levels last September -- shared news of the ban Thursday with his over 61 million Instagram followers ... after he received word from Italy's anti-doping board.

"I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect," Pogba wrote.

"I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me."

The decision means Pogba won't be able to play until 2027 ... although he says he's going to appeal the decision.

"When I am free of legal restrictions the full story will become clear," Pogba said, "but I have never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations."

"As a professional athlete, I would never do anything to enhance my performance by using banned substances and have never disrespected or cheated fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I have played for, or against."

Pogba's professional soccer career began in 2011 ... and has seen PP suit up for Manchester United and Juventus.

Paul re-signed with Juventus on a four-year deal in July 2022 ... but injured his meniscus weeks later. The injury also forced him to miss the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Rajon Rondo is hoping he won't have to fight a criminal gun charge much longer ... TMZ Sports has learned he's just asked a judge to throw out the count he's facing.

Court documents we obtained show the former NBA star's lawyer filed a motion on Tuesday to dismiss the unlawful carrying of a handgun charge prosecutors hit Rondo with following his arrest late last month.

In the documents, Rondo's attorney argues the charge is unconstitutional ... saying the ex-Boston Celtics point guard is protected by the Second Amendment right to bear arms that gave him the right to have the handgun cops say they found on him during a Jan. 28 traffic stop in Indiana.

"The statute under which Rondo is charged fails to be consistent with the Nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation," the docs state.

A judge has not yet made a ruling on the motion ... but there is a hearing on the docket scheduled for late March.

Rondo was first booked on the gun charge following allegations that a loaded, black, 9MM, Sig Sauer P365 was discovered under the cupholder of his car after cops pulled him over for not having plates on the back of his Tesla.

Cops said due to a previous case against Rondo, he was not allowed to have the firearm. In fact, in police documents, one officer wrote, "I asked Rondo Sr. if he was allowed to have a gun and Rondo Sr. said he was not allowed."

In addition to the gun charge, Rondo is also facing one count of possession of marijuana and one count of possession of paraphernalia in the case ... after cops said they found weed, THC gummies and a pipe with marijuana residue in his Tesla during the stop as well.

Múltiples estrellas de la franquicia "Real Housewives" están saliendo en defensa de Andy Cohen por las acusaciones de Leah McSweeney y todos ellos se inclinan por la idea de que cada miembro del elenco es personalmente responsable de sus acciones.

Luann de Lesseps, que compartió reparto con Leah en "RHONY", habló con nosotros el miércoles en "TMZ Live" sobre la demanda de Leah contra Cohen, la productora de Shed Media y Warner Bros., alegando que se aprovecharon de sus problemas de abuso de alcohol.

Leah afirma que fue alentada por Cohen y otros a beber, y todo para supuestamente crear un mejor contenido para el programa.

Luann, hablando desde su experiencia personal, no sentía que ese fuera su caso, diciendo que, por supuesto, el alcohol y las fiestas son parte del mundo de "Housewives", pero nadie la obligó a tomar una copa.

De hecho, ella dice que no cree que nadie pueda hacer que una persona beba, en lugar de eso, ella cree que la responsabilidad personal juega un papel clave en la recuperación de la adicción. Este es un tema del que Luann también se ocupó durante el rodaje de la serie, después de haber ido a rehabilitación en varias ocasiones.

En cuanto a la afirmación de que Leah Andy consume cocaína con las amas de casa, Luann dijo que nunca ha visto ni oído hablar de eso y añade que ella no es así.

Luann dice que ella está "manejando la situación" respecto al consumo de alcohol, y está de gira con un nuevo espectáculo de cabaret e insiste en que no tiene que beber para pasar un buen rato en "Housewives".

Ella responde por Andy, diciendo que no cree que él obligaría a nadie a beber como asegura Leah, un sentimiento del que se hizo eco otra ex estrella de "RHONY".

Dorinda Medley -que apareció en el programa entre 2015 y 2020- nos dice que se siente terrible por Andy y cuestiona por qué Leah decidió volver para una segunda temporada de "RHONY" y un "Ultimate Girls Trip" si se sentía tan incómoda.

Medley añadió que se saltaría a la oportunidad de volver a "Real Housewives", diciendo que no ha tenido más que buenas experiencias con Andy y Bravo y además le ha beneficiado mucho estar en el show. También dijo que los adultos deben ser responsables de sus propias acciones.

Y un no neoyorquino -Cynthia Bailey ex de "Real Housewives of Atlanta"- también defendió a Andy, diciéndonos en LAX que ella nunca se vio obligada a beber o nunca creyó que Andy estuviera consumiendo cocaína como afirmó McSweeney.

Cynthia dice que simpatiza con los adictos, pero añade que las personas que saben que tienen problemas de abuso de sustancias deben tomar decisiones inteligentes, como rechazar cócteles si saben que tienen un problema.

A propósito, otra ex estrella de Bravo -Brandi Glanville- también está amenazando con demandar a Andy por un comentario inapropiado que supuestamente hizo.