Austin Maddox Ex-Red Sox Pitcher Busted In Anti-Child Predator Sting

TAKEN TO THE GROUND
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office

Former MLB third-round pick Austin Maddox was arrested during an anti-child predator sting in Florida last month ... and now, the ex-Red Sox pitcher is facing several felony charges.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office released the results of its five-day "Operation Valiant Knights" bust on Monday ... claiming 27 men believed they were communicating with underage girls online -- but in reality, they were speaking to detectives.

33-year-old Maddox -- who appeared in 13 career games -- was arrested on April 28 ... and charged with traveling to meet after using a computer to seduce/solicit/lure a child, solicitation of a child via computer to engage in sexual conduct, unlawful use of two-way communication device, and produce/promote performance which includes sexual performance by a child.

Scarlett Johansson Hired Lawyers Over OverAI's ChatGPT ... Says They Approached Her

Scarlett Johansson appears ready to go to legal war (again) -- only now, it's all about ChatGPT's newest voice sounding eerily similar to her ... and she says that's no coincidence.

The actress came out swinging Monday on the heels of OpenAI -- the creator of ChatGPT -- yanking their newest feature of their hottest commodity ... namely, suspending AI voices they recently trotted out, including one that many said sounded just like ScarJo.

They dubbed the new voice Sky ... and many felt it eerily mirrored Scarlett's AI character in 2013's 'Her' -- where Joaquin Phoenix falls in love with a computer that sounds human.

'GMA3's DeMarco Morgan New Bike Shorts, No Bulge in Sight!!!

DeMarco Morgan is apparently turning a new leaf on the bike trail -- and by that, we mean he's changed up his bike short colors ... and you can see a lot less bulge this time!

ICYMI ... the new 'GMA3' anchor -- who replaced T.J. Holmes after his exit over his Amy Robach affair -- sent the Internet into a tizzy by posting pics of himself in bike shorts ... where there his package was seriously noticeable.

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At the time, we were told ABC staffers were rattled over the photos ... and it looks like DeMarco has taken note, as he's debuted some new workout pics -- which are far safer for work, at least in terms of what you can (or can't see).

Transgender H.S. Track Runner Showered W/ Boos ... After Winning Girls' State Title

BOOED AT THE FINISH LINE

A transgender high school runner won a state title over the weekend, but instead of a rousing ovation, the athlete was met with a chorus of boos ... with spectators voicing their displeasure over the track star's participation in the event.

The controversial incident happened Saturday at the Oregon School Activities Association track and field championships in Eugene ... where McDaniel H.S. sophomore Aayden Gallagher raced girls in the 200-meter finals.

Gallagher trailed, but a late push saw her cross the finish line in 23.82 seconds, just ahead of the second-place runner.

Dr. Drew Not Much Can Be Done for Britney ... 2nd Conservatorship Unlikely

GROWING CONCERNS
TMZ.com

Dr. Drew Pinsky is weighing in on the Britney Spears situation ... revealing that, legally speaking, it will be near impossible for anyone to force the pop star to seek medical help for her mental illness.

The famed doctor dropped by "TMZ Live" on Monday to explain why a 2nd conservatorship is pretty unlikely in Brit's case. He says they're pretty tough to come by in California, and Britney -- who was previously diagnosed as bipolar -- would have to exhibit some extreme behavior before a court would even consider creating a new conservatorship.

They're more difficult to be granted in the years since Britney was first placed in one.

Camila Cabello I Lost My V-Card at Age 20 ... And It Was Beautiful!!!

MY FIRST TIME
Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Camila Cabello has no regrets over being a late bloomer -- saying she had sex for the first time at age 20 ... and apparently, it was quite lovely.

The singer -- who's now 28 -- opened up about her first time doing it while talking on the  'Armchair Expert' podcast ... explaining the milestone occurred amid her relationship with author/YouTuber Matthew Hussey -- whom she met during a 'Today Show' taping in 2018.

Camila says her year-long romance with the relationship expert was the first real boyfriend of her life. She explained that after they went to dinner, they started dating ... and when Camila was asked if she'd ever been in a relationship before ... she said no.

Eminem Daughter Hailie Jade Gets Hitched ... Shares Dance w/ Dad!!!

update

11:02 AM PT -- Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... 50 Cent, Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine were among the guests at Hailie Jade Scott's nuptials -- so it was more star-studded than anyone initially knew. Keeping it in the Aftermath family!

Eminem cleaned out his closet and put on a tux this weekend -- 'cause his daughter got hitched ... and the father of the bride was front and center to see his little girl through it all.

The rapper's second oldest kid, Hailie Jade Scott, married her fiancé Evan McClintock Saturday in Battle Creek, MI -- at a ceremony we're told was modestly sized with close friends and family.

Diddy Can't Say Cassie's Name in Public ... Barred by Settlement

There are lots of reasons to drag Diddy over his video apology -- the public outrage is still fresh over what he did to Cassie -- but when it comes to him not saying her name in the mea culpa ... there's a legal reason he couldn't.

As you know, Diddy and Cassie reached a settlement one day after she filed her sexual assault lawsuit against him in November -- and sources familiar with the agreement tell TMZ ... it includes a very strict NDA, which prevents both of them from speaking about each other in public.

5/19/24
NO EXCUSES

You'll notice -- since the release of the 2016 beating video -- you have not seen or heard Cassie trashing Diddy, as you'd expect.

Tom Hanks Chet Explains Drake-K.Dot Beef Hilarious Text Response!!!

Tom Hanks doesn't need Genius annotations to get the play-by-play on the Drake and Kendrick Lamar battle ... 'cause his son Chet can break it down ... and he did just that.

Chet -- who's moonlighted as a rapper/reggae artist in the past, and has a firm grasp on all things hip-hop -- shared a hilarious text message exchange with his movie star dad this week ... who was apparently uber-curious about the year's biggest moment in pop culture.

You can easily see Chet's inner rap nerd burst out explaining the beef with intense detail ... but he may have lost his pops along the way, especially based on how Tom responded.

ZAC BROWN ESTRANGED WIFE WON'T BE SILENCED He's Playing the Victim!!!

Zac Brown's estranged wife is addressing the fact he's asking a court to muzzle her Instagram posts ... which she says is just him trying to play victim and silence her.

Kelly Yazdi hopped on IG Sunday to speak her piece on Zac's lawsuit from last week -- in which he sued her in an attempt to get an emergency restraining order ... one that demanded she take down an Instagram post that he thinks violates an NDA she signed.

SPEAKING OUT

She shared a very lengthy caption -- in addition to a brief video teeing up her statement -- and the general sentiment here is ... ZB is in the wrong, and she feels she should be able to express herself about their marriage.

'Prison Break' Sarah Wayne Callies Claims Male Costar Spat in Her Face ... Rampant Misogyny in '00s

Sarah Wayne Callies claims one of her male costars on "Prison Break" spat in her face -- just one example, she says, of the rampant misogyny she had to deal with as the only gal.

The actress went on the 'Broad Ideas' podcast Monday, with SWC explaining that playing Sara Tancredi on the FOX series -- which aired from 2005 to 2009 -- was a double-edged sword ... 'cause she faced harsh realities, including an alleged ugly incident she recounts.

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
Broad Ideas with Rachel Bilson

Sarah says that a male actor on the show hawked one onto her mug -- and while she doesn't get into specifics, including any names, she says it was emblematic of the vibe on set.

Kid Rock Allegedly Waved Gun, Said N-Word ... During Heated Interview

Kid Rock is pushing his provocative persona to erratic new levels -- at least according to a new feature by Rolling Stone ... which claims he waved a gun around and said the n-word.

The outlet dropped a fresh piece that chronicled an interview with the rapper Sunday ... where KR is described as brandishing a firearm to the reporter, as well as dropping the racial slur a number of times while talking about politics and the history of the Republican party.

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Per the journo, David Peisner, KR ranted at him after drinking several Jim Beam/Diet Coke cocktails ... at which point he allegedly pulled out a handgun from behind a leather chair. Kid Rock allegedly yelled ... "And I got a f***ing goddamn gun right here if I need it ... I got them everywhere!"

COURTENEY COX MATTHEW PERRY STILL VISITS ME ... Guides Me Through Life

HE VISITS ME A LOT
CBS Sunday Mornings

Courteney Cox says her late "Friends" costar Matthew Perry is still paying her visits 7 months after his untimely passing ... all in a spiritual form, of course.

The actress said on 'CBS Sunday Morning' that she was thankful to work so closely with MP on the sitcom, where her character Monica Geller ends up with his character Chandler Bing -- adding they're still close to his very day as, "he visits me a lot, if we believe in that."

CC's spirituality runs deep -- she explains she still engages in heartfelt conversations with her late mother, father and even Matt ... going on to say they guide her through her daily life.

Diddy-Cassie Video More Industry Fallout ... Shyne, Kelly Price, Etc. Weigh In

Diddy's apology video for his brutal 2016 assault of ex-GF Cassie Ventura has blossomed a ton of new opinions and commentary ... from Bad Boy associates and beyond.

Kelly Price -- who recorded with Diddy and the late Notorious B.I.G. several times in the '90s -- didn't cast the disgraced mogul out completely ... offering up prayers of encouragement on social media, while commenting underneath his upload this weekend.

The gospel singer's benevolence while the Cassie video is still on top of people's minds didn't sit well with many though -- and the intense backlash forced Kelly to clarify herself in a 12-minute rebuttal, with her message being ... hate the actions, love the man in a nutshell.

Nina Dobrev Recovering After E-Bike Crash ... Posts Pic From Hospital Bed

Nina Dobrev's active lifestyle has taken a hit -- 'cause she landed in the hospital ... this after an accident on an electric bike.

The 'Vampire Diaries' alum shared this unfortunate news Monday by posting a photo from her hospital bed on Instagram ... where she was hooked up to a monitor while sporting a knee brace AND a neck brace.

Nina appeared to blame an e-bike for her current state ... as her first slide in the upload featured her posing on the vehicle in a little black outfit -- looking as happy as can be.

DEMI MOORE DISCUSSES GRAPHIC NUDITY IN CANNES HIT ... Here's Why I Did It

COMFORT & COMMUNICATION!!!
france·tv

Demi Moore's baring it all -- literally and figuratively -- by opening up about shooting full frontal graphic nudity for her new feminist body horror film at Cannes ... and why she did it.

The actress was at a Cannes Film Festival press conference this weekend after the premiere of "The Substance," the new flick she's in, and Demi said stripping down for the role required loads of vulnerability and rawness ... something she felt she needed to do to tell the story.

She gives a shout-out to her costar, Margaret Qualley, whom she says eased her nerves and served as an incredible scene partner for the moments they had to get fully naked.

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