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Travis Kelce's acting career has taken off this past year, but it's NOT the direct result of his relationship with Taylor Swift ... so says "Friday Night Lights" actor Sinqua Walls, who tells TMZ Sports he's gettin' gigs because he's a natural talent -- but being a 3-time NFL Super Bowl champ doesn't hurt, either!!

The 39-year-old actor -- also known for his leading role in the "White Men Can't Jump" remake -- broke it down for us this week ... shortly after he drove by a billboard for "Grotesquerie," a new horror TV series featuring Kelce.

"I think that what we've seen over the last few years of Travis is that he has a natural, innate charisma and personality," Walls said.

Willie Anderson is convinced there's a "bias" against right tackles going on at the Pro Football Hall of Fame -- but he tells TMZ Sports he's hopeful that all ends this season.

The former Bengals star made headlines earlier this summer when he said he believes "The Blind Side" movie has warped people's perceptions of offensive linemen ... and when we spoke with him on the matter this week, he said his stance hasn't really changed.

He told us the famous sports movie based on Michael Oher's life -- as well as the way the NFL game used to be played back in the day -- have pushed voters to favor left tackles instead of those who played the right when it comes time to dole out bronze busts in Canton.

Trojan fans might be irked with him, but defensive lineman Bear Alexander says he's got nothing but love for USC after electing to redshirt this season ... telling TMZ Sports he'll still be pulling for his teammates on gamedays.

After making headlines this week over his decision to sit out the remainder of the 2024 schedule to save a year of eligibility, we caught up with Alexander to ask him all about the move.

While the news comes after the Trojans' loss to the University of Michigan ... Alexander said it was the "overall picture" of how things played out in the first three games at Southern Cal.

Attendees at Goldie Hawn's charity gala got front-row seats to a once-in-a-lifetime performance ... watching on as comedian Martin Short and Kate Hudson performed a duet.

MindUP -- Goldie's charity focused on supporting kids' mental health and preventing suicide -- held it's 20th-anniversary gala Saturday night called "Goldie's Love In" where Short and Hudson showed off their pipes for the audience.

After a few jokes about Kate's leggy ensemble, Martin starts up the band ... jumping around like a giddy schoolboy before belting out the opening notes of Frank Sinatra's "The Lady is a Tramp."

A restraining order requested against TikTok star OnlyJayus has been dissolved ... and it's the result of her ex not showing up for the court hearing, TMZ has learned.

We broke the news that Brittany Lee Dejardo was seeking court-ordered protection against Isabella Avila, AKA OnlyJayus ... claiming her ex kept coming around her home, was verbally abusive, and allegedly used her massive social media accounts to berate her.

Brittany beelined it to court earlier this month and asked a judge for a temporary restraining order ... but that was dismissed Thursday.

Lana Del Rey jumped right into wedded bliss with her alligator tour guide love, Jeremy Dufrene, in Louisiana -- and we've learned she scored her wedding dress at a local boutique months before the big day.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ Lana shunned big-name designers ... instead, thrifting her dress at Vintage Market by Trashy Diva in New Orleans back in May.

We're told it's unclear whether Lana strolled into the store specifically hunting for a wedding dress, but after trying on a bunch of other stuff, she ended up falling for the dress she spotted in the window.

Diddy will fight his legal case to the bitter end ... because his lawyer says a plea deal won't fly with his client.

Diddy's attorney, Marc Agnifilo, appears in TMZ Studios' new documentary -- "The Downfall of Diddy: The Indictment" -- available to stream now on Tubi ... and, he says his client will fight this case not just for himself, but for others in a similar position.

Agnifilo says Diddy says he's innocent ... so, he sees no reason to take a plea deal -- even if prosecutors offer it.

Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian are traveling with all the small things as they hit the road for the Blink-182 tour ... because baby Rocky is riding the tour bus too!!!

Rocky was all snuggled up in a brown onesie Friday as Kourtney carried him in her arms ... and they boarded the tour bus with Travis.

The family of 3 was in New York City this morning before hitting the road and heading south to Ocean City, Maryland ... where Blink-182 is about to play a concert.

Scottie Pippen is jumping into the documentary game -- the NBA legend tells us he's linking up with a top filmmaker, and they're creating a series chronicling the 1990-1991 Chicago Bulls, focusing on the actual game ball from the title-clinching game!

"We're looking to do a documentary on this basketball because we think that there's a lot of stories to be told," Pippen told Babcock on the TMZ Sports TV show (airs nightly on FS1).

"I think that ball really was a start of a dynasty and almost, I want to say, the end of a great dynasty in the Los Angeles Lakers, who we've known for many years in the '80s as 'Showtime,'" Scottie said, explaining the significance of the basketball.

Dave Stewart grew up in Oakland and is one of the greatest players to ever put on an Athletics uniform ... and now the World Series MVP is opening on his organization bolting the bay for Las Vegas.

"I've kind of had time to prepare myself for [the last game in Oakland], but it doesn't really hit you until the actual moment," Stewart told TMZ Sports.

"At the ballpark, I was fine. Before I went to the ballpark, I was quite frankly a mess. I couldn't figure out what the heck was going on with me. At the time, the emotion, I mean, there were some tears."

Even though Arch Manning's only thrown 52 passes in his collegiate career, Jamaal Charles has already seen enough -- telling TMZ Sports he knows for a fact the young signal-caller is "the future of the Texas Longhorns."

Peyton and Eli's nephew has been filling in for Quinn Ewers the last two weeks while the QB1 has been out with injury ... and it's safe to say he's impressed the hell out of Charles, who praised him during an interview with us this week.

The UT legend said the 19-year-old has flashed so much against UTSA and ULM this month -- he's already reminding him of his famous uncles.

Renato Moicano is not overlooking the skills of his UFC Paris opponent Benoit Saint-Denis ... saying he may one day sit atop the division -- but it ain't happening on his watch!

TMZ Sports caught up with the 11th-ranked lightweight contender ... days before he's set to take on 12th-ranked Saint-Denis in his home country of France, and while Moicano sees a bright future for the 28-year-old Frenchman, he's looking to derail his rise to the top.

"I'm here to stop him," Moicano said. "I'm here to get the W in Paris and to keep climbing the rankings."

President Joe Biden has been rumored to be interested in buying Olivia Newton-John's California ranch ... however, those who were close to the late star aren't sold on the gossip.

A rep for the late "Grease" actress' family tells TMZ ... this rumor is "not true," even though a report in the Montecito Journal claimed the President and First Lady Jill Biden were eyeing the property as their post-White House pad.

We wouldn't be surprised if the Bidens were taken with the estate, as the sunny abode is located in Santa Ynez ... a lush community outside Santa Barbara, known for its world-class wineries.

Even Big Freedia admitted their bounce lost some of its spring when Lil Wayne was snubbed and denied the headline halftime spot in his hometown New Orleans Super Bowl ... and turns out the entire city is feeling the burn!!!

We interviewed Big Freedia on 'The TMZ Podcast' and word in the 504 streets is that everyone in New Orleans is sad for Wayne -- especially since he attempted to put things into existence months ago ... but ended up gutted when Kendrick Lamar got the nod.

Big Freedia told hosts Charlie Neff and Wyld Young there's still hope ... Kendrick could easily share stage time with Wayne in February and all would be right in the world ... and wards.

Diddy's grand jury is still looking into the allegations against him ... hearing from at least one more sex worker about their alleged relationship with the mogul, and it's possible it could lead to new charges.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the grand jury is absolutely still convened, and this week it heard testimony from a male escort who said he's interacted with Diddy in the past.

We're told the testimony covered Diddy's alleged outreach to the escort and his willingness to participate in a "Freak Off."

Vivica A. Fox says her nephew Jussie Smollett has his career back on track ... claiming fans love the new movie they worked on together -- fully separating art from the artist.

We caught up with the actress at LAX on Friday ... and, we had to ask her about how audiences were receiving her new flick, "The Lost Holliday" -- and, whether opinions about Smollett have contributed to criticism of the movie.

VAF points out "The Lost Holliday" has played in theaters all over the world ... from London to New York to Los Angeles -- and, so far, she says it's only received positive reviews.