Gossip / Rumors

There's a report circulating that Minka had an epic meltdown on a flight from NY to LAX earlier today when she wasn't allowed to put her dog on her seat during takeoff.

According to the report, it took all seven flight attendants, a personal plea from the pilot ... and a phone call to boyfriend Derek Jeter to calm her down.

But Kelly's lawyer, Marty Singer, tells TMZ ... Minka paid extra to bring her dog on board the flight. There was never an issue on the L.A./New York trip. But Singer says on the return trip, the flight attendant would not let Minka's dog in the first class cabin during takeoff and landing because of space issues. Singer says Minka took her dog back to coach for takeoff and landing and spent the rest of the time with her pooch in first class.

Aniston -- who will be guest starring on "Cougar Town" this season -- was photographed riding shotgun in Hopkins' ride after a romantic chow-fest at Madeo in Hollywood.

The photo in question (top right) seems to be an optical illusion -- because based on another photo of the same foot (bottom right) Ellen only has five toes.

In fact, one of the Executive Producers on "Grey's Anatomy" -- Shonda Rhimes -- tweeted, "Pompeo and I are still laughing. She says to tell everyone the rumors are wrong -- she has SEVEN toes on each foot!"

Go ahead. Count 'em yourself.

Sources tell TMZ ... Lohan is currently talking to "Maury" producers about going on the show and taking a paternity test to prove he never impregnated Kristi Kaufmann ... who claims she had an affair with Mike in the '90s.

Lohan tells TMZ Kaufmann has demanded child support in the past ... and even changed the child's birth certificate to bear Michael's last name ... which would make the kid Lindsay adjacent.

Danielle just filed legal papers -- in which she states that Kevin Maher has "no evidence" that Danielle ever made several controversial statements about him ... including accusations that Kevin killed her dog, forced her to play Russian Roulette ... and even raped her.

As we previously reported, Maher filed a lawsuit against the "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star -- claiming she did make the alleged statements ... and in doing so, she damaged his reputation to the tune of $5 million.

But Staub claims Maher has admitted to being such a scumbag in the past -- that even if she did make the statements, his reputation couldn't suffer any worse than it already has.

In fact, Staub lists several examples of Maher's alleged scumbaggery ...

According to the docs, Staub claims it's all spelled out in Maher's infamous biography, "Cop Without a Badge" ... in which Maher admits to using cocaine, has "overactive sexual proclivities," and once shoved a gun into the genitals of a man he thought was sleeping with Danielle.

As TMZ previously reported, Maher and Staub are attempting to settle their issues through mediation ... but in case that fails, the case is set to go to trial in February.

Sources close to the Heidi sex tape deal tell TMZ ... Vivid Entertainment is only slightly interested in the rumored video with Montag and the Shannon Playmates. They are, we're told, way more interested in the Speidi videos.

We're told Vivid honcho Steve Hirsch is very clear ... the money tape is the one featuring Heidi and Spencer Pratt -- a tape he believes could surpass Kim Kardashian's sex tape in sales.

To sum it up ... video of Spencer Pratt is somehow more appealing than video of naked Playboy Playmate twin sisters. What is this world coming to?!?!?!?

UPDATE: Kristina Shannon tells TMZ she is "100% positive" that she is not in any sort of sex tape with either her twin sister Karissa Shannon or Heidi Montag.

Kristina adds, "I'm saddened by the situation with Heidi and my sister."

Gib Mendelson tells TMZ ... he was sitting in the middle of the plane, near an emergency exit. Gib says, "The first indication we had of the issue was his [Steven] coming on to the PA system with his diatribe. I did not see anything that precipitated the meltdown."

Gib adds Slater was in a bad mood during the flight -- "He obviously had a bad day."

The two reconnected just one day after Fantasia was released from the hospital ... following an aspirin overdose.

Sources are telling us investigators still have not identified the elusive female passenger who allegedly went off on Slater ... curious to say the least.

We're told the airline and Port Authority investigators are not at all convinced the incident ever occurred. As one source connected with the investigation put it, "Crazier things have happened."

One source familiar with the situation tells TMZ investigators think some of Slater's story just doesn't track.

Slater's lawyer could not be reached for comment.

The photo in question shows Jesse walking into West Coast Choppers with a mystery brunette lady ... but the photo only shows the couple from behind -- meaning NO FACES.

But sources at WCC tell TMZ that Sandra has not been around the shop for a long while ... and she definitely wasn't there on Monday.

So who's the mystery woman??? Sources at WCC tell us she's Hildie Katibah (pictured above) ... the head of Pay Up Sucker Productions ... which is affiliated with Jesse's bike business.

Fantasia's manager, Brian Dickens, just released a statement saying the former "American Idol" champ is "certain that she is not responsible for the deterioration of the Cook's marriage."

The statement goes on to say, "Fantasia will weather this storm with the dignity and grace that she has exemplified throughout a life in which she has repeatedly overcome obstacles and challenges. Fantasia's faith in God, herself and family remain as strong as ever."

As we previously reported, Paula Cook just filed for divorce from her husband Antwaun. In the court docs, Paula accused the guy of having a "covert adulterous affair" with Barrino ... and believes they "recorded their illicit activity."

UPDATE: Fantasia's lawyer, Gena Morris, is officially on the attack -- telling TMZ, "Mrs. Cook gratuitously included claims about Fantasia to sensationalize that litigation and to insure that her tale would be picked up by tabloids."

Morris added, "The fact that she would seek such publicity in a case involving her children is particularly disgraceful.”

According to docs obtained by WCNC, Paula Cook filed for child support against her estranged husband Antwaun Cook last week and cited an alleged affair between Cook and Barrino. She claims the two met at a T-Mobile store and, beginning in August 2009, began their "covert adulterous affair."

Cook goes on to claim, "Throughout the course of their adulterous affair ... Defendant/Husband and Ms. Barrino have at times recorded their illicit activity."

Rumors of an affair between Barrino and Cook have been around for months -- and Barrino has always denied them.

Our spies in North Carolina tell us Hough was in town for her birthday dinner at a Morton's steak house the other night with a bunch of friends ... and at one point during the meal, she was asked, "How did you and Ryan get together?"

Julianne responded, "He was after me since I was 18 ... he totally wasn't my type ... I thought he was gay."

But Hough continued, "After a few years, he was persistent ... so I went out with him on a date and I realized how much I liked him."

We're told Ryan and Julianne have been together for a couple of months.

Brad and Angelina sued 'News of the World' after the paper reported they were splitting and dividing $320 mil.

The story was widely reported (BTW, not by us) online and on TV.

The settlement is for "undisclosed damages."

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