HGTV star Nicole Curtis has one person coming to her defense after a video leaked of her using the N-word on her popular show "Rehab Addict" ... well, kinda.
Here's the deal ... the network shelved Nicole's show yesterday after the slur was made public ... and she later issued an apology, telling TMZ the use of that word does not represent who she is.
Ryan Sawtelle -- who worked on "Rehab Addict" and dated NC during the decade they knew each other -- told us he thinks Nicole's a bad person who treats others on the show like garbage ... so he's not surprised this video was leaked. He pointed to reports in the past of contractors suing her, claiming they weren't paid for their work.
However, he also added, “As much as I dislike her -- and it may be validating to see her get in trouble -- she is unequivocally not a racist. Nor has she ever said anything racially insensitive over the years we dated, and I have known her.”
Ryan -- who was actually holding the ladder in the 2022 episode clip when you hear Nicole blurt out the N-word -- told us she often used nonsensical words and gibberish to avoid cussing on the show … and calls it "unfortunate” she mistakenly blurted out the slur. RS points out ... “It was so unexpected, the crew laughed because we knew that isn’t her."
Kandi Burruss says her estranged husband, Todd Tucker, is living rent-free in her guest house amid their bitter divorce and not paying a dime in rent ... TMZ has learned.
According to new court docs, obtained by TMZ, the 'RHOA' alum slammed Todd for not contributing financially to the home and the care of their kids ... as they continue to fight over custody and support.
Kandi says since they separated, Todd's been living in her guest house in Atlanta ... which she says is her own property purchased before the marriage. In the docs, she says Todd hasn't paid a “single expense for the maintenance and upkeep of the home, to include - utilities, gas, lawn care, water, pest control or even fees associated with the alarm system.”
Jill Zarin's controversial comments about Bad Bunny's halftime show have tons of people turning against her ... and one company with a former connection to the star is paying the price.
Here's the deal ... Zarin Fabrics -- a company owned and run by Zarin's stepson David -- has commenters on Yelp and Facebook accusing the company of racism.
Check it out ... commenters are posting one-star reviews and demanding they immediately ditch Jill. The problem ... the company's already addressed the controversy -- and Jill hasn't had a role with Zarin Fabrics for years.
Jill Zarinis out at the 'RHONY' reunion show "The Golden Life," but producers aren't looking to fill her big shoes, at least as of now ... TMZ has learned.
Multiple sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... producers currently have no plans to replace Jill on the E! series after she was fired this week over her controversial statements about Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance, which many people found to be racist.
We're told the show's producers feel the remaining women are more than capable of carrying the show and don't need anyone else to take over Jill's spot.
Our sources also tell us fans could still see familiar faces from past RHONY seasons because there's chatter about cameos during filming. Speaking of former cast members, Dorinda Medley has just joined the reunion show ... but not as a full-time cast member, as of now.
Lewis Hamilton is dating one of the most famous women on the planet, but that doesn't mean he's gonna start singing like a bird about his love life ... reportedly dodging a question about his time at the Super Bowl with Kim Kardashian.
The F1 legend is in Bahrain leading up to the 2026 season ... and during media availability, Sky Sports reporter claims Sir Lewis was asked whether he enjoyed the game or the company more at Levi's Stadium on Feb. 8.
"Dancing With the Stars" pro Emma Slater saw her 'DWTS' partner James Van Der Beek just days before his death ... and she expressed her gratitude for their final meeting in an emotional tribute to the late actor.
Emma was paired with Van Der Beek in Season 28 of the dancing competition show in 2019, and she posted her favorite pic from their season to Instagram on Wednesday, calling him her "big brother."
She wrote ... "All those who had the pleasure of having you in their lives are blessed. Forever changed by your brilliance. We got to have these beautiful years sharing life together. It started with being dance partners and I was beyond excited to be dancing with you, and it continued into the deepest of friendships."
Christine Quinn's "Selling Sunset" chapter could be reopening ... TMZ has learned.
Multiple sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... production for the Netflix hit series is gauging Christine's interest in a possible return for Season 10, asking whether she'd consider coming back.
We're told premature conversations have taken place and are ongoing ... but nothing is official, and no contracts have been signed.
Christine starred on the show from Seasons 1 through 5 and quickly became one of its most polarizing personalities, known for her over-the-top fashion, sharp tongue, and explosive feuds with Chrishell Stause, Mary Fitzgerald, Heather Rae El Moussa, and Emma Hernan.
Nicole Curtisis addressing the controversy surrounding HGTV pulling her show "Rehab Addict" from its platforms following the release of leaked footage showing her using a racial slur during filming.
Curtis tells TMZ ... "I want to be clear: the word in question is wrong and not part of my vocabulary and never has been, and I apologize to everyone." She tells us she was unaware of HGTV's decision to pull the plug on her show on the same day it was set to return to air after a hiatus.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Despite the surprising split, she tells us, "I'm grateful for the 15-year journey we've shared. It's been a meaningful chapter, but my focus isn't on my career. My focus, at this moment is rightfully on my relationships, and my community -- the people who truly know my character and where my heart is."
American actress Laura-Leigh was 22 years old when she was cast to be a part of "Vanderpump Rules" ... first airing in 2013, led by restaurateur and television personality Lisa Vanderpump.
Forget trusting the pods and letting love be blind ... 'cause one contestant on the new season made her experience on the show painfully literal by practically gluing her own eye shut!!
The wildly ironic moment went down during the S10 premiere of the Netflix dating series when 39-year-old nurse (yes, really ... nurse😬) Elissa Finley was rushed to the hospital after accidentally putting nail glue straight into her eye.
Elissa told her costars she spotted a tiny bottle in the bathroom, assumed it was eye drops, and squeezed a few drops in -- only to realize it was nail glue. Brutal.
Jill Zarin is struggling to process her sudden firing from E!'s upcoming reunion series "The Golden Life" and TMZ has learned she feels blindsided by the fallout.
In case you didn't know ... Blink49 Studios cut ties with Jill Tuesday following her posting -- then deleting -- an Instagram video Sunday, criticizing Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show. The comments, later reposted on X, sparked backlash and ultimately led to her firing from the show.
Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... Jill believes she was punished for expressing an opinion, while other Housewives have said or done far worse without facing similar consequences. People close to Jill have told us they strongly dispute accusations that her comments were insensitive, insisting anyone who personally knows her would say that characterization is unfair.
Jill Zarin suffered a huge own goal today ... the original "The Real Housewives of New York City" cast member was fired from E! reunion show "The Golden Life" following a wild tirade against Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Blink49 Studios -- the production company behind "The Golden Life" -- issued a statement to TMZ, writing ... "In light of recent public comments made by Jill Zarin, Blink49 Studios has decided not to move forward with her involvement in ‘The Golden Life.’ We remain committed to delivering the series in line with our company standards and values.”
A source close to the situation tells TMZ ... the cast had been warned not to say or do anything controversial, and while the women were initially excited about the show, Jill's actions have dampened the mood though the other women understand why she was fired.
The new cast of "Vanderpump Rules" completely took over "TMZ After Dark," led by breakout stars VenusandNatalie, who made passengers feel like they were on an actual episode of the show!
The duo took us back to the early, raunchy days of 'Vanderpump.' And with DJ Nyla DJing the bus, the energy was high from the start as Venus and Natalie jumped right in -- dancing, hyping up the crowd, and setting the vibe for the night.
The first stop was the Rainbow Bar & Grill, where party girl Natalie was already familiar with the manager and staff, and the pair handed out the bar's signature “Woohoo” shots, cheers-ing to the wild night ahead.
The night continued at Saddle Ranch, where the manager welcomed the group with unlimited chicken (original and buffalo) and famous pink gummy shots, followed by Venus riding the mechanical bull and nearly making it through the full ride before being thrown off in an epic fall.
Professional race car driver Lewis Hamilton's obviously not afraid to move fast ... and clearly Kim Kardashian isn't either -- because it seems she's already bringing him around her famous family.
Kim shared a vid of her and her sisters Khloé Kardashian and Kylie Jenner trying the "Titanic Challenge" ... a viral trend where people attempt to go from lying on their backs to flipping over and rolling up on their partner's hip and thighs.
It's meant to mimic the iconic "I'm flying" scene from the hit 1997 movie ... though the Kardashian sisters' attempts reminded us more of the film's ending -- spoiler alert: a bit disastrous.
During one of Kim's doomed voyages, you can hear Lewis shouting advice to push off and away ... which caught the attention of many fans on social media.
Representative Lauren Underwood says she's got the skills to win political debates and immunity idols ... telling us Wednesday she'd kill it on the show "Survivor."
The Democratic Congresswoman from Illinois says that she absolutely loves the long-running reality competition show ... and with trust, alliances, and doing whatever it takes to win -- she says that's a lot like Congress.
Watch the clip ... Underwood lays out all the reasons -- including her background as a nurse and her time in the Girl Scouts -- she thinks she'd crush it on "Survivor."
Kylie Jenner & Stassie Karanikolaou might have unimpressed expressions on their faces, but they're actually bursting with excitement ... or, at least, nearly busting out of their tops!
Jenner shared several pics with her longtime pal Saturday ... showing the two sitting side by side in a car with tight white tank tops, leaving little to the imagination!
Check out the pics ... the two dark-haired vixens are pulling out all their modeling experience for this hot impromptu photo shoot -- pouty lips and serious expressions galore.
