Movies

Mark Ronson just clarified that his praise of the final two mystery artists on the "Barbie" soundtrack was actually meant for one person ... and many see it as a dig at Sam Smith.

Here's the deal ... Ronson -- who's EP'ing the upcoming album attached to the movie -- has been teasing two final artists set to have songs on there (which weren't being announced until the final weeks). A few days ago, Billie Eilish revealed she was one of those two.

She confirmed it in an IG post, saying the track is going to be called "What Was I Made For?" ... adding that she's stoked to be part of the project, confirming her love of Barbie.

With BE being cemented as the penultimate addition to the soundtrack ... Twitter was rife with speculation about who could possibly be filling the final spot -- which reached a fever pitch when a screenshot of a track that was allegedly registered recently made the rounds.

The grab purports to show a song that's supposedly tied to the soundtrack ... one by Sam Smith and produced by Ronson -- with the actual "Barbie" soundtrack attached as well.

When the Internet saw this, they were bummed ... especially considering what Ronson had recently said about at least one of the mystery artists -- namely, "One of the f***ing greatest living artists around, but also had a very personal idiosyncratic tie to Barbie as well."

Indeed, the jokes were flying at Sam's expense ... as it appears fans were expecting a different artist to be unveiled. Well, it seems Ronson caught wind of all the chatter this morning -- because he hopped online to clear up who exactly he was talking about ... Billie.

He writes, "Hi. I love all these artists being thrown around. But was specifically referring to Billie." Now, MR didn't mention Sam's name specifically -- but does seem to be referencing all the conjecture that the final artist may be them ... so his comment here is interesting.

Jussie Smollett is carrying on with his life with good pals in his corner like Taraji P. Henson -- even though, in reality, he's far from out of the woods in the legal world.

The embattled actor was in L.A. Saturday with his ex-'Empire' costar during what appears to have been a hike -- or at the very least, something active. In any case, they hit up a little pop-in restaurant right after ... and then parted ways with a sweet little hug goodbye.

A couple of takeaways here ... one, Taraji is continuing to stand by Jussie's side -- which she's done from pretty much the beginning of this saga. So, her support is unwavering.

The other observation one can glean from this is that Jussie truly is trying to move on and put the whole Chicago case behind him by hunkering down on the West Coast ... this despite the fact that there's an ongoing appeal, which he may very well lose once it's heard in court.

As you may remember, Jussie was convicted in December 2021 for lying to police about the hate crime he claimed was committed against him -- and he was sentenced to 5 months in jail.

He'd actually started serving that time, but was quickly sprung pending his appeal ... which his team filed almost immediately. Since then, he's been free to roam around, it seems, and the case is still dragging on -- with a recent hearing just last month ... but no real update.

No word on when exactly we're going to get some closure on that matter, but in the meantime ... Jussie's been busy working on movies and whatnot. In fact, he was recently seen on a film set with none other than Vivica A. Fox -- yet another defender of his.

Martin Brundle fans were NOT happy after Cara Delevingne snubbed him on the grid -- but the model's defending herself ... saying she was just following orders.

The F1 legend-turned-broadcaster was on his usual TV schtick at the British Grand Prix Sunday ... walking around the grid/trying to talk to famous people on camera, for which he's sort of become famous (anew) lately -- especially depending on who he gets.

This time, he wanted a quick one-on-one with Cara ... but he was being rebuked at the door, with some nameless-faceless man blocking him from approaching CD and saying an impromptu interview was a no-go. Martin forged on though, and asked Cara directly.

He tried to be light-hearted about it ... saying it's a "rule" that everyone on the grid has to talk to him, and we're being honest -- yeah, that's kinda the unspoken deal at these events.

Anyway, Cara doubled down in what the guy -- who looked to be part of her team -- said ... namely, she wouldn't be giving any interviews ... saying "no" repeatedly. MB walked away and threw a little dig at her, sarcastically saying he's sure it would've been a fascinating chat.

As you can imagine, F1 Twitter started ripping into Cara ... calling her conceited and full of herself for rejecting what's become a pastime at Grand Prix races -- talking to Martin. But she's come out swinging, responding by saying she specifically was told not to rebuff him.

Folks replied to that by questioning whether she was told this by her agent or PR person, and wondering if she wasn't capable of thinking/speaking for herself -- but she stamped that out too ... claiming it was actually a Formula 1 rep who instructed her not to speak.

Adam DeVine's looks over the years are "Bumpin!"

Here is a 28-year-old version of the "Workaholics" comedian flashing his charming smile and throwin' a thumbs up at the "Pitch Perfect" premiere in Hollywood, California back in 2012 (left). This was just the beginning of his a cappella role as Bumper.

And, over a decade later Adam is still at it with his impromptu personality -- recently attending the premiere of Netflix's "The Out-Laws" in Los Angeles -- ditching the tie and opting for a more casual carpet look (right).

His ball and chain, Chloe Bridges, thinks he's "perfect,' but the question is ...

LaMarcus Aldridge just got a new massive back tattoo featuring an image of the Joker ... and check it out -- it's so seriously awesome!!!

The former NBA star hit up Andres Ortega and his Onder Ink team last month to get the piece done ... and after sitting under the needle for 10 hours, most of the backside of the hooper's 6'11" frame was completely covered in ink.

On the bottom of the tattoo, Aldridge got Batman's nemesis tatted because, according to Ortega, the former San Antonio Spurs forward said there was a time in his life when nobody believed in him -- and this was his way of laughing at those detractors.

Aldridge also got images of a lion and its cub to represent the relationship he has with one of his children. The skyline of Dallas -- Aldridge's hometown -- was also added to the top of the artwork.

The 7-time NBA All-Star got his jersey No. 12 inked too ... and Ortega tells TMZ Sports he added religious imagery to honor his faith as well as family members who have passed.

Florence Pugh is apparently gonna be in scenes for the upcoming "Oppenheimer" movie where she'll be in her birthday suit ... and it seems she's getting the party started early.

There's a new report out that gets into the purported nitty-gritty of Christopher Nolan's new flick -- and in it, Florence and the lead star, Cillian Murphy, are said to be getting hot and heavy pretty often on-camera... in a way CN's never quite attempted before in his work.

Here's how the Guardian describes it ... "Although Nolan is usually, shall we say, antiseptic in his approach to romance, Oppenheimer represents a significant shift." They add, "It features prolonged full nudity for Murphy and Florence Pugh, who plays Oppenheimer’s ex-fiancee, as well as sex, and there are complicated scenes with Emily Blunt, who plays his wife, 'that were pretty heavy.'" In other words, it sounds like we're gonna be seeing a lot of skin.

Welp, that's definitely not something Florence has any problem with ... as she just recently proved at a fashion show in France this past week, where she was rockin' a sheer gown.

More importantly, FP wasn't wearing a bra or anything underneath -- so her breasts were exposed ... and she wasn't shy about it one bit! Of course, her outfit turned heads.

We've actually seen Florence wear something like this in the past -- namely, about a year ago when was at yet another Valentino fashion show in Europe. There, too, she was sporting a braless, sheer look ... and just like here, she was flaunting her body without reservation.

Florence actually blasted trolls who made fun of her for that, calling them out for body-shaming. Considering what she wore this year -- not to mention the forthcoming "Oppenheimer" scenes -- it's safe to say FP is comfortable in her own skin and then some.

Speaking of "Oppenheimer" ... it's finally getting a last push of interesting press in the final sprint before it comes out -- this after "Barbie" has virtually eaten all the attention thus far.

Jonah Hill's alleged dirty laundry is getting aired out by an ex -- who's posting what she claims are a ton of old texts from him ... and painting him as a toxic partner.

Surf instructor Sarah Brady -- JH's former flame of about a year from back in 2021 -- is dragging the actor publicly on her Instagram account ... and she's not holding anything back in her repudiation of him as an alleged "misogynist narcissist," as she puts it herself.

Sarah has thrown up several text messages that she attributes to Jonah, and if they're to be believed ... it appears he was often concerned/upset about her posting photos of herself.

You can hop onto her IG Story for yourself to see the full characterization she's putting out there -- but bottom line ... it doesn't make Jonah look good at all. Sarah suggests Jonah was manipulative and controlling in their relationship ... and hurls even more allegations.

A lot of the alleged texts she posted appear to show Jonah as constantly bickering at her over a number of things -- whether it's photos of herself surfing, how she handles herself in social situations or even what a therapist she was seeing apparently thought of him.

She also blasts his understanding of "boundaries" ... and suggests he would often gaslight her to keep her under his thumb. BTW, the two of them would hit public events together -- and were photographed as a pair a handful of times.

That's what makes his even uglier -- now, she's even throwing around the word "abusive" to describe their dynamic ... although in a screenshot of a DM she posted, she makes it clear that the alleged abuse she claims she endured with Jonah was emotional, not physical.

Now, since Jonah and Sarah parted ways ... he has moved on with a woman named Olivia Millar, with whom he now shares a child. The couple welcomed a baby this past May, although the sex and name have yet to be revealed. Welp, Sarah's got thoughts on that too.

She says she hopes her ex -- obviously referring to JH -- has a girl, so that he can learn to become a true feminist. Sarah thinks the fact he calls himself a feminist now is laughable.

One last dig she takes at Jonah stands in a photo she posted on her main timeline. It's a black and white shot of her, and it's one she claims Jonah was not comfortable with.

Sarah says, "reviving a pic I took down by request of a misogynist narcissist." In other words, she's alleging he actually asked her to take it down and leave it down, and that she did.

Jonah doesn't actively use social media, and does not appear to have responded to everything Sarah's claiming about him (a fair amount, no doubt). We've tried reaching out to his camp a couple different times now ... but so far, haven't heard anything back.

Britney Spears wasn't the only one inconvenienced during the Victor Wembanyama slap saga in Sin City, because Pauly Shore lost his table at Catch ... and this one really hurts.

Folks who were dining at Catch at the same time as Britney, Wemby and Pauly tell TMZ … after the slapping incident, Britney went to dinner inside the fancy restaurant and her party was seated ... at the same booth where they had seated Pauly.

Turns out Pauly had just gotten seated, he got up to use the restroom, and when he came back, Britney and her group were at his table, where he had left his phone, glasses and fanny pack.

Britney's security, we're told, initially stopped Pauly from getting back to the table ... but they eventually let him through.

We're told Paul greeted Britney and they both kind of laughed off the seating situation, and her manager, Cade Hudson, handed over Pauly's things.

Ultimately, we're told Pauly got seated at a different table ... it's unclear if this was just a mix-up or if Catch deliberately bumped him for BS. ET first reported on Pauly's table mishap.

As we first reported ... video shows Britney approaching Victor on their way into Catch and getting slapped by his security, and eyewitnesses say Britney was in shock and angry during dinner.

Cops investigated the slapping incident and decided against pursuing criminal charges against Wemby's security.

Taylor Swift and ex-boyfriend Taylor Lautner were back together ... at least for one night on the pop star's Eras Tour.

The two Taylors reunited during Swift's Friday performance at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City ... and they were joined by none other Joey King and Presley Cash. Lautner was so psyched he did back flips and cartwheels onstage, causing the shocked crowd to go wild.

Swift brought out the three actors after premiering a new video for her tune, "I Can See You," starring all four of them. King and Presley have previously worked with Swift, making cameos in Taylor's 2011 video for her song, "Mean."

And, of course, Lautner was the inspiration behind Swift's track, "Back To December," on her 2010 "Speak Now" album, which just got re-released with a slightly new title, "Speak Now (Taylor's Version)."

At her KC concert, Swift gave huge props to Lautner, telling the audience, “He was a very positive force in my life when I was making the ‘Speak Now’ album, and I want to say he did every single stunt that you saw in that music video," referring to "I Can See You."

Swift continued, "He and his wife have become some of my closest friends, and it’s very convenient because we all share the same first name.”

Naughty By Nature isn't exactly gelling as a group these days ... but, ironically, their dysfunction allows them to cover more ground!!!

TMZ Hip Hop linked with Treach and his posse on Broadway out in NYC last week ... and we grilled him about the group's glaring absence during the massive rounds of hip hop tributes during the '23 BET Awards.

The culture rallied around the genre's 50th anniversary and Busta Rhymes' legacy but there wasn't any "Hip Hop Hooray" felt on Naughty's end!!!

Treach tells us the group was invited but Vin Rock and Kay Gee had scheduling conflicts that interfered with the show ... and suggested the guys were perfectly good staying put wherever they were at!!!

He's looking forward to DJ Cassidy's upcoming "Pass The Mic" extravaganza — where he'll be performing as a soloist.

And the group will likely be overshadowed even more when Treach's solo documentary hits the market ... a project that made him perk up at the mere mention.

American actress Maria Thayer was 30 years old when she played the smart and pretty high school graduate, determined to get accepted into Yale University Rory -- in the comedy/teen film "Accepted" back in 2006.

Thayer shared the big screen with Justin Long as the slacker who invented the fake college, "South Harmon Institute of Technology," aka 'S.H.I.T.,' Bartleby, Blake Lively as Bartleby's love interest who makes the transfer to 'S.H.I.T,' Monica, and Jonah Hill as the nerdy friend looking to join a fraternity, Sherman.

Maria was also in the films, "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Hitch."

Magic Johnson's annual yacht vacation has somehow gotten even MORE lavish ... Samuel L. Jackson just revealed the boat trip now features acupuncture sessions!!!

Johnson, Jackson and a few of their close pals set sale yet again for their yearly European vacay earlier this month -- hitting the French Riviera this time -- and the "Pulp Fiction" star showed there's truly no expense spared on the getaway.

In photos that Jackson posted to his Instagram page Thursday morning ... you can see he got healing needles injected into his skin -- all while he was relaxing and soaking in rays on one of the boat's decks.

Samuel clearly knew the moment was one dripping with luxury -- 'cause he captioned one of the pics with the words, "Accu in da Sun!!"

"DAAYUUUM!!!!" he added.

The treatments didn't stop there, though ... he also got some cupping therapy done right on a lounge chair as well!!

Of course, the extravagant amenities shouldn't surprise anybody ... Johnson's been going all out for the summer trip for nearly a decade.

This year's yacht is called "Phoenix 2" ... and the 296-footer comes with all of the expected bells and whistles -- including jacuzzis, a gym, an outdoor cinema, a swimming pool, and so much more.

Keke Palmer's boyfriend isn't gonna get a rise out of her -- at least publicly -- after he insinuated her choice of attire for an Usher concert wasn't appropriate for a mom.

The "Nope" actress is telling the world she had no regrets following the very public remarks made by Darius Jackson, the father of her son, regarding her outfit while attending Usher's Vegas residency last weekend.

Keke doubled down on her sexy wardrobe selection in a recap on IG ... that made no mention of Darius whatsoever.

She posted a pic in THE outfit, and said, "I wish I had taken more pictures but we were running late! I am telling y'all right now, if you haven't seen @usher YOU MUST GO!! HE WAS SO FABULOUS!!"

Referring to Usher, Keke added ... "Where is that pic of us all together with the King himself??"

The "king" Usher sided with his VIP guest, or at least shouted her out ... thanking her for attending his show, not to mention giving his Vegas residency yet another viral moment!!!

Darius was royally pissed off Wednesday when fans ripped him for being extra critical of Keke's sheer 'fit. He said, "We live in a generation where a man of the family doesn’t want the wife & mother to his kids to showcase booty cheeks to please others & he gets told how much of a hater he is."

As of Thursday, Keke and Darius don't follow each other on Instagram.

Hey Alexa, play "Moving Mountains" by Usher. 🎶

We covered the drama on the latest episode of The TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms.

Before this Los Angeles native in her ladybug outfit was acting in movies like 'Scooby-Doo' and "Lemonade Mouth," she was just enjoying her summer popsicles, becoming a child star and leading her high school's step team.

Before releasing (just one) of her hits -- "Girls Like Girls" in 2015, her singing career started back in well over a decade ago when she joined the all-girl group, The Stunners, which consisted of 5 members including Tinashe ... She's a true triple threat!

Need one more hint? She enjoys sharing vacay pics with her girlfriend, "The Bachelor" star Becca Tilley.

Coco Lee, famous for voicing Mulan in the Mandarin version of Disney's "Mulan," has died by suicide.

Coco's sisters, Carol and Nancy, say she attempted suicide at home Sunday and was sent to a hospital, where she slipped into a coma and died on Wednesday despite attempts to save her life.

Coco suffered from depression for years, her family says, and she sought professional help ... but her condition drastically deteriorated over the last few months and she ultimately took her own life.

In addition to her work with Disney, Coco performed an Oscar-nominated song, "A Love Before Time," in the movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" as part of a three-decade career as a singer.

Coco was born in Hong Kong but attended middle school and high school in San Francisco, where she was crowned 1991's Miss Teen Chinatown.

She was the first Chinese singer to go big in America, with her song "Do You Want My Love" reaching No. 4 on Billboard's Hot Dance Breakout chart way back in 1999.

Coco's family is remembering her for working "tirelessly to open up a new world for Chinese singers in the international music scene, and she went all out to shine for the Chinese."

She was 48.

RIP

Keke Palmer's boyfriend Darius Jackson -- who's also the father of her child -- isn't backing down after publicly shaming her wardrobe choice for Usher's show and now says her sheer fit reflects poorly on their family.

Darius is defending his initial comments on Keke's sexy outfit after catching a ton of heat for his critique -- specifically, he said she shouldn't wear such a revealing outfit because she's a mother.

In doubling down, Darius said Wednesday ... "We live in a generation where a man of the family doesn’t want the wife & mother to his kids to showcase booty cheeks to please others & he gets told how much of a hater he is."

Unapologetically, he added ... "This is my family & my representation. I have standards & morals to what I believe. I rest my case."

The controversy started Wednesday afternoon when Darius quote tweeted a video showing Keke in a sheer dress as Usher serenades her at his Las Vegas residency. Darius said, "It's the outfit tho.. you a mom."

Tons of folks lashed out at Darius in the replies, but now he's sticking to his guns.