Gossip / Rumors

Simon Cowell -- who normally says exactly what's on his mind -- was holding back BIG TIME on the subject of LeAnn Rimes last night ... 'cause while he insisted the singer was sober, he DEFINITELY couldn't say it with a straight face.

Simon was outside Mixology at The Grove in L.A. last night, when we asked about LeAnn's bizarre duet with Carly Rose Sonenclar on "X Factor" this week ... the one that left people thinking she was hammered.

Simon told us he thought the performance was "interesting" ... and he didn't believe LeAnn was on drugs or alcohol at the time. Buuut ... the giant poop-eating grin on his face makes it hard to believe the words that were coming out of his mouth.

Still, Simon says ... LeAnn is welcome back to the show any time she wants.

Someone in LeAnn Rimes' camp is LYING ... because the singer is now saying she never gave a statement to TMZ about her controversial performance on "X Factor."

Here's the deal -- after reports surfaced that LeAnn may have been wasted during her performance with 13-year-old Carly Rose Sonenclar, we called Rimes' rep for comment.

The rep gave us a quote that we were told we could put on TMZ.com and attribute to LeAnn Rimes. We were told LeAnn was NOT impaired and if there was any awkwardness it was only because "I was trying to help this 13-year-old girl who was having some trouble with the song."

But moments ago, Rimes posted a message on her Twitter page saying she has NOT given the media a quote -- noting, "It's a shame that gossip and lies are overshadowing the performance of Carly."

She added, "It was an amazing opportunity to share this experience with Carly and I know I'll be watching for her to win tonight."

LeAnn Rimes tells TMZ ... she was NOT drunk when she performed on "X Factor" Wednesday night, contrary to LOTS of speculation.

LeAnn says she was in no way impaired, and any awkwardness was because "I was trying to help this 13-year-old girl who was having some trouble with the song."

LeAnn believes Carly Rose Sonenclar was very nervous and had difficulty with some of the notes and she was doing her best to help her get through it.

LeAnn's lawyer, Larry Stein, who spoke with LeAnn a few minutes ago, tells TMZ "LeAnn was not performing the way she would normally perform, because she was on stage with a young girl."

LeAnn says she does not understand why people believe she was drunk. Stein has a theory: "There have been a lot of untrue things said by others and it feeds into this sort of thing."

Lindsay Lohan says she's been framed -- she couldn't have trashed her "Scary Movie 5" trailer ... 'cause it was trashed when she got there, and producers retaliated because they were pissed off she was a no-show for the first day of shooting ... so Lindsay is telling close friends.

Lindsay is pissed at reports claiming she clogged her toilet -- along with all the other toilets on the set.

Now here's Lindsay's story -- she's telling friends producers were ferociously upset she missed the kickoff day ... even though she told them she had walking pneumonia and doctors ordered her NOT to fly.

We're told when she arrived belatedly, the trailer was a disaster -- the shower and toilet were not working ... and she had to do her biz in adjoining trailers.

It was only after the shoot that Lindsay was accused of wreaking plumbing havoc and told she would not get her full paycheck ... to cover repair costs.

Kris and Bruce Jenner are NOT BREAKING UP ... and to prove it, the reality couple put on a CLINIC in over-the-top public flirtation at an L.A. Christmas tree lot yesterday.

The rumors of an impending divorce have been swirling for weeks ... with reports that the leaders of the Kardashian squad are "faking" their relationship for the cameras.

But sources close to the couple tell TMZ ... the breakup talk is "total BS" ... and Kris and Bruce are still legitimately in love with each other.

Jennifer Aniston and Jessica Simpson both have a major glow about them -- and since everyone wants to know if it's because they're knocked up ... we set out to find definitive answers! Hey, we tried.

Here it is ... undeniable proof that Jennifer Aniston is finally PREGNANT ... or not pregnant ... depending on if you can see a baby bump in this photo!!!

The former "Friends" actress was all smiles on her way into a spa in Beverly Hills this weekend ... with what appears to be signs of a "stomach" showing underneath her shirt.

Only Jen knows for sure ... but we should totally guess anyway -- so, we gotta ask ...

Ice-T's gonna be pissed ... 'cause rapper AP.9 is now strongly insinuating that he's banging T's wife Coco.

Of course, T already blasted his wife on Twitter after pics surfaced featuring Coco and AP.9 gettin' all kissy kissy during a night out in Vegas. T said the pics were "disrespectful and in bad taste."

Coco said the pics were harmless ... and stated that she's "happily married."

But this weekend, AP.9 was shamelessly trying to breathe life back into the story ... because when he was asked about the rumors he was still bangin' Coco, the rapper looked into the camera like he LOVED the attention and said, "That's a RUMOR? Is that a rumor?"

He added, "No comment man."

Jill Kelley -- one of the women in the Gen. David Petraeus scandal -- claims she's been WRONGLY accused of trashing the Kardashian family ... in fact, sources say she actually likes 'em.

Kelley has been compared to the K-squad members after she was thrust into the global spotlight thanks to her role in the Petraeus nonsense ... simply because she's rich and hot.

There was a report that Kelley HATED the comparison ... and allegedly said it was the worst thing to come from the scandal.

But sources close to Kelley tell TMZ she never said any such thing. We're told Jill views the Ks as "beautiful and successful business women" whom she highly respects.

Jessica reportedly has a tiny person growing inside of her, but has yet to confirm a pregnancy.

But on Saturday she showed up to Zach Braff's mansion -- where the wedding was held -- in this kind-of-poofy black dress ... which CONVENIENTLY covered her stomach (aka her baby incubator).

Sarah Jessica Parker's makeup artist -- who was busted in Norway for allegedly stealing sunglasses -- is telling friends she didn't steal JACK ... and the whole incident was set up so airport authorities could shake her down for a bribe.

Leslie Lopez is telling friends she was shocked when authorities randomly questioned her at the Oslo Airport gate on Wednesday. We're told they asked permission to search her bag (which she allowed) and that's when they told her they found a pair stolen sunglasses and accused her of shoplifting.

We're told authorities accused then demanded she cough up a $1400 fine or else. Our sources say Lopez only had $700 in cash and offered that in an attempt to put the situation to rest. After some teeth pulling, we're told they agreed.

We're told Lopez believes the fact that her "fine" was negotiable proves it was a set up.

Lopez is also telling friends she had spent TONS of money on expensive goods from other airport stores before the "sunglasses incident" and claims to have the receipts (including one for lipstick she allegedly also stole) ... so why would she need to steal sunglasses?

Fear not ladies: Ray J isn't engaged to on-again-off-again girlfriend and video vixen Mia Milano -- despite the fat rock Mia was seen wearing this week on her ring finger.

A photo of Mia wearing what appeared to be engagement bling surfaced this week on the Internet ... causing worldwide speculation the couple was engaged ... but sources close to Ray J tell us, the rumors just ain't true.

We're told Ray J's still waaaaay too broken up over the death of ex-GF Whitney Houston to be making any major relationship plans ... and getting married just isn't on the table.

If we take Barbara Walters literally, the interview she just did with President Barack Obama is her last with the Prez, because she'll be retiring soon.

TMZ broke the story in December, 2011 .... Barbara was interviewing Obama at the White House, and during a break, right smack into an open mic, Barbara leaned over to him and said, "I need one more interview with you because I'm retiring next year."

Barbara snagged an exclusive interview with Obama and Michelle, which airs tonight (see photo). By our count, this is the "one more interview" to which she referred when she spoke into the open mic.

So ... is the 83-year-old broadcast icon hanging up the mic? An ABC news insider dismisses the whole retirement thing, noting Barbara has done 3 live shows on GMA this week, 5 shows on "The View" and interviewed the Prez, adding, "There have been reports for the last 5 years about Barbara retiring. Believe it when you hear it directly from her."

At first glance, this seems like an innocent photo of Jessica Simpson leaving King's Fish House restaurant in Calabasas yesterday ... ORRRRR ... is it irrefutable proof that she's ACTUALLY PREGGO WITH A 2ND CHILD?! Let's review the facts ...

Fact: Jessica Simpson was wearing a jacket that covered up her stomach, where babies most commonly grow.

Counter-Fact: It was pretty chilly in L.A. yesterday, so the jacket could have been to provide warmth.

Fact: Pregnant people aren't supposed to eat raw fish!!!

Fact: We probably shouldn't make assumptions

Terrell Owens says Blake Griffin was just JOKING when he claimed the ex-NFL star begged the Clippers for an NBA tryout over the summer ... because that's totally not something T.O. would do.

The drama began earlier this week ... when Griffin appeared on the Dan Patrick radio show and said, "Terrell Owens is always ... he was at our practice facility this summer, begging coaches for a 10-day contract.”

But T.O.'s rep tells us Blake was just kidding ... explaining, "Blake and Terrell are friends. Terrell never begged to become a Clipper."

The rep says Terrell WAS at the Clippers practice facility over the summer, but only because Jasen Powell -- T.O.'s good friend -- is the team's head trainer.

Still, the rep notes, "As everyone knows, [Terrell] can play a serious game of ball."

LeAnn Rimes is full of crap ... but in a good way ... 'cause the singer tells TMZ she's NOT addicted to laxatives ... despite allegations made by "Real Housewife" Brandi Glanville.

The gloves came off this week when Brandi (a.k.a Eddie Cibrian's ex-wife) accused LeAnn (a.k.a Eddie Cibrian's NEW wife) of being a terrible stepmom to Brandi and Eddie's two young sons.

Specifically Brandi claimed LeAnn carelessly let one of the boys eat one of her laxatives and it made the lil guy sick -- AND she said LeAnn carries the pooping pills everywhere she goes, due to a "serious eating disorder."

LeAnn tells TMZ ... Brandi's "outlandish allegations" are 100% B.S. She doesn't have any diseases or addictions ... and while she's tried to remain silent in the past -- out of respect for their families -- there's only so much "harassment" she can take.

LeAnn continues, "It's a shame to have one party constantly spreading lies. I know this drama is exactly what she wants to create. But Eddie and I hope for everyone's sake, this changes."