Table of contents for March 25, 2024 in Globe

KICKS AND GIGGLES Animated funnyman JACK BLACK shows off his martial arts moves at the L.A. premiere of his flick Kung Fu Panda 4 MAKING A RACQUET Pop musician KEVIN JONAS takes a swing at tennis Down Under during a break from his concert tour with his bandmate brothers VEGGING OUT Songwriter DIANE WARREN puts the bite on a spicy meat-free hot dog named in honor of her acclaimed tune The Fire Inside LARD ALMIGHTY! REBEL WILSON has a whale of a time at Australia’s Bondi Beach — but the Pitch Perfect cutup is porking up again after dropping 77 pounds of pudge in 2020! FORCE OF HOBBIT Lord of the Rings hero VIGGO MORTENSEN playfully plugs his ears as the wrinkled geezer gabs with the press in Glascow KIDDING…

MOB Wives star Renee Graziano nearly died after doing coke she didn’t know was laced with fentanyl. Although a friend had vouched for the drug dealer, the Mafia missus got a bad batch and OD’d in a Florida restaurant. After going into cardiac arrest, she was rushed to the hospital. “I was dead,” she says. “I spent nine days there, learning how to walk again.” The near-death experience spurred her to go to rehab shortly afterward — and Renee says she’s still clean and sober.…

A SIMMERING feud between divas Barbra Streisand and Jane Fonda has gone volcanic again after the Funny Girl snarked in her new memoir she made the Barbarella babe a star! In My Name Is Barbra, catty Streisand hisses Fonda, now 86, has always lived in her shadow — and only scored her biggest roles in Klute, Julia and They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? after she’d already turned them down! “Jane can’t believe the nerve of Barbra to suggest — for a second time — she made her a star,” spills an insider. “It really gets her dander up. She’s not just mad, she wants to get even!” But big-mouthed Babs insists on laying it on thick, claiming she rejected Horses because she’d have to dance “for hours every day! I…

SINGER Sheryl Crow is releasing her first full-length record in six years with the upcoming disc Evolution. The nine-time Grammy winner has sold over 50 million albums worldwide since her 1994 breakthrough All I Wanna Do. But Sheryl, 62, was a fixture on the music scene for years before becoming a household name. She worked as a backup singer for Michael Jackson, Don Henley, Stevie Wonder, Belinda Carlisle and Jimmy Buffett. Here are ten things you don’t know about the hitmaker. 1 Sheryl was a majorette and an all-state track athlete at Missouri’s Kennett High School, winning medals in the 75-meter low hurdles. 2 Before finding fame, she taught music at Kellison Elementary School in Fenton, Mo. 3 She was influenced as a youthful singer by Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Nicks,…

YOUNG mom Mahogany Jaquise Jackson was kidnapped, raped and tortured for hours before she was fatally shot and dumped on the side of an Alabama road — and the 20-year-old’s final horrific hours were caught in videos that implicate her seven killers, lawmen say. “The facts of this case are deplorable and sickening,” admits Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond. “This is undoubtedly one of the most heinous acts I have seen in my career. It is absolutely disgusting.” Officials say the victim’s acquaintances Giovonnie Clapp, 23, Si’nya McCall, 23, Teja Lewis, 25, Jeremiah McDowell, 18, Brandon Pope, 24, Blair Green, 25, and Francis Harris, 25, were arrested for the brutal crime, which was sparked by a minor dispute over an alleged theft. Charges against the suspects — who are being…

EXPLOSIVE details of sex creep Prince Andrew’s sleazy ties with murdered pedophile Jeffrey Epstein are laid bare in bombshell, newly unsealed Florida grand jury files revealing the disgraced royal’s attempts to save his predator pal and bury details of their antics with teen girls! During weeks of testimony by Epstein’s abused underage victims, the 64-year-old royal’s name pops up over and over — from overt encounters to government officials revealing he pushed the White House to give his pedophile pal a sweetheart plea deal, sources claim. Insiders say the legal papers released by order of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis contain secret grand jury testimony from the Sunshine State’s 2005 to 2006 probe into reports Epstein sexually assaulted dozens of young girls at his Palm Beach mansion — and evidence Andrew…

SERIAL scofflaw Terrence Howard — who has made bucketloads of bread from his Oscar-nominated acting career playing pimps and drug dealers — has been ordered by a federal judge in Philadelphia to pay nearly $1 million in back taxes, interest and penalties after ducking the IRS for years and allegedly threatening a Justice Department lawyer! According to court filings, the Empire star left a voice message for the case’s lead tax attorney, saying it was “immoral for the United States government to charge taxes to the descendants of slaves” and the U.S. should “by default” become their property! But HIS default judgment of $903,115 comes after the wealthy blowhard, 55, failed over many months to respond to a lawsuit seeking to claw back $578,000 in unpaid taxes from 2010 and…

SONGBIRD Billie Eilish either has the hots for movie hunk Christian Bale or she considers him a symbol of doom, ’cause the Bad Guy singer broke up with a boyfriend after dreaming of the Batman bruiser. The 22-year-old singer reveals: “A couple years ago I had a dream about Christian Bale and it was like in a little cafe in the sunlight, and it made me realize that I had to break up with my boyfriend. “Genuinely, I came to my senses.” Billie didn’t name the loser ex-boyfriend, but she has something in common with Bale, 50 — he nabbed an Oscar for his role in The Fighter and Billie got one for her tune No Time to Die for the James Bond flick. For a youngster, Billie’s had a lot…

GOOD Times dad John Amos is embroiled in an elder abuse firestorm — and sources say L.A. lawmen are now investigating scandalous neglect charges made by the 84-year-old’s daughter against her one and only sibling! According to tipsters, former entertainment exec Shannon, 57, recently told authorities her 53-year-old brother, K.C., is not properly addressing the sickly senior’s ongoing health issues! The accusation is the latest grenade lobbed by Shannon, who’d launched an online fundraiser in July saying the sitcom legend was at death’s door after being betrayed by a “trusted caregiver” she did not publicly identify. Shortly afterward, a video emerged of John insisting he was simply being treated for water retention — and adding, “Prior to entering the hospital, I had some ongoing issues with my daughter, who I…

COWBOY kingpin Garth Brooks is changing horses and giving fans what they want — a saloon-based reality TV series that will take him and his wife, Trisha Yearwood, to the next level of stardom, spies tattle. Just weeks after officially opening his Nashville gin mill, Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk, insiders say 62-year-old Garth decided his adventures as a barkeep would make great TV and is shopping a show that would start when he retires from touring. An Amazon Prime docuseries detailing the launch of his four-story bar proved wildly popular and has created a surge of interest in a reality series, sources dish. “This is, by far, the craziest ride I have ever been on,” crows the Longneck Bottle singer. Now he and Trisha, who helmed her…

ALI WONG The Beef beauty is as proud as a peacock, but her feather-like fiasco makes her an odd duck SOFIA CARSON The Descendants witch takes the plunge in a theatrical cowl, but looks like a sci-fi space case ANNE HATHAWAY The Oscar winner stretches her horizons with a corset-like latex dress featuring bold folds ANYA TAYLOR-JOY Checkmate! The Queen’s Gambit gal shines in a gold siren dress with an intriguing overlay EMILY BLUNT Mary Poppins is simply magical in a daring cutout dress boasting ornate embellishments…

MICHAEL JACKSON’s wild child Paris finally ended the nearly four-decade feud between her late dad and the Beatles triggered when Jacko bought the rights to the Fab Four’s song catalog. Paris, 25, officially healed the rift on March 4, showing up at Beatle spawn Stella McCartney’s clothing show at Paris Fashion Week, where she sat between surviving bugs Paul, 81, and Ringo Starr, 83, for snaps. But in 1985, Jackson infuriated McCartney by outbidding him for the Beatles catalog, buying the rights to the songs for $47.5 million. At the time, fuming McCartney blasted Jackson, saying: “I think it’s dodgy to do something like that.” When Jackson died in 2009, Sony acquired the rights to the Beatles tunes for $750 million and still owns them after settling a lawsuit with…

MOBSTER Vincent “Vinny Unions” Ricciardo — a capo in the crumbling Colombo crime family — was shipped to a federal pen for more than four years for squeezing a New York City construction industry big shot for cash and favors, prosecutors say. U.S. Attorney Breon Peace boasts the sentence holds the 77-year-old Mafia goon “accountable” for his many crimes. Last July, Ricciardo pleaded guilty to racketeering, loansharking and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The Long Island mob boss engaged in the extended extortion of the Queens-based union leader via death threats, shakedowns and other strong-arm tactics. Investigators say the gangster and 14 crooked cronies — who’ve also been rounded up by the feds — forced the working stiff to fork over a chunk of his salary and direct contracts to vendors associated…

PRINCE Harry’s wife, Meghan, is a cold-blooded, scheming social climber who dumped her first hubby and her old friends as her acting career grew and she finally married rich, claims her former bestie and maid of honor Ninaki Priddy. The gals first met at age two at daycare in Hollywood’s private Little Red Schoolhouse and remained besties for 31 years. But things turned sour when Ninaki disapproved of Meghan’s shoddy treatment of her first husband, producer Trevor Engelson. Looking back on how the 42-year-old actress turned Duchess of Sussex dropped people like hot potatoes as she became more successful, Ninaki says: “All I can say now is that I think Meghan was calculated — very calculated — in the way she handled people and relationships. “She is very strategic in…

JEALOUS ex Tommy Manzo, who’s accused of hiring mobsters to beat Dave Cantin, the new hubby of Real Housewives of New Jersey babe Dina Manzo, got a break — his racketeering charge was dropped. The 2017 case about when Dina, 51, and Dave, 44, were attacked by baseball bat-wielding goons in her home was dropped because it took too long to go to court, violating the Speedy Trial Act. But restaurateur Manzo, 58, isn’t off the hook. The judge said federal prosecutors can still file new charges against him.…

REAL Housewives of New York star Leah McSweeney is suing franchise kingpin Andy Cohen for bad behavior. Is Leah’s lawsuit a joke — or part of an upcoming show plot? Guess only time will tell. But it sure seems filming a bunch of high-maintenance gals being petty, raunchy, boozy and outta control is what all Housewives episodes are about. In this case, Leah is accusing boss Cohen and other Bravo network bigwigs of creating a “rotted” workplace where the stars are pressured to booze it up and snort cocaine. She says Andy and his staffers ignored the fact that she was trying to stay on the wagon and also failed to take into account she was battling “mental health disorders.” Instead, her suit claims producers knew of her weaknesses and…

FORMER fatty Kelly Clarkson recently flaunted her thinner than ever figure on her self-named talk show — proving she’s kept off the 40 pounds she shed by walking! Kelly’s belted denim dress called attention to her whittled waistline, which the Breakaway singer says is the product of strolling the streets in the Big Apple! The original American Idol champ left California in the summer for a fresh start in New York City with her two kids after her ugly divorce from baby daddy Brandon Blackstock. After settling on the East Coast — where she now shoots her syndicated gabfest — Kelly, 41, admits she found “walking in the city is quite the workout!” But sources snitch the corker kickstarted her remarkable slim-down last year by swapping food for wine! Tipsters…

SPICE GAL’S HUBBY IN RACY TEXT SCANDAL SPICE Girl GERI HALLIWELL is standing by her man — hubby CHRISTIAN HORNER — even after he got tangled in a real-life scandal with a sexy staffer on his Red Bull Racing team. The 50-year-old Formula 1 boss was given a pass in the probe into his alleged “inappropriate behavior” for sending “sexually suggestive” messages to the babe. According to the working gal, whose name was kept confidential, she got Christian’s motor revving and he shifted into overdrive when she wore a skin-tight outfit. She claims he told her she looked “very attractive” in Spanx and when she said they were only leggings, he replied it’s what’s in them that counts. She also claims he knew he was heading down the Highway to Hell…

A KANSAS City Chiefs superfan known as ChiefsAholic kicked off a string of bank heists in seven states before being tackled by law enforcement! Football nut Xaviar Michael Babudar, 29, pleaded guilty to money laundering, transporting stolen property and bank robbery. Prosecutors allege the sports fanatic — who regularly traveled to games in costume as a wolf in Chiefs clothing — led a double life as a ski mask–wearing bandit! Babudar admits to attempting or committing robberies between 2022 and 2023 at 11 different financial institutions in Iowa, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Tennessee, Minnesota, Nevada and California — including two following his initial arrest after snipping off his ankle monitor. Babudar laundered his ill-gotten loot through casinos and online gambling — and even won a $100,000 bet as a fugitive in February 2023…

AFTER a devastating skin cancer diagnosis in January, Prince Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, is crowing she’s just gotten the “best news” — the deadly disease is gone! But just months ago, the 64-year-old redhead was clobbered with a “huge shock” when docs discovered a malignant melanoma while she was undergoing a second reconstructive surgery following a breast cancer op. Fergie was determined to bounce back and now an exam of her mole and lymph nodes reveals they are cancer free, “so it looks like there has been no spread of the disease and the prognosis is good,” says an insider. “It’s a huge relief for Sarah and the entire family after the most stressful time and an anxious wait for results.”…

AVID mountain biker Keri McCorkle was peacefully pedaling through the wilds when she was ambushed by a kill-crazy cougar that sank razor-sharp teeth into her jaw and savaged her face for a terrifying 15 minutes before her four friends were able to pull the animal off. Now 60-year-old cyclist Keri is recovering, but has permanent nerve damage after emergency surgery. Washington park rangers tracked down the vicious beast — and shot it dead. Keri’s daughters Kendal, a pilot, and Alexa, a baker, say while their mom is the “sweetest, kindest, humblest person,” she’s also a “badass lady” and a “pillar in the local women’s biking community.” Keri was mauled in February as she rode with four gals along the woodsy Tokul Creek trail, through Snoqualmie Valley northeast of Fall City.…

Bleeding gums shorten life! ✚ BLEEDING gums may mean danger for the lungs — and take a bite out of life expectancy, a new study suggests. Researchers in China discovered Porphyromonas gingivalis — an oral bacteria that causes periodontal problems — worsened the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in mice with the respiratory condition. Experts believe gum disease increases inflammation in the body, increasing the risk of chronic ailments. Sichuan University’s Dr. Yan Li says, “Our finding could lead to a potential new strategy for treating COPD.” COVID jabs’ ugly side effects! ✚ COVID-19 vaccines have been linked to heart, blood and brain disorders! Global Vaccine Data Network scientists analyzed records from 99 million people who received the jabs. They found a slight rise in cases of myocarditis…

BLUE BLOODS star Vanessa Ray has copped to secretly adopting a baby boy last year — and says she owes it to the “overwhelming sensation of family” on set and the mentorship of her co-star Peter Hermann, Mariska Hargitay’s husband! The 42-year-old Pretty Little Liars lovely and husband Landon Beard officially became the parents of little Isaac — born Nov. 7 — in a “whirlwind” of cutting through bureaucratic tape with the “gracious” help of Hermann, who with Mariska adopted two of their three munchkins.…

POUTY popster Britney Spears is furious over sister Jamie Lynn’s decision to attend hated rival Christina Aguilera’s concert, but sources say the Toxic singer’s whole family is ignoring the tantrum and is simply fed up with her attention-seeking shenanigans! “Jamie Lynn and her mom will always worry about Britney, but they’re done indulging her bad attitude,” spills an insider. “They’re trying a new tactic, giving her the silent treatment!” As GLOBE readers know, vindictive Britney dropped dad Jamie, mom Lynne and her 32-year-old sister from her life after her 13-year court-ordered conservatorship ended. “I just want my life back,” she moaned in June 2021. “It’s been a long time since I’ve owned my money. I would honestly like to sue my family. I also would like to be able to…

POTATOES actually absorb and weaken internet signals — and scientists use the roots to test Wi-Fi strength! The starchy tubers are 80 percent water, which is known to reflect radio signals. LOUISIANA Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser just pardoned a piglet after the critter was rescued from three brutes tossing him around like a football! Now the swine will live out his life at an animal sanctuary without fear of ending up in a bowl of jambalaya! MONACO’S late Princess Grace paid her own high school tuition by modeling for cigarette, soap, beer and shampoo ads in New York City. She earned $400 a week! THE Chicago River flows backward due to a massive engineering project completed in 1900 that forces the water into the Mississippi basin. Until then, river sewage…