Darius Rucker Forgive Morgan For N-Word Scandal ... He's a Better Person Now!!!

HE'S GROWN A LOT
Rolling Stone Music Now

Darius Rucker says the time has come to forgive Morgan Wallen for using a racial slur ... and he wants to see Morgan get his due at award shows.

The country singer -- obviously famous from Hootie & the Blowfish -- says Morgan's worked hard to become a better person since he used the n-word during a drunken convo with a friend.

JANUARY 2021
PROFANE GOODBYE
TMZ.com

Appearing on Rolling Stone's 'Music Now' podcast, Darius said it still feels like Morgan hasn't been forgiven for the incident ... at least when it comes to CMA and ACM nominations.

PRINCE HARRY CONTROVERSY HE'S PERFECT FOR PAT TILLMAN AWARD ... Past Recipient Says

Prince Harry's a humble, stand-up guy who blends in as just another fellow veteran, making him deserving of the Pat Tillman Award for Service ... a former recipient tells us amid the outrage over ESPN's decision to honor the royal.

WELL DESERVING
TMZ.com

U.S. Marine Jake Wood, who won the award in 2018, tells TMZ veterans who've interacted with Prince Harry through his Invictus Games efforts say he's as real as it gets. There's no air of superiority ... he just wants to sit, swap war stories, and ensure everyone's taken care of, he says.

No doubt in Jake's eyes, Harry's down-to-earth nature, on top of him devoting a large chunk of his post-military life to veterans, solidifies his worthiness for the award.

Prince Harry Deserves Pat Tillman Award ... Past Recipients Say

Prince Harry has key figures in his corner amid the outrage over ESPN's decision to honor him with the Pat Tillman Award for Service -- at least 2 former winners say Harry is definitely deserving.

Jake Wood, a U.S. Marine and former college football player who won the award in 2018, tells TMZ … the Duke of Sussex is a natural fit for the Tillman honor because of Harry's military service and his dedication to veterans.

Jake feels Prince Harry is a good choice because he's dedicated his life to serving and supporting the military and veterans -- Harry served 2 tours in Afghanistan -- and that should be commended because there are hundreds of different ways a British royal could live his life.

TMZ TV HOT TAKES Kanye's 'New Slaves' Suit ... The Juice, Brandon Aiyuk

Kanye West is facing some serious allegations, O.J. Simpson has the BET Awards in hot water and Brandon Aiyuk has a desired NFL landing spot ... all this on TMZ TV Hot Takes.

TMZ Live

FACING ANOTHER LAWSUIT
TMZ.com

On "TMZ Live" Harvey and Charles break down a new lawsuit against Kanye, including allegations he mocked his employees as "new slaves."

ESPN Prince Harry Deserves Pat Tillman Award ... Defends Decision

ESPN is standing firm in its decision to honor Prince Harry with the Pat Tillman Award for Service at this month's ESPYs ... doubling down and saying the Duke of Sussex is a rightful recipient of the honor.

As we previously reported, Tillman's mother, Mary, was dissatisfied with this year's pick for the award ... saying there were plenty of lesser-known candidates that deserve some recognition -- and referring to Harry as "controversial and divisive" in the process.

ESPN talent Pat McAfee also dogged the selection ... claiming it felt like the network was purposely trying to strike a controversy.

Prince Harry Blasted By Pat Tillman's Mom ... More Deserving Candidates For Award!!!

Prince Harry isn't fit to receive the Pat Tillman Award at the ESPYs, and it's shocking ESPN let him ... at least, that's what the late veteran's mother thinks.

Mary Tillman -- mom to former NFL safety Pat Tillman who joined the U.S. Army after 9/11 and died in a friendly fire incident -- spoke to Daily Mail about ESPN choosing Prince Harry to receive the ESPY named in Pat's honor ... and, suffice to say, she's not happy with the decision.

Tillman says, "I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award."

Harvey Mason Jr. 'Not Like Us' Fair Game for Grammys ... Open to a Diss Category, Too!!!

IT'S ALL ART
TMZ.com

Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" is one of the hottest tracks on the planet, and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. says a diss track winning a Grammy might not be conventional ... but now it's definitely possible!

TMZ Hip Hop spoke with the Grammy czar Monday at LAX, where he told us he's been feeling the cultural avalanche of "Not Like Us," just like everyone else is.

Legendary Link Up

K. Dot shot the music video in Compton over the weekend, and its release will inevitably breathe new life into the song -- which, while being extremely danceable, is still primarily, a huge shot at Drake.

Jon Voight Proud of Angelina Jolie's Tony Win ... Granddaughter Made It Happen!!!

VERY PROUD
TMZ.com

Jon Voight's super stoked his daughter Angelina Jolie won her first Tony Award ... a win he says may not have happened had his granddaughter not found the play!

We caught up with the legendary actor at LAX and asked about his daughter's big win for producing 'The Outsiders.' JV's over the moon for his kiddo.

Voight explains how Angie got involved with the project ... crediting his granddaughter Vivienne for watching the play multiple times before it landed on Broadway and convincing her mom to check it out.

Jonathan Majors Embraced at Tearful Impact Awards By Big Stars

Jonathan Majors was honored Friday night at the Impact Awards for his perseverance after he was convicted of domestic assault last year -- and the actor delivered a moving acceptance speech.

GETTING EMOTIONAL

Majors hit the fourth annual "Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards 2024" in Bev Hills with his actress girlfriend, Meagan Good, and a slew of other celebs, including Tiffany Haddish, Cardi B and Sharon Stone.

When motivational speaker Iyanla Vanzant called him to the stage for his "Perseverance Award," Majors stood up before the mic and addressed the star-studded crowd for more than 15 minutes.

Kinks Founder Dave Davies HOF Statue Pops Up on eBay Rocker Willing to Trade for It!!!

Dave Davies is trying to get an important trophy he once had after it vanished and recently showed up for sale online ... but might have to give up another prized possession to do it.

The Kinks rocker hopped on X this week to lament the fact that his 1990 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame award -- a statue with his name on it -- surfaced on eBay ... with the seller of this rare collector's item claiming it fell into their lap, with them trying to hawk it for over $12k.

LOVE TO HAVE IT BACK
TMZ.com

Now, Davies is giving us more insight into what happened here ... and more importantly, how he plans to get the HOF trophy back. He tells TMZ the award went missing back in the day after he suffered a stroke … and he's gobsmacked to see it all these years later.

Carol Burnett Hands Immortalized at Chinese Theater Dick Van Dyke, More Attend

Carol Burnett's a living legend who's going to live on forever ... 'cause she got the cement treatment at TCL Chinese Theater while some of Hollywood's biggest stars looked on.

The actress-comedian dipped her hands and feet into wet cement outside the Hollywood landmark Thursday ... an honor only bestowed upon H'wood's brightest stars -- and, ya gotta see everyone who attended.

Of course, there's Carol -- who looks great for 91 BTW -- with her hands down in the muck, big grin on her face, but also in attendance are Bob Odenkirk, Laura Dern, Allison Janney, Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph, and one of the few people perhaps more famous than even Burnett ... Dick Van Dyke.

Bryson DeChambeau Walks Nashville Streets, Hits Bar ... With U.S. Open Trophy!!!

The U.S. Open teed off a week ago, but champ Bryson DeChambeau's living it up like he just sank the tourney-winning putt ... partying, trophy in hand, in downtown Nashville -- and it's awesome!

The 30-year-old champ was seen walking the streets of Tennessee's capital with the U.S. Open trophy ... as Bryson and his new hardware got in line to enter a bar on Broadway.

It is unclear if Bryson was meeting up with friends, family, or a mix of both ... but the group linked up outside Jason Aldean's Kitchen and Rooftop Bar -- which opened on the Broadway strip back in 2018.

Jayson Tatum, Celtics Champs Touch Down In Miami ... W/ Larry O'Brien In Tow!!!

KEEPIN' IT CLOSE
TMZSports.com

The NBA champs have taken their celebration to Florida ... with Jayson Tatum and his Boston Celtics teammates arriving at a fancy hotel in Miami on Tuesday -- and, of course, the Larry O'Brien Trophy came along for the fun!!

TMZ Sports has obtained video of the superstar hooper all smiles as he cradled the hardware ... showing him hopping off a team bus and into the building.

It was no secret the victors were heading for the Sunshine State -- they had their travel plans etched on a whiteboard in the locker room as they partied their faces off after beating the Dallas Mavericks on Monday.

Angelina Jolie on Father's Day Daughter Twinning w/ Mama at Tonys ... After Snubbing Dad Brad

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's daughter Vivienne chose to spend Father's Day by her A-list mom's side ... hitting the Tony Awards in the Big Apple, and channeling her mama's style.

The mother-daughter duo stepped out in twinning teal ensembles Sunday to support "The Outsiders" musical -- which was nominated for 12 awards heading into Broadway's biggest night ... and which Angie is responsible for co-producing.

Angie's teen daughter is notably serving as a producer's assistant on the play, so she helped out her mom with getting it all together. And, while "The Outsiders" won Best Musical ... that might not be the only reason Viv skipped out on spending the holiday with Brad.

Tinashe Got My 1st Solo Hit After Going Indie ... My Ex-Label's Gaggin' 😜

HARD WORK, GOOD FANS
TMZ.com

Tinashe is in virgin territory -- her new song "Nasty" is her first Billboard Hot 100 hit, and she's celebrating the accomplishment ... especially because she made it off her independent grind!!!

TMZ Hip Hop spoke with Tinashe Wednesday in between "Nasty" rehearsals at "Jimmy Kimmel Live," and the R&B singer was popping her ish.

Tinashe's been vocal in interviews about her uphill battle, career-wise, since leaving behind RCA's major label machine a couple years ago -- but she tells us it was her fans and hard work that got her on the charts as a solo act.

Tom Brady Getting Statue At Gillette Stadium ... 12-Foot Bronze Piece!!!

TEARING UP TOMMY
New England Patriots

Tom Brady's getting a statue at Gillette Stadium ... Robert Kraft announced Wednesday night the Patriots are erecting a 12-foot bronze sculpture of the ex-quarterback this season!

The New England honcho revealed the big news at Brady's Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Foxborough ... when he told a packed house the former signal-caller will be the first player in franchise history to receive the honor.

Kraft also said Brady's No. 12 jersey will be retired -- the first Patriot since Bruce Armstrong in 2001 to garner that accolade.

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