Real Housewives

The 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' are falling in line with the other 'Housewives' -- they're getting back to work, safely, and Teresa Giudice is reassuming her role as top dog ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the production tell us the Jersey gals are going to begin shooting for their 11th season very soon, much like 'Real Housewives' in Atlanta and Orange County have recently started to do as well. Bravo halted filming on all the shows in March due to the pandemic.

The Jersey cast and crew will go through the same safety precautions as the other shows -- everyone on set gets daily temp checks, folks are encouraged to socially distance and a lot of scenes will be outdoors.

We've heard the crews will be required to wear masks, but it doesn't sound like the cast members will be forced to do so.

As for season 11 storylines? We're told Teresa will be heavily featured again ... especially her co-parenting with her estranged husband, Joe, who's in Italy after losing an appeal in his deportation case last year. Season 10 covered some of the fallout from that, including the family trip to visit him.

We're told Joe and Teresa's frequent FaceTime calls and phone chats will likely be documented -- they're on good terms right now, and there's no hint of a looming divorce, even though they're technically split up. No word on whether Joe's getting his own camera crew in his motherland, but it seems unlikely when you consider the cost.

The 'Real Housewives of Orange County' will not halt production just because one of their own is positive with COVID-19 ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the production tell us ... Bravo isn't hitting the brakes as it continues to shoot the other housewives for season 15 -- despite the fact, Shannon Beador announced last week she and her 3 teenage daughters all recently tested positive for coronavirus.

ICYMI ... the reality star said, "This photo was taken pre-pandemic. Today, we are Covid positive times 4. The girls and I are blessed to be quarantining in the same home (but isolating in separate rooms)."

She added, "A huge thank you to all of the medical personnel that have been patiently guiding us through this illness. Sending prayers to all of those affected. 🙏🏻❤️"

Now, as for why Bravo and the other ladies -- including Braunwyn Windham-Burke, Kelly Dodd, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson and newbie Elizabeth Vargas -- are forging on? We're told the team doesn't feel like they're in danger of getting sick.

When production resumed a couple weeks ago, our sources say the above-mentioned women, sans Shannon, took a cast trip to Lake Arrowhead. Because Shannon wasn't there, the others didn't come in contact with her ... and as a result, they're confident in moving forward with current safety guidelines, without having to close up shop again.

Speaking of those ... we're told the precautions being taken right now are similar to those being administered to the 'RHOA' cast -- Bravo's doing temp checks, avoiding filming in crowds and having the crew members wear masks on set. Same stuff across the board.

The only difference here -- an actual cast member is sick -- but not even that can stop the 'Housewives' train.

Fans of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" can rest assured they'll get their fix for a new season soon enough -- and even better ... it'll look like the show they know and love, but with tweaks to accommodate these crazy times.

Production sources tell TMZ ... 'RHOA' got back to filming in-person this week, but they did it with a safety plan in hand -- one they'll continue using as the season progresses.

For starters, we're told everybody on set -- including the cast and crew members -- all get their temperatures checked every day before shooting starts. If anyone shows any COVID-19 symptoms or has a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher ... they can't film. Plain and simple.

There's more the showrunners are implementing to keep folks safe -- we're told the plan is to film the housewives themselves in more outdoor locations, rather than congregating inside if they can help it. They'll also keep the ladies away from large crowds and stick to their immediate families as much as possible. Only essential crew members -- camera people, hair/makeup, etc. -- will be around the housewives, and only when necessary.

Another thing during filming ... mask-wearing, for the production crew anyway. We're told everyone behind the camera will have one on while working, but it's unclear if any of the on-camera talent will wear them. The state of Georgia is kinda in limbo on the issue -- ATL's Mayor is trying to mandate them, but the Gov.'s suing to stop her.

At any rate, the good news is that the show's gonna look a lot more like viewers are used to in seasons past -- unlike this past season's reunion, which was shot digitally from everyone's home. That was all fine and good, but people tune in to see in-person reactions/fights.

As for who's coming back ... it'll be the familiar faces people have gotten to know of late -- Cynthia Bailey, Kandi Burruss, Porsha Williams, Kenya Moore. There'll be some new cast members too ... actress Drew Sidora and Youtube personality LaToya Ali.

The jury's still out on if longtime fan fave NeNe Leakes is coming back -- word is she's still in negotiations.

Heather McDonald and former 'RHOC' star Jim Bellino are on the same page, legally speaking -- they've settled his lawsuit against her ... TMZ has learned.

According to a joint statement released by Jim and Heather ... they've "reached a settlement of the dispute on mutually satisfactory terms." The joint statement also says Heather "never intended to cause any of the damage" to Jim's reputation or that of his business.

Jim, the ex-husband of 'RHOC' star Alexis Bellino, sued the comedian in June 2019, claiming she "shamelessly dished and peddled unsubstantiated gossip" about his divorce with Alexis on an episode of Heather's podcast, "The Juicy Scoop."

Heather, who used to appear on "Chelsea Lately" before starting her podcast, previously secured a victory in the defamation suit back in March, when a judge granted her motion to dismiss the lawsuit ... but Jim appealed.

Two of the more prominent protesters arrested for protesting Breonna Taylor's death this week find it ironic they now have felony charges to potentially fight ... while the cops who did the actual killing are still roaming free.

'Love & Hip Hop' star Yandy Smith and activist Tamika Mallory came on "TMZ Live" Wednesday to update us on where things stood after they and 'RHOA' star Porsha Williams -- along with dozens of other demonstrators -- were among those locked up Tuesday evening for protesting outside the home of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron.

While Porsha, Yandy and Tamika might've been released from custody ... they say several others have not yet, and they were standing outside the jail protesting once more while talking to us. As you might imagine, they're outraged and pissed about the treatment.

Most outrageous ... the ladies cannot believe they've been arrested and booked on a felony charge of intimidating a participant in a legal process. The "participant" is Cameron, the Attorney General who's now investigating Breonna's case. When in this country was it a crime to protest an elected official. Ridiculous.

That leads to a much bigger issue in their eyes -- the fact that none of the 3 Louisville PD officers involved in Breonna's killing have been arrested, let alone charged with anything.

Houston Texans star Kenny Stills was one of nearly 100 people arrested during a protest in Louisville on Tuesday ... and the WR took his mug shot in a Breonna Taylor shirt.

The 28-year-old NFL player joined 86 others in a massive protest outside the home of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron to seek justice for Taylor.

As part of the demonstration, the group of people -- which included "Real Housewives Of Atlanta" star Porsha Williams -- sat on Cameron's lawn and chanted ... urging him to levy charges against the cops involved in Taylor's tragic death.

A Lousiville Metro Police Dept. spokesperson says officers eventually told the group to leave ... but when they refused, all 87 were put in cuffs and hauled off to jail.

We're told Stills and the others were booked on 3 charges, including felony "intimidating a participant in a legal process."

As you can see in his mug shot, Stills was clearly NOT happy to be at the station ... and his shirt read, "Breonna Taylors Killers Are Still Police."

The LMPD spokesperson added of the incident, "The protestors chose to occupy the front yard of a home owned by the Kentucky Attorney General and continuously chant towards he and his neighbors."

"At his request, they were trespassed from the property. All were given the opportunity to leave, were told that remaining on the property would be unlawful, and chose not to leave."

Stills has consistently been one of the most vocal NFL players over the years when it comes to the search for social justice ... he's taken knees during the national anthem and has even tatted "Black Lives Matter" on his leg.

According to jail records, Stills was still in custody as of Wednesday morning.

The snitch is back!!! That's probably how the "Real Housewives of Atlanta" cast will react after learning Yovanna Momplaisir's returning next season as an official cast member, so get ready for more of her drama involving NeNe Leakes.

Sources close to the production tell TMZ ... producers invited Yovanna to sign on for season 13 as an official cast member. We're told the contracts went out to all the ladies after they filmed the reunion. More on that later.

As for Yovanna's role next season ... our sources say her main storyline for the upcoming season will piggyback off the scandal that erupted during season 12. As diehard 'RHOA' fans know ... the so-called SnakeGate drama roped in the entire cast after the ladies found out Yovanna came on the show as a friend/spy for NeNe, who wanted Yovanna to gather intel to see which of the ladies were trash-talking NeNe behind her back.

The ladies ultimately were led to believe NeNe asked Yovanna to record the conversations. During a trip to Canada, they peppered Yovanna with questions, but she danced around everything. As it turns out, Yovanna never recorded anything and admits NeNe asked her to record the conversations. The cast's reaction ... "so you're a snitch?" Ouch.

Kandi Burruss hears and sees the shade being thrown her way after winning "The Masked Singer" ... but it's only making her victory taste even sweeter!!!

The champ was basking in her glory, although still in quarantine, when she told TMZ ... she's not about to let the haters grind her down. Especially because now she's finally able to enjoy the win after months of keeping it under wraps.

As you know ... Kandi won the third season of 'Masked Singer,' becoming the first woman to wear the crown, but the title's coming with an extra side of hate. Some folks thought Jesse McCartney got robbed, and some just don't plain like KB, no matter what she does.

But Kandi is going to let the hardware do the talking instead of taking a victory lap at the expense of others. She says she doesn't have to say anything to her detractors ... since, obviously, she's already embedded in their heads!!!

Kandi makes some pretty good points about blocking out the negative, and tells us why none of it is getting under her skin.

Joe Giudice is in the market for a fight, and he's willing to take on ANYONE.

That's right, the former 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' star has signed a deal with Celebrity Boxing promoter Damon Feldman who tells TMZ ... Joe's slated to fight on October 24th in the Bahamas. The opponent has not yet been determined. Any takers?

The match will consist of three 1 minute, 30-second rounds. Back to Joe's opponent ... Damon tells us he's open to anyone. Be careful what you wish for, Joe.

In any event ... Joe's looking like he's ready to knock someone out. Dude looks JACKED. Check him out in this video ... with the picturesque Italy countryside as the backdrop.

As for what Joe would be paid ... we're told it'll all depend on how many people purchase the Pay-per-view. But, one thing's for sure ... training for an upcoming fight will be a nice distraction. As we reported ... Joe's in the middle of his own legal fight over his deportation case.

Keep your head up, Joe. And, your hands too.

The son of ex-"Real Housewives of Orange County" star Lauri Peterson says he was almost killed in jail ... and now he's suing.

Josh Waring just filed a lawsuit Monday against Orange County and two OC Sheriff's deputies assigned to the Orange County men's central jail ... Josh claims the sheriff's deputies tried to have him killed out of retaliation.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Josh claims guards inside the jail told him a razor blade attack against him was retaliation for prior complaints Josh made about sheriff's deputies.

As we first reported ... Josh was ambushed back in October 2019 at the Orange County jail in Santa Ana and brutally assaulted by another inmate wielding razor blades wrapped in towels. The attack was caught on camera, and Josh claims guards let it happen because he complained about his case.

Remember ... Josh was locked up for nearly 4 years while waiting for his trial following a July 2016 arrest when he was accused of shooting a man outside a sober living home. Waring initially pled not guilty.

In the suit, Josh details his harrowing time behind bars ... claiming one of the sheriff's deputies, Ever Zelaya, threatened to choke him out and warned him to watch out. He says Zelaya told him "You better watch the f*** out, I just killed the last guy who pissed me off and I got a paid vacation."

According to the docs, Josh claims Zelaya and another sheriff's deputy, Ryan Hansen, also tried to kill him when they entered his cell and unleashed several rounds of pepper spray balls.

Bethenny Frankel is about to deliver half-a-million masks to doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who are at high risk for contracting coronavirus, and the decks have just been cleared to deliver them quickly.

FEMA has told hospital workers they can get masks outside normal channels and get reimbursement because the supply is so critically lacking.

Bethenny tells TMZ, she's getting thousands of messages a day from medical professionals -- many in New York but also other areas of the country -- begging for help.

Bethenny's foundation, Bstrong, in partnership with Global Empowerment Mission is working with manufacturers from all over the world to make masks, and the number she's making has ballooned from 10,000 to 500,000 N-95 masks and counting.

She says the masks will be available in a few days and they will go directly to the people who need it, because the red tape is being eliminated.

Kenya Moore says it's far too late for her and costar NeNe Leakes to bury the hatchet off-camera -- because too much bad blood has been spilled over the course of the show.

We got the 'RHOA' star in Atlanta Tuesday at the premiere of the new show, "Waka and Tammy: What the Flocka," where she told us why she's not willing to reconcile with the spirited and equally opinionated NeNe after a bitter feud erupted on this week's show.

Kenya says NeNe showed her true colors in how she dealt with Kenya to her face -- but perhaps more offensive is how she spoke about Kenya behind her back in a confessional.

ICYMI ... NeNe tried weighing on Kenya's marital problems with Marc Daly -- who's been caught texting other women -- and when Kenya refused to have a chat with NeNe ... the gloves came off in terms of insults. NeNe called Kenya "sad," also criticizing her skin.

Kenya thinks NeNe went too far, and because of that ... there's no going back between them.

The son of ex-"Real Housewives of Orange County" star Lauri Peterson is off the hook for attempted murder -- thanks to a sweet plea deal -- and he's walking out of jail.

Josh Waring pled guilty on Friday to felony counts of assault with a firearm, evading a peace officer, 2 counts of assault, hit-and-run with property damage and battery ... this according to court records. Waring's attorney, Joel Garson, tells us Waring will get time served and be released later today.

As we've reported ... Waring's been locked up for nearly 4 years while waiting for his trial since his July 2016 arrest when he was accused of shooting a man outside a sober living home. He initially pled not guilty.

It's been a harrowing time for Waring behind bars. As we first reported ... he was ambushed back in October 2019 at the Orange County jail in Santa Ana and brutally assaulted by another inmate wielding razors wrapped in towels.

Waring suffered deep gashes to his chest and face. Waring's lawyer believed the attack could have been retaliation against Josh for filing a federal lawsuit against Orange County and its Sheriff's Department for violating his civil rights.

'Real Housewives' star Jules Wainstein has something her estranged husband wants -- a lock of hair -- because he wants to prove she's abusing drugs, claiming it made her crazy.

Michael Wainstein ran to civil court shortly after Jules was arrested last week on domestic violence charges in Florida -- asking a judge for a restraining order against his wife. He also wants to get her tested and treated for what he says is a very dangerous addiction.

Per the docs, obtained by TMZ, Michael claims Jules poses a serious risk to not only him ... but to their two minor children as well. He says one of the kids told him they saw their mom taking pills before she allegedly went on a mini-rampage during a custody exchange ... for which she was ultimately arrested, booked and charged with battery.

BTW, Michael also says in the docs ... one night while they were in NYC, Jules came home visibly high on cocaine and repeatedly punched Michael in the face when he confronted  her about it. Just another reason he's concerned now.

Mike claims he's aware of a past drug problem she's had with Rx pills, including improper use of Adderall. Because of "bizarre behavior" Michael says Jules displays in front of the children -- including allegedly using a baseball bat on his car, licking his window, punching Mike, etc. -- he believes the court needs to step in here.

Specifically, he wants hizzoner to force Jules to submit hair follicles for testing to see if she is, in fact, on something ... and if so, Mike wants her ordered into a treatment program.

This is all part of their divorce case, which was filed in New York. The restraining order and battery cases are in Florida where the kids were handed off from father to mother, and Michael ran to a Florida court for an emergency restraining order that's tied to the divorce case.

'Real Housewives of New York' star Jules Wainstein is in hot water down in Florida ... and we ain't talking hot tub.

According to docs, obtained by TMZ, Jules was busted Sunday in Boca Raton for domestic battery. It's unclear at the moment who the alleged victim is. Jules spent the night in jail and was released Monday under her own recognizance.

She's scheduled to return to court Tuesday. In docs, Jules was found indigent ... which means she can't afford a lawyer. A public defender will be assigned to her case.

Jules is no stranger to domestic disturbances. As we reported back in 2016, Jules called 911 after getting into an angry argument with her estranged hubby, Michael. Their divorce case was pretty nasty.