Controversial S#!T

Jillian Michaels has the wrong idea about 'Real Housewives' franchise founder Andy Cohen because he doesn't hate women, he just knows when and how to throw shade ... according to 'Real Housewife' Kandi Burruss.

We got Kandi at LAX Tuesday where she defended Cohen against Michaels' comments. The former 'Biggest Loser' coach recently said the 'Housewives' shows prove Cohen hates women, because the ladies have a tendency to tear each other apart.

Andy's already denied the allegation, but now Kandi's got his back ... in a big way. She says Jillian's out of line to blame Andy for all the shade thrown between women.

DeRay Mckesson -- a prominent leader of the Black Lives Matter movement -- says Kanye West's right about one thing -- slavery was a choice ... but it was the choice of white people.

We spoke with DeRay Tuesday after Kanye's explosive visit to the TMZ newsroom, in which the rapper said 400 years of slavery "sounds like a choice" ... and the civil rights activist believes Kanye's got a warped sense of history.

Mckesson calls out Kanye for victim-blaming, and reiterates his point -- oppressed people don't have a choice about the bad things inflicted on them.

DeRay also believes Kanye's simply not making sense because he's uninformed, but has a suggestion on how he can fix that problem.

Three "American Idol" contestants got the boot this week, and Dennis Lorenzo thinks it's complete BS he was one of 'em, just because he was last on the mic.

The former 'Idol' hopeful told us his placement Sunday night in the Top 10 performances might have sunk him even before the voting started. Much like real estate, Dennis believes location is key on 'Idol,' and going last in the lineup meant he had a smaller window to rake in votes.

Dennis says he went along with producers' guarantees that the process was fair regardless of who went first or last -- but after the show, he says folks told him they'd been shut out of the voting process early.

Kanye West just told the TMZ newsroom why he believes slavery is a choice and why he decided to sport his Make America Great Again hat ... and it all went down Tuesday morning on "TMZ Live."

Kanye appeared on the show with Candace Owens where they explained "free thought" and how it can make the world a better place ... from a place of love.

During the conversation Kanye said, "When you hear about slavery for 400 years. For 400 years?! That sounds like a choice."

Van from our newsroom took great offense and fired back. Things got intense and ultimately led to a face-to-face at Van's desk.

There's A LOT more that went down -- and it's all on today on "TMZ Live"

Another huge star is going to bat for WWE's Kane on election day ... this time, it is Hulk Hogan who says the man behind the red mask is a REALLY smart dude and would be a great mayor.

"You better vote for Kane or he'll hit you with that fire, brother," Hulk joked around at LAX.

But then he got serious and told us ... behind the scenes at WWE, Kane -- real name Glenn Jacobs -- was all business and handled everything like a pro.

So, now that Kane is running for mayor in Knox County, Tennessee -- Hulk is 100% on board.

The election -- the Republican primary -- is going on right now and it is expected to be a VERY close race between the 3 candidates.

Results should be in soon and we will let you know how he does.

Moment of truth for WWE legend Kane -- it's election day in Knox County, Tennessee where he's running for mayor ... and the 51-year-old is still campaigning his unmasked face off!

It's only the primaries ... but whoever wins the Republican nomination is the heavy favorite to win the general election -- and reports say Kane (real name Glenn Jacobs) has a real shot.

The competition is stiff ... Kane is up against 2 real contenders, Brad Anders and Bob Thomas, who are sorta famous in their own rights.

Thomas is the father of "Lizzie McGuire" star Jake Thomas and he was also featured as the main radio voice in the "Friday Night Lights" movie.

But, no one has had more celebrity support than Kane -- with friends like Ric Flair and Mick Foley coming out strong in support of the wrestling legend.

Will it be enough to put him over the top? Results are expected to come in by 6 PM PT.

The LAFC team wants to KILL a soccer fan tradition of chanting a homophobic slur at players during goal kicks ... and says any fan who uses the word will be immediately banned from the stadium.

The threat came hours after the newest MLS expansion team played its first game at Banc of California Stadium on Sunday ... when they beat the Seattle Sounders 1-0.

During the game, fans could be heard chanting the word "p*to" -- a word that many people and organizations, including OutSports.com, have labeled a gay slur.

Now, the LAFC is laying down the gauntlet ... saying any fan who uses the word moving forward will get the boot.

"The offensive goal kick chant is wrong and not what we are about," team officials said in a statement.

"We ask that all of our fans and Supporters work to hold each other accountable to eliminate this from Banc of California Stadium."

"Any fans identified as participating in this offensive chanting will be removed from the stadium and the Club will revoke their season membership."

The NFL season is still 4 months away ... but T.I. is already making his Super Bowl prediction -- Atlanta Falcons, baby!!!!

The rap legend was at Studio Space in Atlanta when we started talking about the NFL Draft -- and it's clear T.I. is fired up about the Falcons' 1st round pick ... WR Calvin Ridley.

"We're going to the Super Bowl this year! I said it ... I can't take it back!"

T.I. isn't the only star who likes the Ridley pick -- Deion Sanders raved about him right after the draft saying, "[Falcons] got a steal with Ridley at that pick so late. That kid can play and he will see all 1on1 coverage because of [Julio Jones]."

As for Tip, this ain't the first time Tip's raved about his Dirty Birds to TMZ Sports ... remember when he money shamed our photog when he tried to make a Falcons bet in 2016?

Good times ...

Pardon Kenny G if he toots his own horn, but his legendary saxophone deserves to be immortalized before the one Bill Clinton famously played on the campaign trail ... according to Kenny, anyway.

We got Kenny at LAX Monday, and asked what's gonna happen to his instrument once he's gone. Dark question, we know, but he's obviously thought about it. We suggested it should go to the Smithsonian, but also made him choose -- his or Bill's for the honor? He told us why it's not even close.

Kenny also said if anyone's thinking about snatching his saxes at auction after he dies ... think again! You gotta see what he says about anyone else putting their lips on his instrument.

And super cool ... Kenny shows us one of his oldest saxes, a vintage one he's had since high school!

Eric Benet really WANTS to say Kanye West doesn't have to worry about Crips catching up with him in Calabasas -- but you can tell, he's just too unsure to actually say it.

We got the R&B singer Monday at LAX, where we asked him about Daz Dillinger calling for gang members to "f*** up" Ye on sight ... due to his renewed love of President Trump.

Eric doesn't live too far from Kanye, so he's got a vested interest on several levels -- and admits even their normally peaceful neighborhood might not provide enough cover or security for Kanye.

He was definitely startled by the news and sends Kanye some well wishes.

Tom Brady just did a live Q&A with Jim Gray at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills ... and talked about everything from his NFL future to kneeling during the national anthem.

Brady says the kneeling debate sparked a lot of "great conversations" in the locker room and meeting rooms.

"I have a lot of friends that I've played with and everyone's from different backgrounds. Everyone's from different parts of the country. Everyone has different stories ... and you gotta have respect for everybody."

"You gotta have respect for everybody's opinion and the way that they want to present themselves. And the opportunity that they have to make a difference."

Brady also said sports, for him, have been the most "unifying part of my life" and said it's important that the NFL should bring people together.

Bill Cosby ought to get some "eye-for-an-eye" justice when he goes to prison -- he should get raped ... so says one of his accusers.

Former Playboy model Victoria Valentino didn't mince words when we asked her what she thinks the disgraced comedian should get when he gets sentenced. Victoria straight-up says Cosby should get the same special treatment he gave her.

Translation: Cosby should get violated in prison. She goes on to call Cosby the most prolific serial rapist of the 20th century.

Dennis Rodman damn near packed President Trump's complete bibliography when he went to North Korea last year ... and then gifted the set to Kim Jong-un.

We got a shot of the 8 books, all translated, the NBA Hall of Famer handed over in June 2017 to North Korea's sports minister, Kim Il Guk. The set includes "The Art of the Deal" and "Time to Get Tough." We're told the sports minister handed them over to Jong-un.

TMZ broke the story ... Rodman's ecstatic his friends, Kim Jong-un and Trump, are getting along. He thinks the books might have greased the wheels for Jong-un to have a change of heart about his dealings with the Prez and America, in general.

Matt Serra says his SHOCKING TKO of Georges St-Pierre at UFC 69 in '07 was the real-life version of a 'Rocky' movie -- ONLY BETTER ... 'cause he knocked GSP's ass out!

Serra -- who's gonna be inducted in the UFC Hall of Fame in July -- talked to TMZ Sports about his iconic win ... one most UFC fans consider the most stunning upset in the history of the sport.

In case you forgot ... Serra -- a heavy underdog -- unleashed a fury of punches on the then-welterweight champ ... forcing "Big" John McCarthy to stop the beating in the 1st round.

"I've always said that I really, truly lived my 'Rocky' movie with that fight." Serra told us.

Miguel would have the time of his life ... if he can just sit in on ABBA's writing sesh as the legendary band gears up for a virtual reunion tour.

We got the singer Sunday at Reagan National Airport and talked to him about the founding members of the Swedish pop group -- Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad -- reuniting and recording for the first time in 35 years.

Miguel superfan'd out, and you gotta see how he responded when we asked if he'd like to collaborate with the group.

ABBA holograms will perform 1 of their 2 new songs for a TV special later this year before kicking off their tour -- which will also include virtual reality of the members. We're guessing, based on his reaction, Miguel will be snatching up a ticket to one of the shows.

Kanye West is doubling down with what he hopes will become a movement ... to allow people to recapture freedom of thought.

Kanye spent time Sunday with Candace Owens -- the woman who said African Americans "are focused on their past and shouting about slavery" while others are "focused on the future."

Yeezy loved the fact Owens spoke her mind and took the heat ... for him, it's all about the ability to exercise free thought. He believes social media and traditional media has created such intolerance -- with a shoot to kill mentality for anyone who "goes against the grain" -- that people are deathly afraid to speak their mind.