The Phoenix Zoo has a celebrity in its midst -- a handsome sloth that's become all the rage on the web, and while he's slowly making dough ... the zoo's still far from being financially stable.
The little guy's name is Fernando, a 4-year-old Linne's two-toed sloth who lives his life -- inch ... by ... inch -- within the confines of the zoo and lately, he's been raking in some much-needed cash on Cameo. That's the site where folks pay for personalized video messages.
Yes, people are paying for shout-outs from a non-speaking, slow-moving, tree-climbing mammal. At first, a Fernando Cameo only cost ya $25 -- but now, because of his popularity, the zoo's upped that to $50 a pop. At least 150 people have hired him, so far.
Waiting for your permission to load the Facebook Video.
While it's great the Phoenix Zoo is getting innovative during the pandemic -- it also speaks to the hardship the industry, as a whole, is going through.
This specific zoo is reportedly a $1-million-per-month operation, and since closing its doors around mid-March ... it's been losing damn near $80k a day. So, the zoo is scrambling to raise funds any way it can right now.
Fortunately, the Phoenix Zoo recently got approved for a small business loan worth nearly $3 million as part of the federal stimulus package -- but even that's not enough to match what they'd normally make while open for biz.
Elon Musk is having himself quite a week -- he put 2 homes on the market, he's potentially shooting a movie in space with Tom Cruise, and oh yeah ... he had a baby with his girlfriend, Grimes.
The Tesla honcho revealed the news on Twitter Monday evening by first replying to a tweet by saying the birth was a few hours away, then following it up by tweeting ... "Mom & baby all good."
Soon after, he responded to a request for a baby pic with a shot of him holding his newborn son ... which he claims shall be named "X Æ A-12 Musk." He also posted one later of his kid with some "savage" face tattoos via social media filters.
The baby is the first for Grimes and the sixth for Musk. He has five sons -- a set of twins and a set of triplets -- from his previous marriage to author Justine Wilson.
As we've reported ... there hasn't been a dull moment with Elon the past week or so, especially on Twitter. He's been pushing to "free America now" amid the coronavirus pandemic, and has vowed to sell "almost all physical possessions" and not own a house.
He seems to be walking the walk too ... because he just put a pair of his Bel-Air mansions on the market this weekend.
As for that movie in space with Tom Cruise ... the actor and Musk's Space X are working with NASA on an action-adventure flick that would actually be shot in outer space, according to a Deadline report.
It's apparently in the early stages of development ... just like Musk's newborn son.
"Ask a silly question" ... is what Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler are clearly thinking in this video, which proves the writing was on the wall a couple months before they announced their divorce.
TMZ obtained this clip of the now-estranged couple at an event back in February, where they were doing a meet and greet with fans in Chicago at Kristin's Uncommon James store.
At one point, a woman who said she was newly engaged asked for advice about being newlyweds and marriage. Kristin quickly blurted out a very telling answer ... "Don't do it."
Everyone had a laugh about it -- including Jay who seems very uncomfortable sitting right next to Kristin -- but it sure seems like she was being honest, based on what we now know.
Not too long after this she and Jay officially called it quits, with him filing for divorce -- but Kristin's since said in her divorce papers ... they were close to pulling the plug late last year. They made one last-ditch effort that went south in March. The split has been anything but civil.
As we reported ... Kristin accused Jay of "marital misconduct," which we found out pertained to them not agreeing on child custody. They're also at odds about a living situation right now, as Kristin wants money freed up to buy a new place of her own.
You can breathe a huge sigh of relief, Asian "murder" hornets are highly unlikely to kill you or your loved ones ... according to wildlife expert Coyote Peterson, so you know it's legit!!!
The Animal Planet star showed up on "TMZ Live" and schooled us on the latest buzz surrounding the deadly insects threatening to wipe out human civilization and bee populations as we know them.
Coyote says don't believe the hype ... these little buggers don't even have the most painful sting in the animal kingdom -- that's reserved for the executioner Wasp -- and they're highly unlikely to kill any Americans, despite their menacing moniker and penchant for decapitating bees.
As we told you ... sightings of Asian "murder" hornets are spiking in Washington, but reports from everyday citizens are mostly false.
Coyote says it's important to remember only a single hornet has actually been found in the United States, and it's dead. CP says entomologists are working to find a potential colony, and if they do, the hornets will be eradicated before they can wreak havoc on humans and bees.
As for the hornets' potent venom -- described as hot metal driving through skin -- and the dozens of people who get stung and die each year ... Coyote tells us why that's a little misleading, and why you're unlikely to be another statistic.
Of course, there is one nightmare scenario Coyote sees with these hornets ... and it's bad news for beekeepers and honey bees.
Here's further proof not all heroes wear capes or badges ... sometimes they're famous TV mobsters like Joseph Gannascoli, who is taking it upon himself to feed frontline workers.
The actor -- famous for playing capo Vito Spatafore on the hit HBO series -- started his mission early last month with a goal of raising $50k to feed hospital workers, firefighters and other frontline workers.
Joseph started a GoFundMe and the donations started piling up pretty fast. So far, he's raised just over $25k and he's ordered food from his local neighborhood restaurants and delivered it throughout NY ... from Long Island and Staten Island to the Bronx and Brooklyn.
His objective -- help local restaurants with some much-needed business while also helping emergency workers who are working nonstop to help fight the coronavirus pandemic. So far, he's brought TONS of meals to hospitals, fire departments, police departments and even a U.S. post office.
Joseph's massive deliveries -- from his neighborhood restaurants like Villa Maria, Vincent's Clam Bar, Greek Xpress, and Habanero Mexican -- have really wowed those receiving it, including Cohen Children's Hospital, Nassau University Medical Center to the Lynbrook Police Department. And, as long as the money keeps coming in, he'll continue to order the food, pick it up himself and also deliver the food himself.
And, get this ... Joseph got some much-needed good news just a few days ago after learning his 104-year-old aunt, Ida Acconciamessa, survived her bout of COVID-19 after she was diagnosed early last month ... when Joseph started his feed-frontline-workers project.
She's a tough woman ... having survived stage 4 melanoma, two broken hips, and not to mention, having lived through the Spanish Flu. Goes without saying ... Joseph will also be delivering food to her nursing home in Brooklyn later this week.
Sorry, Gavin Newsom... try valiantly as you have, but it seems there's no way you can stop people from flocking to the Pacific to catch a glimpse of those bioluminescent waves ... beach closures be damned!!!
Check out the scene this weekend at Toes Beach in the L.A. neighborhood, Playa del Rey ... there's a caravan of cars stretching around the block and large groups of people descending on the sand ... all just to see the glowing blue ocean.
It's pretty insane actually ... people were waiting in line in their cars just to snag a parking spot, hop out and trudge over the dunes to see the neon action caused by an annual algae bloom.
As you know ... L.A. County beaches remain closed due to the raging pandemic, but people are having a hard time staying away and following orders because of the beautiful show put on each night by Ma Nature.
The beach was crammed with hundreds of people, and while most were social distancing, some were mowing over the caution tape set up to keep people off the sand.
The neighborhood was packed with families, couples, photographers and the like ... and the crowds were reminiscent of July 4, only instead of fireworks in the nearby marina, people wanna see the bioluminescence.
Cali's also under a shelter-in-place order ... so no one's gonna classify this as an "essential" trip out of the house. Sure, neon waves are amazing, but it seems slightly less pressing than say ... finding toilet paper or getting food.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... no one called the cops on the crowds, but if they did, police would respond and educate folks about social distancing.
It's Cinco De Mayo and it looks like these famous faces have already been getting in the spirit ... since the start of lockdown, these celebs have been grabbing their quarantinis and sharing snaps of their drink of choice!
Stars like Elizabeth Banks, Dwayne Johnson, OprahWinfrey, Shay Mitchell and a bunch more stars have passed the time with a boozy beverage while staying safe at home.
If you can't pour one out for yourself, just take a look through our gallery of stars drinking in quarantine to see all the other celebs, and to feel like you're a part of the party!
Before this dolled-up darling was making people laugh as a breakout sitcom star, she was just another brown-eyed beauty with bangs growing up in Los Angeles, CA.
This little lady earned herself eight Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and ended up taking home two wins. She got married to the famous funny fella, Nick Offerman, in 2003 and have since appeared together in many television shows, including the popular NBC mockumentary, "Parks and Recreation."
She recently reprised her most well-known role with her sarcastic attitude and unforgettable voice.
Gold's Gym is feeling the crunch, but we ain't talking abs ... one of the world's largest gym operators is filing for bankruptcy as the pandemic wreaks havoc on the fitness biz.
With most locations shuttered across the globe due to the coronavirus outbreak, and about 30 corporate-owned gyms permanently closed, Gold's says it's being forced to seek relief from creditors.
The company hopes to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy by Aug. 1 at the latest, and says it will keep paying vendors and suppliers while under court protection.
The Dallas-based company is carrying between $50 million and $100 million in debt, with assets in the same range ... according to the bankruptcy filing.
Gold's Gym, which is mostly franchised, says "the bankruptcy will have no further impact on current operations while under court supervision" ... and despite dozens of closures, Gold's Gym still has nearly 700 locations.
The gym giant says it's had to furlough the majority of its staff, about 4,600 strong.
The filing underscores how hard the fitness industry's been hit by shelter-in-place orders. There are reports 24-hour Fitness is also considering bankruptcy.
Designer Michael Costello's not shedding any tears over this year's canceled Met Gala, because he believes the funds raised at the pricey benefit should be going to charities now.
The former "Project Runway" star tells us there's no love lost between the famous fashion gala and him -- he's never been invited -- and he doesn't understand where all the money from the event goes.
The annual New York City gala's been around since 1948, and since 2005 it's been held the first Monday in May. That would've been tonight, but the coronavirus had a different plan.
Michael says tickets to attend go for $30-50,000 a pop ... something he suggests is both ridiculous and suspect.
He tells us even though he looks forward to what celebs and designers bring to the table every year, he'd never dish out that kind of dough to go ... and believes it should go to helping people in need instead.
That's what Costello's been doing lately. As we told you, he's converted his factory into a mask-producing operation in L.A. to benefit frontline workers.
He says he's still focused on that, and won't even check in on the virtual Met Gala going down Monday night on YouTube.
Vogue's calling it "A Moment with the Met" -- but Michael won't even give it that much time.
Asian "murder" hornets arriving on America's doorstep are creating a mass panic we haven't seen since ... well, last month, and one state is already inundated with mostly false reports ... TMZ has learned.
The Washington State Dept. of Agriculture tells us ... its office has received HUNDREDS of reported sightings from all over the country. The flood of calls came in the last few days ... in the wake of a NYT story about the first confirmed encounters with the giant insects in the Pacific Northwest.
That's scared the crap out of people, but fortunately, we're told most if not all of the reports to the WSDA have been erroneous. It's usually not the Asian giant hornet (gov't name for "murder" hornets) folks are seeing, but instead ... its Western cousin, the European hornet -- which isn't nearly as scary.
The main differences between the two are pretty noticeable -- so hopefully this helps people chill out and STOP blowing up phones at the WSDA. The agency wants people to contact their own local agriculture agencies. We're told staffers are even getting calls from Great Britain.
As for how to tell which is which -- the European hornets, a dime a dozen in the States, are actually LARGER than the Asian "murder" hornets, and they look different too, if you look closely. European hornets' thoraxes and abdomens feature more yellow, while the Asian hornet is mostly black/dark brown in appearance ... with a yellow stripe closer to its stinger.
Of course, that all assumes you can safely observe the bugger up close.
For an even closer look at what European hornets look like -- here's a shot of one a Philly-area resident took over the weekend, mistakenly thinking it was Asian. He reported it to the Pennsylvania Dept. of Agriculture ... and they assured him it wasn't a "murder" hornet.
One last thing ... we spoke to some beekeepers in the Washington area, and they didn't seem all too concerned about the so-called "murder" hornets. They definitely wanna get the issue under control -- which scientists say they're doing now -- but they say it's not on a pandemic level of bad quite yet.
3:01 PM PT -- A source close to Tory tells us it was Celina who approached and began to harass him. The two have a very nasty history, and our source says that's proof Powell's got it out for Tory. She's allegedly once bragged about taking his money ... and also allegedly posted his personal number online. We're told the two had never previously met in person.
UPDATE
Our source would not speak to the actions of Kaylin Garcia.
Tory Lanez got into it an argument with a woman, and his formerly rumored girlfriend allegedly attacked her before they made a getaway ... according to a police report.
The alleged victim -- who TMZ's learned is model Celina Powell-- claims she was outside the rapper's Miami condo building Friday when he confronted her and tried to grab her phone.
She claims when she tried to walk away, she got blindsided by Kaylin Garcia. Kaylin's been previously linked to Tory ... she's also a supporting cast member on 'Love & Hip Hop' who used to date Joe Budden.
According to the report ... Garcia approached Powell from behind, wrapped an arm around her shoulder and neck, and yanked her to the ground. Powell told cops Garcia tried to kick her too ... but she was able to roll over and get up.
At that point, Garcia allegedly hopped in Lanez' white Bentley and they took off together ... along with the rapper's bodyguard. According to the report, there's surveillance footage of Lanez getting into his ride, but not the altercation.
Powell tells TMZ ... she lives in the same building as Tory but never met him face to face until Friday. She claims he was upset over her contacting him on Instagram and making fun of him about his hairline ... and the 2 have had online beef before, as well.
Powell tells us she blacked out during the assault and when she awoke, she was badly bruised with back and neck pain. She refused medical care at the scene, according to the report, but she claims she was treated at the hospital later for her injuries.
So far, no arrests have been made, and to be clear ... Garcia is the suspect in the incident, not Lanez.
Cosmetic surgery is back in full swing wherever this woman -- who, shocker, goes by "Real-Life Barbie" -- got a serious balloon job done on her lips!!!
The patient is 22-year-old Andrea Ivanova from Bulgaria, and just try to look at her kisser. Painful, right? That's because she just got her 20th round of lip filler injections, and despite the fact they look like they're about to pop ... Andrea wants her lips even bigger.
Clearly, she's digging the work docs did for her ... as you can see in a video she posted of the aftermath. BTW, she's become a mouth breather ... the center of Andrea's lips can't even touch anymore
Of any future lip injections, Andrea says ... "My doctor said he will do more injections for me, but said I have to wait for at least two months," going on to explain that she while she loves her permanent duck face -- she admits it's been difficult to eat properly. You don't say!
She goes on to say, "I think my lips are lovely, I love them. I am not sure if they are the biggest lips in the world but they are one of the biggest, I think."
What's even crazier about this is what Andrea used to look like before all the work. Completely different person, and pretty normal ... relatively speaking.
There's probably a lesson here ... and whatever it is, we're thinking Andrea hasn't learned it yet.
What appears to be an Asian "murder" hornet took a mouse's life within seconds in a wild struggle that was captured on video ... seemingly proving how deadly these things are.
This video just resurfaced this week and is spreading in light of the news that the deadly version of these insects from across the world has touched down in our own backyard here in North America in the past few months.
A new influx of hornets from Asia -- which have NOT been seen here in the States until recently -- pose a massive risk to our domestic bee population, not to mention humans. With them roaming the wild ... much of the natural order of the animal kingdom is in danger
It's unclear if this is, in fact, a murder hornet -- as we don't know exactly when the clip was shot, or where -- but it certainly seems to reflect what these giant bugs are said to do ... MURDER.
It's crazy to see the mouse fight for its life and try to squirm away -- but it's no use, 'cause the hornet is all over it and stinging/biting away until finally ... the mouse stops. The hornet then flies away and starts coming for the cameraman -- that's when the video cuts out.
Whether it's an Asian hornet or not -- it's pretty clear ... we should keep an eye out for them in general, 'cause it looks like they're big, vicious and, obviously, lethal. Take care 😬
Plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills may have the green light to resume elective and cosmetic surgeries, but they're moving forward with caution ... and some aren't ready to reopen.
Dr. Rady Rahban tells TMZ ... his offices are reopening for everything from tummy tucks, nose jobs and breast-lifts to mommy makeovers, but there's gonna be some major precautions due to the novel coronavirus.
Dr. Rahban says people have been clamoring for surgeries during the outbreak, but appointments are now open and this week he's gonna start seeing patients again.
Among the new safety procedures at Dr. Rahban's practice -- the lobby will always be empty, patients will text when they arrive, wait and then head directly to a waiting room to ensure there is no contact between patients.
Face masks will be required for all of Dr. Rahban's patients and staff, and patients will have their temperatures checked upon arrival. There will also be a pre-screening over the phone, with questions about recent travel and exposure to the virus.
Dr. Joubin Gabbay tells us his practice is aiming to reopen May 15, but they're waiting for more guidelines on how to do so safely.
As we reported ... the Bev Hills city council voted last week to resume elective and cosmetic surgeries, setting the stage for plastic surgeons to operate on rich folks and celebs.
Dr. Gabbay has some reservations ... he says it's dangerous to open right now, even though patients have been calling since the lockdown started.
While Dr. Gabbay's been doing virtual consultations in the meantime -- liposuction is the most requested procedure -- his office will operate similarly to Dr. Rahban's when it opens again.
Dr. Gabbay says a COVID-19 test will be required for all patients and must be taken 5-to-7 days before surgery. Patients will be required to self-isolate and quarantine while awaiting results.
Surgeons at Dr. Gabbay's practice will also be required to take COVID-19 tests as needed and must test negative to continue working. If any staff is exposed to the virus, they will be quarantined and the entire practice may even be shut down.
Dr. Gabbay says patients must wear a mask and a face shield during operations.
Dr. Paul Nassif, whotells us he feels it is not safe to resume plastic surgeries and he won't open his practice until Governor Gavin Newsom gives the green light and provides details on how doctor's offices should safely operate.
The "Botched" star says clients are mostly seeking botox, nose-lifts and face-lifts ... but whenever he reopens the practice, he will NOT be offering any operation related to the nose, mouth or lips, at least in the beginning.
Dr. Nassif says he wants to encourage patients to wear masks when they go under the knife, so those procedures are off the table for the immediate future.
The good doc also says he's going to focus on local patients whenever he opens back up, and he won't see patients who must travel to Bev Hills.
We spoke with Dr. Nassif's colleague, Dr. Terry Dubrow, on "TMZ Live" last Friday and he echoed the same sentiments, that plastic surgeons are fearing their own health and safety.
California Governor Gavin Newsom's battle with Orange County is heating up -- an ex-mayor down there is suing the Guv over the beach closures.
Kevin Muldoon, a former Newport Beach mayor and current city councilman there, claims Newsom's draconian order to close OC beaches -- from Newport Beach and Huntington Beach to Dana Point and San Clemente -- is a clear violation of their constitutional rights to freedom of travel, freedom of assembly and due process ... this according to docs obtained by TMZ.
In docs, Muldoon claims pictures from last month showing packed beaches in the OC that almost immediately triggered beach closures are incredibly misleading. He claims the photos were "taken from a ground level viewpoint, using zoom lenses that artificially compress perspective, seemingly showed beachgoers tightly packed together on Newport Beach."
He claims there are aerial pics that show far more space between beachgoers than the pics in the newspaper implied. What's more ... Muldoon claims it's completely unfair to single out the OC, which he claims has fewer COVID-19 cases than other places that did NOT have their beaches shut down. He claims other cities with closed beaches actually have more COVID cases.
Muldoon, who is suing as an individual and NOT in his official capacity as a councilman, claims sunlight and open-air reduce the likelihood of COVID transmission. It should be noted ... OC beach cities and individuals reportedly sued Newsom on Friday over his beach closures but a judge denied their request to nullify Newsom's order.
As we reported ... tons of pissed off residents flooded downtown Huntington Beach to protest the beach closures. There was also a plane flying a banner over the weekend that read "Fire Gruesome Newsom! Open California!"
Muldoon's asking a judge to declare the gov's order unconstitutional and prohibit its enforcement so peeps can enjoy the beach.
We reached out to Gov. Newsom's office ... so far, no word back.