Kim Kardashian Trainer Defends 16 Lb Weight Loss ... She Did It The Healthy Way

Kim Kardashian busted her ass to lose 16 pounds for The Met Gala, and anyone accusing her of doing it in an unhealthy manner just doesn't get it ... so says her longtime trainer.

We got DON-A-MATRIX out in L.A. Wednesday who says Kim dropped some serious lbs the old-fashioned way ... hard work and dieting. Don was with Kim through the three-week process, and says at no point did she "starve" herself.

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Not only that, Don says Kim was an animal in the gym -- working out 2 times a day -- and sticking to a well-balanced diet.

He says Kim's not his only client who lost a lot of weight in a short period of time ... other clients have lost even more -- the key is exercise and healthy eating.

TMZ broke the story, when Kim first tried on Marilyn Monroe's "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" dress back in March, it didn't fit, and The Ripley's Museum actually rejected her request to borrow the dress for the Met Gala.

Kim Kardashian Had Trouble Squeezing Into Marilyn Monroe Dress
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Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Determined, Kim dropped the weight, and came back a few weeks later -- and the dress fit, and Ripley's was down with the Met.

Not everyone was impressed, however, by Kim's weight loss -- "Riverdale" star Lili Reinhart slammed her, saying, "To walk on a red carpet and do an interview where you say how starving you are ... because you haven't eaten carbs in the last month ... all to fit in a f*****g dress?" She continued, "Please stop supporting these stupid, harmful celebrities whose entire image revolves around their bodies."

Kim Kardashian Museum First Denied Her Using Monroe Dress Came Back After Losing Lbs

Believe it or not, Kim Kardashian was first told she couldn't wear Marilyn Monroe's iconic dress to the Met Gala ... but the museum holding the piece had a change of heart after Kim put in the work.

A spokesperson for Ripley's tells TMZ ... Kim's team reached out a few months ago after doing some research about the dress.

They met in March for a fitting but it didn't go well -- both Kim and the Ripley reps weren't happy with how it fit her, and the museum denied its use. Remember, the dress is 60 years old so the fabric and seams needed to be handled gently.

Determined to make it work, we're told Kim came back to Ripleys a month later, after shedding some weight -- a reported 16 pounds -- and it was a better fit.

As for the Met Gala carpet, Kim wore the actual dress to walk and take photos, but then changed into a replica for the actual event inside -- and returned the OG to Ripley's.

You might think Ripley's would've requested a rental fee ... but we're told instead, Kim's making 2 donations to orgs in the Orlando area on the museum's behalf.

The dress is going back on display starting Memorial Day, this time at the Ripley's in Hollywood, CA ... along with other accessories she paired with it at the Gala.

Kim Kardashian She Just Couldn't Zip It!!! Problems Squeezing Into Marilyn Dress

Kim Kardashian Had Trouble Squeezing Into Marilyn Monroe Dress
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Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Kim Kardashian rocked Marilyn Monroe's iconic dress at the Met Gala ... but, the struggle was real, when it came to actually getting into the iconic garment.

Kim and her boo, Pete Davidson, hit up Ripley's in Orlando 10 days before the NYC shindig ... and it was a whole process getting it to properly fit.

Check it out ... it takes several minutes and all hands on deck to help her get MM's "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" dress over her butt.

It's funny ... at first, Pete chats with her from the sidelines, before jumping in to help ... imploring her to relax and breathe.

The basic problem -- the dress wouldn't zip over her butt, and she couldn't alter it. So, the solution ... a white, vintage fur coat that draped over the zipper which was only partially fastened.

Here's the thing ... Kim wore the real MM dress on the red carpet, but then scurried away into a room to change into a replica dress that fit a lot better, and that's what she wore during the event.

BTW ... the real dress apparently was never cleaned after Marilyn wore it ... hence some dirt marks at the very bottom of the dress.

Ripley's gifted Kim a jar of Marilyn's hair, and in the video she says she's gonna sleep with it every night, adding, "Sorry Pete!" Pete laughed out loud ... clearly not threatened!

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As for the dress ...  Ripley's bought it from Julien's Auctions back in 2016 for $4.81 million ... and that's a record.

Kylie Jenner I Gained 60 and Lost 40 ... Candid About Post-Pregnancy Struggles

Kylie Jenner has been something of an open book about her post-pregnancy the second time around, revealing her mental struggles and now her weight.

Kylie says she gained 60 lbs during her recent pregnancy and is not going crazy to lose the weight. She says she's taking her time and has already dropped 40 lbs.

As for how she's doing it ... walking and pilates seem to be doing the trick.

Kylie posted, "Gained 60lbs again this pregnancy." She's essentially saying that's what she gained the first time around with Stormi, but in 2018 she had posted she gained 40 lbs, so the "again" comment is a bit confusing.

Kylie has said she struggled hard with postpartum since the February birth, both mentally and physically ... "I just want to say to my postpartum moms that postpartum has not been easy. It's not been easy, it's very hard, This experience for me, personally, has been a little harder than with my daughter."

She went on ... "It's not easy mentally, physically, spiritually ... it's just crazy. I didn't want to just get back to life without saying that because I think we can look on the Internet and for other moms going through it right now, we can go on the Internet and it might look a lot easier for other people and, like, the pressure on us, but it hasn't been easy for me."

She's now back on the treadmill and seems at least on the surface to be in a better headspace, but she's making it clear ... it's been tough.

BTW ... we still don't know the name of Kylie and Travis Scott's son ... they named him Wolf at birth, but decided fairly quickly it just didn't fit so they 86'd it. They haven't revealed the kid's new John Hancock.

Questlove Action Bronson May Have Delivered His Best Album I'm 'Mind Blown!!!'

Questlove is fresh off his first Oscar for his "Summer Of Soul" documentary, and it sounds like he wants to hand Action Bronson some hardware too ... for his latest album.

As new music releases flooded social media and DSPs Friday, The Roots' drummer, Oscar winner and, let's not forget, all-around hip hop genius ... found his favorite in Action's "Cocodrillo Turbo," and gave it a glowing endorsement on Twitter.

The 10-song project is a fluid offering, finding the colorful New York-bred MC rummaging through his traditional rap bag over production from Griselda's Daringer ... with features from Conway The Machine, Roc Marciano and Meyhem Lauren.

While Quest digs the record, some Twitter mob critics think it lacks hooks, and it's "filled with random phrases that have no meaning and Italian food references over weird jazz beats."

Can't please 'em all, right?

But, AB's loyal fans point out he's been improving his life aura ... chopping down his once familiar 400-pound frame by 160 pounds and even altering his eating habits on his popular show, "F**k, That's Delicious."

As for that album title -- it's Latin for crocodile -- the proud Sagittarian says it's inspired by his time in the water, and he delved into his reptilian side via a freaky short film to tell another story.

Maybe Questlove should critique this one as well...

Alex Volkanovski Gunning For Lightweight Title ... I'll Fight Gaethje vs. Oliveira Winner

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Alex Volkanovski wants into the UFC's champ-champ club after his latest dominating performance ... telling TMZ Sports he wants to go up a weight class and fight the winner of Justin Gaethje vs. Charles Oliveira.

We talked to 33-year-old Volkanovski -- who was nearly flawless against the "Korean Zombie" Saturday night at UFC 273 -- and asked him, in a perfect world, what and/or who he wanted next, and without hesitation, Volk dropped this news.

"Lightweight title. Lightweight title. The timing works well cause I want to be active this year. [Gaethje and Oliveira are] fighting in a month. Winner of that title fight fights in August or something like that. That's perfect. That sounds like a great idea to me."

FYI, Alex -- who previously played rugby, weighing up to 214 lbs. -- hasn't lost a fight since May 2013 ... and it was at WELTERWEIGHT. In fact, the 5'6" star has even fought at middleweight (185 lbs.)

Point being, 155 lbs. doesn't seem crazy for the man who's held the featherweight crown since December 2019.

Volkanovski's reign at featherweight (145 lbs.) has been nothing short of dominant. Alex beat Max Holloway twice (who many believe is the featherweight G.O.A.T.), Brian Ortega, Chad Mendes, and Jose Aldo, to name just a few.

As for #1 contender, Justin Gaethje, and lightweight champ, Charles Oliveira ... they're fighting at UFC 274 on May 7.

Gaethje is coming off a win against Michael Chandler at UFC 268. Oliveira successfully defended his title against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269.

Champ-champ status is clearly something that's important to Alex ... who's been the 145 lb. champ since

"It's a goal that I'm looking for, that double champ status," Volkanovski says.

"Again, I haven't really been pushing for it. I know I've mentioned it, but I've always mentioned it as in the near future. It's only now that I'm mentioning it as in 'I think it's deserving.'"

Will Dana White give Alex a fight at 155?? And, can he join the exclusive club made up of only Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Henry Cejudo??

Stay tuned!

Jessica Simpson Shows Off In New Bikini Pic ... After Losing 100 Pounds For 3rd Time

Jessica Simpson is lovin' the way she looks ... posting another bikini picture from her vacation in Cabo after she dropped 100 pounds for the 3rd time!

The "Open Book" author posted a mirror pic from what seems to be her hotel room in Cabo San Lucas Monday ... rocking a cheetah print 2-piece for the camera.

She's been living it up with her family in Mexico for spring break, posting photos with her husband Eric Johnson, and their children -- 9-year-old Maxwell, 8-year-old Ace, and 3-year-old Birdie Mae.

As you recall, Jessica revealed her drastic weight loss to her fans Friday ... posting another swimsuit pic and saying she has gained and lost 100 pounds three different times.

It sounds like this one is different because she adds, "I never thought this moment could or would happen" ... Jessica chalked it up to hard work, determination and self-love.

Jessica is now 41 years old, so it's got to be a lot harder to lose 100 pounds now than when she was younger and before her pregnancies.

Jessica Simpson I Lost 100 Pounds For The 3rd Time ... Check Out My Bikini Bod!!!

Jessica Simpson says her weight is seriously fluctuating, and she just lost 100 pounds ... for the third time!!!

The "Open Book" author was an open book about her weight loss journey, posting a bikini selfie of her and explaining how she lost the weight. She has said she works out 3 days a week, and as for her diet ... 3 meals a day that included fiber, protein and a healthy fat source. Sounds pretty simple, and it clearly worked.

Jessica is chalking it up to hard work, determination and self-love... and she says she's ready for spring break now that she's comfortable again wearing a bikini.

It's pretty crazy ... Jessica says she has gained and lost 100 pounds three different times, but it sounds like this one is different because she adds ... "I never thought this moment could or would happen."

Jessica is 41 years old now, so ya gotta imagine it's a lot harder to lose 100 pounds now than when she was younger and before her pregnancies.

Mama June's Ex-BF Geno Drops 70 Pounds in Rehab!!!

Mama June's ex, Geno Doak, seems to be turning his life around, and taking a lot of weight off his shoulders, literally ... cause he's lost around 70 pounds!!!

Geno tells TMZ ... when he and June split up last August he was around 285 lbs. Fast forward 6 months, and he's down to a much slimmer 215 lbs., and he's crediting his time in rehab for the healthy turnaround.

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Geno says the treatment facility he's in has helped him stay on track with getting fit. He tells us the folks there prepare his meals, which also keeps him on a better eating schedule.

As far as eating out and snacking at night, Geno says that's a thing of the past. He says he now eats a lot healthier, cutting out foods like pasta and bread. Instead, he's eating a lot more tuna and chicken.

He's also trying to work out more, but says eating better was the biggest reason for his amazing results.

As we first told you ... Geno checked into rehab last September, after he tried to take his own life by chasing 90 blood pressure pills with lots of booze. After the incident, Mama June actually recommended a rehab center in South Carolina.

It's nice to see Geno turning things around. Since starting treatment, he says he has learned a lot about himself ... and clearly, he's also making changes for the better.

'Blind Side' Quinton Aaron New Year, New Me!!! Drops Nearly 100 lbs

Quinton Aaron, best known for his role in "The Blind Side," has dropped a whopping 100 pounds!!!

Quinton tells TMZ ... he gained quite a bit of weight during the pandemic, binge eating at home and developing a hankering for chocolate ... something he didn't have before the virus hit.

He says he would start his morning by eating 2 jumbo-sized KitKat packs and 2 Reese's packs. If he went out to eat, he would end his meal with a chocolate dessert. He also ate a lot of bread ... sometimes 2 large sandwiches in one sitting.

Quinton tells us ... he wanted to make a change because he has a lot of professional goals with his production company and music.

"I used the new year as a way to get a new me," he says ... and that work paid off! He went from 559 pounds to 462 lbs.

He cut candy bars and bread from his diet. He's eating Cobb salads for lunch and sticking to a keto diet ... along with fasting. He's also been walking and doing stretching exercises.

Now, he says he wants to drop another 64 lbs by May 10 to honor his late mom on her birthday -- which was his weight during "The Blind Side" movie.

His overall goal is to get between 300-325 pounds.

Keep it up!!!

Lance Waldroup 'Moonshiners' Star's Death Caused by Heart Failure, Obesity

Autopsy results are in for Lance Waldroup, the late reality TV star from Discovery's "Moonshiners", and they show his heart gave out ... TMZ has learned.

Lance's official cause of death is listed as congestive heart failure ... according to the autopsy report TMZ obtained. It also shows cardiomyopathy -- which makes it harder for the heart to pump blood -- and morbid obesity (he was 580 lbs.) as contributing factors.

In the docs, the medical examiner notes the famous bootlegger had a history of high blood pressure, suicidal thoughts and was a recovering opioid addict.

Last February, the 30-year-old "Moonshiners" star went outside to smoke, went back inside his home, played video games and was later found unconscious on the bed, by his mom Lynn.

A couple of Suboxone pills -- prescription meds used to treat opioid addiction -- were found in the room, along with crushed white powder. Narcotics are not listed as contributing factors in his death, but the M.E. did find evidence of drug abuse in his body.

Discovery says that Lance will be remembered as an adventurous distiller who was always looking to take his flavorful recipes of moonshine to new heights.

Janet Jackson Claims MJ Bullied Her Over Weight ... Called Her 'Pig, Hog' as Kids

Janet Jackson's revealing a painful aspect of her tight relationship with Michael Jackson -- claiming he brutally taunted her about her weight, and she says it had a lasting impact on her.

Janet opens up about her brother in the upcoming documentary, "Janet," and reportedly says Michael teased her by hurling insults like "pig, horse, slaughter hog'' during their childhood.

That might sound like typical sibling jabs -- she does say they both laughed at the time ... but JJ also says it hurt her deep down.

The 2-part docu-series premieres Friday night on A&E and Lifetime, and shows Janet discussing her weight issues, and much more about Michael -- including the molestation accusations against him and how they impacted her career.

Janet also gets into her marriages and relationships with James DeBarge, Rene Elizondo Jr., Jermaine Dupri and Wissam Al Mana ... the father of her son.

As for Michael's cruel remarks -- according to Daily Mail, Janet says in the doc ... "When you have somebody say you're too heavy, it affects you."

Janet and Michael were famously very close -- she's said Michael and Randy Jackson were the siblings she bonded with most -- but it looks like the "Janet" docuseries is about to reveal a new facet of their relationship.

Drake Muscle Beach ... Not Just an L.A. Thing!!!

Drake's been working out ... and he really wants you to know it.

The rapper posted a series of photos from a recent beachside vacay -- which is full of shots of him shirtless and showing off his toned goods ... abs, pecs, back and arms.

As you can see ... the dude is jacked, looking super chiseled from the back and the front -- alongside a group of buddies, who are obviously keeping up with Drake. Or maybe he's keeping up with them? 🤷🏽‍♂️

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Drizzy captioned the upload with, "The reward for hard work is more work…kno dat." Indeed, it does appear as though Mr. Graham's been hard at work in the gym -- which he also hammered home by posing with a full-body exercise machine, arms up. So, consider it known, Papi!

No word on where exactly or when the photos were taken -- but you gotta imagine it might well have been from his trip to St. Barts for the New Year, where he was partying to celebrate the holiday.

Jetting down to the Caribbean has become a regular pastime for Drake in recent years -- just last year during the summer, he was in Barbados ... where there, too, he was showing off his bod, not to mention the ink featured on it.

2022's off to a good start in OVO world, it seems -- here's to more life, big guy! 💪🏽

Bebe Rexha Struggling Over Weight Gain

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THE HOLIDAYS ARE HARD

Bebe Rexha opened up about her struggle with weight over the holidays, and she's clearly having a hard time, but at the same time offering encouragement to others.

The singer said, “So, it is the holidays and I know we’re all supposed to be, like, merry and like, ‘Yay, it’s the holidays. I think I am the heaviest I have ever been. I weighed myself just now and I don’t feel comfortable sharing the weight ’cause I feel embarrassed.'”

Rexha then went on to say ... “I just feel disgusting, you know, like in my own body.”

She went on to say ... “I don’t feel good in my skin, and when I don’t feel good, I don’t want to post, and that’s really honestly the reason I haven’t been posting in the last year or so as much as I used to.”

Bebe acknowledged her struggle with body image is from “a place of hurt and confusion.”

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In the past she's celebrated her body image, saying she wanted to normalize women who are not wafer-thin. She's blasted body shamers in the past and proudly posted bikini pics, but she's clearly going through it now.

Bebe offered words of encouragement to others who are struggling, sayinig, "To the person who is feeling down this holiday season, you got this and you will get through. Sending you love."

'Spider-Man's Jacob Batalon Loses 112 Pounds!!! ... Shows Off New Look

Jacob Batalon looks and feels like a whole new man after dropping an astounding 112 pounds!!!

The "Spider-Man: No Way Home" star says he knew he had to make a change starting back in 2019, "I felt like I could barely walk upstairs without being out of breath, and this one day I kind of just saw myself without a shirt on and it was just ridiculous ...”

Jacob says COVID-19 and the lockdown that followed really helped him to work on himself, hiring a trainer and hitting the gym 6x a week for hour-and-a-half sessions.

Not only did Jacob hit the gym hard, but he says his girlfriend introduced him to a plant-based diet as well ... and the results have been huge for him.

The 'Spider-Man' star isn't the only one with a recent weight loss story, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo looked nearly unrecognizable after recently revealing all the lbs he dropped.

Kenny Smith Zion Can Fix His Weight Issue ... 'It's Not Hard, Eat Less'

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There's a simple solution for Zion Williamson's reported weight issues ... so says Kenny "The Jet" Smith, who tells TMZ Sports all the Pelicans star needs to do is focus and eat less.

Sounds easy enough, right??

There have been reports that the former #1 overall pick's weight has inflated to north of 300 pounds during the offseason as he battled an injury ... and even Kenny's "Inside The NBA" co-hosts Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley have been joking about the situation.

But, when we spoke with Smith at LAX this week, we got real about Zion ... asking how he can shed the extra pounds and get back to game shape by the time he's back to 100%.

"Every player in their career... they're going to get hurt at some point if you have a long career," Kenny told us. "In that time, you gotta figure out how to stay in shape and stay into a basketball body."

Kenny says he's confident the 21-year-old will figure it out ... and it won't be as hard as people think.

"The easiest part is he'll figure out how to eat less. It's not hard when it's your profession. He puts the hours in to become a great basketball player. He'll figure out those hours he needs to keep his body right."

"It's not hard, just eat less."

We also talked to The Jet about Scottie Pippen's recent comments about Michael Jordan only making "The Last Dance" doc to prove to the youngins that he's still the G.O.A.T over LeBron James ... and he sets Pip straight.

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... and he even takes his shoe off to prove it!!