Posted Nov 24th 2009 7:13PM by TMZ Staff
Just days after Nicole Johnson was crowned Miss California USA 2010 -- she's already found a way to get her name in the news ... uncovering a secret relationship with Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.
TMZ spoke with Johnson who said, "Now that it is after the fact, I will admit that we were together. We agreed to keep this private because it was the only thing that he could keep private ... we remain close friends."
Johnson claims the two dated for just over a year between 2007 and 2008.
Phelps was rumored to have dated the previous Miss California, Carrie Prejean -- so far, no cell phone video to back that up.
Filed under: Hook-Ups, Talk Sports, Michael Phelps, Pageantry, Exclusives
Tags: carrie prejean, CarriePrejean, michael phelps, MichaelPhelps, miss california, MissCalifornia, nicole johnson, NicoleJohnson
Posted Nov 24th 2009 3:54PM by TMZ Staff
The photographer who says he was attacked by angry Michael Jackson fans is finally telling his side of the story -- claiming his attackers were "laying in wait."
The photog, Ed Frommer, claims he was "jabbed" with a baseball bat several times by three MJ fans over a defamation lawsuit he filed against Debbie Rowe. The lawsuit stems from an encounter between Frommer and Rowe that went down in front of a Chinese food restaurant back in July.
As we first reported, Frommer claims three men pulled him out of his car in Lancaster, Ca and began screaming "leave Debbie alone" -- while shoving a bat in his chest.
Frommer doesn't think Debbie put the men up to it -- but he warns he's taken "precautions" to ensure it doesn't happen again.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: attack, battery, debbie rowe, DebbieRowe, defamation, ed frommer, EdFrommer, lawsuit, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, paparazzi, photographer
Posted Nov 24th 2009 2:20PM by TMZ Staff
Oprah's mom is officially off the hook for a $155,547 bill she owed to a Milwaukee clothing boutique -- and TMZ has learned she has her famous daughter to thank.
Our spies at the Valentina Inc. boutique tell us Oprah personally covered the balance her mother, Vernita Lee, owed for bills she racked up.
Oprah's big gift officially settles the suit the store filed against her mom.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Oprah, Exclusives
Tags: bail out, BailOut, debt, lawsuit, milwaukee, oprah, valentina inc., ValentinaInc., vernita lee, VernitaLee
Posted Nov 24th 2009 1:28PM by TMZ Staff
Dr. Conrad Murray has absolutely no restrictions on his ability to administer Propofol -- the drug that killed Michael Jackson.
We did some checking ... Dr. Murray still has full privileges to practice and operate at Doctors Hospital Tidwell in Houston. We're told Propofol is available for Murray's use.
As for ordering the drug ... no problemo. Dr. Murray can, if he chooses, get bottles of Propofol without special limitations.
As we previously reported, Dr. Murray -- who is seeing patients again -- is being investigated by the DEA and the LAPD in connection with Michael Jackson's death. The Texas Medical Board is also taking a look at the good doc.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: conrad murray, ConradMurray, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, propofol
Posted Nov 24th 2009 9:55AM by TMZ Staff
A photographer who is suing Debbie Rowe claims he was attacked with a bat by three men who were yelling, "Leave Debbie alone."
Photog Ed Frommer is suing Rowe, claiming she defamed him by "lying" to police by saying he intentionally scratched her face and struck her. Frommer has sued Rowe for $7,500 in small claims court.
Frommer told cops on Sunday at 11:15 PM in Lancaster, CA, three males began following him in two different cars and ran him off the road. Frommer told police they got out of their cars -- one of them wielding a bat and poking him in the chest. They were yelling, "Leave Debbie alone."
Frommer doesn't think Debbie Rowe is behind it, but believes there are rabid Michael Jackson fans out to get him.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Exclusives
Tags: attack, battery, debbie rowe, DebbieRowe, ed frommer, EdFrommer, lawsuit, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, paparazzi, paparazzo, photogrpaher
Posted Nov 24th 2009 6:34AM by TMZ Staff
More naked drama for Tila Tequila -- this time over a sex tape she claims was stolen off of her laptop computer.
Just days after she Ustreamed herself in a naked rant, a new XXX video surfaced on a porn site called 4tube.com featuring Tila in a very compromising adult position with a naked man.
Tila doesn't know why the video is surfacing now, but she claims it was ripped from a laptop that she reported stolen roughly two years ago -- and now she's threatening to sue the site for posting the clip.
TMZ spoke with Tila's lawyer, Cyrus Nownejad, who told us, "A police report has been filed for Tila's stolen laptop computer which contained that specific clip. I am currently in the process of sending a cease and desist letter and a notice of intent to sue if it's not removed."
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Exclusives, Tila Tequila
Tags: lawsuit, naked tape, NakedTape, sex tape, SexTape, stolen laptop, StolenLaptop, tila tequila, TilaTequila, xxx
Posted Nov 24th 2009 4:32AM by TMZ Staff
Spencer Pratt wants his money, and he's sending out the Big D to get it.
Last week, Spencer went on the "Jojo, Reagan and the Mix Morning Show" on the radio and claimed that Heidi's unforgettably bad performance on this year's Miss Universe pageant was the most watched TV event of all-time. Well, like everyone else, the DJs didn't believe him. They did their research and found out that Princess Di's funeral was indeed the most watched. By about 1.5 billion people. So, they want their money.
Not so fast, claims Spencer. He tells TMZ he re-listened to the tape, and that he said it was the most watched "performance" of all-time ... not "event." Apparently, Princess Di's funeral doesn't count as a performance ... despite the fact that Elton John performed.
Nevertheless, Pratt believes he won the bet and wants his money. In fact, Pratt tells TMZ he's going to send his bodyguard Big D to the station to collect the cash. Note to DJs -- we know Spencer will do anything for fame, we can only imagine what he'll do for money. Pay the dude.
Filed under: Heidi & Spencer, Exclusives
Tags: bet, event, heidi montag, HeidiMontag, miss universe, MissUniverse, performance, radio, spencer pratt, SpencerPratt
Posted Nov 24th 2009 3:30AM by TMZ Staff
If you think Khloe Kardashian crashed her brand new Range Rover, you're wrong!!! It was the valet.
As the story goes, Khloe picked up her new ride last week and went to hubby Lamar Odom's apartment in Downtown Los Angeles. We're told Khloe gave it to the valet who proceeded to back it into a wall ... right in front of her.
Khloe was near tears, but sucked it up and went to see Lamar play -- and waited until after the game to tell him.
Filed under: Exclusives, The Kardashians, Khloe Kardashian
Tags: crash, khloe kardashian, KhloeKardashian, range rover, RangeRover, rear ended, RearEnded
Posted Nov 24th 2009 1:15AM by TMZ Staff
It pays for Kim Kardashian to go shopping.
After Kim stopped into NYC's Bourgeoisie Shoes last week and picked up a pair of $1,370 turquoise thigh high boots by Casadei, the store gifted the bootyful diva a $4,000 two karat diamond watch ... just because. Must be nice.
Let's hope she knows how to tell time.
Filed under: Fashion, Kim Kardashian, Exclusives, The Kardashians
Tags: boots, Bourgeoisie Shoes, BourgeoisieShoes, Casadei, Kim Kardashian, KimKardashian, shopping
Posted Nov 23rd 2009 5:55PM by TMZ Staff
Jon and Kate Gosselin may have a new player in the divorce. We've learned the lawyer who repped Jon Gosselin at the beginning of his divorce has just filed an emergency petition to intervene in the case .. and it's all over money.
Attorney Charles Meyer withdrew from the case in September, just before Mark Heller took over. Prior to his withdrawal, we're told there was an agreement with Jon that his lawyer's fees would be paid from Jon's share of the property distribution. We're told Jon owes Charles around $43,000 so Charles is asking the judge to make sure he gets paid before Jon gets his cut.
As we first reported, the divorce is coming in for a landing, and the arbitrator will decide within 30 days who gets what.
Story developing ...
Filed under: Dirty Divorces, Jon & Kate, Exclusives
Tags: jon and kate, jon gosselin, jon kate, jon kate gosselin, jon kate plus 8, JonAndKate, JonGosselin, JonKate, JonKateGosselin, JonKatePlus8, kate gosselin, KateGosselin
Posted Nov 23rd 2009 5:40PM by TMZ Staff
Lady Gaga's rollin' in dough -- in fact, she just threw down more than $1,000 to buy pizza for her fans.
TMZ has learned Gaga ordered 80 cheese pizzas for her minions waiting in line for an album signing outside a Los Angeles Best Buy.
Just a couple hours ago Gaga twittered: "Sending all my little monsters little pizzas for waiting all night for me at best buy. I hope you're hungry...eat up I love u!"
Gaga placed the order through a local Papa John's -- and they confirmed 40 pizzas were delivered at 3pm PST today, and 40 more will be delivered at 6. Altogether, the pop star's bill was over $1,000.
For the record, we're told Gaga tipped "very, very well."
Filed under: Exclusives, Lady Gaga
Tags: best buy, BestBuy, lady gaga, LadyGaga, los angeles, LosAngeles, papa johns, PapaJohns, pizza
Posted Nov 23rd 2009 5:20PM by TMZ Staff
Chris Brown was officially dropped from a track on Timbaland's new album -- and sources tell TMZ, the decision wasn't entirely about the music.
A source close to Brown tells TMZ the singer's vocals were removed from a song called "The One I Love" due to the "drama" surrounding him.
Tim's manager, Marcus Spence, confirms Brown was dropped from the song -- but insists the move was a "creative decision for both parties" adding, "There's nothing against Chris. We love Chris."
But according to rapper D.O.E. -- who does appear on the track -- the song was originally called "Maniac" ... but was changed because "some people" didn't think it would be a good idea to attach Brown to a song with that title.
Funny enough -- Timbaland's album will be released the same day as Brown's ... December 8th.
Filed under: Music, Chris Brown, Exclusives
Tags: chris brown, ChrisBrown, d.o.e., maniac, marcus spence, MarcusSpence, rihanna, the one i love, TheOneILove, timbaland
Posted Nov 23rd 2009 5:11PM by TMZ Staff
John Kerry's daughter is free and clear this morning... because the L.A. City Attorney has decided not to prosecute her for DUI -- that's what law enforcement sources tell TMZ.
TMZ broke the story Alexandra Forbes Kerry was busted by the LAPD early Thursday morning, but her blood alcohol level was .06 ... under the legal limit of .08.
The City Attorney typically doesn't prosecute cases with a .06 ... so the decision to reject the case is pretty routine.
UPDATE 6:40 PM EST: Senator Kerry has released the following statement: "I'm grateful that this ends a public episode we all wish had been avoided entirely or handled privately.
Despite some speculation, my daughter was pulled over for an expired registration, not for erratic driving. A breathalyzer test at the police station revealed she was under the legal limit.
She was released a short time later, not at 5:30 AM or after being held overnight as some reported.
While she regrets driving with an expired registration, and takes full responsibility for it, that mistake should never have been compounded by erroneous reports suggesting she was driving drunk."
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Drunks, Politix, Exclusives
Tags: alexandra forbes kerry, AlexandraForbesKerry, drunk driving, DrunkDriving, dui, john kerry, JohnKerry, l.a. city attorney, L.a.CityAttorney, lapd, los angeles city attorney, LosAngelesCityAttorney, prosecute
