TMZ

“Storage Wars” star Jarrod Schulz is preparing to go to trial in his domestic violence case … insisting he didn’t rough up his ex, Brandi Passante, and saying he wants the whole case dismissed. Jarrod’s attorney, Benjamin Arsenian, tells TMZ … Jarrod denies pushing or making any contact with Brandi, contrary to what prosecutors claim, and he has no plans on taking any plea deal unless it results in a complete dismissal of the case. Sources connected with the case tell us prosecutors have not put a deal on the table, and the case is going to trial. TMZ broke the story … Jarrod is charged with 1 count of misdemeanor domestic violence battery stemming from an alleged incident with his ex back in April, when prosecutors claim he pushed Brandi twice during a heated argument inside an Orange County bar. Our sources say there are conflicting witness statements about what went down … we’re told one witness says Jarrod didn’t push Brandi but gave her a shoulder bump, while another says Jarrod was sitting on a barstool the entire time. Law enforcement sources tell us Brandi did not need any medical attention after the alleged incident and there were no visible marks on her body. Jarrod pled not guilty Monday and the trial is set for July 12. We reached out to Brandi’s camp … so far, no word back. Read Full Article

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez thinks it’s pretty rich to see a billionaire seeking handouts from Uncle Sam while their ex-wife gives away billions of dollars — so she’s ripping Jeff Bezos. We got AOC on Capitol Hill Thursday and asked how she feels about the Amazon and Blue Origin boss’ ex, MacKenzie Bezos, recently donating nearly $3 billion of her roughly $37 billion. AOC says it’s interesting to see what the exes are doing with their boatloads of cash … applauding MacKenzie for giving it away like candy and blasting Jeff for asking the government for $10 billion in taxpayer funds to help his aerospace company land on the moon. AOC’s beef with Jeff is an offshoot from Sen. Elizabeth Warren … remember, she told us last week Bezos’ space ambitions are a slap in the face to taxpayers, who she says are essentially funding his missions because JB doesn’t pay his fair share in taxes. Fair to say, neither the Congresswoman nor the Senator would be interested in the final seat on Jeff’s upcoming maiden voyage … even if they had the nearly $30 mil it’s apparently gonna cost. Read Full Article

Heeeeeeeeeeeere’s Karen!!! Actually, it’s Taryn Manning as the much-hyped, titular “Karen” in the upcoming thriller from Coke Daniels … a role meant to represent a blend of all the notorious “Karens” who’ve gone viral for the worst reasons over the past couple years. The “Orange is the New Black” star plays a racist, entitled white woman in the South who terrorizes her new Black neighbors, and based on TMZ’s exclusive first look at the movie … she nails it. Taryn previously told us she embraced the role because she’s sick of the behavior of the so-called Karens of the world, like Central Park Karen, Manhattan Beach Karen, Drive-Thru Karen, Radio Host Karen, Old Lady Karen, Bagel Karen and Spray Paint Karen … to name just a few lowlights. TM’s hopeful the movie, and her role, can help put an end to it. Likewise, director Daniels says his intention with Manning’s character is to highlight how her outrageous micro-aggressions lead to racism, hate and violence. Taryn added that she wants viewers to hate her in the film … because that means they’re on board with a societal change and embracing racial equality. “Karen” co-stars Duane Finley, Cory Hardrict, Dawn Halfkenny, Jasmine Burke and Gregory Alan Williams and comes out in September … so don’t expect the name Karen to get a popularity boost anytime soon. Read Full Article

Vitor Belfort says he isn’t only fighting ONE Hall of Famer in Oscar De La Hoya … the combat sports star tells TMZ Sports he has also signed a deal to box Evander Holyfield later this year!! We talked to the 44-year-old former UFC champ after Belfort was announced as 48-year-old De La Hoya’s opponent in his boxing comeback (ODLH hasn’t fought since losing to Manny Pacquiao in 2008). Belfort — who has a tremendous amount of respect for Oscar’s career accomplishments — tells us his September 11 fight on Triller will literally be one of the hottest fights of all time. “I believe this fight with me and Oscar, this is the biggest fight ever.” So, why does Belfort believe it’ll be such a big deal? He says he and Oscar paved the way for some of today’s biggest stars. “Oscar is legendary. Gold medals, one of the best pound-for-pound ever to live in the game. He revolutionary sport. If it wasn’t for Oscar, would not be [Floyd] Mayweather.” Vitor continued … “If it wasn’t for Vitor Belfort, would not exist a Conor McGregor.” If you think VB is just messing around … he isn’t. Vitor doubled down … saying his bout with De La Hoya will rival one of the most significant sporting events ever — The Rumble in the Jungle. “This fight will sell like Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.” Of course, Ali knocked out Big George in the 8th round of their historic 1974 boxing match. And, get this, Vitor claims the bout with ODLH isn’t a one-off … ’cause he says he has a signed contract to box 58-year-old Evander Holyfield. “I’m going to give you a little glimpse. After [De La Hoya in] September, December is me vs. Holyfield. Get ready for the crossover! We are taking over. Triller is bringing the fights that you dream!” Read Full Article

Before this playful little guy was performing all around the world as a hip hop superstar, he was just another kid going down the slide in Compton, California. This talented star is a big fish in a small pond of notable music personalities — he has worked with some of the most popular artists today including collaborations with Billie Eilish, Tyga and even Hans Zimmer. Back in 2015, he was featured on the cover of XXL magazine as one of the ten talented up-and-coming rappers for the year … an honor titled as the “2015 Freshman Class.” Can you guess who he is? Read Full Article

John Paragon, famous for playing Jambi the Genie on “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” has died. The Riverside County Coroner tells TMZ John died back in April … but, at this point, his cause of death is unclear. As Jambi The Genie, John’s face would appear in a jeweled box whenever Pee-wee Herman wished for something. JP was dressed in blue makeup with a red and gold turban. John also voiced Pterri the Pterodactyl on the show. In addition to playing 2 characters, John wrote several episodes for ‘Playhouse’ and worked with Paul Reubens in writing “Pee-wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special” way back in 1988, earning an Emmy Award nomination for Best Writing in a Children’s Special. John also made appearances on “Seinfeld” and acted in movies including “The Frog Prince,” “Eating Raoul” and “Echo Park.” ‘Playhouse’ was on CBS Saturday mornings from 1986 to 2000 and John reprised his role as Jambi The Genie in 2010 for the Broadway adaption of the “Pee-wee Herman” show. Most recently, he was working with Walt Disney Imagineering, where he was an idea man for improv performances at the Disney theme parks. John was 66. RIP Read Full Article

Daredevil Alex Harvill — a famous motorcycle stuntman — died Thursday after crashing during a world-record jump attempt. He was just 28 years old. The scene was absolutely horrifying … Harvill was trying to launch his bike off a ramp 351 feet at the Moses Lake Airshow in Washington — when he came up short and crash-landed into a dirt mound. Harvill was thrown over his handlebars, and tumbled dozens of feet before he finally came to a stop. According to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Harvill later died from the injuries he suffered during the accident. The Sheriff’s office added Harvill’s family has been notified … and said an autopsy will be conducted on Friday to determine the cause and manner of his death. “Our deepest sympathies go out to Alex’s family, friends and loved ones,” the Sheriff’s office said. The Airshow, meanwhile, had vowed to donate all of the proceeds from Harvill’s jump Thursday to help pay his medical bills. Harvill was a very experienced stuntman … he had previously set a world record in 2013 when he jumped from one dirt ramp to another 297 feet away. RIP. Read Full Article

Heidi Ferrer — a Hollywood writer known for her work on the hit WB series “Dawson’s Creek” and ABC’s “Wasteland” — has died by suicide following a long battle with COVID-19. Heidi’s husband, the Hollywood screenwriter, director and producer Nick Guthe, said, “she fought this insidious disease with the same ferocity she lived with.” He said she died on May 26. She contracted the virus when the pandemic was raging in late April 2020, and her symptoms worsened month after month. She was bedridden a couple of months after she first fell ill … suffering with severe fatigue and neurological tremors. Heidi wrote a blog post back in September detailing exactly how COVID knocked her down — she called the recovery process the hardest thing her body’s ever had to go through. She said, “In my darkest moments, I told my husband that if I didn’t get better, I did not want to live like this. I wasn’t suicidal, I just couldn’t see any quality of life long term and there was no end in sight.” Heid’s condition went through a steady decline this year and she was bedridden again last month before her death. She made a name for herself as a writer who, without a college degree, sold her first spec, “The C Word,” to Oscar-winning producer Arnold Kopelson. She remained a member of the Writer’s Guild of America for 24 years. Heidi’s survived by her husband, 13-year-old son, mother and 2 sisters. She was 50. RIP Read Full Article

La La and Carmelo’s Anthony’s marriage has been through a separation, a reconciliation, and years of speculation — but now they’ve amicably decided to officially call it quits. La La filed divorce docs Thursday in New York, 11 years after tying the knot with the NBA star, and cited irreconcilable differences. Sources close to the former couple tell TMZ … they’ve been separated for awhile but remain friends, as always, after 16 years together, and everything about the divorce is amicable. We’re told they both wanted to take time to ensure a private and smooth transition in their relationship for their 14-year-old son, Kiyan — who’s always their top priority — and they remain fully aligned as parenting partners. As we reported, Melo and La La split in 2017 after 7 years of marriage amid rumors he cheated on her, but by late 2018 it seemed they were working things out. In mid-2019, La La reportedly called their marriage “strained” amid more cheating speculation and things remained on shaky ground even though the family quarantined together in 2020. Read Full Article

Congressman Donald Payne Jr. is reporting for duty … he’s just not bothering to get dressed for it. The U.S. Representative from New Jersey got caught in an embarrassing situation Thursday during a Zoom call with colleagues, as he apparently forgot to turn off his camera as he rolled out of bed in his pajamas for the meeting. So, instead of seeing a sharp-dressed politician, the legislators on the call who were listening to Rep. Yvette Clarke speak also got an eyeful of Payne’s slightly-too-small Captain America t-shirt, his exposed belly … and what looked like blue striped boxers. The clip was shared by Texas Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne, who used it to take a shot at all Dems by adding the caption … “Another reason Democrats should get off Zoom and back to work.” Payne’s legislative director tried to defend him from Van Duyne’s dig by citing the Congressman’s weight struggle and diabetes, but in reality … the reaction of Rep. Kat Cammack at the bottom of the screen says it all. Rep. Payne Jr. has addressed his gaffe, telling TMZ … “As a public servant, my focus has always been the public good and my work to better the lives of my constituents and all Americans, regardless of the circumstances.” Sounds like a guy who rocks a Captain America tee in bed. Read Full Article