{"id":2183139,"date":"2025-12-01T18:27:56","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T18:27:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2183139"},"modified":"2025-12-01T18:27:56","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T18:27:56","slug":"tracking-tmz-a-timeline-of-the-all-knowing-celebrity-news-outlet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/tracking-tmz-a-timeline-of-the-all-knowing-celebrity-news-outlet\/","title":{"rendered":"Tracking TMZ: A Timeline of the All-Knowing Celebrity News Outlet"},"content":{"rendered":"

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These stars, scoops and specials made the media juggernaut a powerhouse<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Over the course of 20 years, TMZ rose to the top of the news game through a massive network of sources, whip-fast investigating and an insatiable appetite for a celebrity scoop. From capturing a Paris Hilton blunder that put the outlet on the map to on-the-scene reporting of Sean \u201cDiddy\u201d Combs, take a close look at the stories that made TMZ. <\/p>\n

Paris Hilton Crash<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n
\"TMZCredit: Courtesy TMZ<\/span><\/figure>\n

Nov. 10, 2005<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Two days into its launch, TMZ catches Paris Hilton in the passenger seat of her Bentley as her boyfriend crashes it into a parked truck.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mel Gibson\u2019s DUI<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n
\"TMZ\"TMZ
Mel Gibson mugshot<\/figcaption>Credit: TMZ turns 20<\/span><\/figure>\n

July 28, 2006<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

The gossip outlet breaks the story of Mel Gibson\u2019s disorderly DUI arrest and antisemitic remarks, also uncovering that the Los Angeles County Sheriff \u2019s Department has watered down the initial report.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Michael Richards\u2019 Racist Rant<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n
\"Laugh\"LaughCredit: Rudolphous via Wikimedia Commons<\/span><\/figure>\n

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Nov. 20, 2006<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

TMZ leads the way in acquiring a video of Michael Richards repeatedly shouting the N-word at hecklers during a Laugh Factory set.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Anna Nicole Smith\u2019s Death<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Feb. 11, 2007<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Days after the death of Anna Nicole Smith, TMZ reports that her refrigerator contained methadone. It later reveals the prescription was written for Smith under a false name.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bald Britney Spears<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n
\"TMZ\"TMZCredit: Courtesy TMZ<\/span><\/figure>\n

Feb. 17, 2007<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Britney Spears returns from a Caribbean rehab facility and after just one day home, shaves\u00a0 her head. TMZ is quick to share images of the pop star\u2019s new look.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Chris Brown Attacks<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Feb. 19, 2009<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

TMZ is the first to obtain and publish photos of a battered Rihanna following her attack at the hands of then-boyfriend Chris Brown.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Michael Jackson\u2019s Death<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n
\"TMZ\"TMZCredit: Courtesy TMZ<\/span><\/figure>\n

June 25, 2009<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

The tabloid breaks the shocking news that Michael Jackson is dead \u2014 just 18 minutes after doctors\u2019 official pronouncement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

TMZ Celebrity Tours <\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n
\"TMZ\"TMZCredit: Courtesy TMZ<\/span><\/figure>\n

2011<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

TMZ launches a tourist excursion that not only visits the stomping grounds of the Hollywood stars but also the locations of the brand\u2019s most famous stories.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Whitney Houston\u2019s Death<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n
\"TMZ\"TMZCredit: Courtesy TMZ<\/span><\/figure>\n

Feb. 11, 2012<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

The day before the Grammy Awards, Whitney Houston\u2019s sudden death shocks the world. TMZ is first to report that she drowned in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ray Rice\u2019s Knocks Out Fianc\u00e9e Unconscious<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"TMZ\"TMZCredit: Courtesy TMZ<\/span><\/figure>\n

Feb. 19, 2014<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

TMZ Sports releases video footage of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice dragging his unconscious fianc\u00e9e from an Atlantic City hotel elevator. On Sept. 8, it releases footage from inside the elevator that shows him punching her. Rice is cut from the team\u00a0<\/p>\n

Donald Sterling\u2019s Racist Call<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n
\"TMZ\"TMZCredit: Courtesy TMZ<\/span><\/figure>\n

April 25, 2014<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

TMZ releases exclusive audio of then-L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling telling his then-girlfriend, V. Stiviano, to stop associating with Black people, sparking a scandal that forces him to sell the team.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Solange Knowles Attacks Jay-Z<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n

May 12, 2014<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

After fashion\u2019s biggest night, TMZ runs an explosive post-Met Gala video of Solange Knowles roughing up brother-in-law Jay-Z in an elevator at the Standard Hotel as her sister, Beyonc\u00e9, stands idly by.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Prince\u2019s Emergency Landing<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n

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April 15, 2016<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Less than a week before Prince\u2019s tragic death from an accidental fentanyl overdose, TMZ announces the emergency landing of his private plane after he becomes unresponsive. He is briefly hospitalized and sent home. Later, reports confirm he had OD\u2019d.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kone Bryant\u2019s Death<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n

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Jan. 26, 2020<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

TMZ is first to confirm the death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna following a catastrophic helicopter crash in Calabasas.\u00a0<\/p>\n

TMZ Investigates Arrives<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n

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April 13, 2020<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

TMZ Investigates, a series of TV documentary specials, debuts with a dive into the Tiger King controversy, including Joe Exotic\u2019s murder-for-hire plot and the disappearance of Carole Baskin\u2019s husband. The series runs on platforms including Fox, Tubi, YouTube and Hulu.\u00a0<\/p>\n

TMZ Hip Hop Debuts<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n

April 11, 2022<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

TMZ launches TMZ Hip Hop in New York, L.A. and Chicago, as well as seven other Fox markets nationwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Depp v. Heard<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n

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May 16, 2022<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

TMZ keeps a close watch on the Depp v. Heard trial, publishing all its bizarre proceedings, including Amber Heard\u2019s testimony about the source of feces in Johnny Depp\u2019s bed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kai Cenat Intrigues<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Aug. 4, 2023<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

TMZ ramps up coverage of internet stars such as Twitch streamer Kai Cenat, who grabs the tabloid\u2019s attention for inciting chaos at an unpermitted giveaway of PlayStation consoles and gift cards in Union Square Park that requires police response.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Inside the Diddy Trial<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n

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May 9, 2025<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

United States v. Sean Combs: Inside the Diddy Trial debuts the first of its six episodes on Tubi, with Harvey Levin and other legal experts discussing events at the trial. The July 3 finale features the trial\u2019s verdict.\u00a0<\/p>\n