Carrot Top was allegedly told to pay $500,000 by singer Brian Evans or face the release of a sexually explicit recording, according to claims made by the comedian’s lawyer shortly before his reported suicide attempt.

The 61-year-old entertainer, whose legal name is Scott Thompson, was hospitalized Friday after attempting to take his own life just hours before he was due to perform in Las Vegas. Police were later seen at his home on Saturday while he remained hospitalized.

In a September 3 court filing obtained by the Daily Mail, Thompson’s attorney alleged that Evans demanded $500,000 and threatened to place sexually explicit material involving the comedian on a USB drive before submitting it to the court’s public docket.

In an email to Thompson’s lawyer, Evans did not explain exactly what the recording contained and insisted that his message was “not a threat.”

“Given the existing posture of the case and the coverage already in print, I expect the press will report the motion and will use its own imagination about what the USB is,” Evans wrote.

He added: “That is a foreseeable fact about third-party reporting of a public docket. It is not a threat.”

Evans also said he did not “control the public docket” or “control the press.”

He then stated that $500,000 had to be delivered to him “in immediately available funds” for the “resolution of all claims against Scott Thompson….”

The court documents reviewed by the Daily Mail do not make clear whether the demand was an ultimatum or a genuine settlement proposal.

Thompson’s legal team, however, described Evans’s communication as a “malicious threat” intended to “expose” the comedian.

“This is not settlement communication,” they wrote.

“On its face it is a malicious threat to expose Thompson to disgrace, and to expose a secret affecting him, with intent thereby to extort money under the guise of litigation conduct.”

Jami Schlicher, a representative for Thompson, told the Daily Mail in a statement: “A federal court recently declared Mr. Evans a ‘vexatious litigant’ and described his filings as ‘serial’ and ‘spurious.’”

“In dismissing one of his cases with prejudice, the court went even further, stating: ‘It appears this entire case is designed to harass Defendants.’ The court’s findings and Mr. Evans’s litigation record speak for themselves.”

Schlicher added that Thompson “is currently recovering, surrounded by his family and those closest to him.”

“His focus is on his health and recovery, and we ask that his privacy be respected at this time.”

Evans, who is representing himself, told the Daily Mail, ‘I never threatened – ever – to post any video anywhere in exchange for a settlement.’ 

He also said that it is ‘not the black and white story portrayed.’ 

Following Thompson’s hospitalization, fans and other celebrities such as Everybody Loves Raymond star Brad Garrett shared a touching tribute on social media on Saturday.

He uploaded an Instagram photo as he posed with the comedian as well as former co-star Ray Romano. 

‘Oh my beautiful, talented friend @carrottoplive. We’re ALL thanking our lucky stars that you’re ok,’ the actor penned in the caption. 

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‘Please take this time to remember how appreciated and loved you are by so many. (Except Ray. It’s a long story, just trust me.) We’re here for you. We need you okay. YOU need you okay.’

Garrett added, ‘Whatever it takes we’re here for you. You’re getting a second chance for a reason. Use it wisely. We need folks like you around. Show yourself grace. We Love you.’ 

Also on Saturday, police were seen arriving at Carrot Top’s Las Vegas home, following the comedian’s reported suicide attempt the previous day. 

Thompson tried to take his own life on Friday just hours before a scheduled comedy show at Las Vegas’ Luxor Hotel and Casino, TMZ reported.

The incident is said to have taken place in ‘the Las Vegas area’ and Thompson was rushed to a nearby hospital, sources claimed. His performance that evening was subsequently canceled.

On Saturday, an eyewitness observed three police cars parked outside Thompson’s Las Vegas residence and provided photos of them to TMZ.

It was claimed shortly thereafter that Thompson’s scheduled show at the Luxor on Saturday night has also been called off, as he remains in the hospital, sources said.

Thompson’s latest social media post was shared on Thursday, and promoted his scheduled Friday show. 

He posted a 2018 poster of himself posing against an orange utility terrain vehicle and added the caption, ‘Just your average Thursday commute to the Luxor. TBT.’ 

Thompson, known for his high-energy prop routines, rose to prominence in the 90s.

Nearly one year ago, in November 2025, he sparked concern from fans when he was spotted looking disheveled while at a Las Vegas grocery store.

An insider later commented to the Daily Mail, ‘He didn’t ever think he was going to be photographed shopping, so he let his guard down – [he was] not in any makeup or anything.’

In a 2022 interview with Metal Life Magazine, Thompson spoke about his clean lifestyle.

He insisted, ‘I’m completely sober. I don’t smoke marijuana and I never have. I don’t think I have been drunk since high school, literally.

‘I have friends like Gene Simmons, he’s never had a drop of booze – zero. I’m not that pure. I definitely have a little Crown on the rocks right before a show.’

After a show, he said he comes home, watches TV and has a ‘glass of red wine.’

‘I’m definitely not the drug guy. I’m actually more of a nerd than anything else,’ he told the outlet.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org 

Madison Square Garden is once again preparing for a heavyweight-sized UFC spectacle.

For the third time in four years, the UFC will bring a heavyweight title fight to The World’s Most Famous Arena. Newly elevated champion Ciryl Gane will make his first defense against Josh Hokit in the UFC 334 main event on Nov. 14.

The co-main event offers a major attraction of its own: a highly anticipated women’s bantamweight showdown between champion Kayla Harrison and Hall of Famer Amanda Nunes. The UFC has promoted the matchup as its “most anticipated women’s fight ever.”

The UFC confirmed both marquee championship bouts, along with the complete UFC 334 fight card, during Saturday night’s UFC 331 broadcast.

Gane captured interim gold by defeating former two-division champion Alex Pereira at the White House in June. During the announcement, he was formally identified as the undisputed heavyweight champion, only days after former titleholder Tom Aspinall vacated the belt while continuing to recover from eye injuries sustained during his no contest against Gane last October. That bout ended after an illegal double-eye poke.

Hokit, a former NFL player who spent time with the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals without appearing in a regular-season game, has quickly emerged as a UFC heavyweight contender. A series of unusual, pro wrestling-style interviews and two entertaining victories over ranked opponents earlier this year helped earn him a title opportunity, despite making his UFC debut in August 2025.

Harrison and Nunes were originally scheduled to meet in January, but a neck injury suffered by the champion forced the fight to be postponed indefinitely.

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Bringing the matchup back to New York suggests Harrison has recovered sufficiently to face Nunes, widely regarded as one of the greatest female fighters in MMA history. The two were once friends and trained together at American Top Team.

The rest of the UFC 334 main card features a middleweight bout between Caio Borralho and Yousri Belgaroui, a welterweight meeting between Uros Medic and Kevin Holland, and a flyweight contest pitting Bilal Hasan against Luis Gurule.

The preliminary card is scheduled to precede the main card, which is expected to begin at 9 p.m. The prelims include:

The UFC 334 heavyweight championship bout continues a recent tradition of major title fights at Madison Square Garden. Previous Garden headliners included Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic in 2024 and the 2023 interim title fight between Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich.

The event also comes 10 years after the UFC made its landmark debut at Madison Square Garden.

The arena has hosted a UFC event every November since then, apart from 2020. That year, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the promotion from holding events across the United States outside its UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas.

Ed Sheeran has publicly clarified his position on the Israel-Palestine conflict after previously saying he had chosen not to share his views.

The 35-year-old singer-songwriter’s Loop Tour was thrown into turmoil earlier this month after opening act Macklemore made comments supporting a “Free Palestine.”

Sheeran returned to the stage at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday night, marking his first performance since promoter’s removed Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, 43, from the tour.

During a solemn address, Sheeran explained: “I have tried in my career not to be a political commentator of any kind because I want my music and shows to be about unity and not division, about humanity and not politics. But this is a humanitarian issue and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore.”

‘What happened in Israel at Nova music festival on October 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate,’ Sheeran said in a video captured and shared online by a concertgoer. 

“My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians’ lives, of children’s lives, and the systemic injustice we’re seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked,” he told the crowd.

Sheeran also assured fans that he would “continue my current tour,” despite all of his scheduled opening acts withdrawing in solidarity with Macklemore and Palestine.

The performance came shortly after pro-Palestine protesters gathered outside Lincoln Financial Field.

Macklemore previously claimed that Sheeran had spoken to Robert Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium through his holding company, the Kraft Group, following the rapper’s onstage call for a free Palestine at MetLife Stadium in early September.

“Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium. Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues,” he wrote on Instagram.

On Tuesday, Sheeran issued his own statement on Instagram, insisting that Macklemore’s removal was the promoter’s decision rather than his.

“I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living,” the British singer-songwriter wrote.

In the lengthy statement, Sheeran acknowledged that he holds “personal views on this devastating conflict” but had previously decided “not to speak publicly.”

His earlier silence drew criticism from other musicians, including Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, who condemned him on social media for not opposing the decision.

Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother, cancelled his scheduled appearances at upcoming tour dates, writing that “artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.”

Other opening acts, including Aaron Rowe and Lukas Graham, as well as Sheeran’s longtime backing folk band Beoga, also pulled out of the tour.

In his address to fans on Saturday, Sheeran stated, ‘I’ve had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I’m so, so sorry.’

He said, ‘I don’t want to disappoint fans and I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician. But this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech in the most complex political issue on the planet.’

The pop star continued, ‘Our concerts have always been a safe space for everyone, and that matters hugely to me. Honoring my commitment to my fans is also completely central to who I am and that is why I’m here tonight, on my own, and continuing my own tour.’

He went on to say, ‘I am deeply worried about the idea that venues’ pre-approved content performance. This happens in so many places that I’ve gone around the world, but it should never happen in the free world.’

“Real Housewives of Atlanta” alum Kim Zolciak was photographed out in Georgia as the legal case involving her teenage son moved forward.

The 48-year-old reality TV star was seen shopping in Alpharetta on Friday in a fitted black tank top, casual jeans and pointed-toe heels.

Zolciak completed the look with sunglasses and a necklace while carrying her phone and keys. During the outing, she was also spotted returning a shopping cart.

Her blond hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, parted down the center, while she maintained a largely expressionless appearance.

The public sighting came after Zolciak’s 15-year-old son, KJ Biermann, experienced a setback in his ongoing case involving allegations of sodomy and sexual battery.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Melynee Leftridge rejected Biermann’s request to close the courtroom. According to court documents obtained by Page Six, the judge wrote that the defendant had not met “the high legal standard for permitting a closed courtroom.”

The judge did approve Biermann’s request to restrict photography and media recordings. The court also granted protections for his juvenile records, directing that they “shall be filed under seal” to prevent public access.

The court further declined a request from the “Don’t Be Tardy” star to prevent prosecutors from presenting limited information from her son’s juvenile case that could factor into the bond decision.

Page Six reported Friday that prosecutors had submitted an emergency motion seeking court-ordered forensic interviews with “minor children” connected to the case.

KJ, whom Zolciak shares with her estranged husband, former NFL player Kroy Biermann, 41, was arrested in August. He was later indicted on seven charges, including three counts of aggravated sexual battery involving a child under 16, aggravated sodomy, aggravated child molestation, false imprisonment and aggravated sexual battery.

A female classmate accused KJ of sexually assaulting her on April 23 at a Life Time fitness center in Alpharetta, Georgia.

According to court records, the classmate alleged that he made “multiple” attempts to have “sexual intercourse with her by trying to pull down her pants” inside a co-ed sauna, despite her repeatedly telling him “no.”

The alleged victim, who was also 15 at the time, told investigators that KJ digitally penetrated her and forced her to perform oral sex.

Jason Sheffield, Biermann’s attorney, has denied the allegations on his client’s behalf. In a statement to Page Six, Sheffield said KJ is “100% innocent.”

Zolciak has also strongly rejected the accusations, describing them in her own statement as “reckless and deeply troubling.”

“He categorically denies ever being involved with this woman or engaging in the conduct,” Zolciak said, in part.

NeNe Leakes, Zolciak’s former “RHOA” castmate, recently said in an interview that the reality star is “not OK” as the legal proceedings continue.

Zolciak, who was a regular cast member on the Bravo series from 2008 through 2012, attended her son’s bond hearing on Sept. 11.

Kroy was also in court but sat apart from his estranged wife. KJ was granted a $200,000 bond under strict conditions, including electronic monitoring, surrendering his passport and a prohibition on using a cellphone.

As part of the court’s order, KJ must attend school virtually from his mother’s Georgia residence. He is also barred from contacting the alleged victim and from having contact with anyone younger than 16.

Prosecutors alleged during the hearing that videos of KJ having sex with an underage family member in April 2023 were previously found on his cellphone, and claimed that since October 2025, he’d been under court supervision due to the alleged separate incident.

On Thursday, Page Six exclusive reported that Zolciak and her estranged husband had confiscated the teen’s cell phone a year prior to investigators discovering the videos.

It’s unclear if the footage was connected to the alleged incident.

Zolciak also shares kids Kash, Kaia, and Kane with Kroy, who also adopted her daughters from a previous relationship, Brielle and Ariana.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.