Gossip / Rumors

Nikki Bella played with fire when she tried messing with the paparazzi ... and it burned her ass.

Nikki tells TMZ ... a story floating around showing her "canoodling with a mystery man" on a Miami balcony does NOT mean she's interested in him. She says it was supposed to be a joke to mess with paps since they had been following her and the rest of the "Total Divas" crew for days.

Nikki says the bartender is a 21-year-old model the show hired to serve them drinks at their penthouse ... but by Thursday Nikki had had enough with the paps. With a little liquid courage, Nikki says she hatched a plan to bring the guy out on the balcony and do some faux flirting to screw with the photogs.

Paps snapped away and a story about her canoodling hit the web ... something she had NOT intended to happen. Nikki wants to set the record straight -- she is NOT dating anyone else right now. And as she told us already ... she's actively trying to work things out with John Cena.

Drake knows how to pick 'em -- the mother of his alleged son starred on a reality show ... about professional side chicks.

We dug up an old trailer for a 2012 show called "Real Mistresses of Atlanta," in which Sophie Brussaux -- who used her stage name, Rosee Divine -- is introduced as one of the four leading ladies. She called herself a French model who likes luxury.

In one scene she's seen talking to an anonymous NBA player over the phone, and he tells her to buy a condo she liked. The implication is pretty clear ... he's married, but he's also Sophie's sugar daddy.

Producer Mickey 'Memphitz' Wright -- the ex-bf of "Love & Hip Hop Atlanta" star K. Michelle -- created and produced the show. He reportedly shopped it around to TV execs, and sources at Oxygen tell us the network was very interested ... but, ultimately no one bought it.

There are no episodes or seasons listed on the Internet.

Meghan Markle's dad, Thomas, has never asked his daughter for money -- despite reports -- because he says he leads a frugal life by choice and doesn't need extra cash.

Thomas is shooting down reports that, in the weeks before his daughter's lavish royal wedding, he reached out to Meghan for money on at least two occasions and Meghan refused to help him out.

Thomas tells us the rumor is "just plain bulls***" despite outlets repeatedly pushing the story. He says he's got a decent retirement fund and doesn't need his daughter's help when it comes to money, but if he did he knows Meghan would help him out.

Thomas says money has never been a topic of conversation between the two. Neither brings it up when they talk.

As for his health ... he says he's been resting a lot since his heart surgery and will be going to his 2-week follow-up appointment next week.

The woman Pusha T claims is Drake's baby mama proudly displayed her pregnancy journey on Instagram for months ... ending with a pic of baby Adonis himself.

We've learned the "Sophie" Pusha T mentions in his new Drake diss track, "The Story of Adidon," is Sophie Brussaux, a former French porn star. She's the same woman who was photographed with Drake in Amsterdam in January, 2017 ... just days after the alleged conception.

Sophie certainly didn't hide her pregnancy -- showing off her baby bump and even a cake from her baby shower with the name Adonis emblazoned on it -- the same name Pusha T uses in his track.

One thing missing throughout her posts ... any mention of Drake.

TMZ broke the story back in May, 2017 -- Brussaux claimed to have text messages between her and Drizzy supporting the claim he got her pregnant -- the alleged convo read ...

Drake: I want you to have an abortion.

Brussaux: I can't kill my baby simply to indulge you sorry.

Drake: Indulge me? F*** you.

Brussaux: What?

Drake: You do know what you're doing you think you're going to get money.

Drake's team, at the time, told us Sophie had a very "questionable background." They said, "She has admitted to having multiple relationships. We understand she may have problems getting into the United States. She's one of many women claiming he got them pregnant."

The rep added, "If it is in fact Drake's child, which he does not believe, he would do the right thing by the child."

NBA star Ben Simmons had a fancy dinner date in Bev Hills on Monday night ... and the woman in his car sure looks a lot like Kendall Jenner.

It makes sense ... considering new reports the Philadelphia 76ers star has broken up with Tinashe and moved on to Kendall. The romance has been going on for a few weeks, according to Page Six.

Our video was shot outside the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills -- where our sources say Simmons and the mystery woman had a bite to eat together. We're told the woman tried like hell to stay low key -- using her hoodie to cover her face.

Kendall's been connected to basketball players before -- most recently, she was with Blake Griffin and before that she was reportedly dating Jordan Clarkson.

If that really is Kendall (and it really seems like it is) ... welcome to the Kardashians, Mr. Simmons!

FYI, we last saw Simmons with Tinashe in Philly earlier this month -- riding in a Ferrari together.

Eminem and Nicki Minaj aren't dating ... but they're certainly having fun with the idea.

The rapper was headlining the Boston Calling festival Sunday night when he addressed the rumors -- in jest -- asking the crowd for their approval of the hip hop stars being a power couple ... and it's hilarious.

Nicki almost immediately responded to Em's playful display of desired affection on Twitter, saying ... "LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. The fact that he’s silly & a goof just like me. Love him so much. Em we need you on the #Queen album. That’s where our 1st date will be; at the studio while I gaze into ur beautiful eyes as u write ur verse.”

So yeah ... this is getting a little out of hand.

As we reported, Nicki fueled the dating rumors when she replied "yes" to a fan's comment asking if she and Slim Shady were dating ... but then sources close to Minaj told us she was only joking.

Tiffany Haddish is down with doing a 'Blue Brothers' reboot with Cardi B ... if the money is right.

We got Tiff Friday at LAX and followed up on our convo last month with Dan Aykroyd, who told us about a script -- "Soul Sisters" -- that is sitting on numerous desks in Hollywood, just waiting for a studio to bite.

So now we followed up with Tiffany, who says she knows 'The Blues Bros' line and verse, and would sign a deal but she wants some serious $$$.

As for Cardi B as her co-star, Tiffany wisely concluded the time isn't exactly right for that, but when Cardi delivers her baby it's game on.

When it comes to the drama between Aaron Rodgers and his family, Olivia Munn says ... "I don't think either side of the road is clean."

Aaron's ex-girlfriend -- who RARELY speaks about the Packers QB -- opened up Wednesday on "Andy Cohen Live" ... and addressed the rumors that SHE was the cause of the rift between Aaron and his parents and brothers.

Remember, there was that famous scene on "The Bachelorette" (starring Aaron's brother, Jordan) when the family had an empty chair at the dinner table to symbolize Aaron's absence.

Munn says the truth is ... Aaron had stopped talking to his family about 8 months before they started dating in 2014 and she was the one who tried to convince him to reconcile!

"On my last day when I was filming 'The Newsroom,' I spent the day in my trailer just encouraging him to, like, have an honest conversation with your parents."

Munn suggested there were jealously issues with Aaron's father and brothers -- who each had dreams of sports success -- and it created a complicated family dynamic.

"I don't think either side of the road is clean," Munn said ... "But, I do think it’s NOT okay when you try to stand on someone’s shoulders and then throw dirt in their face, which is what I think they did with him."

Munn and Rodgers called it quits about a year ago and Olivia says they no longer keep in touch.

Rodgers is now dating Danica Patrick.

Jeffrey Tambor's unapologetic when it comes to lobbying for more work on "Arrested Development" ... sexual misconduct allegations be damned.

We got Jeffrey out Monday in NYC, and wanted to know if he's up for being on 'AD' for season 6? ICYMI ... Jeffrey showed up to the season 5 premiere last week alongside the 'Arrested' cast, which stands by him despite allegations he sexually harassed his assistant and a "Transparent" costar. Amazon fired him from "Transparent" in February, though he says he quit and denied the allegations.

'Arrested' creator Mitch Hurwitz reportedly said last week he stuck with Tambor for season 5 because the Netflix show had already been filmed when allegations first surfaced. That aside, Hurwitz said he wasn't gonna cut Tambor based purely on allegations.

Caitlyn Jenner and her rumored 21-year-old girlfriend were all smiles and chatting it up ... not with our photog, but it's clear as daylight they're into each other.

We got Caitlyn and Sophia Hutchins on Sunday leaving Craig's in WeHo, where our guy tried to get some clarity on the nature of their relationship. Watch ... they wait to get inside before we see their lips moving. Rumors are they're an item ... and Sophia dropped a massive hint after this pic of herself lying on a bed with the exact headboard at Caitlyn's Malibu crib.

Caitlyn Jenner and her rumored 21-year-old girlfriend appear to have shacked up together ... and the proof is all in Jenner's bed!

Caitlyn and Sophia Hutchins -- who is also transgender -- have reportedly been an item for several months. However, earlier this week Sophia dropped a massive hint as to just how serious things between the two might actually be.

Hutchins posted a photo of herself lying on a bed with the caption, "Home. Sweet. Home." Look closely ... the bed's headboard is the exact same one Caitlyn's posted many times in the past from her Malibu home.

Teairra Mari's ex-boyfriend, Akbar Abdul-Ahad, says she's pointing her finger at the wrong guy when it comes to who leaked her sex tape ... because it's not a guy at all ... it's a woman.

Akbar is being accused of hacking into Teairra's Instagram account and posting the XXX video, from which 50 Cent then grabbed a screenshot and shared with his 18 million followers. Teairra's lawyered up and is suing, claiming it's revenge porn.

But, when we spoke with Akbar he claimed he knows the culprit, a female, but wasn't naming names. He says Teairra's putting on an act because that's what she does by trade, plus he claims they were hanging out as early as last week, days before her lawsuit was filed.

The next movie in the 'Star Wars Story' franchise will feature Obi-Wan Kenobi -- but it ain't an origin story ... far from it actually.

According to a newly released production bulletin -- obtained by TMZ -- Disney's next foray into their spin-off series appears to be called "Obi-Wan: A Star Wars Story," with a working title of "Joshua Tree." "Return of the Jedi" also used a code name ... "Blue Harvest."

The synopsis reads as follows ... Obi-Wan is on Tatooine being an elusive hermit and stuff, but secretly watches over an infant Luke Skywalker, whom he delivered to his uncle, Owen. Tensions between the local farmers and a tribe of Sand People -- headed by a ruthless war chief -- eventually brings Obi outta hiding ... and into Jedi kickass mode. Scene.

The bulletin lists Stephen Daldry as the director -- he'd been rumored to be in talks for the film, and now it looks like he's attached. The movie's shooting in London at a well-known 'Star Wars' studio, recently used for 'The Last Jedi.' Production is set to begin next spring.

Meghan Markle's father will not be walking her down the aisle Saturday ... he isn't going to the wedding at all because of the fallout over selling photos of himself ... TMZ has learned.

Thomas Markle tells TMZ, he meant no harm to Meghan or the Royal Family when he made a deal to allow a photo agency to take pics of him getting ready for the wedding. He says he had a reason and it was not principally about money.

Markle tells us over the last year he's been ambushed by paparazzi who have photographed him in the most unflattering circumstances ... buying beer, looking disheveled and reclusive. He's especially upset that they made him look like a lush. Thomas says he doesn't even drink beer ... he was buying it for the guards at the place where he lives.

He says since his daughter started dating Prince Harry he's been offered anywhere between $50,000 and $100k for interviews and he's turned all of them down.

Thomas says the paparazzi agency approached him, offered him money -- though nowhere near the reported $100k -- and he figured there was no harm in it and it would help recast his image.

He admits the pics look "stupid and hammy." He says he was just going along with the paparazzi agency, which he now deeply regrets.

And, Thomas says, he suffered a heart attack 6 days ago but checked himself out of the hospital so he could attend the wedding. He's now decided not to go because he doesn't want to embarrass the Royal Family or his daughter.

Christie Brinkley's been divorced from Billy Joel for decades, but it seems she still likes big shots ... this one in the form of Stormy Daniels' lawyer.

Christie got super cozy Saturday night with Michael Avenatti. Christie and her brood were dining at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor, NY, when Avenatti pulled up a chair toward the end of the meal. Everyone else left, but Christie and Mike stuck around to chat, laugh and be merry.

It's unclear what exactly they were discussing, but we imagine one subject might've come up -- Donald Trump. She's claimed Trump hit on her while he was married to Ivana Trump, and when she was dating Billy. She said Trump invited her to Aspen on his private jet ... she declined.

Avenatti tells us he and Christie are friends. He says she's a "classy, smart woman with great insight."

Michael Avenatti ... he hangs with women who banged Trump and women who didn't.

UFC superstar Nick Diaz says he was poisoned "with some kind of weird ass drug" before he fought Georges St-Pierre back in 2013 ... telling TMZ Sports there was a diabolical plot against him.

Diaz was leaving Catch in L.A. Friday night when we asked about the allegations his brother Nate made about GSP -- that he was a steroid cheater at UFC 158, a fought Nick lost in a 5-round unanimous decision.

Nate had previously said he will not fight GSP until he admits he cheated publicly.

Enter Nick ... who doubled down on the cheating allegations and then accused someone -- he doesn't name anyone specifically -- of poisoning an IV he was administered before the fight in Montreal, GSP's hometown.

Diaz insists he was in the best shape of his life at the time but something caused his body to fail on the night of the fight ... and he believes he was sandbagged.

Nick also touched on his previous allegations that the Quebec Athletic Commission didn't really test the fighters before his match with GSP, and his proof is ... he knows he should have tested positive for weed, but didn't.