TV

"Love Island USA" star Nic Vansteenberghe is finally sounding off on Cierra Ortega’s sudden villa boot -- now that he’s got the full scoop on her racial controversy post-exit.

On the latest "Chicks in the Office" podcast, he said producers brushed it off to him as "personal reasons" -- super vague -- and he even thought about leaving the villa himself since their connection was one of the strongest there.

Nic said he stayed put 'cause if whatever was going down outside didn’t align with his values, walking out might’ve looked like he was backing it too.

The stunning double homicide of "American Idol" music supervisor Robin Kaye and her husband has rocked their Los Angeles neighborhood amid skyrocketing break-ins in the area ... and now the family directly next door wants to get the hell out of there.

The neighbor of the slain couple tells TMZ ... he and his family are completely terrified -- but not as shocked as they could be, since he says crime -- home break-ins, specifically -- in the Encino area has escalated dramatically the past few years.

We're told, immediately after news broke of the killings, several neighbors had an impromptu meeting where they agreed to look out for one another ... 'cause it was simply getting too dangerous to rely on home security systems alone.

American actor and singer Wayne Wilcox was 24 years old when he first started playing Marty -- Rory Gilmore's awkward college friend -- on the long-running drama-edy "Gilmore Girls" back in 2003.

Joining Wayne onset included Alexis Bledel as the gifted student who is searching for her place in the world Rory Gilmore, Lauren Graham as Rory's quick-witted mom, Lorelai Gilmore and Scott Patterson as the grumpy dude who is protective over Rory and Lorelai, Luke Danes.

Other noteworthy cast mentions include Milo Ventimiglia as Jess Mariano and Chad Michael Murray as Tristin Dugray.

Cops arrested a double homicide suspect after "American Idol" music supervisor Robin Kaye and her husband were found shot to death inside their Los Angeles home ... TMZ has confirmed -- and it appears the couple came home and surprised a burglar who'd broken into their Encino house.

Law enforcement tells us 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian was arrested on suspicion of double homicide. LAPD detectives believe he has no relationship to Robin and her husband ... and we're told this was an isolated incident. Boodarian is believed to have entered the house through an unlocked door on Thursday afternoon, police said.

Police said when the couple arrived home and discovered the suspect, a confrontation ensued and they were both shot multiple times. The suspect fled on foot, police said. Officers responding to a call for a welfare check on Monday discovered the couple dead inside the house.

Ever since she was spotted at Jeff Bezos' mega-wedding, rumors swirled that Sydney Sweeney may be in the running to be the next Bond Girl for his Amazon MGM Studios ... but TMZ has learned that casting isn't being shaken or stirred.

An insider with direct knowledge tells TMZ ... Sydney is not currently in talks to play the next Bond Girl, despite rampant online speculation -- and even some headlines debating the proposed choice.

We hear the casting conversation is just wishful thinking by her fans ... plus, there's also the fact the next film has just barely begun to take shape, with Denis Villeneuve recently tapped to direct. And no one has been cast yet to take the 007 mantle from Daniel Craig!

12:07 PM PT -- Our law enforcement sources tell us Robin and Thomas were both shot in the head ... and they were found in different rooms.

We're told cops are reviewing surveillance footage and no one is in custody ... and as of now, this doesn't appear to be a burglary because the home was not ransacked.

Our sources say police found no signs of a break-in when they responded to the 911 call last week ... we're told a LAPD helicopter flew over the house but the suspect was not there when cops arrived.

Robin Kaye, an award-winning music supervisor on "American Idol," was found dead inside her Los Angeles home ... and TMZ has learned she and her husband, Thomas Deluca, were the victims of a gruesome double murder.

Our law enforcement sources tell us the bodies of the couple were discovered Monday inside their house in Encino after LAPD officers showed up for a welfare check.

We're told cops saw blood at the front entrance and then smashed a window to gain entry to the home, where they found Robin and Thomas suffering from possible gunshot wounds. They were both declared dead at the scene.

Kendrick Lamar pushed his "Not Like Us" Drake diss to the forefront during his Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in February -- and he's being honored for the performance with a pair of Emmy nominations!!!

On Tuesday, Kendrick earned 2025 Emmy Award noms for Outstanding Music Direction and Outstanding Variety Special (Live).

His performance in Apple Music's big set spliced together cultural innuendos, a PlayStation controller, women's jeans, and Samuel L. Jackson and Serena Williams ... 133.5 million viewers said it was one for the history books!!!

"Love Island USA" contestants Iris Kendall and TJ Palma look like they may be giving things another shot back home on the mainland ... because she's hanging out with him, and not Pepe Garcia.

TMZ obtained video from Iris and TJ's reunion Monday night in Los Angeles ... they were coupled up in Fiji before TJ got eliminated -- now they've reunited in L.A. and it looks like the sparks are flying.

Check out the clip ... Iris and TJ are hugging, smiling and flirting ... and we're told they went on a walk and talk for about two hours before going into his place, where they were greeted by fellow 'Love Island' contestant Austin Shepard.

Brit Eady has officially closed the door on "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" after a single and highly dramatic season.

The reality star announced her departure in an Instagram post Monday, writing, "I decided to walk away from something that no longer serves me because I choose peace over destroying my mental [health]."

Eady, who joined the Bravo series for Season 16, made it clear she's prioritizing her well-being saying, "You can't heal in the same place that made you sick," adding, "I don’t owe anyone closure -- I only owe myself to do what’s best for me. My journey here is done."

"Love Island USA" may have wrapped, but the sparks are still flying as the cast turned an airport in Fiji into one last love-fest before heading home.

Catch the clips making the rounds on social -- fans at Nadi International Airport went wild as the 'Love Island' stars rolled through … and yep, it’s already giving post-villa couple vibes, with Pepe Garcia and Nic Vansteenberghe playing hubby duties, wheeling the girls' luggage like total married men.

Huda Mustafa was all smiles, chilling with Olandria Carthen despite online buzz they weren’t friends.

Think you're magically seeing Daniel Radcliffe as a mini wizard once again? Think again, muggles -- that’s pint-sized spell-slinger Dominic McLaughlin suiting up as Harry Potter for the first time, and he’s serving some serious sorcery!

HBO just dropped the first look at little Dominic all decked out for the new 'Harry Potter' series -- round specs, Hogwarts robes, the whole magical makeover -- as filming kicks off at the UK's iconic Warner Bros. Studios.

Of course, he's sporting the iconic forehead scar just under those heavy bangs ... we’re calling it: the casting’s spot on!

"Love Island USA" season 7 officially has a winning couple ... bringing an end to one of the most scandal-filled seasons in the show's history.

The season finale aired Sunday night ... and we're not trying to spoil it for anyone who is invested ... so, if you haven't seen the finale, stop scrolling now -- THERE ARE SPOILERS AHEAD.

Ariana Madix has a lot of love in her heart for the participants of "Love Island" ... and, this ordeal of a season has really broken her down.

The host of the popular reality TV show opened up about the troubles on the hit show during an interview on "Love Island USA: Aftersun" Saturday ... an 'LI' companion talk show.

Madix calls it a "tough season" -- an understatement, if we're being honest -- and, she's clearly trying to blink back tears at first ... before she lets the emotion out.

Cierra Ortega is sharing memories and showing love after her unexpected exit from "Love Island USA," following a racism controversy that cut her time on the show short.

Cierra took to Instagram on Saturday to reflect on her experience -- and gave her blessing to ex-partner Nic Vansteenberghe and his new connection, Olandria Carthen writing ... "People, moments, and memories I’ll cherish forever, she captioned a carousel of photos featuring her fellow Islanders.

She continued by saying her journey on the show didn't end the way she hoped but says she felt there was real connection, love and growth. "There’s still so much more growing to do -- and for that, I’ll always be grateful," she wrote.

"Empire" star Bryshere Gray needs mental help more than a jail sentence -- this, according to his pal Dustin "Chosen" Wilkins ... who filed a criminal complaint against him in June after the pair got into a physical altercation at a Virginia hotel.

Chosen tells TMZ he only went forward with the report because the actor is suffering from several mental health conditions that were exacerbated when he stopped taking his medications -- and was drinking on top of that -- and believed pressing charges could jumpstart getting him into treatment.

Production sources confirm to TMZ the pair were spending time together in Virginia as they prepared to work on "The Starboys" ... but Bryshere is no longer associated with the project. quite responsible when it comes to taking his meds and monitoring his alcohol intake.

However, Chosen adds Bryshere is easily sidetracked by people who don't have his best interest in mind.

Chosen describes Bryshere -- who we learned was dropped by his pubic relations agency this week -- as his "little brother" ... which is why he cares so much about what happens with him over the assault and battery charge.

Chosen tells us he would gladly have the charge dropped if Bryshere would commit to a mental health treatment plan and focus on his wellbeing.

He says he worries about the possibility of BG heading to the clink -- and even admits he regrets filing the complaint.

We broke the news -- Chosen filed a misdemeanor complaint against the actor and rapper on June 13 by bypassing police and directly working with the Chesapeake magistrate's office. A warrant for his arrest was issued ... and Bryshere was taken into custody on June 15.

Plot twist -- Chosen is the one who bonded him out within hours.

Oh -- and he wants to make it crystal clear that their quarrel did not erupt over a "payment dispute" as he wrote in his complaint. He says the situation quickly got ugly due to the state of Bryshere's mental health, and that's that.

Production sources confirm to TMZ the pair were spending time together in Virginia as they prepared to work on "The Starboy" ... but Bryshere is no longer associated with the project.

It's not clear if the "Canal Street" actor will return to the small screen anytime soon, as Chosen says he previously confessed to him he wants out of the entertainment industry because it's been so hard on him.

Chosen says he and BG do not currently aren't in contact due to the "no contact" order in place. Court documents show Chosen appeared at the Chesapeake General District Court on Monday to amend the bond provision so Bryshere could have contact with him ... but was denied.

Bryshere is due back in court at the end of the month.

We reached out to Bryshere's reps for comment ... and they say they're no longer working with him due to the state of his mental health and concerns over this legal representation.

They explain ... "Our company integrity prevents us from participating in any activity that places Mr. Gray at risk. We are not familiar with the legal representation handling Mr. Gray's criminal case in Virginia. Their representation of Mr. Gray makes us very uncomfortable, and we hope for the best outcome for Mr. Gray."

Vanessa Hudgens is going to be a mom of 2!

The "High School Musical" alum announced Saturday she and her husband, Cole Tucker, are expecting baby No. 2 by posting several adorable maternity shots.

She let the excitement on her face in the photos do all the talking, simply captioning her post ... "Round two!!!!"