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An "American Idol" contestant got an earful from the show ... and now he's suing because the show screwed up his hearing so much it all but ruined his music career.

Michael Simeon claims he was fitted for an earpiece during his 2014 stint on the show and it caused him immediate, excruciating pain. When he pleaded for the audiologist to remove it, Simeon claims she yanked it out of his ear with such ferocity, it took out a portion of his eardrum.

To add insult to literal injury, Simeon says he was writhing in pain and all producers did was send him to a room where he sat for 5 agonizing hours.

Simeon says he was treated for tympanoplasty and hasn't performed at nearly the same level ever since. He finished in the top 24 that year of season 14.

He doesn't say how much he wants, but he's clearly gunning for a lot.

Lamar Odom has checked himself into a rehab facility ... TMZ has confirmed.

Lamar is getting treatment in the San Diego area, and made the decision to go on his own ... according to a source close to the former NBA star. We're told he's been there for 4 days, and will remain there for an extended stay.

In the last year, we've seen Odom drinking at bars -- most notably on Easter weekend -- despite his hardcore addiction, and near fatal OD a year ago. Earlier this month, he was at Delilah in West Hollywood, although we don't know if he was drinking there.

Khloe Kardashian convinced him to enter treatment once before, in August 2012, but he only stayed for 3 weeks.

We broke the story ... a judge has finally signed off on Lamar and Khloe's divorce, and they'll officially be single on December 17.

E! first reported Lamar's rehab stint.

Amber Heard is speaking out about domestic violence in a letter describing the pain victims go through, and in the process ... she might be walking a thin line with Johnny Depp's lawyers.

Amber wrote a letter for the December issue of the fashion magazine Porter. She never mentions Johnny Depp, but it's not hard to connect the dots when she writes, "I never felt anyone would or could rescue me, so naturally I resented the label of victim."

Amber did a similar thing last month when she sat down for a PSA on domestic abuse. The issue is her divorce settlement includes a confidentiality clause prohibiting her from talking about Johnny.

As we reported, he's agreed to pay her $6.8 mil, and Amber says she'll donate the money to charities. The deal could be off if Depp's team thinks she's in violation.

Kanye West's road to recovery now includes a cross-country flight -- he's feeling healthy enough to travel all the way to NYC for some business meetings.

We got Pablo out in NYC, and there are no apparent lingering aftereffects of his recent breakdown. He's not all that talkative in public yet, but he's been seen at several different spots around the city ... including his recording studio.

As we reported, 'Ye's been working on new music since he got home from the hospital.

This trip looks to be another sign of Kanye's newfound stability.

6:25 AM PT -- A rep for Nestle USA tells TMZ, "The allegations are baseless and we will vigorously defend ourselves. All Nestle products and labels comply with FDA and USDA regulations."

Lean Cuisine has always touted itself as the healthy alternative ... which is why some incredulous consumers have sued the diet giant, claiming its food fare is filled with preservatives.

Courtney Ross filed a class action suit against Nestle, which manufactures Lean Cuisine frozen dinners, claiming she went to a CVS in NYC and bought the Four Cheese Pizza, paying what she claims is a premium for a preservative-free meal.

Ross says to her chagrin, she checked the label and saw the pie contained citric acid, designed to preserve flavor and freshness. She says other companies fess up when they use citric acid, acknowledging it's a preservative. She mentions Hungry Man, Jimmy Dean and DiGiorno.

And Ross then unleashes a litany of Lean Cuisine meals which contains citric acid, including Asian-Style Pot Stickers, Shrimp Alfredo, Mushroom Mezzaluna Ravioli and Ranchero Braised Beef.

A woman claiming to be Katt Williams' ex now wants a judge to 86 all record of what she considers a legal union, but Katt insists there's nothing to wipe clean.

Eboni Gray filed to annul her alleged domestic partnership with Katt. She claims they were together, in the eyes of the law, from 2010 to 2011. In the docs, she asks for spousal support, which is odd since annulments don't typically end up with either party getting money.

It's like asking the court to declare nothing ever happened, but still demanding money for the thing that never happened. Makes no sense.

Eboni says she wants the annulment because Katt was of "unsound mind" while they were together -- but a source close to Katt tells us she's the one off her rocker. We're told Eboni worked for Katt during his comedy tour back then, but only for one week.

Kanye West is a great actor who fooled everyone into thinking he was melting down, at least according to Rick Ross, who's giving 'Ye props for pulling off a stunt -- but trust us, it's no stunt.

During a NY appearance Sunday night, Rick said Kanye's an absolute "genius" for playing everyone out the way he did. Ross is tight with Kanye, so you might think he's preaching the gospel here.

Truth is though, Kanye really was fighting deep paranoia during his 8 day stay in a hospital. We know from multiple sources ... this was no stunt.

Erin Andrews is officially engaged -- she told us so -- and has the bling on her finger to prove it too.

We got Erin at LAX ... she just got back from watching the Packers beat down the Seahawks in Green Bay, and she's finally confirmed she's getting hitched to NHL free agent Jarret Stoll.

Erin played it coy when it comes to wedding day plans, but at least we have more details than emojis can provide ... like who she wants to cater the event.

#ErinRunsOnDunkin

So much for that 2 year extension ... the 4-9 Rams have fired head coach Jeff Fisher, announcing the decision via the team's Twitter account moments ago.

So, this is either the hottest group of women to ever vacation together, or we can all expect the hottest photo shoot or video to be released soon.

Models Elsa Hosk, Emily Ratajkowski, Bella Hadid, Lais Ribeiro, Gizele Oliveira, Rose Bertram, Hailey Baldwin and Alessandra Ambrosio were all hanging out on Norman's Cay in the Bahamas ... but it's unclear whether the trip is for business or pleasure.

Tarek and Christina El Moussa will still have to grin and bear seeing each other's faces after their separation -- HGTV's decided to keep shooting "Flip or Flop" with both of them.

TMZ broke the story ... the El Moussas separated after a bizarre incident earlier this year where Tarek bolted from their house with a gun, and Christina feared he was going to kill himself.

Producers must think the tension will make for a better show. HGTV tells us they "will continue production as scheduled" when it comes time to shoot season 8 of the reality show.

Sources close to production tell us the plan is keep showing them working together but, admittedly, no one knows if it's going to work. Season 7 is currently airing.

It's unclear if any of the drama leading up to their split will be featured on the show.

Here's a 48-year-old Hugh Jackman flashing a thumbs-up in a biker-inspired black jacket and a pair of upsetting sideburns over the weekend (left) ... and Henry Winkler posing as his iconic jukebox-punching "Happy Days" character, Arthur 'Fonzie' Fonzarelli, back in the '70s (right).

Both of these looks have jumped the shark.

Patriots' star receiver Julian Edelman dropped the ball when it came to his brand new daughter's birth certificate.

TMZ Sports has obtained a copy of Lily's birth certificate which lists her full name -- Lily Rose Mary Edelman, and model Ella Rose's name is in the "Mother" box. The "Father" box is blank.

Seems weird since Julian already posted a proud papa shot -- and Ella always maintained he's the dad, even when he wasn't admitting it.

We did some checking and the explanation is simple. When the parents aren't married, they both have to be present when their names are put on the certificate. Julian was already on a flight back to Boston when it was submitted.

Irina Shayk's employing the oldest trick in the book -- super baggy sweaters -- to conceal what's widely believed to be the baby in her belly, but her mouth is blowing the secret.

Irina was out Sunday in L.A. with BF Bradley Cooper's mom and couldn't resist sucking down an ice cream cone during a grocery run. Cravings much?

She and Bradley have been tight-lipped about the pregnancy rumors, but frozen desserts -- on a chilly day in L.A. -- and this profile shot kinda tell the story, no?

One thing's for sure ... it's gonna be a really, really, really good-looking baby.