Exclusive

Katy Perry’s out at "American Idol" -- and Carrie Underwood is very close to filling in her seat ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Carrie and her team are in the final stages of locking her into a contract to appear on the hit ABC show -- and if all goes smoothly, the former 'Idol' winner will soon join Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie as the new judge.

What's also interesting about this news ... Carrie actually has an appearance scheduled on 'GMA' this upcoming Friday -- for their summer concert series -- but of course ... an official announcement could come that day as well. As you know ... ABC is the parent company.

Tyler Perry recently fended off critics of his low-rated new film -- but Mark Curry says he need not argue with these folks ... 'cause the man's legacy and earnings speak for themself.

We caught up with the veteran comedian out in NYC this week -- and he vouched for TP's funny bone when it comes to his movies ... after all, the iconic Madea character helped spark his billion-dollar empire and Mark says he has no reason to change for anyone.

Tyler recently swatted down critics after his latest movie "Divorce in the Black" but was egged with a rare 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Late rapper Juice WRLD’s estate is facing a lawsuit from a guy who says he helped produce one of the rapper's biggest tracks but didn't get paid what he's owed.

TMZ obtained the docs -- Plaintiff Joshua Jaramillo claims he worked on producing the late rapper’s posthumous 2021 track "Girl of My Dreams" in exchange for 5% ownership of the song and 1% of the royalties.

He claims, despite multiple requests, he still hasn’t been paid the full amount of what he's owed ... despite asking the estate how much the song has raked in.

Jonathan Majors is expressing heartbreak after Marvel officially announced Robert Downey Jr. as the franchise's new villain ... pivoting away from his Kang the Conqueror character.

We caught up with the actor in West Hollywood Tuesday, where he explained why the RDJ Dr. Doom news was bittersweet for him. As he put it ... Dr. Doom's introduction into the MCU is pretty cool, but he loved playing Kang -- and so, it's only natural he's bummed about Marvel's redirection.

Though, some fans have felt Jonathan being blacklisted from the MCU has been too harsh of a punishment ... given he was found guilty of misdemeanor assault and harassment and given no jail time.

Kamala Harris' stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff, ran into a little bit of trouble in the Big Apple this week -- or rather, her Secret Service detail did ... and it ended with an arrest.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Ella -- who's Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff's kid -- was out in the Tribeca neighborhood of NYC Tuesday afternoon, where she was grabbing a bite at a restaurant ... all while her Secret Service detail was standing guard out front.

We're told while she was inside, one of her agents -- who was dressed in plain clothes -- had an altercation with what's been described to us as an "anti-police watcher."

Offset's latest public denial of cheating on Cardi B is setting off a ton of speculation about whether his wife is expecting -- because he refers to an 8-months pregnant woman -- but Cardi's camp is clearing it all up.

Here's where the trouble started -- The Neighborhood Talk posted a pic Tuesday night of Offset chilling at a casino with a woman it claimed was an ex-GF. Offset actually hopped in the comments to deny any dirty dealings, but his choice of words sparked serious confusion.

Offset angrily shot back, "People really need to do the research...I'm at a public place gambling at a casino with a married 8 month pregnant women wtf I look like being outside publicly cheating SMD!!!

Bianca Censori is trading in her racy signature, pretty-much-naked style for a more conservative look ... at least when it comes to running errands with hubby Kanye West's kids.

Check it out ... the Yeezy architect hit up Target in Bev Hills with Ye and his kids ... and wore a cream-colored poncho, sorta kinda ... a striking contrast to her usual nearly-nudie getups.

Bianca opted for a more subtle, conservative ensemble ... wearing her dark hair in a messy, low bun and letting her lengthy poncho/dress hang loose -- sorry, no curves this day.

Arguably the biggest accomplishment in United States history is now the subject of a popular conspiracy ... with lotsa folks convinced NASA never really went to the moon.

TMZ Studios' new series, "Strange & Suspicious," examines weird and unexplained stories ... and here we're taking a look at the possibility the 1969 moon landing footage was shot in a movie studio as opposed to the actual lunar surface.

Conspiracy theorists love to point to the famous photo of Buzz Aldrin standing next to the U.S.A. flag after planting it on the moon ... the flag is crinkled and looks to be waving, and folks say there's just no wind in space.

Ryan Garcia's ex was granted a restraining order in L.A. after accusing the star boxer of threatening her family ... though the former couple tells TMZ Sports they've talked and are committed to peacefully fixing their issues.

Ryan's estranged wife, Andrea Celina Velarde, beelined it to court last week, requesting a TRO ... accusing her superstar ex of being increasingly out of control and erratic.

In the docs, Andrea claims Ryan showed up to a restaurant where she was dining with her sibling on July 19 and caused a scene, threatening her brother and causing them to leave. She says he followed her home and sat outside in his car for 10 minutes.

Jax Taylor is taking time for himself and seeking in-patient treatment for mental health struggles -- this amid his ongoing split from his wife Brittany Cartwright ... TMZ has learned.

A rep for "The Valley" star and "Vanderpump Rules" alum tells us … "Jax has always been candid about his mental health struggles, especially during the past few months on his podcast."

They add ... "He has made the decision to seek in-patient treatment. This is a particularly sensitive time for him and his family. They ask for privacy and respect until he is ready to speak more on this matter."

Pax Jolie-Pitt’s electric bike crash was so intense that the people who rushed over first thought he might have died right there on the spot ... TMZ has learned.

Eyewitnesses tell us ... the people living on the L.A. street where Pax crashed his BMX-style e-bike into a car Monday thought he was a goner when they saw him lying still on the ground -- that is, until he regained consciousness when paramedics arrived at the scene.

We’re told Pax’s bike looked fine and didn’t show any obvious signs of damage from the impact ... but we're told PJP himself was out cold, and had folks incredibly worried. BTW, our sources say the area this happened in isn't far from where Angie herself lives.

Bella Hadid is horsing around after getting serious about the controversy surrounding her ill-fated, and ill-planned, Adidas modeling gig.

The supermodel was in Fort Worth, TX Monday night riding a horse inside a rodeo arena, only hours after breaking her silence on the Adidas shoe drama in which she's been embroiled.

Bella's in full cowgirl mode in the video and photo -- rocking a cowboy hat, boots and a Texas-sized belt buckle while riding.

Nicola Peltz-Beckham is officially taking legal action against the groomer who treated her beloved dog before she died ... and she's come out swinging in a new lawsuit.

In a new filing obtained by TMZ ... Nicola claims HoundSpa caused the untimely death of her chihuahua Nala -- specifically pointing the finger at a groomer, named Jony Ceballos.

Nicola claims Jony has a history of "intentional and malicious abuse of dogs," further alleging Nala was left injured and in severe physical distress after being treated for a routine grooming in HoundSpa's mobile van.

A French drag queen from the 2024 Paris Olympics ceremony is speaking up about the controversy -- telling us the whole point was to showcase France’s LGBTQ+ scene and definitely not to offend anyone.

A rep for the singer and former "Drag Race France" star Piche tells TMZ ... offending anyone or a whole religion was the last thing they were thinking about. They just saw it as a fun, joyous, pop culture moment that most of the planet felt.

That said, Piche, who rocked an extravagant catwalk in the rain during the ceremony, is really happy that queer people were able to be represented in the show.

Kristin Cavallari’s clearly got a nose for talent -- 'cause she's putting her younger, hunky boo Mark Estes' good looks to work in her brand new fragrance ad ... and it's pretty damn hot!

The reality vet just launched her first scent, "Hard Feelings," from her Uncommon James lifestyle brand -- and the ad is hotter than the desert sun ... with Mark featured in the quick spot, getting all touchy-feely with her amid the cacti.

Check it out -- Kristin stumbles upon him out in the desert, who promptly sweeps her off her feet ... literally. Other smoldering shots show KC giggling as he wraps her up from behind.

Sen. J.D. Vance is getting roasted 'cause people think he had sex with a couch, and while it might sound funny ('cause it is) ... one sex ed expert says all the jokes are shaming folks who do, in fact, like to bang furniture.

Here's the deal ... someone on X made a joke suggesting Donald Trump's running mate might have humped an inside-out latex glove shoved between 2 couch cushions, as described in a fake description of his NYT bestselling memoir, 'Hillbilly Elegy.'

Like we said, nothing like that is really in his book, but the post went viral anyway, and J.D.'s been ridiculed ever since. Thing is ... while most of us might be laughing, the mockery is actually harmful to a community of folks legitimately turned on by sex with objects ... and that's according to renowned doctor, Laura Berman.