Jay Z is setting the record straight. The Roc Nation honcho told a crowd at Columbia University, on Tuesday, that he and Beyonce sitting during the National Anthem at the Super Bowl was NOT an act of protest, as most people had assumed.

"It actually wasn’t. Sorry. If I wanted to make a statement] I’d tell you. … I’d say, ‘Yes, that’s what I’ve done.’ I think people know that about me," Jay told the audience.

The rapper, 50, said he and his wife we discussing Demi Lovato's performance and the technical aspects but also Demi's personal journey through an overdose to being on stage at the Super Bowl and belting it out. Jay said that because Beyonce has performed at the biggest sporting event in the nation, she was telling him what it was like to be in Lovato's spot: "Like, she’s super nervous because she’s performed at Super Bowls before. I haven’t,” he said. “So we get there and we immediately jump into artist mode. …Now I’m really just looking at the show. Did the mic start? Was it too low to start? … I had to explain to them [that] as an artist, if you don’t feel the music, you can’t really reach that level."

He said it was as the performance ended, that he got a text telling him people were freaking out over him and Beyonce staying in their seats during the anthem: "We’re talking about how beautiful she [Demi] looked and how she sounds and what she’s going through and her life — for her to be on the stage, we were so proud of her. And then it finished and then my phone rang. And it was like, ‘You know you didn’t [stand up].’ I’m like, ‘What?'"

And though he and Bey have consistently supported Colin Kaepernick and his take-a-knee protests, Jay said this moment was not about that: "We wouldn’t do that to Blue and put her in that position." He said, "[we] didn’t have to make a silent protest” because halftime performers Jennifer Lopez and Shakira “were making the loudest statement” with their Latin-themed performance, referencing immigration and inclusivity.

Damn right they did!

Jennifer Garner looks cute in her hoodie and workout pants she keeps warm with her morning coffee in hand. Jennifer seemed to be in good spirits during her morning java run with BFF/manager Nicole Solaka.

Hailey Baldwin is seen clutching her stomach as she grabs a smoothie at EarthBar with a gal pal following her hot Pilates session. This comes in the wake of a shocking revelation in which a source revealed Justin and Hailey's plans to start a family once he completes his tour.

Apparently, during an Instagram live video Justin said to Hailey, "I'm gonna freaking crush this tour. You and me, traveling the world. Then, after the tour, we have a baby." So... if Hailey is pregnant now, her due date would perfectly line up with the conclusion of Justin's tour, which ends September 26.

But for now, JB is putting in the work in the dance studio to ensure this is his best tour yet and has been documenting the process of managing a marriage and nationwide tour in his YouTube series, Justin Bieber: Seasons

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A post shared by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) on Feb 3, 2020 at 1:39pm PST

Lil Kim tries to take her mind off the recent passing of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant by hitting the town with a group of friends. When asked her thoughts on the late NBA star, Kim says, "I've been crying all day, please don't make me cry. Kobe's my favorite next to Jordan.

Meanwhile, Mark Wahlberg is also honoring Kobe. Wahlberg tells us, "Vanessa, the girls, they're in our thoughts and our prayers. I remember him being so sweet to my son and my family. Despite the fact I was a Celtics guy, there was always a lot of love. It's just sad, it just puts it into perspective -- life is short, let's celebrate all the joy."

French singer/songwriter Matt Pokora rocks a Bathing Ape hoodie and shows off his fresh buzz cut as he leaves the barbershop in Los Angeles. Pokora and 38-year-old girlfriend Christina Milian just welcomed the birth of son Isaiah on January 20 and it looks like fatherhood is treating him well!

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A post shared by Christina Milian (@christinamilian) on Jan 20, 2020 at 3:09pm PST

Pokora is also getting ready for a BIG European tour next month.

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A post shared by Matt Pokora (@mattpokora) on Dec 28, 2019 at 10:22am PST

Celebs are just like us! They're on sports fields and at church on the weekends like you and me, right?! Well, Reese Witherspoon and hubby Jim Toth watch as their adorable son Tennessee play in a flag football game at the park in Malibu. Then, instead of a hearty lunch at Pizza Hut, the uber-rich threesome headed to Nobu Malibu for some five-star sushi! NOT so much like the rest of us :)

Jennifer Garner, meanwhile, is pretty down-to-earth. The mother-of-three looked lovely in her grey sweater, black dress pants and braided Chanel loafers as she and daughter Seraphina arrived for Sunday services at their church in Pacific Palisades.