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Aretha Franklin shockingly left no will behind ... which is surprising given her circumstances.

According to court documents obtained by TMZ, the singer died "intestate" -- meaning she had no will at the time of death.

It's especially surprising given that she has a special needs son named Clarence who needs financial and other forms of support for his entire life.

Aretha was ill for several years, but apparently did not see the end coming ... or possibly a will was low on the priority list.

According to Michigan law, Aretha's 4 kids will share equally in her estate.

Aretha died on August 16 at her Detroit home surrounded by friends and family after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. The Queen of Soul's death occurred on the same calendar day as "The King" Elvis Presley's ... albeit 41 years later.

As expected, Franklin's passing sparked an outpouring of emotion, sympathy, tributes and love from countless celebs ... including the Obamas, who said of Aretha -- "every time she sang, we were all graced with a glimpse of the divine."

Aretha's family has scheduled a multiple-day celebration of her life next week, beginning with an open casket memorial at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. Her funeral will then be held August 31 at the Greater Grace Temple -- just for close friends and family.

Jim Brown says he's throwing his support behind President Donald Trump -- even though he knows he'll be vilified in the black community.

The NFL Hall of Famer appeared on "The JT The Brick Show" on Fox Sports Radio and since he's met with so many Presidents in the past, he was asked how he felt about Trump.

"I should be criticizing Trump on every level because he does certain things that call for criticism but when I look at television I see all these announcers become experts and they're pointing the fingers and they're not doing a doggone thing but pointing their fingers, I find myself really pulling for the president."

"Now, that would make me very unpopular in the black community, very unpopular with a lot of Americans ... but I think that there are certain good things that are coming out of this Presidency because we've never seen anything like it."

He added, "I mean there's confusion. A lot of people are retiring. A lot of people are giving their opinions and we have to really dig deep down inside to come with the right kind of an answer."

Brown -- who also doubled down on his stance against NFL kneelers -- also had this to say to people who believe he's not a good American.

"I believe that I have to work on myself first to be as good a person as I could be to back up my country as best as I know how."

"And the second situation I should be helpful to those people who need help that don't have life as good as I have it and if I do those two things, I think I'm making my contribution."

Brown famously went to Trump Tower right after Trump won the election to talk about how he can make a positive impact in the black community.

Floyd Mayweather also famously met with Trump during the transition but he has since distanced himself from the president. Brown clearly feels differently.

2:55 PM PT -- Trump weighed in on the verdict as he landed in West Virginia for a rally, and he wasted no time distancing himself from the whole proceeding.

Paul Manafort had a bad day ... a jury found him guilty of 8 counts -- 5 tax fraud charges, 1 charge of hiding foreign bank accounts and 2 counts of bank fraud -- which could land him up to 80 years behind bars. He was not acquitted on a single charge but the jury deadlocked on 10 other counts. The judge declared a mistrial on those 10 counts.

As we reported ... his downward spiral started last August when the FBI stormed Manafort's house in Alexandria, Virginia to seize docs related to Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia interference of the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Manafort surrendered to the FBI a couple months after and was indicted on multiple federal charges ... including laundering more than $18 million through foreign banks which was used to fund his lavish lifestyle.

1:15 PM PT -- We just FaceTimed with Post, who told us he doesn't like flying to begin with and he was super scared. Now that's he's on the ground, he needs alcohol!! Post tweeted too, saying, "i landed guys. thank you for your prayers. can't believe how many people wished death on me on this website. f**k you. but not today."

12:53 PM PT -- Post's plane just touched down safely at Stewart International Airport in New Windsor, NY.

12:26 PM PT -- The plane is about to land. We're told there are 9 fire trucks, at least 25 personnel and 12 ambulances on standby.

11:31 AM PT -- Post's plane has been diverted to another airport in New York, it will continue to hover above and burn fuel until landing.

Post Malone is currently onboard a plane that's set to perform an emergency landing after two of the plane's tires allegedly blew out after takeoff.

Malone and his team left from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey Tuesday headed to London. A law enforcement source at Teterboro tells us the private plane's tires blew off during takeoff and the pilot circled back around to perform an emergency landing.

In air traffic audio -- obtained by TMZ -- the pilot makes it clear, they've lost a tire, and asks for permission to circle above ... he also makes it known there are 16 people on the plane.

Our source says air traffic control then informed the pilot to continue flight to Massachusetts in order to burn more fuel for a safer possible crash landing. We're told the plane had 3,700 gallons of fuel to burn.

A video -- obtained by TMZ -- shows emergency personnel on the ground in Teterboro in position for the plane before it was decided they should land it elsewhere.

Post performed at Monday's MTV VMA Awards with 21 Savage and Aerosmith. The rapper also won Song of the Year for "Rockstar."

The actor who played Robbie Rotten on the popular kid's show "LazyTown" has died after a long battle with cancer ... TMZ has learned.

A spokesperson for the family of Stefan Karl Stefansson tells us the actor died Tuesday surrounded by friends and family. We're told Stefan had battled bile duct cancer for two years before his death.

The 43-year-old from Iceland was a fixture on "LazyTown" over the course of 10 years ... starring alongside Julianna Mauriello, who played Stephanie. Stefansson's last episode on the show was its finale in 2014.

Stefansson was first diagnosed with cancer in 2016 but after surgery it appeared he was on the path to recovery. However, it returned in 2018 and was inoperable.

In a statement in March, Stefansson said, "It's not until they tell you you're going to die soon that you realize how short life is. Time is the most valuable thing in life because it never comes back. And whether you spend it in the arms of a loved one or alone in a prison-cell, life is what you make of it. Dream big."

He is survived by his wife and 4 children.

Madonna tried (and failed) to adequately pay tribute to Aretha Franklin at the VMAs this week -- and while many of Aretha's fans are pissed ... the woman's own kin isn't.

We spoke with one of Aretha's nephews, Tim Franklin, who says the family was not upset over Madonna's awkward VMAs speech about how Aretha led her to who she is today. It was long-winded and rambling ... but more importantly, all about herself and not Aretha.

Tim tells us not only are the Franklins not mad, but they believe Aretha herself would not have been upset either. While they didn't catch Madonna's misfire, their point is this ... Aretha's far bigger than any kind of tribute, and her fans shouldn't be so sensitive. She wouldn't have been, according to Tim.

Madge herself addressed the controversy Tuesday, saying her "tribute" was never meant to be a full-blown thing or production. She says she was instructed to share a personal anecdote about Aretha, and that's exactly what she did. Considering the tight restraints of a televised award show, Madonna says ... "I could never do her justice in this context or environment."

As we reported ... Aretha died last Thursday from advanced pancreatic cancer. Tributes of all forms have been coming in from across the country since she passed.

Lamar Odom says it's a miracle he's alive -- revealing he had 12 strokes and 6 heart attacks while he was in a coma from his 2015 drug overdose.

Th ex-NBA star spilled his guts about the incident to Kevin Hart while sitting in an ice bath for KH's YouTube show, "Cold as Balls."

"All my doctors that see me say I'm a walking miracle," Odom said while shivering in the ice tub next to Hart.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Odom was rushed to a hospital on October 13, 2015 after he was found unconscious at Dennis Hof's Love Ranch South in Pahrump, Nevada.

Blood tests showed Odom had cocaine in his system at the time of his overdose. There were times doctors didn't think Odom would survive -- but somehow, he managed to pull through.

Since recovering, Odom has been to rehab and says he's now fully sober and over his addiction.

In fact, Odom told Kevin Hart he feels grateful to be alive -- joking about how it beats the alternative.

During the "Cold as Balls" segment, Odom also joked about the brothel and opened up about how much he appreciated Khloe Kardashian stepping up and handling his care while he was unconscious.

"It was big," Odom said about Khloe.

Odom -- who was legally married to Khloe (but separated) at the time of the overdose -- had tried to get back with her after he got better ... but she had moved on.

Give Shaun Weiss this -- he's got a helluva sense of humor. Check out how the guy who played Goldberg in "The Mighty Ducks" announced checking into rehab.

Shaun posted an emotional but also hilarious message Tuesday on Facebook announcing he's checked into a long-term rehab center. TMZ broke the story ... Shaun was busted earlier this month for public intoxication. Shaun spent a few hours in the drunk tank and, though he wasn't cited, his arrest did produce this incredibly sad mug shot that had his fans feeling bummed for him.

Shaun wrote, "At this time, in an effort to break free from the self destructive patterns of behavior and drug abuse that have landed me at rock bottom, (to be real... BELOW rock bottom. Even rock bottom is like 'holy sh!t, how'd you get all the way down there?') I have checked in to a well reguarded, long term rehabilitation center. I have surrendered to the reality that without immediate treatment my life is in eminant danger. My spirit was until recently depleted, weak and shrouded by darkness has been renewedby the overwhelming out-pouring of love and support from fans of my early work as an actor."

Nicki Minaj can't top Travis Scott on the charts ... but she's got him beat when it comes to hosting a radio show.

Nicki WENT OFF on Travis during her Tuesday "Queen Radio" show ... giving the rapper the "Hoe N**** Of The Week" award and continuing to bash Travis and baby mama Kylie Jenner for what she says are unethical practices in promoting his new album.

Tell us how you really feel, Nicki!!!

Nicki is still SALTY about losing the no. 1 spot in album sales to Travis -- she's been griping about it all week -- and it doesn't sound like she'll get over 2nd place any time soon.

It's not all hate -- Nicki says she loves Kylie, Stormi, Kim and the rest of their fam -- but the Queen doesn't want to let Travis off the hook.

Nicki isn't afraid to air out dirty laundry ... even if other rappers are scared.

She's also been more than willing to stir up controversy this week ... 'cause she's now calling herself the new and improved Harriet Tubman.

3:20 PM PT -- Stormy Daniels responded to the news in a statement to NBC, where she said she and her lawyer, Avenatti, "are vindicated and we look forward to the apologies from the people who claimed we were wrong."

Donald Trump's former lawyer has just pled guilty to a plethora of federal tax and campaign finance crimes ... so get ready for a tweetstorm from the Prez for the ages.

Michael Cohen pled guilty to 8 counts, including 5 counts of tax fraud and 2 campaign finance violations. He's also admitted to making false statements and violating federal law in relation to the notorious $130k "hush money" deal he struck with porn star Stormy Daniels in order to keep her quiet about her alleged tryst with Trump ... and says it was at the direction of Trump.

He also reportedly admits he acted for the purpose of influencing the election.

Cohen's plea deal could reportedly include a sentence of 5 years ... sentencing is set for December. He could have faced up to 65 years behind bars.

His guilty plea reportedly also covers charges related to $20 mil in loans he obtained for his family's taxi companies.

As you'll recall, the months-long investigation of Cohen was referred to NY's Southern District by special counsel Robert Mueller ... and kicked into full gear after an April FBI raid on Cohen's office, hotel room and home.

Cohen had been Trump's lawyer and a loyal member of his inner circle for over a decade, but began to show signs of breaking with his former boss before audio tapes of his convos with Trump surfaced last month.

One such tape includes the 2 discussing paying off former Playboy model Karen McDougal in order to also keep her quiet about an alleged affair with Trump ... which resulted in the Prez tweeting that it was "perhaps illegal" for a lawyer to record a client.

Stormy Daniels' lawyer, Michael Avenatti, predicted to us that Cohen would release more Trump tapes soon ... or turn over more evidence to help his cause and "spank" the President.

Anthony Bourdain paid the $380,000 to Asia Argento's sexual assault accuser ... and denies she had sex with the then 17-year-old, but TMZ has seen text messages between Asia and Anthony that suggest otherwise.

Argento just released a statement, saying, "I am deeply shocked and hurt by having read news that is absolutely false. I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett." The Bennett to which she is referring is Jimmy Bennett, whom she had visit her in a hotel room when he was 17 and she was 37.

She acknowledges Anthony paid, saying, "Anthony personally undertook to help Bennett economically." She goes on to say Bennett was litigious and made exorbitant money demands and they wanted to "no longer suffer any further intrusions in our life."

Bourdain and Argento -- who were dating for over a year before Bourdain's death -- texted each other about Jimmy Bennett, referring to him as a "donkey" and Bourdain writing that paying him is "no admission of anything, no attempt to buy a cover up, simply an offer to help an obviously tortured soul whose desperate and trying to jack you for money."

Bourdain goes on to say, "Or you just tell him to f*** himself. Either way, I am with you."

In discussing the settlement -- which ended up to reportedly be $380,000 -- Argento confesses, "I am also broke." Bourdain makes it's clear he's handling the negotiations, instructing Argento to take a call from a rep who is involved in the matter.

Asia, at one point, seems to contradict her claim she never had a sexual relationship with Bennett, saying, "It wasn't raped (sic) but I was frozen. He was on top of me. After he told me I had been his sexual fantasy since he was 12."

Asia also never addresses the photograph -- which TMZ has seen -- of Asia and Bennett shirtless and in bed with their foreheads touching. This photo was reportedly the centerpiece of their settlement.

As we reported, Argento did not want an NDA as part of the settlement since she railed on Harvey Weinstein -- whom she had accused of raping her -- for using NDAs to silence his victims.

Bourdain seemed to agree in the texts, saying, "You are not buying silence. Only freedom from inconvenience. And to help a 'poor twisted goof' get his life together."

Asia responds, "I will never buy his silence for something that isn't true since I am also broke." Yet she claims in other texts that he was the sexual aggressor.

And there's this ... at one point Argento says, "I don't fear him [Bennett]. I am no Puritan, google my ass."

As we reported, Bennett claimed Argento plied him with alcohol, performed oral sex on him, jumped on top of him and had intercourse.

Nicollette Sheridan's officially done being a housewife ... her divorce is now final, so it clears the way for her ex's relationship with Denise Richards.

According to new legal docs obtained by TMZ ... the 'Desperate Housewife' and actor Aaron Phypers are going on their merry ways after a judge signed off on their divorce settlement. It wasn't a messy divorce ... she gets to keep the Hidden Hills crib and a horse named Leo.

Nicollette also won't have to pay any spousal support, and same goes for Aaron. He gets to keep his personal belongings and any bank accounts and cars under his name. While the divorce just became final, Aaron moved on from his 6-month marriage a long time ago.

Aaron and Denise Richards started dating back in September 2017. No word if he'll make an appearance on 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' but chances seem pretty good. As for Denise's ex, Charlie Sheen, Kyle Richards hints it could happen.

TMZ broke the story ... Nicollette filed for divorce in July 2016, much to our surprise.

12:00 PM PT -- TMZ Sports spoke with Corey, who says he's determined to clear his name with the Beer Mile community and work on his chugging to make sure he never gets disqualified again.

The dude who crushed a Beer Mile run in less than four and a half minutes had his time officially disqualified ... 'cause he left too much foam in his bottles.

For real.

The poor guy's name is Corey Bellemore ... and after recording a new world-record time of 4:24 in this month's Beer Mile World Classic -- he was DQ'd 'cause he didn't chug his beers all the way.

FYI ... the Beer Mile is a race where competitors slam a 12-ounce beer at the beginning of every quarter mile.

Officials ruled Bellemore left roughly 4.5 ounces in his bottles after chugging ... which is about a sip over the 4-ounce limit.

Corey took the L in stride ... tweeting after the ruling, "Never rush through life better luck next time!"

Don't feel too bad for the guy ... his 2017 Beer Mile World Classic time of 4:33 still stands as the world record.

Well, that didn't take long. G-Eazy and Halsey are BACK TOGETHER nearly 2 months after announcing they had broken up ... and TMZ has the pic to prove it.

The rapper started his post-VMAs night with reservations for 1 at Beauty & Essex in NYC. Our photog got him going in solo around 12:15 AM. As you might know by now ... that's where J Lo had her after-party where she grinded all up on A-Rod, and he was clearly loving it. Lucky punk.

We're told G-Eazy left Beauty & Essex by himself and showed up at 1 OAK ... again, by himself. 1 OAK's where Travis Scott had his after-party, but things got real interesting when we spotted G-Eazy and Halsey leaving together HOLDING HANDS and jumping into the same car at around 4:40 AM.

At best, G-Eazy and Halsey are back together but, at worst, their leaving together screams it's complicated. But, here's what's REALLY interesting -- we got Halsey at LAX two weeks after the breakup and she told us getting back with an ex is never a good idea.