'Tinder Swindler' Simon Leviev Arrest Warrant Reportedly Issued In Spain ... He Says It's Not Possible

UPDATE

1:06 PM PT -- A rep for Simon tells us, "The Daily Mail story is wrong there was never a pending investigation or anything sent to the address. He paid 100 euros and went on his way."

"The Tinder Swindler" Simon Leviev could be facing serious prison time after an arrest warrant was issued against him for an incident back in 2019, where authorities claim he used a fake driver's license and got his luxury car stuck on a beach in Spain.

Police in Tarifa say they were able to link Leviev to a 2019 accident thanks to the Netflix doc, according to The Daily Mail. Cops say after getting his $100K Maserati stuck on the beach, Leviev offered up a fake ID, with the name Michael Bilton -- one of his alleged aliases.

Police apparently realized the connection upon watching the Netflix doc and seeing the name mentioned.

Cops reportedly suspected the license wasn't legit, but no arrests were made at the time ... the rented car was towed away, and he and his unknown date were free to go. He allegedly gave police an address in Costa del Sol pending an ongoing investigation.

Things apparently came to a halt after "Bilton" failed to answer his summons ... the case is being reopened after cops now think Leviev was the man in question.

Simon Leviev tells TMZ ... he's already served time for using a fake passport in 2019 -- he believes he can't be sentenced for the same crime twice.

Leviev was last seen in Tel Aviv in March ... as we reported, he was recently swindled himself after paying what he thought was a Meta employee more than $6K to get his Instagram account verified. It apparently turned out to be a scam.

Abercrombie & Fitch Company Had Racist Way of Defining 'Good Looking' ... Says Netflix Documentary Producer

042122_emmett_mcdermott_kal_v2
QUESTIONABLE QUALIFICATIONS
TMZ.com

Emmet McDermott's documentary -- #1 on Netflix right now -- exposes Abercrombie & Fitch's racist view of beauty, which he says was illegally applied to the company's hiring and firing practices.

Emmet joined us Thursday on TMZ Live to discuss his docufilm, "White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch" ... which features former employees revealing a toxic workplace that emphasized thin, white beautiful people as their vision of "All-American."

We're not just talking about the models -- Emmet says the company would phase out employees who looked "off-brand." He puts it plainly ... if you weren't good-looking or white, you're out.

The company even had a certain way for their employees to look, eliminating things -- certain hairstyles and jewelry -- it deemed to be associated with other, non-white cultures.

Clearly, A&F had crossed some legal lines when it comes to hiring based on race ... and it's made efforts to turn that around.

The company's current CEO, Fran Horowitz, posted a statement after the doc dropped, saying “We’re focused on inclusivity – and continuing that transformation is our enduring promise to you, our community. Always Forward.”

While Horowitz defended the company, many users made their beliefs clear ... calling the apology "too little, too late."

'Love Is Blind' KYLE ABRAMS & DEEPTI VEMPATI Hint They're Dating

041422_deepti_kyle_LIB_kal
KEEPIN' QUIET
TMZ.com

"Love Is Blind" stars Kyle Abrams and Deepti Vempati are being coy on whether they're dating, but there are plenty of breadcrumbs in this video suggesting that is indeed the case.

Deepti and Kyle hit up Craig's in WeHo Wednesday night, and our photog zeroed in and asked if they were dating. Check out Kyle's reaction, both visual and verbal. When someone asks 2 people if they're dating and they're not, would they really say "great question?"

And, as long as we're on the subject, our photog follows up with a question about the possibility of marriage in their future. Again, if they weren't dating, would they really say ... "We'll see," and "We'll consider it?"

030922_kyle_depti_LIB_kal 3/9/22
SPOTTED IN CHICAGO
@awkvanmills

The two have been spending lots of time together since the show wrapped ... as we reported, Kyle and Deepti hit the streets of Chicago at the beginning of March -- his hand on her back as they entered a restaurant. Again, a clue.

Kyle set up a photoshoot a few weeks later and brought Deepti along for the ride ... the photographer -- who hadn't seen "LIB" -- said they had real chemistry.

While their season ended with each getting engaged to other people, both called it off. Kyle confessed in the reunion episode his biggest regret was not proposing to Deepti.

Well, Kyle, looks like life is full of second chances ...

Frank Langella Being Investigated for Sexual Harassment On Set of Netflix Project

Frank Langella is under investigation for alleged sexual harassment on the set of a Netflix project ... TMZ has learned.

A production source tells us there have been allegations of inappropriate conduct by Langella made within the last couple weeks on the set of the limited series "The Fall of the House of Usher." We're told there's currently an investigation into what happened, but Langella has not been fired or suspended from the series.

As for what exactly happened, a source close to production tells us the 84-year-old actor allegedly made an inappropriate joke that was sexual in nature. Our sources also say in the context of his performance, possibly during rehearsal, he touched the leg of a female costar, and further drew attention to the action when he jokingly said something like "Did you like that?"

The show has been filming in British Columbia, Canada ... we reached out to the local police department who says nothing has been reported to them involving Frank.

Our sources say the investigation has not had any immediate effect on production, as Frank -- who plays Roderick Usher in the series -- was not scheduled to shoot any scenes this week.

Langella found massive fame as Dracula in 1979 and more recently played the judge in Netflix's "The Trial of the Chicago 7."

We reached out to a rep for Frank ... so far, no word back.

A Netflix spokesperson tells TMZ, "We do not comment on active employment matters."

Joe Exotic Pens Letter To Big Ben From Prison ... Can I Get Your Autograph?!?

Ben Roethlisberger spent most of his career beating the Cincinnati Bengals -- but it turns out, The Tiger King is still a huge fan!!!

TMZ Sports has confirmed ... Joe Exotic has written a letter to Big Ben from prison, asking the Pittsburgh Steelers star for his autograph.

Exotic's lawyer, John M. Phillips, tells us the 59-year-old penned the note just recently.

In his letter, Exotic told the future Hall of Famer that he needed a signature from Ben so he could gift it to his stepson for a birthday present.

"I promised him an autographed jersey by you because he thinks you are the s*** and he holds you on a pretty big pedestal," said Joe, who's been in prison since 2019 after he allegedly tried to hire men to kill his rival, Carole Baskin.

"There is one on eBay, but I don't have the $600 to buy it for his birthday. My fans helped get everything else he wanted. I'm just missing your jersey."

Joe ended his note by pleading for Ben to honor his request -- saying, "Can you help a man out that is fighting for his own freedom? Every kid needs a hero and you are his!"

No word if Ben has any idea who Joe is or if he's received the note yet -- but the guy does have a lot of free time on his hands now that he's retired. So, binge-watch 'Tiger King' and send that auto out soon?

'Selling Sunset' Chelsea Lazkani We Need More Black Women As Realtors ... Hope I'm Role Model!!!

040622_chelsea_lazkani_kal
CHANGING THE GAME
TMZ.com

Chelsea Lazkani says she wanted to be the first Black realtor on "Selling Sunset" because she doesn't see enough women who look like her selling luxury homes in Los Angeles.

We got the newest cast member from the hit Netflix show outside The Oppenheim Group in WeHo ... and asked her about being the only Black woman in a predominantly white cast.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

Chelsea says she wanted to join the show to be a role model for other Black women, whom she says are underrepresented in luxury real estate in L.A. She's comfortable being the trailblazer and hopes to encourage others to make the industry more diverse.

Folks could do a lot worse than Chelsea in the role model department ... she's worked successfully in real estate for 5 years.

The way Chelsea sees it ... it only takes one person to get their foot in the door and show others they can be successful in a world where not everyone looks like them.

Fun fact, they don't talk about it on the show, but there is one person of color -- Amanza Smith is half black.

Check out the clip ... sounds like Jason Oppenheim made a great hire with Chelsea.

Guess Who This Sassy Gal Turned Into!

Before this girl decked out in pink and flowers turned into a child actress and singer, she was just a southern gal brightening up the world with her two older siblings.

This little flower girl skyrocketed to fame when she landed a starring role on a Nickelodeon show centered around Pacific Coast Academy. After taking a hiatus from the entertainment industry, she recently jumped back into the swing of things, as she released a book, a country music album and even stepped back into acting.

Still not too sure who this young, blonde lady could be? You can catch her in Netflix's "Sweet Magnolias."

Can you guess who she is?

Will Smith Films Reportedly Paused by Studios ... In Wake of Oscars Slap

Will Smith tried cleaning up his Oscars moment, but it may not be enough for some studios who've got projects planned with him ... as his career seems to be getting halted, for now.

THR reports that at least a couple films of his (as an actor) that were supposed to be in the works are, for the time being, getting kicked to the back burner at both Netflix and Sony -- with the former quietly pivoting away from firing up production on "Fast and Loose," and the latter hitting pause on getting things going for "Bad Boys 4," per sources cited by the outlet.

ABC 3/27/22
TAKIN' NO DISRESPECT
ABC

For "Fast and Loose," Will is set to play the head of a criminal organization who suffers memory loss and has to put the pieces of his empire back together. Director David Leitch was originally attached, but he stepped away a week before the Oscars last week ... and Netflix was reportedly scrambling to find a replacement -- that is, until Will hit Chris Rock.

THR says other projects of Will's may also be put on ice, which presumably means other Netflix movies he's been attached to as well -- including "The Council" and "Bright 2."

On the Sony side of things, they've reportedly put production of his next 'Bad Boys' sequel on hold indefinitely too -- this after Will had apparently received 40 pages of the script recently, with the movie chugging along full steam ahead pre-Oscars.

There are other Sony-tied films of his (either as a producer or actor) that might see the same fate -- including a 'Hancock' sequel and a 'Karate Kid' sequel. He's got a production company now ... so beyond just starring in films, he's heavily involved in making them lately.

One film of Will's that's got movie watchers anxiously waiting on is his forthcoming Apple offering "Emancipation" -- which is in the can at this point, and due to be released this year. Apple has yet announce an official release date -- so it's unclear what they're going to do.

The movie has gotten a lot of buzz, and was expected to possibly earn Smith yet another Oscar -- as he plays a runaway slave from a Louisiana plantation, portraying the man who infamously posed for a photo in which he shows off the many scars on his back.

Again, no word on what Apple will do in light of everything -- but if they do release the flick and it's as good as they say, Will can still be nominated and even attend future Oscars ceremonies ... the only thing he can't do going forward is vote for others, a la his resignation.

Mo'Nique Buries the Hatchet with Lee Daniels ... Team Up for New Flick!!!

As the Will Smith-Chris Rock feud simmers down, so too has another long-standing beef in Hollywood -- namely, the one between Mo'Nique and Lee Daniels ... which is awesome.

The two stars officially buried the hatchet Friday night at the Mo'Nique's comedy show in Staten Island, where she brought out Daniels as a surprise guest ... and even more surprising tender moment between them, where they put their problems to bed, at long last.

Somebody filmed a portion of their reconciliation on stage, and LD uttered moving words ... "I am so sorry for hurting you in any way that I did," which made Mo'Nique tear up.

Daniels went on to say that they were best friends before their very public falling out -- and that them working on "Precious" together, for which Mo'Nique won an Oscar, was God working through them ... while also saying they were going to do it again, before embracing.

BTW, he's not kidding there -- Mo'Nique was cast to replace Octavia Spencer in Daniels' new Netflix film "Demon House" ... so it would seem her problems with them are also resolved.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

Both Lee and Mo'Nique also posted the same photo of them hugging and kissing backstage, with each of them saying that no caption was needed -- and that it was all love now.

Unclear what exactly precipitated this come-to-Jesus moment, but all we can say is ... thank goodness, because their fight has been one of the ugliest back and forths in Hollywood in a very long time -- and it's absolutely fantastic to see they've set their differences aside.

A refresher ... this started in the aftermath of "Precious" winning big at the Oscars in 2010, with Mo'Nique claiming Lee, Oprah and Tyler Perry bad-mouthed her, allegedly saying she was difficult ... this after she refused to do extra press for the flick without more compensation.

051517_monique_kal
WE'RE NOT HIDING
TMZ.com

In light of that, Mo'Nique firmly believed it got her blackballed from the biz. Now, we've spoken to Mo'Nique at length about this throughout the years, and she not only doubled down ... but tripled down time and again about what she thought had happened.

Lee himself refuted her characterization in very strong terms -- saying it was she who blackballed herself for the nonstop finger-pointing. Even Steve Harvey echoed that.

062918_lee_daniels_monique_kal
BE GRATEFUL AND SHUT UP!
TMZ.com

Like we said ... really venomous stuff. Which is why it's so great to see they've mended fences and are now teaming up again for what sounds like an awesome movie.

Freaky too. 'DH' is a horror-thriller, about a family that claims they're the victims of a possessed house/entity -- with Mo'Nique set to play the lead role, a social worker who helps these folks get through the torment. It's totally star-studded too ... so, should be good.

Joe Exotic I Want To Marry My Prison Lover ... Reason for Divorcing Dillon

Joe Exotic is explaining why he finally filed for divorce from husband Dillon Passage ... he wants to get hitched to a new guy he met behind bars!!!

The Netflix star's lawyer, Autumn Blackledge, tells TMZ ... Joe's new love interest is a man named John Graham, and the prison romance is the reason Exotic recently filed divorce docs from jail.

Joe sums it up this way ... "God works in amazing ways." Yes, He does.

As we first told you ... Joe and Dillon were estranged for more than a year before Exotic filed for divorce, and Dillon's already got a new man in his life too.

Joe's attorney tells us he met John in February 2021 when they were both locked up at FMC Fort Worth in Texas ... and even though John's since been released from custody, it seems he's had a lasting impact on Joe.

According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, John was in prison for burglary and possession of a firearm. He was sentenced in 2012 to more than 12 years in prison, although prison records show he was released March 15 of this year.

Joe married Dillon on Dec. 11, 2017 ... only 2 months after Exotic's previous husband, Travis Maldonado, died after accidentally shooting himself.

Now, Joe's got his eye on his third marriage.

'Love Is Blind' Kyle Abrams & Deepti Vempati Together Once Again ... Snappin' Some Pics!!!

"Love Is Blind" stars Kyle Abrams and Deepti Vempati are spending time together once again ... posing in a joint photo shoot!

Portrait photographer Josh Beaton tells TMZ ... Kyle reached out to him online a few weeks back, wanting to do a shoot. Kyle followed up, asking if he could bring Deepti as well.

The photos -- taken earlier this week -- were meant to play off masculine stereotypes, putting Kyle in a dress with some earrings. Josh -- who hasn't seen "LIB" -- said Kyle and Deepti didn't do anything romantic, but there was real chemistry. They arrived together but took photos separately.

Of course, Kyle inviting Deepti further fuels relationship rumors ... as we reported, the two were walking the streets of Wicker Park in Chicago a few weeks ago, following their reunion episode.

030922_kyle_depti_LIB_kal 3/9/22
SPOTTED IN CHICAGO
@awkvanmills

As they walked into a restaurant, Kyle briefly put his hand on her back ... it's not a lock, but it's a sign for sure.

While their season ended with each getting engaged to other people, both called off their weddings -- with Deepti taking a hard pass at the alter. The reunion episode revealed Kyle's biggest regret was not proposing to Deepti.

Come on, guys ... love may be blind but it sure ain't dumb!

Max Verstappen Slams Netflix F1 Show ... Makes Lando Norris Look Like a 'D***'

Formula 1 superstar Max Verstappen is teeing off on Netflix's popular 'Drive to Survive' series ... saying the show unfairly makes fellow driver Lando Norris look like a "d***."

Many of the sport's biggest names have been critical of the series in recent weeks ... with producers getting called out for starting fake drama and taking comments out of context to stir the pot.

The Red Bull driver has avoided speaking with Netflix cams for several seasons ... and went in-depth this week about why he continues to take issue with the show in the 4th installment of the show.

"For me personally, what I didn't like -- and it isn't even about me -- it's about Lando and Daniel (Ricciardo), which I think are two great guys and are really nice, first of all, and it made it look like Lando was a bit of a d*** ... which he isn't at all," the 2021 champ said this week, according to WTF1.

Verstappen says new F1 fans who watch the show will get the wrong impression of the McLaren driver ... and he thinks that's completely unfair, as he knows Lando to be a good guy.

Verstappen claims the same thing happened to him in the early seasons ... saying, "You just immediately get a wrong picture of a good person, and that is exactly what I think happened to me in the beginning, and then I think I am someone that when you ruin it from the start, you don't fix it. That's it. you ruined it."

MV also spoke about the show with reporters ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Friday ... comparing the show to "Keeping up with the Kardashians" -- and not in a good way.

As for Verstappen's appearances in the show, he says he was surprised to see himself featured so much, considering he's declined interviews for years.

"It's probably stuff from 2018 or something they picked up and used again, [talking about] fighting and what I like to do, but that already, of course, is not correct. I could hear it in my voice. It was a bit different."

Netflix has previously opened up about wanting to sit down with the drivers to fix the problem moving forward ... but Verstappen seems over it.

Bob Saget Comedy Store Memorial Coming to Netflix ... With Rock, Carrey & Mayer

Bob Saget's fans will finally be able to see the touching, and sometimes hilarious, tribute his close friends put together for him -- and the list of celebs who memorialized him is seriously impressive.

Mike Binder, one of Bob's best friends, was the brains behind January's event at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood, and he says it's coming to Netflix in June.

032422_mike_binder_kal_1
JIM'S BACK JOKIN'
Dystopia Tonight! with John Poveromo

Mike made the announcement on the Dystopia Tonight! with John Poveromo podcast, and says he hooked Netflix when he showed a video of the star-studded event to the platform's head of comedy.

It's pretty easy to see why they decided to buy it as a stand-alone special. Mike shared one clip featuring Jim Carrey, Chris Rock, John Stamos, Jeff Ross and John Mayer.

032422_mike_binder_clip_kal_1
SNEAK PEEK
Dystopia Tonight! with John Poveromo

The guys were jamming a bluesy tribute, and you gotta see the punchline Rock dropped!

There were only a limited number of Comedy Store tickets made available to the public, so very few fans have seen this ... another reason Netflix locked it up.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

Mike says Carrey's appearance, in particular, is pretty special because these days he frequents The Store ... but usually just hangs backstage.

He says the special will even have a big Hollywood premiere at the Netflix Is a Joke Comedy Festival.

'Bad Vegan' Sarma Melngailis Chef Matthew Kenney Supports New Restaurant ... Everyone Deserves 2nd Chance!

Sarma Melngailis, known as the "Bad Vegan" from the popular Netflix docuseries, is open to starting a new restaurant after she was convicted of stealing millions from her last one ... and her ex thinks she should go for it!

Chef Matthew Kenney wasn't just dating Sarma back in the early 2000s, they went into biz together, opening Pure Food and Wine. As "Bad Vegan" viewers know ... their relationship went south, and Matthew got bumped out of their restaurant venture.

Despite that, a rep for Matthew tells TMZ … he believes in second chances and wishes Sarma the best. If opening another restaurant is what she wants, he thinks she should pursue it.

Matthew hasn't seen the new series yet, despite being featured on it -- but it doesn't appear there's any bad blood between Sarma and her ex.

We're told Matthew spoke to her a few years ago, and actually wrote a letter in support of her.

ICYMI ... Sarma and Matthew opened Pure Food and Wine in 2004, but when they split up the next year, they asked investor Jeffrey Chodorow to choose which one to stay on board, and Sarma was picked.

SPOILER ALERT ... 'cause this is where "Bad Vegan" takes a real bizarre turn!!!

Sarma met Anthony Strangis through mutual friend Alec Baldwin in 2011, then tied the knot a year later. Anthony allegedly promised Sarma immortality for herself and her dog, but required large sums of money from her to prove she was worthy.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

In the end, both were convicted for stealing nearly $2 million from the restaurant.

Restaurant employees protested outside the joint over unpaid wages, and the couple went on the run.

Gotta love how they got caught, though -- police got tipped off after Sarma and Anthony ordered chicken wings and pizza from Domino's in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Sarma served 4 months at Rikers Island, and was released in October 2017 with an additional 5 years of probation. In 2018, she filed for divorce from Anthony shortly after her release.

As for the immortality? Sarma and the dog are still alive.

Peyton List & Jacob Bertrand 'Cobra Kai' Stars Are Dating ... The Rumors Were True!!!

032222_peyton_list_jacob_bertrand_kal
NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT
TMZ.com

Peyton List and Jacob Bertrand are officially a couple -- TMZ got visual and verbal confirmation -- and neither's worried about the potential consequences of dating a coworker.

We got the "Cobra Kai" stars traveling together Tuesday at LAX, finally confirming their long-rumored relationship ... with Jacob joking we caught them red-handed.

Jacob tells our photog they've actually been seeing each other quietly for some time ... and they don't sound the least bit worried about their romance interfering with the show.

As Jacob put it, this is trial by fire ... but since he's been on the Netflix show longer than his girlfriend, he's not worried about being the one written off the show if things ever go south with Peyton.

He was pretty clearly joking.

And, get this ... Jacob tells us he and Peyton actually go way back. Watch the clip, he gives us the origin story of how they met way back in their teens.

They seem like a pretty fun couple, and Peyton tells us why she could kick her boyfriend's butt if they ever put their karate skills to the test.

'Love is Blind 2' 2 Couples Legally Married Since June ... Not Just For Cameras

The 'Love Is Blind 2' couples who got married in the season finale didn't just get together for the TV cameras ... they actually did it all legal and stuff.

Jarrette Jones and Iyanna McNeely, and Nick Thompson and Danielle Ruhl, all said "I do" on the show. But, the reality of reality TV is some things are just for show, though that's not quite the case in this instance. We checked with the Cook County Court in Illinois, and a rep tells us they have legit marriage records for BOTH couples.

Jarrette and Iyanna tied the knot on June 7, 2021 in Homewood, IL ... and the very next day they were followed by Nick and Danielle. Those couplings were, physically at least, shots in the dark, because they hadn't seen each other ... so, we know what you're thinking.

We also checked for divorce docs, and came up with zip.

As rabid "Love is Blind" fans surely know by now ... Jarrette, Iyanna, Nick and Danielle were the only couples who agreed to marriage when the show's second season wrapped up.

There's also been a reunion show, which made it look like both couples were still going strong in their relationships, and now we've got the receipts.

Mazel tov!!! Twice.