TV

The Miss America contestant who became the inspiration for Caitlyn Jenner's name thinks she knows why the now-famous Caitlyn was drawn to her.

Kaitlyn Tarpey -- a Miss America top 10 finalist in 2014 -- tells us she said something during the pageant she believes struck a chord with Bruce Jenner. She said, "Chin up, boobs up and rock it." Bruce gave Diane Sawyer a mantra that was very similar.

Caitlyn says she watched the Miss America pageant for inspiration in choosing a name and was actually leaning toward something different until Kaitlyn Tarpey appeared.

It's interesting ... Kaitlyn has the signature "K" which Caitlyn consciously rejected.

FUN FACT: Caitlin Brunell competed in last year's Miss America pageant. She's the daughter of longtime NFL quarterback Mark Brunell.

“Orange Is the New Black” newcomer Ruby Rose is already casting another new addition for the hit show -- none other than Caitlyn Jenner ... who she believes would be queen bitch of the cellblock.

Ruby is an Aussie actress/model who's playing Piper's new love interest in Season 3 of 'OITNB' -- but she told our photog ... there's an opening for Caitlyn at Litchfield Prison, if she wants it.

You gotta hear Ruby describe it ... she's pretty much got the whole role written out already.

Caitlyn Jenner is putting on makeup and going out into the world for the first time as a woman ... proclaiming herself "the new normal."

"I Am Cait" is Caitlyn's new docuseries, and if the footage just released is any indication, it's not just about transgender people. Cailtyn is sending a message to everyone who is not living an authentic life ... stop wasting time, because time will run out.

The 8-part series will also deal with the pressures of being a woman, right down to cosmetics.

Casey Anthony and Matt Lauer could be meeting really soon, because she's been wheeling and dealing with NBC execs trying to hammer out a deal for a sit-down.

TMZ broke the story ... Anthony, who was acquitted in 2011 of murdering her daughter, flew to New York City last week. We got video of her and veteran producer Don Wood arriving, and according to our sources, NBC paid for the flight.

Since she's been in NYC, the NY Post says Anthony and Wood have met with a senior NBC booker who handles 'Today' and other NBC news programs.

As we've reported, Casey flirted with network interviews in the past, but never closed. As of now ... NBC's saying no deal yet -- and you gotta figure she's also talking to other outlets in NYC.

Stay tuned.

Caitlyn Jenner chose her name after being inspired by the Miss America pageant.

Caitlyn told Vanity Fair she had been watching the pageant in the last couple of years to come up with ideas for names. Two names resonated with her -- Heather and Cathy.

It sounds like Heather and Cathy were front-runners but she also liked Caitlyn. Ultimately, Caitlyn's assistant Rhonda tipped the scales when she suggested Caitlyn.

Caitlyn Jenner did not want to look like a pretend woman when she transitioned from a man to a woman.

Caitlyn told Vanity Fair it was extremely important that she presented herself as feminine.

Beyond cosmetics, Caitlyn talks about the isolation she felt in the '80s, and how the Internet became her salvation because it provided a connection with people in similar circumstances.

Jeffrey Tambor, whose fictitious life parallels that of Bruce Jenner, is thrilled with the unveiling of Caitlyn.

Tambor, who plays a man in his 60s who becomes a woman in the show "Transparent," was leaving the Directors Guild of America Monday night when our photog asked him about the big reveal.

The actor was short on words, but strong on emotion, voicing big support for Caitlyn.

Kim Richards has just lost 2 of the most important people in her life, because we've learned her sister Kyle and husband Mauricio Umansky have washed their hands of her ... ironically, to save her.

Sources connected with the family tell TMZ, Kim stayed in Mexico after her daughter's wedding and was perpetually wasted. We're told in the last few days, Kyle and Mauricio had a security guard fly down to Cabo and literally force Kim onto an airplane where she returned home to L.A.

Our sources say Kim has promised to re-enter rehab, but it's not flying with Kyle and Mauricio. We're told they feel they have done what they can do to save Kim, and the only thing left is tough love.

So, Kim is no longer their problem. If she ends up on the streets, then that's what has to happen. We're told things are so bad, Kyle and Mauricio feel Kim is actually in danger of dying. But they believe the only hope is for her to realize they will not be her safety net to constantly bail her out.

It's the biggest reveal of 2015 for sure ... Bruce Jenner as a woman, and the pic is dramatic.

The name's now Caitlyn. She posed for the cover of Vanity Fair's July issue and it was shot by famed celeb photographer Annie Leibovitz.

It's interesting the name is spelled with a C and not a K ... possibly a break from the Kardashian Klan.

In the Diane Sawyer interview Bruce made it clear he was saying farewell to his male persona. This pic is a full reveal of the transformation.

Caitlyn just opened a Twitter account, saying, "I'm so happy after such a long struggle to be living my true self. Welcome to the world Caitlyn. Can't wait for you to get to know her/me."

Check out the video, where Caitlyn models several outfits and seductively poses.

Caitlyn Jenner did not spell her first name with a "K" because she wants a clean break from the Kardashian moniker ... TMZ has learned.

Sources closely associated with Bruce tell us Caitlyn wants to make it clear to her family and the world ... she is her own person. That sounds obvious, but we're told it was an extremely meaningful choice for her ... she has never been her own person before, and becoming part of the Kardashian brood would undermine her goal.

Caitlyn Jenner did not want the world to see a demure version of herself ... she chose a sexy photo because once the shock wears off, people will be more accepting.

Sources closely associated with Caitlyn tell TMZ, she gave a lot of thought to her first public image. She felt if she posed in something modest, like a dress, people would not be satisfied and the mystery would prevent her from leading any kind of a normal life.

We're told Caitlyn chose an extremely sexy, revealing outfit because now that the public's curiosity is satisfied, it will not be a shock when she goes out in normal streetwear.

Kim Kardashian will be giving birth this winter ... because TMZ has learned she is three months pregnant.

According to our sources, Kim conceived some time in March ... which means she should be popping out a little West in December.

In Sunday night's "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," psychic John Edward told Kim he saw something with the number three, but wasn't sure what it meant. We're told Kim's a believer and thinks it means getting pregnant the third month of the year.

As for the mother-to-be, Kim was seen out Sunday afternoon in New York City.

BTW ... how awesome if they named the kid South West.

Tracy Morgan could not contain his emotions as he described the pain of the car accident that took his friend's life.

Morgan told Matt Lauer on "Today" ... it wasn't until he came out of a coma two weeks after the accident that he learned his friend, comedian James McNair, was killed in the crash.

Morgan broke down several times as he described the torment of the crash ... both physical and emotional.

Morgan said he has good days and bad ones ... and forgets things from time to time. He suffered a serious brain injury from the crash. Tracy says he deals with nosebleeds and headaches, which he tries to hide from his family.

North West is going to be a big sister ... Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are expecting baby #2.

After struggling to conceive, Kim made the big announcement Sunday night during "Keeping Up With the Kardashians."

North was born on June 15, 2013, several weeks before her due date. Kanye and Kim have been trying for a second child for some time ... visiting several different specialists and fertility doctors.

No word yet on how far along she is or the sex of the baby.

Disney star Raven Goodwin was ordered out of the Waffle House in Atlanta Saturday night after she got into a fight with another customer over her choice of table.

The 22-year-old "Good Luck Charlie" star was sitting at a table waiting for friends, but it looked like the people at the table next to her were about to leave so she asked to be moved there.

The people at the other table lingered, which apparently pissed Raven off. We're told Raven ended up in the bathroom arguing with a woman who had been sitting at the desired table. The woman called Raven a "fat bitch," and Raven fired back by telling her she was broke and need to go make some money.

The Waffle House staff sprung into action, jumping the counter and ordering both women to leave.

Dustin Diamond was convicted Friday in the case where he stabbed a guy in a bar, but in a way it's really a victory for him.

Diamond was convicted of 2 misdemeanors but acquitted of the far more serious felonies.

As TMZ reported, Diamond, who was with his girlfriend, stabbed a man in the Wisconsin bar last XMAS, but he claimed self defense. Diamond testified, "I felt like we were being set up for antagonistic purposes." The actor who famously played Screech claimed he was merely waiving a pocket knife around to fend off aggressors, never intending to stab anyone.

The guy he stabbed didn't even know he was cut until after he left the bar.

Diamond was convicted of carrying a concealed weapon and disorderly conduct. Worst case scenario is a 9 month jail sentence.