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R&B virtuoso Babyface is back with his first solo album in nearly 6 years, and he celebrated like he was backstage at one of his concerts … with Kim Kardashian, Chris Tucker, Tank and plenty of other famous faces in tow!!!

Babyface and Capitol Records took over Hollywood’s Beauty & Essex to celebrate his "Girls Night Out" album in partnership with Instagram and was cool as a fan in his stunna shades all evening … thanking everyone for their support over the years.

Kim was in obvious need of a break from the Kanye storm and took full advantage … playfully photobombing Babyface as he posed with Chris Tucker and co. and she also chatted with Jordin Sparks in the VIP.

Album co-stars Coco Jones, Muni Long, Baby Tate also came through to show love for the project … as did DJ D-Nice, Eric Bellinger, Jesse Collins, Laura Govan, Doc Wynter and Diddy’s new artist Jozzy.

The album already has a No. 1 hit with the Ella Mai-featured "Keeps On Fallin'" and Babyface -- reminding everyone he's an elder statesman in the game -- instructed the crowd to run up the streaming thingamajigs, or "whatever that is" when it drops this Friday.

Mike Pence got hit with a simple question -- if Trump's the nominee, would his former Veep vote for him? -- there are 2 ways to interpret his answer, and one is shocking!

Pence gave a speech at Georgetown University Wednesday about what's in store for conservatism in America.

Someone in the crowd asked how he'd cast his vote in 2024 if Trump gets the nod from Republicans. There was immediate laughter and Pence paused for a few seconds.

He said, "There might be somebody else I'd prefer more."

Now, you could view his answer as a hope and a prayer Trump doesn't get the nom ... especially since Pence seems like he'll be running for Prez.

But, the question isn't who should get the Republican nomination ... it's would you vote for Trump in the general election if HE gets the nom. So, to be literal, Pence is saying he might vote for the Democratic nominee over Trump.

Andy Dick is facing a felony burglary charge in California after getting arrested yet again ... this time cops say he was stealing power tools from someone's garage.

The Santa Barbara Police Department tells TMZ ... officers busted Andy on Oct. 13, after responding to a report of a burglary in progress at a home.

Andy had removed several power tools from a home under construction, according to cops ... and they say they caught him red-handed trying to flee the property. The homeowner told police they don't know Andy, and he definitely didn't have permission to be there.

Since then, the Santa Barbara County D.A. has charged Andy with first-degree residential burglary, and he's pled not guilty -- however, one week later, he's still locked up.

Interestingly enough, Dick posted a video from inside an abandoned house just last week ... so it's possible it's the same one he was busted inside.

We're told he is in the Santa Barbara County Jail waiting for someone to bond him out. His bail was set at $50K.

It's the second arrest for Andy in the last 6 months ... as we first told you, he was busted in May and accused of sexual battery and the arrest was live-streamed.

As Halloween approaches, normies are looking for thrills -- and so are celebs ... which is exactly why a good amount of 'em are hitting Universal Studios for the best scares in town.

As you might know, Halloween Horror Nights is underway at the L.A. theme park -- and with some of the freakiest haunted mazes within reach in Hollywood ... it's no surprise that some A-listers are pouring in for their fair share.

Among some of stars who've shown up so far ... Billie Eilish, Jordyn Woods and her BF, Karl-Anthony Towns. While you'd think they'd be screaming, they're actually all cheesin'!

Bebe Rexha also popped in for HHH, but her visit seems to have been a little more fright-filled ... 'cause it looks like she's losing her head here. That, or just hamming it up for the camera -- could go either way.

Actress Kiernan Shipka also splashed down at one point this season. She looked a little more even-keeled than Bebe did alongside a bunch of monsters -- but that might have to do with her work on the 'Sabrina' witch show on Netflix ... which is scary as hell.

There's also Shawn Mendes, who swung by to pose with the performers and flash his pearly whites. The guy didn't look to be too afraid or anything.

The attraction's got a rep for being as in-your-face as possible in terms of trying to scare you ... but these folks aren't allowed to make actual contact, close as they might get.

That directive is likely applied even more so when it comes to the rich and famous who might swing by during Halloween-time ... in other words, these fine folks are at no real risk of being too scared or accosted.

As for the rest of us ... well, a little more so.

American actor Joey Zimmerman was just 12 years old when he was first cast as Dylan Piper -- the sarcastic Piper child who hates Halloween despite his ability to perform witchcraft -- in the Halloween fantasy film "Halloweentown" back in 1998.

Joey shared the screen with Kimberly J. Brown as the witch in training who leaves the mortal world with her siblings, Marnie Piper and Emily Roeske as the youngest Piper sibling and mischief-maker, Sophie Piper.

Zimmerman was also in the sequels including "Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge," "Halloweentown High," and "Return To Halloweentown."

Kanye West is ripping President Biden for not picking Elon Musk's brain, and using some offensive language -- claiming the Prez is "f**king ret***ed."

Ye went off on POTUS in his interview with Piers Morgan, claiming he could use the r-word, and anything other words, due to the fact he's been diagnosed with "mental health issues."

Interestingly, those issues didn't prevent Kanye from being fully aware the ableist epithet would offend. He told Piers, "The President of the United States does not have meetings with Elon Musk. That is f***ing ... Hey, here, come, come get me ... That's f***ing ret***ed. I know I'm not supposed to say that Biden, but that's f***ing ret***ed, Biden."

As we reported ... in the same interview, Ye dug himself an even deeper hole over his recent antisemitic comments, trying to clear things up by telling Piers he only wishes death on Jews who he thinks screwed him over.

Howard Stern is ripping Kanye West apart ... comparing him to Adolf Hitler while calling the rapper and his fans out for using mental health as an excuse for his racist outbursts.

Howard didn't hold back on the latest episode of his SiriusXM radio show ... referring to Kanye's recent interview with Chris Cuomo -- saying "you gotta hear the s*** this guy's into".

The host was hesitant about giving any more energy to the rapper ... but draws a shocking -- and ironic -- comparison, saying "Kanye used to be fun crazy. Now he’s like Hitler."

He then poses this idea to Kanye -- "If a newspaper article doesn’t point out the fact that you’re some sort of designer or genius, maybe that’s not because they’re Jewish, but maybe because they just don’t put that much thought into who the f*** you are and what your business is."

As we reported, Kanye's been digging a DEEP hole over his antisemitic comments ... telling Piers Morgan his "death con 3" comments towards Jewish people were racist, and meant for it to be taken that way.

Stern also goes after Kanye's defenders who are pointing towards his mental health struggles as an excuse  ... "If he’s so mentally ill, why don’t they appoint a conservator over his money like they did with the poor Britney Spears?”

James Bouknight was unconscious for an hour before cops were finally able to wake up the Charlotte Hornets guard ... but the ordeal didn't end there, 'cause law enforcement says the hooper refused to get out of his Mercedes and even crashed into two squad cars before finally being placed under arrest for DWI.

The details of the arrest are all spelled out in court docs ... and it's clear cops had a helluva time waking up the former UConn star. Police say they tried numerous tactics for about an hour, including using a PA system and an air horn.

Once he finally came to, cops say the 22-year-old refused to get out of his car for several minutes, and instead sat in his driver's seat, eating.

As TMZ Sports previously reported, while asleep, Bouknight had a Glock 23 handgun in his lap. The weapon was visible in a photograph obtained and posted by us.

Police say James moved his car forward, hitting a cop car in front of him, before reversing and hitting another squad car behind him.

Finally, cops say Bouknight complied and exited the car, where he was arrested.

The docs say Bouknight claimed he took four shots of tequila before driving home early Sunday morning. He later took a breathalyzer and blew a .14. The limit in North Carolina is .08.

JB apologized for the arrest on Tuesday, saying ... “Honestly, I just wanted to apologize for being a distraction before the start of the season, for my teammates and for what we’ve got going on.”

OnlyFans model Courtney Clenney broke down in tears and started screaming as she called 911 for help after stabbing her boyfriend ... all while he was oddly calm in the final minutes of his life.

The call is pretty disturbing ... on the recording, first obtained by the Miami Herald, Clenney attempts to give the operator their address, and her BF Christian Obumseli is heard saying, "I can't feel my arm!"

Although his audio is in the background of Courtney's screams, it's clear Christian is fading fast.

The operator attempts to calm down Clenney, but things spiral out of control pretty quickly -- she starts sobbing as she apologizes to Obumseli, and tells the operator he's bleeding from a stab wound in his torso.

The call becomes inaudible toward the end, but as you know ... the model told police she fatally stabbed Obumseli with a knife in their Miami condo, but claims it was self-defense.

Sam Westmoreland, a Mississippi State University football player, has died unexpectedly ... the school announced on Wednesday. He was 18 years old -- and only two days away from his 19th birthday.

No cause of death was revealed.

"My prayers are with Sam's family and friends," MSU president Mark E. Keenum said in a statement, "with his MSU teammates and coaches, and with the Tupelo community during this most difficult time."

Westmoreland joined the school's football team this year after a stellar career at Tupelo H.S. in Miss. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound freshman offensive lineman had yet to play in a game.

Bulldogs head coach Mike Leach described his player as "a beloved son, brother, and teammate, and a tremendous young man with a limitless future." He added that he and his team are "heartbroken" over the passing.

"He will always be remembered and deeply missed by everyone who knew and loved him," Leech said. "Our highest priority is the support of the Westmoreland family and our student-athletes during this troubling time."

Sam -- born in Tulepo, Miss. -- was an offensive tackle and an industrial technology major at MSU.

University officials said they are actively working with authorities -- including the Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Office -- to obtain more details about Sam's tragic passing.

R.I.P.

Kanye West may have dug an even deeper hole over his antisemitic comments, saying when he said he wanted to go "death con 3" on Jews, he only meant the ones who screwed him over.

The rapper went on Piers Morgan's show, and it seems he thought he was going to get a more friendly reception from the host than what actually went down.

Ye was pressed on whether his antisemitic remarks were racist, and he says they were indeed.

Morgan pushed Kanye, and Ye said he was targeting Jews who did him wrong, and those are the people with whom he wanted to go "death con 3." His only "apology" was to the other Jews who did not deserve his ire. Again, still antisemitic.

You'll recall, Kanye made comments earlier when he seemed to blame Jewish execs in Hollywood for mistreating black entertainers. And he also railed on JP Morgan, invoking the old trope of Jews controlling the banks.

The internet's going WILD with engagement speculation after seeing pics of Megan Thee Stallion at an elegant event with her boyfriend and wearing a giant diamond!!!

Chill. That's not the full story ... according to folks in her camp, and Megan herself.

Sources connected to Megan tell TMZ ... Meg and her BF Pardi celebrated their 2nd anniversary Tuesday night at Brooklyn Chop House Times Square -- we're told Pardi picked the place because he's really tight with the owner, Don Pooh, and it's a go-to for the rapper.

They were in New York following Meg's SNL performance, and decided to stay in town to celebrate their milestone.

As for the event, we're told Pardi set the whole thing up himself as a surprise -- spending hours on the phone with the venue to make sure everything was just right.

She was given a great night ... dining privately on the roof, which was decorated with a bunch of candles and over 1,000 balloons. She was given a HUGE bunch of roses when she walked in, too.

Meg was seen leaving the dinner with a bunch of diamonds on her left ring finger -- y'know ... the engagement one. We're told it's actually FIVE diamond rings, but the bummer part for fans is that they were a gift ... from her stylist ... not Pardi.

Meg even responded to the rumors ... saying, "Lol as nice as last night was we are not engaged."

Billie Eilish and Jesse Rutherford aren't hiding it anymore, locking lips in public and letting the world know they're together.

The two were showed off some PDA Tuesday night in Studio City -- where they were on the streets and making out in front of cameras, no longer blurring lines -- they're a couple and definitely happy.

Check out the photos for yourself ... you can see BE and JR embracing, kissing, holding hands and smiling from ear to ear as they stroll down the street without a care in the world.

It's the third outing we've seen in less than a week where they seemed to be getting cozy. Remember, it all started with a video that surfaced showing them at Halloween Horror Nights looking like a couple. Ditto for a dinner date night the day before.

There's been evidence they've been hanging out since at least August of this year -- when they were photographed at the same movie premiere.

Of course, there's been controversy with this relationship ... mostly among her fans. We're talking about their age difference -- 11 years, more or less -- and the fact that Jesse appears to have known/befriended her when she was underage ... at around 15 or 16 years old.

Candace Owens just responded to what Gianna's legal team told us, saying, "What I love so much about George Floyd family's lawyers is how they keep talking to TMZ about "lies" in my documentary but keep neglecting to specify what the lies were! My documentary told NO LIES. They are simply angry that we exposed theirs and are running PR for BLM."

She continues, "The George Floyd story was the greatest lie ever spun by our media. My documentary successfully exposed their lies and people are understandably shocked at how twisted and sick our media is in their commitment to control the masses."

There may be more people who have to answer for what Kanye West said about George Floyd ... Candace Owens, N.O.R.E. and Diddy's Revolt TV could soon be in the legal hot seat, too.

The legal team repping Floyd's young daughter, Gianna, tells TMZ any and all possible defendants are on the table as they continue to explore their options in what will be a mega lawsuit regarding comments made on "Drink Champs."

One of the attorneys, Kay Williams, says Candace is an obvious would-be codefendant -- as the remarks Ye made were a direct reflection of stuff she put out in her new documentary, 'The Greatest Lie Ever Sold.' Williams says there are blatant lies mentioned in the film.

Nuru Witherspoon, another lawyer on the case says Ye's comments have retraumatized Gianna all over again, as she's being exposed to the new content.

Witherspoon notes that while they mentioned suing for defamation in their press release -- the actual suit would be rooted in intentional infliction of emotional distress and misappropriation ... because you can't legally defame a dead person, and Ye didn't mention George's family.

Still, both Williams and Witherspoon make it clear ... it's open season on anyone who perpetuated lies about George Floyd -- Candace and Kanye are the clear targets.

However, you have to imagine the folks behind "Drink Champs," REVOLT TV included, could be in their crosshairs as well.

One final member of the team -- attorney Pat Dixon III -- gets into even more detail about what exactly Gianna is going through emotionally, not to mention her mother. He tells us they're going down this road to preserve George's legacy for both him and his family.

Like we said, the suit hasn't been filed yet -- but Gianna's lawyers have already signaled an amount of money they want ... at least $250 million. FWIW, REVOLT TV has removed the controversial episode in question entirely -- and N.O.R.E. has attempted to apologize.

Alabama WR Jermaine Burton allegedly struck a female Tennessee football fan in the head following the Crimson Tide's upset loss on Saturday ... and the incident was captured on video.

The clip, posted by Emily Isaacs on TikTok, appears to show Burton hitting the fan as she walked by him after the game. Isaacs says she's the woman in the video.

"Jermaine Burton smacking me in the head while walking past him after their loss Saturday. 👍," the TikToker wrote in the caption.

Another fan claims they had a similar incident with Burton after the game. A fan posted video online, and it appears JB took a swipe at him, too.

Burton -- who transferred from Georgia in January 2022 -- had 2 catches for 49 yards in the loss.

Of course, to describe the aftermath of the game as hectic would be an understatement. It was the first time Tennessee beat Bama in 16 seasons. Tenn fans even ripped the goalpost down from Neyland Stadium and threw it in a nearby river.

So, yeah ... insanity. The University of Tennessee was even fined $100K for allowing their fans on the football field.

We reached out to Univ. of Alabama and Knoxville police, but so far, no word back.

Former "Deal or No Deal" model Claudia Jordan is sticking up for the other briefcase models on the game show ... saying Meghan Markle's claims about being "forced" to become a briefcase "bimbo" just ain't right.

The "RHOA" alum joined "TMZ Live" Wednesday, saying she had no clue the Duchess of Sussex had such negative feelings about being on the show ... and felt her comments were a little unfair for the rest of the models.

Meghan felt the models were "objectified" for their looks and were never able to showcase their brains.

Claudia says there were lots of briefcase models with brains, including Stacey Gardner, who passed the bar exam while she was on the show.

But, as Claudia says, it was no secret ... they signed up for a modeling gig, and clearly, Meghan knew that.

Claudia has been a fierce defender of Meghan's, saying the racist treatment she got from the British press and the treatment she generally got from the Royals was appalling, but the "Deal or No Deal" complaint is different.