“Bachelor in Paradise” cast announced… Is Richard Simmons transitioning?… Nick Cannon’s “rap off”… Johnny Manziel’s plans for football… and Muhammad Ali planned his three-day funeral

We’re barely into JoJo’s season of “The Bachelorette” and the cast for the next “Bachelor in Paradise” is already being announced. At least, these are the ones who’ve signed up SO FAR because you know bad boy Chad Johnson will have to be added. Since they want people we can sorta kinda remember, they looked to the most recent season of “The Bachelor” and give us Ben Higgins’ rejects Jubilee Sharpe, Leah Block, Izzy Goodkind, Lace Morris, Amanda Stanton, and the twins, Emily and Haley Ferguson. From Kaitlyn Bristowe’s season, we have Jared Haibon, who was also on last season’s “Bachelor in Paradise.” Also returning from last season is Carly Waddell, who was on Chris Soules’ season of “The Bachelor.” And from season one of “Bachelor in Paradise” and Sean Lowe’s season of “The Bachelor,” Sarah Herron is back. The show premieres on August 2.

The National Enquirer claims the reason Richard Simmons has been staying out of the public eye for the past few years is because he is transitioning into a woman. They say he’s been taking hormones and living privately as “Fiona.” Richard’s rep says this is absolutely false and that Richard is simply taking a break from public life, but the Enquirer is standing by its story. And they say they have the photos to prove it.

What’s up with this Nick Cannon rap challenge? Back in May, Nick put up $100K to have a “rap off” with whoever was willing go up against him. He said it’s for “whoever wants it — but it has to be someone who can put up 100 grand.” He told a British radio host that he approached Tyga to do it, but Tyga turned him down. He’s also challenged Eminem, who hasn’t bothered to respond. Remember, there’s a history between Nick and Eminem. They’ve been feuding for seven years — ever since Eminem released a rap about Nick’s wife, Mariah Carey. Eminem and Mariah reportedly daed back in 2001, but she’s always denied it. In response to the rap, Nick posted a blog calling out Eminem for his “mediocre” record and his “racial bigotry.”

Johnny Manziel’s lawyer told ESPN on Wednesday that Johnny’s “immediate plans are to start getting ready for football.” Really? Because that same night, Johnny was partying at The Nice Guy in LA with some hot brunette. As they were walking to his Rolls-Royce, Johnny was served with legal papers. TMZ is speculating these papers could be regarding the $32K worth of damage he and his buddies did to a West Hollywood rental home back in April. Or they could’ve been about that car wreck last month. Johnny claims he was in the passenger seat of the Mercedes he rented that crashed into a pole on the Sunset Strip. He’s refusing to pay the $90K in damages. No matter what the papers were about, that didn’t put a damper on Johnny’s night! He and his chick headed over to Warwick to keep the party going.

Muhammad Ali reportedly spent the past 10 years planning out his own funeral in his hometown of Louisville, KY. Three days of events celebrating his life began on Wednesday with a downtown festival. Yesterday, a public Muslim service was held at the city’s Expo center. And today, 18K are expected to attend the funeral service at the KFC Yum! Center. While all faiths are welcome, Muslims will be given priority seating. Former President Bill Clinton will give the eulogy. Billy Crystal and Bryant Gumbel are also speaking. Will Smith and Lennox Lewis are among the pallbearers. The service will be broadcast live on ESPN. Since Muhammad wanted to make his funeral open to fans, the family gave away 15K tickets free tickets to the service. Authorities are going after ticket scalpers who are trying to seek their tickets for profit.