MMA's Rener Gracie 'Shark Tank' Blew Up My Clothing Brand!
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EXCLUSIVE
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Rener Gracie is MMA royalty -- a member of the legendary Gracie family which created Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
But, he's also a fashion designer -- and he tells TMZ Sports his business went CRAZY a few weeks ago when he made a deal on "Shark Tank."
Rener is the creator of Quikflip -- which started as a hoodie that transforms into a wearable backpack.
The 35-year-old martial artist was a hit on "Shark Tank" -- and ended up making a $500,000 deal with Lori Grenier.
Will the Sharks flip over this business? Find out SUNDAY during our season finale! #SharkTank pic.twitter.com/2zVenwOkUx
@ABCSharkTank
Now, Rener says the exposure from the show has resulted in a MASSIVE sales increase -- and coupled with his new famous and powerful business partner, he's ready to take over.
Check out the clip ... Rener says he's stoked to have found success outside the world of jiu-jitsu ... but don't worry, he ain't slowing down in the fight world any time soon either.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger Security Stops Bike Theft Busts Out Taser!!!
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Breaking News
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Arnold Schwarzenegger made a clean getaway when his bodyguard got into a showdown -- that involved a taser -- with an alleged bicycle thief outside of Gold's Gym.
The bizarre confrontation went down Friday in Venice, CA, just as Arnold was wrapping up his morning pump.
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We're told he was inside the gym when a man with a bandana on his face came up on the rack outside and tried to steal Arnold's gold bike. The Governator had his own private security parked nearby in an SUV keeping an eye on things, and they sprung into action.
One of Arnold's guards busted the potential thief by pulling a Taser on his ass. While they stood a few feet apart, Schwarzenegger swooped in, grabbed his wheels and took off.
We're told the guy eventually left and no cops were involved. Arnold didn't want to file a report.
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Brian France NASCAR's Ex-CEO Pleads Guilty In Drunk Driving Case
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EXCLUSIVE
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Brian France -- the former CEO of NASCAR -- just pled guilty to misdemeanor drunk driving stemming from an August 2018 arrest in the Hamptons ... TMZ Sports has learned.
France, 56, was pulled over on August 5, 2018 in Sag Harbor, NY -- and during the stop, cops say he bombed a field sobriety test and later blew a .18 on the breathalyzer ... more than twice the legal limit.
According to the police report, cops say they also found oxycodone pain pills. To make matters worse, we're told France name-dropped President Trump during the arrest in an effort to skate on the charges.
Now, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office says France has pled guilty to one count of misdemeanor DUI and in exchange, he got 100 hours of community service and must complete an alcohol education course before June 5, 2020.
If he completes the terms of his plea deal, prosecutors will allow France to withdraw his guilty plea and reduce the charge to a traffic violation.
France was originally charged with misdemeanor criminal possession of a controlled substance, aggravated DWI and DWI, and was facing up to a year in jail for each charge.
France was the CEO of NASCAR at the time of the arrest -- a role he held for 15 years -- but took a leave of absence following the incident and later stepped down. Brian's uncle, Jim France, is currently serving as Chairman and CEO of NASCAR.
Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini issued a statement about the case saying, "This case is a reminder for both residents and anyone visiting Suffolk County this summer that it is all of our responsibility to keep our roads safe. It is not acceptable for anyone to be driving while drunk or on drugs in our community."
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R. Kelly Ex Wants Deadline For Child $upport ... Or Else He'll Never Pay!!!
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EXCLUSIVE
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Although R. Kelly's camp has been referring to the unpaid $32k as "interest" ... our sources connected to the case say that's not entirely true.
We're told only $11,500 of that amount is interest, and the rest -- about $20,800 -- is for unpaid child support and educational and healtcare expenses for the children.
Kelly's attorney, Steven Greenberg acknowledges, "Yes, he owes for some some educational and healthcare expenses that aren't documented -- and, I question if they're even true -- and some interest.
He also says Kelly intends to "pay the money whether he agrees with it or not at this point."
R. Kelly is on the hook for another significant child support payment ... and his ex-wife wants to set a firm deadline to get the dough, because she's convinced he'll never pony up otherwise.
According to new legal docs obtained by TMZ ... the disgraced singer's ex-wife, Drea Kelly, is asking the court for a hard and fast deadline for Kelly to pay her the $32k he owes in interest on back child support.
In the docs, Drea claims Kelly is dragging his feet on the payment because the court never imposed a set date for him to cough it up ... and she wants a deadline to be enforced, or else she thinks she'll never see the money.
Remember, Kelly's been required to pay $20,833 per month in child support since January 2009. He fell behind on his payments, to the tune of $161,633, and was arrested and sat in jail until he paid his tab.
But, Drea's still fighting for the interest on that money ... and she wants the court to get involved to force Kelly's hand. Kelly's crisis manager, Darrell Johnson, says they are aware of the pleading and will respond accordingly.
6/6/19
Of course, child support's only one of Kelly's worries nowadays ... he was in a Chicago courthouse Thursday morning, where he pled not guilty on the new round of sexual assault and abuse charges he's facing.
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John Singleton Suspicions Arise Over His Death ... Family Hires P.I.
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EXCLUSIVE
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The hours leading up to John Singleton's hospitalization, which preceded his stroke and eventual death, are unaccounted for ... according to members of his family circle who are digging for answers.
Sources close to the famed filmmaker tell TMZ ... some of the mothers of his children are very suspicious of the events leading up to John checking himself into the hospital in mid-April. As we reported, he had just returned from a trip to Costa Rica at the time.
We're told nobody seems to know how Singleton got to the hospital -- he didn't drive himself, no friends or family are saying they took him, and there are no Uber or Lyft receipts to confirm how he arrived.
Even stranger ... our sources say hospital staff told family members John just sort of appeared out of nowhere in a wheelchair ... and he seemed pretty out of it.
TMZ broke the story ... Singleton was experiencing leg pain when he checked himself in, and then he suffered a massive stroke while hospitalized on April 17. He remained in a coma until his death on April 29 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A.
Our sources say the mothers of John's children believe there's more to the story, and that's why they've hired a private investigator. We're told they want to know what John was doing beforehand, who he was communicating with, and whether someone knew he was in bad shape and could have done something sooner to help him.
Meanwhile, John's family also seems to be on the brink of a nasty legal war.
His mother, Shelia Ward, just filed docs this week to immediately take control of his estate, claiming someone close to him took stuff out of his locked office and his other valuable property is at risk.
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Beyonce C'mon Beyhive, Stop Spewing Hate!!! Publicist Says Do It for Your Queen
Beyonce's publicist is calling for Bey's insanely faithful followers to fall back ... and stop harassing and threatening people like the wife of the Golden State Warriors owner.
Yvette Noel-Schure responded to the Beyhive's hateful Instagram bullying of Nicole Curran by reminding them of better times. Attempting to silence the buzz, she posted a #tbt photo of Bey and Jay-Z from their last tour, and then lectured them about spewing hate in their queen's name.
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Yvette reminded the hive the On the Run II Tour "was a place of joy, unimaginable entertainment from two of the best performers in the world, and a place of love." Nice, calming touch.
Then she went in ... "I know your love runs deep but that love has to be given to every human. It will bring no joy to the person you love so much if you spew hate in her name. We love you."
Jay-Z and Beyoncé are courtside for Game 3 😎 pic.twitter.com/6mmJuN8Odn
@espn
As we reported ... the hounding of Nicole began after a TV camera showed her leaning over Beyonce to talk to Jay-Z. The moment went viral due to the perceived side-eye from Bey.
Curran tried to clear things up and pled for everyone to "help and support each other," but the Beyhive was so relentless she deactivated her Instagram account, saying the barrage of insults and cyberbullying also included death threats.
All this, Curran says, because she was asking Jay what he wanted to drink and leaned closer because she couldn't hear him.
Who knows if the Beyhive will take the hint, but maybe let Jay order his own vodka soda next time. Just in case.
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Adrian Grenier I'm the Leader of World-Saving Trio ... 'Catfish' Nev Disagrees
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EXCLUSIVE
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Adrian Grenier's on a mission to save planet Earth, and he's in very good company ... but he says let's not forget about the unsung heroes making the world a better place too.
We got the actor and environmentalist outside his Museum of Plastic in NYC -- which teaches about the harm plastic bottles wreak in nature and how to go plastic-free -- and asked him about Robert Downey Jr.'s new Footprint Coalition launched to clean up the world.
Grenier's the opposite of cynical -- about Downey Jr.'s plan or human beings in general -- and says it's time to really start trying to change things for the better.
He tells us there are already many anonymous superheroes out doing their part, but he's fine with a celeb being the face of the movement ... whether it be RDJ, Leonardo DiCaprio or, of course ... himself.
As for the hierarchy of that trio of environmental crusaders ... it's up for debate. Adrian's buddy, 'Catfish' star Nev Schulman, has a pretty strong opinion, though. Check out the clip for the rankings.
Also, check out this plastic PSA from Lonely Whale, the organization cofounded by Grenier.
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Wendy Williams Divorce Be Damned ... I'm Still Rocking Huge Diamonds!!!
12:44 PM PT -- Turns out the thing Wendy ISN'T giving up during her divorce is her taste for glam. We've learned that ring on that notorious finger is not her original wedding ring, but some very serious flower bling nonetheless.
Wendy Williams isn't letting an ugly breakup and divorce get in the way of a beautiful, massive diamond ring ... and she's making sure everyone knows it.
Wendy's out on the left coast and Thursday night we got her outside Craig's, where she was having a business dinner. Photogs quickly noticed her gajillion-carat wedding ring -- hard not to, it's blinding -- and asked her about it, point-blank.
Watch the vid ... she doesn't speak much, but she says a lot by blatantly flaunting the ring to cameras.
As you know Wendy filed to divorce Kevin Hunter back in April, shortly after he and his alleged mistress had a baby. It's been a nasty split ... with Kevin getting booted from his job as executive producer on her talk show -- and more recently getting into a fight with their son, Kevin Jr.
Despite all of that, Wendy's continued rocking the rock, on and off TV. Don't read anything into it, though -- our Wendy sources say there's absolutely no reconciliation going down.
Husbands come and go, but y'know what they say about a girl's BFF.
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Irina Shayk Suited to Fly Solo
Irina Shayk is getting the hell outta dodge, and no time like the present ... with all the buzz that she and Bradley Cooper are dunzo.
The supermodel was seen Thursday leaving the L.A. home she shares with Bradley, suitcase in hand, on her way to LAX. It wasn't "I'm moving out" luggage ... just one bag -- and she was pretty smiley for cameras.
So, if they really are breaking up after 4 years together ... Irina's doing a good job of at least looking unfazed by it.
Irina and Bradley started dating in 2015 and they had a baby girl, Lea De Seine, 2 years later.
It's unclear if Irina was intentionally going for a "Ghostbusters" look with her travel ensemble, but -- apologies to Bill Murray -- no one's ever done it better.
Who's she gonna call? That's what Bradley wants to know.
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Dirk Nowitzki I Wanna Be A U.S. Citizen Getting a Green Card!!!
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The Dunking Deutschman is goin' American ... 'cause Dirk Nowitzki has officially started the process to become a U.S. citizen!!!
The recently retired 40-year-old Dallas Mavericks superstar and his Swedish wife, Jessica Olsson, are working on getting their green cards together ... which is the first step in a VERY long process to becoming a citizen.
"So once we accomplish that, then you have to be a green-card holder for, I think, over five years before you can even think about doing that [becoming a U.S. citizen]," Dirk told the Dallas Morning News.
"So we're going to do that and see how it goes. But obviously our [three] kids were born here and they all have U.S. passports and the wifey and I have been on a visa for the last few years. So hopefully that's going to be accomplished soon."
According to the Dept. of Homeland Security, Dirk's right ... he can apply for full citizenship 5 years to the day of obtaining his green card.
Dirk has previously said he won't give up his German citizenship -- the goal is to be a dual-citizen.
"But we're living here [in Dallas]," Nowitzki told DMN ... "This is where life is. We're going to continue to travel a lot in the summers, but once the school year starts, my oldest [daughter Malaika] is going into first grade next year."
Dirk and his wife won't be able to vote or hold a U.S. passport until they become official citizens in 5 years -- but they're not worried.
Until then, Nowitzki will fill his days eating ice cream and chilling with his family.
God bless America!!!
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OG Mouseketeer Dennis Day Badly Decomposed Body Found In Home Cops Previously Searched
Dennis Day -- an original Mouseketeer on "The Mickey Mouse Club" -- was found dead just over 2 months ago but his body was too decomposed for authorities to ID him ... until now.
Day's family confirmed Thursday it was his body cops found in his Phoenix, Oregon home back on April 4 ... which is highly suspicious and mysterious, because cops had previously searched the home and found nothing.
The 76-year-old went missing last July 15, and there was an extensive search, which included combing his home. Police say it's unclear how long the body had been there, or how the body was missed during previous searches. They're not saying if there were signs of foul play. They had not been able to identify the body back in April because the condition of the remains was severely degraded, which rendered DNA and dental records unusable.
Dennis was originally reported missing by his partner of more than 45 years, who lives at a care facility. He says he got worried after Dennis hadn't visited in weeks.
Authorities say Day's family didn't find out about his disappearance until 6 months later when they saw a report on the local news. Adding to the mystery ... his car was found about 200 miles away along the Oregon coast with 2 strangers in the car claiming he'd let them borrow the car.
State police impounded the vehicle and continued investigating for a cause of death.
Dennis was a 12-year-old actor when he first signed on as a Mouseketeer in 1955.
As an original member of the Mouseketeers, he reportedly modeled prospective costumes for Walt Disney and appeared in publicity photos for the TV show. He last appeared on the show in 1957. He tried his hand at theater in NY and was later a drama teacher in California.
Dennis was 76.
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Pittsburgh Pirates Jesus, Batman & Buzz ... Epic Costume Party!
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Breaking News
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Deadpool, Batman, Spider-Man and Jesus all walk onto a plane ...
No, this ain't the start of the next 'Avengers' movie ... it's the Pittsburgh Pirates' epic costume party on Thursday!!!
The Buccos beat the snot out of the Braves in Pittsburgh in the morning ... and to celebrate -- they threw on their best outfits and hit the airport for their road trip to Milwaukee.
The guys really went all out ... MVP candidate Josh Bell made a hell of a Batman, shortstop Cole Tucker really loved his Frozone costume -- and pitcher Richard Rodriguez dressed up as Jesus.
A bunch of the starting pitchers -- including ace Chris Archer -- went with Ninja Turtles ... and catcher Elias Diaz was a stunning plus-sized Power Ranger.
The winner of the day (besides the Pirates, who are now just 4 games back of the Cubs in the NL Central) ... outfielder Gregory Polanco -- who had an Avatar costume complete with a tail!!!!
You know how superstitious baseball players can be ... so do it again tonight????
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Amber Rose Take it From My Man ... Sex During Pregnancy is Fire!!!
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EXCLUSIVE
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Amber Rose's pregnancy is not slowing down her love life, according to the baby's daddy who tells us intercourse is kinda different now ... but it's still hot!!!
We got Amber and her BF, Alexander "AE" Edwards, out on a lunch date in L.A. and our guy just had to ask the burning question all parents-to-be get. No, not the baby's sex, and not potential names. The other one.
Are ya still "getting it in" while pregnant?!?
Amber is not the kiss and tell type, not now anyway, but AE has no shame in his game ... and told us what's going down in their bedroom.
We also got the cute couple's thoughts on Beyonce's epic side-eye at the NBA Finals, and Amber gave us an update on her annual SlutWalk.
But, let's face it, you're probably here for the sex. So, check out the clip -- ya might learn something about the joys of childbirth ... or what leads up to it, anyway.
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Tom Brady Chugs Beer, Flaunts 6 Rings ... at Pats Super Bowl Party
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Tom Brady RAGED Thursday night -- pounding beers, dancing with his teammates and SHOWING OFF HIS 6TH SUPER BOWL RING!!!
The G.O.A.T. -- along with most of his 2018 Patriots teammates -- rolled over to Robert Kraft's mansion on Thursday night for the ring presentation ceremony for winning Super Bowl LIII ... and the party was LIIIT!!!
Even head coach Bill Belichick cracked a smile and flexed a little bit ... showing off his hardware too.
Rob Gronkowski ... you know he turned up -- and the future Hall of Famer was giddy like a kid when he saw the Super Bowl LIII Lombardi Trophy still has that DENT in it from that time he used it for batting practice at Fenway Park!
Josh Gordon was also on hand to get a Super Bowl ring -- despite being suspended for the back end of the season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Before the suspension, Gordon had racked up 40 catches for 720 yards and 3 TDs.
The rings are sick -- each piece contains 422 diamonds, totaling 9.85 carats ... and 20 sapphires representing 20 AFC East Division Championships.
There are also a few sayings engraved into the rings -- including the playoff rally cry," Still Here," and the Patriots team motto, "We Are All Patriots."
Tom and the Patriots famously beat the L.A. Rams 13 to 3 in Super Bowl LIII -- with Julian Edelman winning the Super Bowl MVP award.
As for Robert Kraft, he seemed super happy and unfazed by the other drama in his life ... the ongoing Asian massage parlor prostitution case in Jupiter, Florida.
State prosecutors have appealed the judge's decision to throw out the video evidence in the case ... so it's an uphill battle for officials -- but a great situation for Kraft.
... might as well throw a party at his mansion for that too.
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Princess Love Not Leaving 'L&HH' ... Starring In Show's New Ad Campaign
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EXCLUSIVE
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Princess Love fans rejoice ... Ray J's wife is NOT leaving 'Love & Hip Hop' ... quite the opposite, actually, she's starring in the franchise's biggest ad campaign of the year!!!
Princess raised eyebrows a few weeks ago when, out of the blue, she announced she was leaving the reality show ... but we've learned she's not going anywhere.
Sources close to the famous couple tell TMZ ... Princess had an issue with the show's production schedule and producers, and that's why she threatened to leave 'L&HH' in the dust. In the end, cooler heads prevailed, and now she's front and center in a major show promo.
We've obtained video and photos of Princess Love and Ray J on set for a new crossover ad campaign between VH1, MTV and the upcoming 'Fast & Furious' movie ... and it's pretty awesome.
Princess and Ray J are starring alongside 'Jersey Shore' alums Pauly D and Vinny, who are promoting their new MTV show ... and the ads are gonna make it look like the reality stars are in the new blockbuster.
The couple's manager, David Weintraub, tells TMZ, "Starring in L&HH is a rollercoaster, when you ride that ride, there are days when you want to be in the show and some days you want to quit. Love always prevails and sometimes you just have to shoot it."
VH1 and MTV wanted their BIGGEST stars for the promos, and that's why Ray J and Princess Love were picked. Seems like it was enough to sweeten the pot and keep Princess rocking with 'L&HH.'
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Guess Who This Sweet Schoolgirl Turned Into!!!
This sweetheart schoolgirl rose to the top of the charts with some club-banging singles and rockin' dance moves, and she had a long romantic relationship with one of hip-hop's biggest names ... Diddy.
Born and raised in Connecticut, she started modeling at age 14 and appeared in fashion catalogs for local department stores. Soon, she took up ballet and vocal lessons, and after high school, she moved to New York in search of her big break. That came when she met record producer Ryan Leslie, and not long after she released her debut album.
In addition to successful careers in music, dance and modeling ... she's also appeared in movies.