Fairly Legal

Nikki Bella is on the hunt for a divorce lawyer ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Nikki has been making calls since Friday, and we're told her intention is to file to end her marriage to Artem Chigvintsev.

Nikki began the search a day after Artem allegedly attacked her, resulting in some physical injury that triggered his arrest for felony domestic violence.

A shocking case in France has just gone to trial ... and it centers around a 71-year-old man who is accused of inviting dozens of strangers to rape his drugged wife in their home.

Dominique Pelicot is accused of using a website to enlist strangers for sex with his wife ... and prosecutors say he filmed the rapes ... which occurred while his wife was knocked unconscious.

Pelicot allegedly brought home 83 men to defile his wife over a period of nearly a decade ... and the judge in the case says Pelicot also kept a nude photo of his daughter on his phone.

For actor Sebastian Stan, it's just another day, another role as a rising star.

In a first-look teaser for "The Apprentice," Sebastian is seen playing the part of Donald Trump in his ascent to power, mentored by famed right-wing and political fixer Roy Cohn, played by "Succession" star Jeremy Strong.

The actor's performance in the film is already receiving rave reviews from screenings ... while also grabbing the attention of the Trump campaign, which sent a cease-and-desist letter threatening legal action against director Ali Abbasi and writer Gabriel Sherman after the film's debut at Cannes earlier this year.

Nikki Bella's back in the public eye in a big way ... taking the stage at Netflix's live hotdog eating contest between Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi days after her husband was arrested for felony domestic violence.

The former WWE wrestler is in Las Vegas for the Labor Day sausage showdown ... hosting the event alongside Rob Riggle and getting some serious love from the crowd.

It's Nikki's first public appearance since Artem Chigvintsev's Thursday arrest in Napa, California ... and she was greeted by a big cheer when she was introduced as host ... and someone even shouted, "Love you, Nikki!!!"

Nikki Bella was seen for the first time since Artem Chigvintsev's domestic violence arrest ... and her bare ring finger speaks volumes about the state of their marriage.

The former WWE star was just spotted in Oakland, boarding a private plane with a gal pal ... likely headed to Las Vegas where she'll be cohosting Netflix's live hotdog eating competition, "Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef" Monday.

Bella hopped on the plane with a big grin, hat pulled low over her eyes ... but, obviously, everyone's looking at her finger -- 'cause she's ditched her wedding ring after a tumultuous week.

Jennifer Lopez's feeling just fine after filing for divorce, cross her heart ... just like the fabric of the tight white top she wore in her first public appearance.

The singer-songwriter stepped out in Los Angeles Friday wearing a form-fitting white top, cut out at the chest and a pair of jeans ... accessorizing with a Fort Knox worth of gold and jewels on her hands.

Interestingly, J Lo's still wearing a ring on THAT finger ... though it ain't the one with the huge green gem Ben Affleck gave her back when they got married.

The federal authorities investigating Diddy to possibly get a criminal indictment against the music mogul are chugging along ... issuing a new grand jury subpoena related to a hotel in Florida.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York got a subpoena requiring the fancy Miami hotel to cough up documents and other evidence related to Diddy.

Diddy and his ex Daphne Joy are both named in the subpoena. The subpoena calls for the hotel to hand over reservation records involving Diddy, Daphne and other associates of the Bad Boy Entertainment CEO.

Bill Maher is angry over Matthew Perry's death ... the actor who was the most visible drug addict in the world, who scored the drugs that killed him from his own doctors.

The "Real Time" host went off on doctors who fueled the fatal addictions of Perry, Michael Jackson, Prince, Tom Petty, Elvis, and on and on.

At the root of the problem -- $$$. Doctors make a fortune, and so do pharmaceutical companies, that pushed 145 BILLION Oxy and hydrocodone pills in the U.S. between 2006 and 2019, resulting in 210,000 fatal OD's.

Say what you will about Kim Kardashian, but she definitely puts her money where her mouth is when it comes to criminal justice reform.

Kim posted pics of her visit alongside supermodel sister Kendall Jenner and Influencer Olivia Pierson to Pine Grove Youth Firecamp and Growlersburg Firecamp In Northern California.

Kim captioned the post saying, "Yesterday I had the amazing opportunity to spend some time with the guys at Pine Grove youth firecamp, and Growlersberg Firecamp Crew 3 and 5. These incredible men are incarcerated firefighters saving our state, homes and communities from fire."

Sean Higgins -- the man accused of killing NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his little brother, Matthew -- made his first appearance in a New Jersey courtroom on Friday ... and he looked upset to hear he'll be spending his upcoming long holiday weekend in jail.

The 43-year-old appeared virtually before a judge ... after he was hit with two charges of death by auto following allegations he drunkenly slammed his Jeep Grand Cherokee into the backs of the Gaudreaus on Thursday night while they were biking on a small roadway in Oldmans Township.

Wearing an anti-suicide smock -- Higgins initially didn't speak much at the hearing ... although when he was informed he would remain behind bars until at least next Thursday -- he seemed dejected.

"Serial" subject Adnan Syed's legal battle drags on ... 'cause the Maryland State Supreme Court affirmed a lower appellate court's ruling reinstating Syed's murder conviction.

The highest court in Maryland upheld the ruling that determined Syed's case should be kicked down to the trial court to once again consider whether his conviction should stand ... essentially undoing the 2022 court ruling that overturned the conviction and set AS free.

The new hearing has not yet been scheduled ... but when it does happen, the family of his alleged victim, Hae Min Lee, will almost certainly be present in court.

2:35 PM PT -- U.S. Magistrate Judge Jean Rosenbluth ordered Dr. Mark Chavez released on $50,000 bond Friday. Chavez agreed at a separate administrative hearing earlier this week -- not in federal court -- to surrender his California medical license.

One of the doctors charged in connection with Matthew Perry's ketamine death appeared in front of a judge for the first time Friday.

Dr. Mark Chavez, one of two physicians busted in the Perry case, was arraigned Friday afternoon in a federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles.

He appeared with his lawyer, and Judge Jean Rosenbluth told Chavez he could remain free on bond with restrictions, according to the Associated Press. Chavez agreed to surrender his passport, and not to work as a doctor.

Travis Scott won't have any worries next time he decides to party in Miami Beach ... his trespassing charge -- the last remnant of his wild arrest back in June -- has been dropped!!!

A source close to the prosecutor's office tells us the charge has been dropped ... Travis and his legal counsel previously argued there were no clear "no trespassing" signs to determine he was out of bounds, and looks like that was enough to convince prosecutors to drop the case.

Scott's attorney Bradford Cohen tells TMZ Hip Hop … “After arguing the motion to dismiss and the state realizing that there was no path to maintaining the charge, they decided to drop the case in its entirety.  Although not a serious charge, and one that should not have been filed, we are pleased with the result.”

Angelina Jolie is feeling like Kurt Russell -- she's planning her escape from L.A. ... but she's gotta wait a couple years to leave ... because of the Brad Pitt divorce.

The daughter of actors Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand, Angelina grew up in Los Angeles ... but now she's counting the days until she's finally able to move ... and it sounds like she's getting as far away as she can.

Angelina tells The Hollywood Reporter in a newly published interview ... she's only living in L.A. because she has to be there as a result of her divorce, and she's bouncing as soon as her and Brad's 16-year-old twins, Vivienne and Knox, turn 18.

8:25 AM PT -- Nikki Bella's rep tells TMZ, "This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time."

Artem Chigvintsev -- now accused of felony domestic violence -- himself called 911 after he allegedly battered someone in his home ... and minutes later he called back and told 911 never mind ... TMZ has learned.

As TMZ reported, Artem was arrested Thursday morning in Napa, California, where he lives with his wife, Nikki Garcia (aka Nikki Bella).

Leah Remini's officially filed to divorce her husband ... and, it looks like she's taking cues from her on-again, off-again friend Jennifer Lopez -- 'cause she did it sans lawyer.

The actress filed the documents late Thursday night ... citing irreconcilable differences as the reason she and Angelo Pagán are calling it quits after more than 2 decades of marriage.

LR listed the date of separation as August 1 and checked the box to block the court's ability to award either of them spousal support. While the 2 share a daughter, Sofia, she turned 20 in June ... so no question of child support.