Paula Deen -- Sobs at First Public Appearance After Racist Scandal (Photos)

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Paula Deen
SOBS at First Public Appearance
After Racist Scandal
Paula Deen was a big butterball of emotion today during her first public appearance since settling the racial discrimination lawsuit that destroyed her career ... and we've got the pics.

Paula appeared in Houston, Texas today for the Metro Cooking and Entertainment Show to mark her return ... and got choked up after receiving a standing ovation when she hit the stage.

The 66-year old chef told the crowd she had been wanting her return to take place in Texas all along ... and was just shedding tears of joy.

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In case you've been living under a rock -- Deen was dropped by tons of sponsors after she admitted to using the n-word during the depo for the lawsuit earlier this year.
The crowd in Texas seems to have forgiven Paula -- so we gotta ask ... Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Lady Gaga's Damaging Secrets -- Hidden From Public Forever

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Lady Gaga's
Damaging Secrets
Hidden From Public Forever
Whatever skeletons are in Lady Gaga's closet will stay there -- after a judge agreed to have sensitive info filed under seal ... info which the pop star says would seriously damage her career.

TMZ broke the story ... Gaga begged the court earlier this year to seal documents in a lawsuit between her former BF/producer Rob Fusari and former friend Wendy Starland ... documents that have not yet been filed but Gaga knows are coming.

Gaga felt the information could harm her ... by exposing details of a financial settlement she made with Fusari YEARS ago, in addition to other sensitive personal info.

A NY judge has sided with Gaga and ordered the docs sealed, pointing out that both Gaga and Rob want the info under wraps.  So it's pretty obvious ... Wendy's the one with the damaging info.

The judge made it clear -- the information could definitely "seriously injure" Gaga.

Kind of makes you wonder what it is, huh?

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