Booted ‘Big Brother 11′ contestant apologizes

LOS ANGELES — Chima Simone is saying she’s sorry — but not for getting kicked off “Big Brother 11.”

The 33-year-old freelance journalist is apologizing for calling a houseguest of Lebanese descent a terrorist.

Last week, the show depicted Simone, who was kicked off the CBS reality series last Saturday for multiple rule violations that had nothing to do with the name calling, feuding with Lebanese-American mixed martial arts fighter Russell Kairouz.

At one point during the heated exchange, Simone said Kairouz was a “terrorist because you’re terrorizing everybody in the house.” Kairouz retaliated by calling Simone, who is African-American, “the true racist.” Fans watching the live Internet video feeds have reported that harsher words concerning the Sept. 11 attacks were also uttered by Simone.

“I used a phrase that was insensitive given his Middle Eastern descent, and I apologize to all who are justifiably offended with my use of that racially charged term,” Simone wrote in an e-mail to Hollyscoop.com, the celebrity gossip Web site where Simone appeared in videos as a host and red carpet reporter before entering the “Big Brother 11″ house.

This doesn’t mean she’s apologizing to Kairouz.

“Russell constantly demoralized many of us on a consistent basis and his conduct was alarming, daunting and terrifying,” Simone wrote. “Fortunately, for me, I do not have to be subjected to those tirades anymore. I am going on with my life in the real world. I wish the remaining ‘Big Brother’ housemates the best of luck!”

Simone was expelled from “Big Brother 11″ after refusing direct orders from producers to wear a microphone and then tossing it into the backyard’s whirlpool spa. “Big Brother” executive producer Allison Grodner announced to the houseguests that Simone needed to be eliminated from the show for multiple rule violations.

On the Net:

www.hollyscoop.com/