Reality TV

Leave it to Anthony Scaramucci to leave the 'Big Brother' house in a surprise twist ... just like his shocking exit from President Trump's White House.

The Mooch wasn't really a house guest, because he bounced from "Celebrity Big Brother" after less than a week ... and, as it turns out, Scaramucci was actually part of a bigger plot twist.

Scaramucci revealed his true purpose Friday, surprising the rest of his celeb pals when he revealed he was never a real contender for the $250,000 grand prize.

With all the celebs gathered in the living room, Scaramucci appeared on TV -- rocking a suit in front of an American flag backdrop -- and delivered the shocking news.

The Mooch said he was leaving his mark on 'Big Brother' ... just as he did at the White House. As you know, Scaramucci was ousted as White House Communications Director after an infamous 11 days on the job.

While Scaramucci's exit was a shock to the 'Big Brother' house guests, everyone else knew it was coming ... because he made a surprise appearance Wednesday in Switzerland, where he talked about his experience on the reality show.

"Top Chef" contestant Fatima Ali has died after a battle with bone cancer.

Ali -- who was very public with her diagnosis and fight -- sent a message out to fans a couple weeks ago saying, "I know it’s been ages since I posted and most may have figured out why. I’m sick and unfortunately I’m getting sicker. Right now all I need are prayers; prayers that are simple."

Her friend and former contestant from "Top Chef" announced Friday that she had passed away.

It was back in October when Fatima announced her cancer had returned ... and doctors said she had a year left to live. Fatima appeared on "Ellen" a short time later where the talk show host gave her $50,000 to live out her dream of visiting the world's best restaurants.

Fatima appeared on season 15 of the "Top Chef" reality competition, and was voted a fan favorite.

Ali was 29 years old.

Kanye West says he plans to run for President in the 2024 election, and it seems like he's got at least one big supporter who can't wait for his White House bid ... Khloe Kardashian!!!

Khloe and big sis Kourtney Kardashian were filming scenes for "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" Thursday afternoon at Topanga Canyon Mall ... and Khloe showed off a new baseball cap pushing Yeezy for Prez.

Forget Kanye's beloved MAGA hat ... looks like Khloe is jumping in on the political hat game with her "Kanye For President" lid.

As you know ... Kanye is super close with President Trump, and Ye started the new year by teasing his 2024 presidential run.

Anthony Scaramucci's time on "Celebrity Big Brother" ended up being even shorter than his White House tenure but still ... he says it still helped him feel like an Average Joe.

President Trump's ex-White House Communications Director -- for a now infamous 11 days -- made a surprise appearance in Switzerland Wednesday after mysteriously exiting the 'BB' house. The Mooch appeared on Tuesday night's episode ... but it was clear from the online live feed he had left sometime on Monday.

We know from the episode he wasn't voted out by housemates, but Mooch is keeping tight-lipped about his exit after just 6 days. In true reality star fashion ... he dropped a "make sure you tune-in" line.

There's a silver lining though -- Scaramucci says signing up for 'Big Brother' brought him down from his ivory tower of snobbishness and elitism ... and got him back in touch with his blue-collar roots.

He's not great at keeping a job, but at least he's entertaining about it!

Anthony Scaramucci keeps spilling White House tea in the 'Big Brother' house, and he says there's no way President Trump is going to be able to deliver on one of his biggest campaign promises ... draining the swamp.

Anthony, who worked in Trump's White House for 10 days before being fired, says the Prez won't be able to drain the swamp in D.C. ... and ya gotta hear his reason why.

The Mooch started talking politics with comedian Tom Green on Tuesday's episode of "Celebrity Big Brother" ... and they touched on a range of topics, from Scaramucci's potential return to the Trump administration to the government shutdown.

Watch ... the Mooch doesn't have a lot of good things to say about his brief stint in Washington.

Dog the Bounty Hunter and his wife, Beth Chapman, aren't letting her cancer diagnosis keep them from making a living, or from being in front of the camera ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the couple tell us Dog and Beth are committed to a recently inked deal with the TV network WGN America for a new reality series called "Dog's Most Wanted" -- where they'll track down some of the country's most dangerous fugitives.

And, by committed ... we mean they're moving forward with filming, even as Beth continues to receive chemotherapy for her throat cancer. In fact, we're told Beth will be front and center for the show ... and that her chemo will likely be a storyline.

Our sources say, if they do choose to focus on Beth's cancer, it will capture her diagnosis and chronicle her journey. Production starts within a month.

TMZ broke the stories ... Beth started undergoing chemo in early January after doctors discovered her cancer had returned during emergency throat surgery in November.

She, Dog and the rest of their family have been laying low in Colorado when she's not in L.A. for treatment.

Blac Chyna just got another visit from LAPD, hours after officers were called to her home after someone falsely claimed Chyna was drunk and endangering Dream Kardashian.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... this time around, cops showed up to diffuse a potentially explosive situation involving Chyna and her former makeup artist. They were tight until this weekend, when the 2 had a nuclear argument at Chyna's home. The makeup artist left without taking her stuff, and today cops went with her to retrieve the mascara, eyeliner and other stuff.

TMZ broke the story ... cops raced to Chyna's home Sunday night after an anonymous caller claimed she was drunk and neglecting Dream ... and this went down shortly after the makeup artist left.

Officers determined no one was drunk at the home and Dream was being properly cared for ... there was also a nanny there for extra support.

"90 Day Fiance" star Larissa Dos Santos Lima is denying she downed half a bottle of antidepressants and threatened suicide during an argument with her estranged husband.

Larissa stated Monday, "I would like to clarify that the rumors about drug abuse or suicide attempts are not true. I love for my life so much that I would never try to do something like this."

TMZ broke the story, Larissa's now estranged husband, Colt Johnson, told cops his wife swallowed a bunch of pills and locked herself in a bathroom during an argument earlier this month.

Dos Santos Lima was arrested for domestic violence after cops determined she punched Colt in the mouth. According to the police report -- obtained by TMZ -- Larissa got mad at Colt, accusing him of cheating after she learned he'd purchased porn. She was officially charged for the crime last week and Colt filed for divorce just days after the incident.

Dog the Bounty Hunter's wife, Beth Chapman, has started treatment to help eradicate throat cancer recently rediscovered by doctors ... and so far, so good, TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Beth tell us she's going through chemotherapy, which we're told started a couple weeks ago. Our sources say she and Dog have been traveling to L.A. to receive the treatments, and that she's been spending the majority of her time at their family home in Colorado in the meantime.

We're told the level of cancer remains the same -- very serious. The good news ... our sources say while the chemo has been tough, Beth is responding well and is in good spirits.

TMZ broke the story ... doctors found Beth's cancer had returned during an emergency surgery two months ago to clear a blockage in her throat that made it difficult for her to breathe. She beat the same cancer in 2017, but sadly it's back.

We got Dog out in Los Angeles shortly after the emergency surgery who let everyone know just how serious Beth's condition was ... and he thanked fans for their support.

Her family had planned to stay in Colorado as they considered their next steps.

Kimora Lee Simmons allegedly went to battle with another driver over a primo parking spot, and in the end ... they both ended up going to the cops.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Russell Simmons' ex-wife got into a dispute with a woman last week in a FedEx store parking lot in L.A., and it got physical. We're told the ladies were arguing over a spot and shoved each other before Kimora took off.

The cops were called by the other woman -- who filed a battery report against Kimora -- but later in the day ... Simmons contacted police and filed one of her own against the lady.

We're told cops are looking into it and plan to pull surveillance footage of the incident.

Remember the insane shopping spree Ray J went on for his 38th birthday? Turns out, he didn't stop with treating himself to a brand new Maybach and Lincoln -- he also splurged on a classic car ... for a good cause.

We broke the story ... the R&B singer dropped $410,000 on whips for himself and his wife, Princess Love, at Barrett-Jackson Auction Co. in Scottsdale, AZ on Wednesday.

According to sources close to Ray, he opened up his checkbook again. We're told he and his pal RD Whittington, owner of Luxury Auto Collection, split a $165k tab on a yellow 1967 Chevy Camaro ... and all the cash goes to charity.

We're told the money for the classic ride will be donated to Childhelp, a foundation that helps victims of child abuse.

As for the plan for the whip moving forward ... Ray's manager, David Weintraub, tells us they'll bring the car to 60 Years of Miracles: Drive The Dream Gala in February to continue to raise awareness for Childhelp.

Gotta love it when a birthday plan comes together ... and has an extra happy ending.

"90 Day Fiance" star Larissa Dos Santos Lima has been hit with a domestic violence charge after allegedly attacking her husband last week.

The charge is a misdemeanor and was filed Wednesday in Vegas. The criminal complaint -- obtained by TMZ -- states Larissa, "Did willfully and unlawfully use force or violence against or upon the person of her spouse."

TMZ broke the story ... Larissa was arrested last Friday after she allegedly punched her estranged husband, Colt Johnson, in the face. Colt suffered a bloody lip as a result of the attack.

Johnson told cops Larissa became enraged -- accusing him of cheating -- after she discovered he had purchased porn. According to the police report -- obtained by TMZ -- Colt said Larissa had downed half a bottle of antidepressants and was suicidal.

Larissa claimed Colt was the aggressor, scratching her in the face and on her torso ... but after their investigation, cops determined Larissa was the aggressor.

When Blac Chyna and Alexis Skyy almost came to blows it was squarely over Rob Kardashian, and a scolding Chyna felt was long overdue ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to both women tell us BC did not simply invite Alexis over for a friendly chat during a house party last weekend. Her true goal was setting Alexis straight about her past interactions with Rob ... which Chyna found inappropriate.

We're told Alexis and Rob have known each other since way back in 2016 when he was still with Chyna -- who, we're told, thinks Alexis was a little too friendly with her baby daddy.

Our sources say Chyna wanted to finally clear the air.

Contrary to how Alexis portrayed it on social media, we're told she was the one who started acting wild when Chyna brought up the past -- and that's why BC threw the drink.

Our sources also say Alexis only started barking about a smackdown when her male friend showed up, and they'd been tossed from the party.

Despite the showdown with Chyna -- Alexis and Rob seem to be rekindling whatever they had going on years ago. He's called her his "WCW" and she seems to be totally down.

Hope Rob looks good in referee stripes -- round 2 is coming, we suspect.

Ray J rang in his 38th birthday with the best gift possible -- a couple of new 4-wheel treats for himself and his wife, Princess Love ... for which he spared no expense.

Sources close to the R&B singer tell TMZ ... Ray went car shopping Wednesday at one of the best pit stops for the filthy rich -- Barrett-Jackson Auction Co. in Scottsdale, AZ, where he was given the VIP treatment by none other than CEO Craig Jackson.

Jackson guided Ray on a tour of the facility along with his movie producer pal, RD Whittington, where they saw just about every type of classic car you can imagine.

By the end of it, Ray was ready to buy and we're told he went with something a little more modern than a Model T -- like a 2018 Mercedes-Benz Maybach and 2019 Lincoln Navigator! Total cost ... a cool $410,000. Easy money, if you're RJ.

Our sources say the Maybach was the pricier whip of the two, running him $320k, while the Lincoln cost $90k. Of course, he couldn't help but pose with his new prized possessions.

Like they say ... treat yourself.

Former "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" star Benzino has copped a plea deal in his felony drug case out of Georgia, and avoided jail time as a result ... TMZ has learned.

A rep for the Cobb County District Attorney's Office tells TMZ ... Raymond Scott (Benzino's real name) pled guilty to all 3 charges he was facing Thursday morning. We're told he was sentenced to 2 years probation and fined $500 ... plus surcharges.

We broke the story ... the music producer was arrested in January 2017 after cops raided his ATL apartment and found drugs inside. He was charged with felony possession of THC oil gummies (22 grams), felony possession of 6 MDMA pills, and misdemeanor possession of less than an ounce of weed.

We talked to Benzino about the case last month, and he told us the search warrant cops used to get into his pad was illegal ... even though a judge signed off on it. He was adamant that racist police officers were behind the trumped-up charges, and at the time ... told us he was gonna fight it in court.

The new batch of celebs who'll be living in the 'Big Brother' house for another season of drama are filling with one thing in common -- starting salaries ... TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with the contacts for all 12 stars in season 2 of "Celebrity Big Brother" tell us each of them will rake in $100k ... just for entering the house. The winner can walk away with an additional $250k.

In other words, Anthony Scaramucci isn't more important than Dina Lohan this year ... at least not from the jump, money-wise.

Our production sources also tell us the houseguests had been sequestered in separate hotel rooms for 4 days prior to entering the house Wednesday. We're told CBS brass didn't want anyone in the cast knowing who else was set to appear until the premiere.

Other celebs set to appear on 'CBB' include Natalie Eva Marie, Ryan Lochte, Joey Lawrence, Kato Kaelin, Lolo Jones, Tom Green, Kandi Burruss, Tamar Braxton, Jonathan Bennett and Ricky Williams.

Side note ... the American version of 'CBB' doesn't pay nearly as much as its U.K. counterpart. Just look at what Speidi made, not to mention Ray J. Big difference.