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Glen Powell's crushing it in Hollywood -- but he's got other priorities these days that have nothing to do with movies ... like trading a bit of the spotlight to hit the books.

We got the A-list actor outside NYC's ABC Studio Thursday -- and we asked him about his recently-revealed plans to enroll at the University of Texas at Austin ... where he'll be gunning for a degree in Radio, Television and Film.

Glen tells us he's doing this to finish what he started -- sounds like he hit the pause button on school to pursue a career in front of the camera -- but he's got other people to please too.

Jordin Sparks isn't feeling great about her chances to replace Katy Perry as a judge on "American Idol" ... but she's still open to a call, and even has a sense of how she'd do it.

We caught up with the 'Idol' alum in L.A., where she confirmed she was totally serious when she pitched herself as the new judge for season 23 -- and while she believes that fell on deaf ears ... she also says she'd still love to return to her 'Idol' roots.

Jordin says hiring someone like her to fill in for Katy makes sense in her mind -- 'cause she's been on the show and has the experience ... but of course, it ain't really her call.

Amber Rose did a parody of Vanilla Ice's hit hip-hop classic at the Republican National Convention -- and if you're wondering if the man himself is bent outta shape about ... well, we have an answer.

Vanilla tells TMZ ... he does indeed have ownership rights to "Ice Ice Baby" -- the track that Amber and rapper Forgiato Blow spoofed to promo their support of Donald Trump at the convention this week -- and VI notes he didn't approve the track to be used for GOP purposes.

He goes on to tell us that the publishing company that also holds rights to the song didn't clear it either -- which is why it got yanked off of YouTube ... but in terms of whether Vanilla is actually upset about it ... it doesn't really sound like he is.

Thomas Matthew Crooks' honor society membership seems to have been all for show -- because we now know that the dude didn't go to events ... and was unknown to members.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ, TMC certainly was part of the local Phi Theta Kappa chapter at the Community College of Allegheny County -- but just on paper, because in terms of anyone knowing or interacting with him ... we're told that simply never happened.

We're told Thomas never attended any events or functions within the honor society as far as PTK brass is aware -- and more importantly ... we're told no one even knew this guy's name/face until it was reported in the media that he was a member of the org.

President Biden is currently fighting this third bout with COVID-19 -- and while some have speculated it'll mess with his brain power ... one doctor says that's likely not the case.

Here's the deal ... the 81-year-old POTUS was diagnosed with COVID again this week -- and in light of all the scrutiny about his mental acuity ... a fair amount of people have suggested JB could suffer "brain fog" and other symptoms that screw with one's ability to think clearly.

Of course, Biden's already under fire for what many consider mental lapses as it is -- but one expert who's in the field tells us folks need to slow their roll by pre-diagnosing Biden.

Richard Simmons' death certificate sheds no further light on the mystery surrounding his death ... but does provide some interesting details on his final resting place.

In the document obtained by TMZ ... Richard's manner of death is not listed -- instead, it notes the manner of death is still pending an investigation. This explains why there is still no cause of death to report.

However, it appears the fitness guru -- who is actually referred to as a "Health Motivator" on the cert -- has already been laid to rest a week after his death. Per the doc, Richard was buried here in L.A. at the Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary.

Believers in the paranormal may flip over this ... a purported ghost captured in Ring camera footage -- and the spot is said to be pretty spooky.

Check it out ... a floating specter floating in front of a home in Bellflower, California -- where a woman reportedly died of cancer. For those unfamiliar with the area, Bellflower is a stone's throw from Long Beach -- where the notoriously haunted Queen Mary ocean liner is docked.

For the non-believers out there, we've confirmed a lady did, in fact, die at that address earlier this year ... so, the story is checking out.

Platinum-selling rapper Blxst is the latest celeb to get caught in the burglary wave hitting L.A. -- surveillance videos show crooks invading his house and snatching a bunch of his shoes in the caper!!!

Blxst posted the clips Friday morning, and you can see the creeping crawlers slink into his backyard. As you'd expect, Blxst is making no apologies for his frustration and anger.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Hip Hop ... the incident happened around 2:30 AM Tuesday -- 3 dudes in hoodies smashed a glass door and broke into the back of the house.

Thomas Matthew Crooks' assassination attempt on Donald Trump is plaguing his hometown in more ways than one, and that includes the real estate market ... TMZ has learned.

We spoke with multiple realtors representing homes in Bethel Park, PA -- the hometown of the would-be-assassin -- and they've painted a bleak picture in the aftermath of Saturday's shooting.

For instance, realtor Kristy Kaslewicz tells TMZ ... she has had zero showings since the attack. While she couldn't say for sure the shooting has directly impacted her business, she's suspicious, especially because law enforcement has barricaded the block leading up to Thomas' parents' home.

"Big Brother" winner Dick Donato is sounding off on Paramount+'s decision to axe the live feed's rewind and archive features, and he has a one-word theory on why they did it ... money!

We caught up with Evel Dick after the streaming platform retooled the live feed -- which left fans seriously pissed, because now they can't watch back unfiltered moments. Fans speculated this was a strategy to keep problematic moments in the house from plaguing the show ... but DD isn't sold on this theory, telling us this is likely a money thing.

As Dick put it, Paramount+ and CBS don't care about controversy, as this often captures fans' interest and gets them to tune in. Instead, he points to the fact the show is filmed with HD cameras ... and says archiving that footage likely costs a pretty penny.

It seems Ingrid Andress' lowest moment on the microphone is actually benefitting her career ... TMZ Sports has learned her music has seen a big spike following her disastrous national anthem performance at Monday's Home Run Derby.

Officials over at SoundCloud -- one of the largest music streaming services in the world -- tell us ... plays on her tunes have gone up around 50 percent since her debacle in Arlington, Texas.

Specifically, we're told her 2019 "More Hearts Than Mine" song has really caught the ear of listeners.

Nicolas Cage's son Weston's divorce from 3rd wife Hila Cage Coppola is now official and in the books ... TMZ has learned.

According to new court docs, obtained by TMZ, a judge signed off on Weston and Hila's split and per the terms of the judgment, Weston and Hila are keeping their existing custody and visitation agreement.

Here's the skinny ... Hila has sole legal and physical custody of their kids, Cyress and Venice -- with Weston getting no visitation rights pending a further court order.

Right after President Biden tested positive for the coronavirus -- he was being whisked away by his team ... and yes, he was wearing a mask ... which you can now see on camera.

Check out this video of the 46th Prez with a face mask over his nose and mouth while being chauffeured in a motorcade after he gave his address Wednesday at the NAACP Convention in Las Vegas.

It was shot by Giovanni Falcone ... and this was filmed around 3 PM Wednesday, not long after word of Biden's COVID diagnosis went around in the media. We're told he appeared to be heading toward the airport ... which makes sense, 'cause his team said he was going to Delaware.

Thomas Matthew Crooks was a member of an academic group in college -- and before he tried killing Donald Trump, he was all set to transfer to a university ... TMZ has learned.

An official with Community College of Allegheny County -- where TMC graduated with high honors on May 16 -- told us the gunman was a member of Phi Theta Kappa ... which is an honors society, and he was part of the local chapter.

If you go to their Facebook page, you'll see they were pretty involved with extracurriculars -- getting together for events, attending conventions and talking shop in and around the school. From the looks of it ... there are no photos of Thomas on their socials.

Pop Smoke's mother Audrey Jackson isn't entertained by her son's killer making the rounds on the interview circuit and just may pursue legal action to prevent it from happening again!!!

TMZ Hip Hop got Ms. Jackson in NYC and the anti-gun violence advocate was all fired up for this weekend's celebration to commemorate Pop's 25th birthday ... food, games, a basketball event and a full-blown parade will cap off the week's festivities.

We broke the story in 2020 ... the platinum-selling "Dior" rapper was shot and killed at a Hollywood Hills residence once owned by "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Teddi Mellencamp ... and posthumously became a hip hop legend with his music earning rave reviews in death.

12:35 PM PT -- TMZ Sports has obtained Lawrence Taylor's mug shot from his arrest.

Lawrence Taylor was arrested again in Florida this week, TMZ Sports has learned ... after he was accused yet again of failing to follow conditions imposed on him as a registered sex offender.

Broward County jail officials tell us ... Taylor turned himself in on an outstanding felony warrant on Wednesday at around 5 PM -- and was thrown behind bars on one charge of failure to report name or residence change.