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"Love Island USA" contestant Cierra Ortega is owning up to the racial slur that got her booted from the show -- but while she's apologizing, her grandma's clapping back, slamming the backlash coming her way.

Magdalena Carrillo tells TMZ in no uncertain terms -- her granddaughter is not a racist, and neither is anyone in their family ... pointing out they're immigrants themselves, so the outlandish accusation just doesn’t track.

Magdalena tells us the whole thing's gotten out of hand -- she's honestly shocked and heartbroken to see all the hate her granddaughter's recently endured.

Voice actor James Carter Cathcart, famous for his work on "Pokémon," is dead ... TMZ has learned.

James died Tuesday after a years-long battle with oral cancer ... according to a family member. We're told he died at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx.

On "Pokémon," James brought several characters to life with his voice ... Professor Oak, Meowth, Gary Oak and James from Team Rocket.

Kim Zolciak's baring it all -- the reality star joined "Botched Presents: Plastic Surgery Rewind" to spill every nip, tuck, and tweak in her beauty bible.

Buckle up, 'cause Kim did not hold back -- confessing she’s had her boobs done (more than once), a tummy tuck, nonstop Botox, neck surgery after a herniated disc, and got Ultherapy to keep that jawline snatched without a scalpel.

Interestingly, the 47-year-old left out a few juicy procedures she's already gone public with --like the laser vaginal rejuvenation she proudly revealed in '23, and the filler she got in her ears to help hold up her giant diamond earrings ... yes really.

Cierra Ortega is owning the racial slur that got her booted from "Love Island USA" -- and says she agrees with production's decision to cut her from the show.

In a lengthy video and written statement she shared on Instagram Wednesday evening, Cierra says she's been back home for 48 hours and is ready to address herself "very naively using an incredibly offensive and derogatory term."

First and foremost, she apologizes to the Asian community and everyone she offended, adding ..."I had no idea that the word held as much pain, as much harm, and came with the history that it did or I never would have used it."

American actress Sarah Hagan was only 15 years old when she first played Millie -- Lindsay's nerdy neighbor and loyal friend, and the devout Christian -- in the drama series "Freaks and Geeks" back in 1999.

Sarah was part of an ensemble cast including Linda Cardellini as the former Mathletes member who finds her way towards the "freaks," Lindsay, John Francis Daley as the awkward geek who loves comedy and science fiction, Sam and James Franco as the hot bad boy who uses his confidence to cover up his insecurities, Daniel.

Richard Taite -- a celebrity addiction and recovery specialist -- says it's a good thing  Whitney Purvis is behind bars, because she's accused of doing some really bad sh*t ... allegedly dealing drugs that killed a man.

As TMZ first reported ... Purvis -- who starred in the reality show "16 and Pregnant" -- was arrested Monday for involuntary manslaughter and drug offenses in connection with the fentanyl death of John Mark Harris in Floyd County, Georgia.

She was slapped with the manslaughter charge for intentionally distributing the drug Tranq -- which is a combo of fentanyl -- an opioid -- and xylazine -- a horse tranquilizer. Making matters worse for Purvis, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration is now investigating.

Denise Richards' reality return was always meant to be a short-lived ride ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... "Denise Richards and Her Wild Things" won’t be getting a second season -- but that was the plan all along.

We’re told the network treated the project as a limited-run series and never intended to extend it beyond its debut season.

So, despite the recent news and headlines around Denise's split from husband Aaron Phypers, Bravo isn't scrambling to fire up production cameras for more "Wild Things" drama.

Our deep dive into the first-ever declassified Pentagon report detailing 144 accounts of UFO sightings is officially up on YouTube ... and there's a lot to unpack.

"TMZ Investigates: UFOs: The Pentagon Proof" analyzes our government's official response to UFO conversations from an investigative standpoint ... we interview key players and showcase footage of UFOs recorded from all over the world.

We talked to military officials and pilots who say they suffered severe retribution for daring to implore the Pentagon to take UFOs seriously ... including former Pentagon Counterintelligence official Lue Elizondo.

We've made it to Wednesday, so here's a lil' sweet treat to get you goin' for the rest of the week! Can you guess which Georgia peach put her bikini bod on blast in the Bahamas with these eye-popping hot shots?!

She may have grown up in Atlanta, but just like her famous mama, she's bringin' the reality TV drama to the Big Apple.

There's a reason Chloe Veitch won "Too Hot To Handle" -- just center in on her most recent bikini photo shoot!

Check it out, the English model and media personality -- who hosted Netflix's dating show "Sneaky Links" -- shimmied out of her go-to short dresses and into a red-hot plaid bikini.

Up in the Hollywood Hills, Chloe was (literally) livin' life on the edge -- seen here with her derrière out n' about on the edge of an infinity pool.

American actress Dana Davis was 30 years old when she was first cast to play Chastity -- the 16-year-old head cheerleader who sometimes takes things for granted -- on the sitcom series "10 Things I Hate About You" back in 2009.

Davis was part of an ensemble cast including Lindsey Shaw as the high school senior who is strong-willed, Kat, Ethan Peck as the lady's man but ultimately interested in Kat, Patrick and Larry Miller as the protective and at times overbearing father, Walter.

Dana also played Monica Dawson on NBC's "Heroes."

The mother of the man who fatally overdosed after allegedly being supplied drugs by "16 and Pregnant" star Whitney Purvis says she’s relieved the former reality star has been arrested and is now off the street.

Lisa Harris, mother of John Mark Harris -- who authorities say was given deadly drugs by Purvis prior to his death -- tells TMZ ... she's glad Whitney is off the street so this kind of tragedy can’t happen to another family because of her alleged actions.

Lisa didn’t hold back while speaking about the tragedy that took her son’s life, saying, "She did this, and as a result, my son is dead." John's mom says his family never knew Whitney, and don't understand the nature of her connection to her son.

Cierra Ortega from "Love Island USA" just got kicked off the show after old posts of her using racial slurs against Asians went viral -- but her family has her full support, backing her up as she goes through the scandal.

Her parents hit up her IG Story on Sunday after her exit, saying that while they weren't brushing off what’s come to light, the week had been one of the toughest they'd ever faced ... and they begged people to show their daughter some compassion.

The post blasted the hate flooding online ... calling it uncalled for and heartbreaking, stressing no one deserves that level of intense hostility, no matter the mistakes they've made.

Martin Kove likes a joke with teeth to it, it seems ... 'cause he liked a few his followers cracked in the comments section of his most recent post.

The "Karate Kid" star shared a post for the Fourth of July ... wishing everyone a happy holiday and thanking them for their "love and support."

Of course, Kove was recently accused by his "Cobra Kai" costar Alicia Hannah-Kim of biting her at a fan convention in Washington ... so his post could be a thank you to those people standing beside him.

Khloé Kardashian and her family were in the Fourth of July spirit this weekend ... enjoying an afternoon of themed sweet treats and good old-fashioned American spirit.

The reality star shared a series of photos on Instagram Saturday from her party for America's Independence Day ... showing off in a red "USA" crop top during what looks like a massive block party.

Khloé shared a ton of photos of her daughter True -- outfitted in a star-spangled ensemble with a matching headband.

Farrah Abraham's gone through plenty of twists and turns over the past few years ... and she's been anything but boring!

While she initially tried to raise her public profile by appearing in MTV's "Teen Mom" in 2009, she pulled a hard left turn and starred in two porno flicks -- how's that for a change-up?

Fame came with a price, though, as being arrested for both DUI and for getting physical with hotel and club workers tarnished her image in ways she hadn't expected.