Reality TV

Luann De Lesseps has advice for Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" reboot ... rip the cast apart at your own peril!

We caught up with "The Real Housewives of New York" alum in L.A. ... and, we had to ask her about 'RHONJ' going through a major reset -- just like 'RHONY' did when she was a cast member amid low ratings and racism accusations.

LDL, who's currently on tour with her 'Countess Cabaret', says producers need to keep some of the original cast members around to mix it up with the new cast ... creating a thorough line for the show instead of completely remaking it.

Larsa Pippen is not sweating Marcus Jordan's new arm candy ... and she's moving on with her dating life too ... namely, with a reality TV star.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Larsa doesn't care her ex-boyfriend is on vacation with an IG model, because she's also casually dating someone herself ... Netflix/MTV star and country musician Zay Wilson.

In fact, Zay performed at Larsa's 50th birthday bash a few weeks ago ... and TMZ obtained video of them dancing together.

Todd Chrisley is praising his daughter, Savannah, for her speech at the Republican National Convention -- one he watched from prison, which he thinks she knocked out of the park.

The reality TV star's defense attorney, Jay Surgent, tells TMZ ... Todd tuned in from FPC Pensacola in Florida and came away pretty damn impressed by his daughter's convention appearance ... where she stepped up to the podium as one of the many guest speakers.

We're told Todd believes Savannah spoke well and was focused, not only talking about her incarcerated parents but also advocating against the way our criminal justice system currently operates, particularly on the federal level.

Andy Cohen says everyone's about to find out what he already knows ... Phaedra Parks is doing wonders for the new season of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" upon her return.

We got Andy in New York City and our photog asked him about Phaedra's triumphant return and Kenya Moore's messy exit -- and he's quite the hype man, 'cause he makes it sound like we're all in for a helluva treat.

Andy says he's super excited Phaedra is back in the fold for season 16 ... because she makes the show that much better. Unclear what that might translate to in the actual series, but it's a good tease of what's to come for sure.

Mama June's daughter Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird has called it quits with her husband Josh Efird after 6 years of marriage, TMZ has learned.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ, Pumpkin filed for divorce from Josh this week in Wilkinson County, Georgia. The couple share 4 minor children -- Ella, Bentley, and twins Sylus and Stella.

Per the docs, the parties have contractual agreed to have joint custody because they believe it’s in the best interest of their children as their marriage is "irretrievably broken."

Bethenny Frankel is popping off on the notion she's too old to rock a bikini ... by modeling an itty-bitty black two-piece for her millions of followers.

The 53-year-old 'Real Housewives of New York' alum took to Instagram Thursday, where she asked her fans if she should keep one specific bikini -- despite being a woman of a "certain age." Watch the vid, as BF's tone -- and, frankly, fit frame -- made it clear there was only one right answer.

She confidently asked ... "Am I popping tags or am I not popping tags?"

Carrie Underwood’s spilling the tea on what type of "American Idol" judge she'll be ... right after TMZ broke the exciting news earlier this week.

The country star dropped by "Good Morning America" Friday ... telling the hosts she just didn't have it in her to lie -- but don’t expect Simon Cowell-level savagery. She’s all about being nice and giving proper guidance, not being tough just for the sake of it!

Carrie also gushed the whole thing felt like she was coming home -- especially since it'll mark exactly 20 years since she was crowd Season 4 champ when her season airs next spring.

Rachel "Raquel" Leviss has sent her well-wishes to Jax Taylor as he seeks mental health treatment ... but her comments went over like a lead balloon.

Here's what went down ... after TMZ broke the story the reality star was entering treatment to work on his mental health struggles, Rachel went on Instagram and wished Jax a speedy recovery -- hoping he didn't face the same "mockery" she did during her own stint away.

As Rachel put it .... her former "Vanderpump Rules" costar's decision to seek help highlighted "the urgent need for mental healthcare and accessible treatment for reality tv stars."

Robin Antin's new show is putting the real in reality TV ... after 2 members got into a messy catfight over some stupid boy drama.

Check it out ... the crew for "Playground" is enjoying a nice dinner out with The Pussycat Dolls creator, when things get tense between Deanna and Alexis. In the footage -- a peek at episode 9 of the Hulu series -- Deanna learns her coworker hasn't been all that honest about their mutual friend, Tuil ... who Deanna has been getting cozy with.

Thanks to one truth bomb from Madison ... it comes out Alexis went out on a dinner date with Tuil ... though she says she didn't think Deanna would care since she supposedly had already lost interest in him.

Katy Perry’s out at "American Idol" -- and Carrie Underwood is very close to filling in her seat ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Carrie and her team are in the final stages of locking her into a contract to appear on the hit ABC show -- and if all goes smoothly, the former 'Idol' winner will soon join Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie as the new judge.

What's also interesting about this news ... Carrie actually has an appearance scheduled on 'GMA' this upcoming Friday -- for their summer concert series -- but of course ... an official announcement could come that day as well. As you know ... ABC is the parent company.

Former "Bachelor" contestant Hailey Merkt has lost her battle with cancer.

Hailey’s death was announced Tuesday on her Instagram page following her battle with leukemia -- a cancerous disease of the body’s blood forming tissues -- which she publicly revealed she had in 2023.

In the IG post, her loved ones first talked about how they were broken hearted to see her leave them after a courageous fight.

Jax Taylor is taking time for himself and seeking in-patient treatment for mental health struggles -- this amid his ongoing split from his wife Brittany Cartwright ... TMZ has learned.

A rep for "The Valley" star and "Vanderpump Rules" alum tells us … "Jax has always been candid about his mental health struggles, especially during the past few months on his podcast."

They add ... "He has made the decision to seek in-patient treatment. This is a particularly sensitive time for him and his family. They ask for privacy and respect until he is ready to speak more on this matter."

A French drag queen from the 2024 Paris Olympics ceremony is speaking up about the controversy -- telling us the whole point was to showcase France’s LGBTQ+ scene and definitely not to offend anyone.

A rep for the singer and former "Drag Race France" star Piche tells TMZ ... offending anyone or a whole religion was the last thing they were thinking about. They just saw it as a fun, joyous, pop culture moment that most of the planet felt.

That said, Piche, who rocked an extravagant catwalk in the rain during the ceremony, is really happy that queer people were able to be represented in the show.

Alec Baldwin is rolling up his sleeves and getting back to work after his legal win in the "Rust" trial -- he's back in New York shooting his reality TV show, and cameras are rolling.

Check out these photos and video of Alec and his brood filming his upcoming TLC show, "The Baldwins" ... he's in full-on dad mode with his kids at a park in the Hamptons.

Alec's teaching one of his son's how to safely cut vegetables, while his wife Hilaria is supervising one of their daughters as she cooks up a meal on an outdoor grill.

Kristin Cavallari’s clearly got a nose for talent -- 'cause she's putting her younger, hunky boo Mark Estes' good looks to work in her brand new fragrance ad ... and it's pretty damn hot!

The reality vet just launched her first scent, "Hard Feelings," from her Uncommon James lifestyle brand -- and the ad is hotter than the desert sun ... with Mark featured in the quick spot, getting all touchy-feely with her amid the cacti.

Check it out -- Kristin stumbles upon him out in the desert, who promptly sweeps her off her feet ... literally. Other smoldering shots show KC giggling as he wraps her up from behind.

"Survivor: Africa" star Kim Johnson has died ... this according to her family.

The 'Survivor' alum's daughter, Kerry Johnson Tichi confirmed the sad news on Monday, as she shared with People that her mother had passed away. Kerry remembered the reality TV competitor as "the coolest mom and grandmother in the word," but did not share a cause of death.

Kerry added ... "Our mom leaves a legacy of strength, resilience, kindness and generosity. She wore her rose colorized glasses right up until the end ... We will miss her forever."