As a seasoned gamer and a connoisseur of all things pop culture, I must say that the rise of pickleball in Hollywood has caught my attention like never before! It’s not every day you see an underdog sport become the new darling of Tinseltown, with stars as diverse as Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, and even Larry David picking up a paddle.
Last Saturday afternoon, approximately 400 fit individuals from Hollywood gathered at Jamie Foxx’s LA residence for a pickleball event. This get-together featured exercise classes led by influencers, swimming, a taco truck, an open bar, and a DJ. As pickleball has evolved from a trend to a popular pastime in recent years, various courts in Los Angeles compete to be the preferred location for playing and socializing. Foxx’s court offers not only excellent gameplay but also the opportunity for Hollywood-style networking.
“According to Taylor Chien, a producer from The Best Paddle, mastering pickleball could introduce you to unexpected individuals. He suggests it as an excellent method for networking; once you step onto the court, opportunities tend to unfold swiftly,” is one possible way of paraphrasing the original statement.
Approximately two years ago, Chien and Foxx launched a company specializing in creating and producing pickleball paddles. (Their premium carbon fiber paddles are sold for $120 on thebestpaddle.com.)
Foxx’s property boasts one of the finest paddle complexes constructed, equipped with no less than three courts. Gaining entry to the invite-only pickleball events hosted by the Academy Award-winning actor can be quite challenging.
“Chien mentions that they receive direct messages from individuals wanting to join their larger-scale tournaments. It all began with just 50 attendees, but it has since expanded to accommodate around 400 participants.”
Among the regular attendees, it’s always Matt Manasse who gets invited. Lately, when he entered the playing field, he was given VIP treatment. At 36 years old, this professional pickleball player is often compared to Ryan Seacrest in the sport. From his days as a Purdue tennis player, he has evolved into something of a pickleball sage. Wearing many hats, he serves as a brand ambassador and is frequently called upon to organize tournaments. Furthermore, he’s renowned as the coach of the celebrities. Some of his high-profile clients include Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, and Emma Watson.
According to Manasse, the Jamie Foxx pickleball party isn’t always predictable, but when you receive a message or text about it, you can be sure it’s going to be something extraordinary. It’s that casual event starting at 3 pm that can suddenly turn into a dance-filled night by 11 pm.
Over the past year, more than 50 million Americans have taken part in a popular sport that boasts high-profile celebrity supporters such as Selena Gomez, Leonardo DiCaprio, the Clooneys, Ari Emanuel, and Brian Grazer, as revealed by the Association of Pickleball Players.
As a passionate pickleball enthusiast, I’ve noticed the sport has been making waves in mainstream culture. Recently, McConaughey and his wife, Camila, introduced Pantalones Organic Tequila as the “official tequila of pickleball,” showcasing their love for the game in ads where they played pickleball… without pants! The sport even got a shout-out from Larry David during the last season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, which aired this spring. And Ashley Underwood, David’s spouse and a filmmaker, directed a documentary about pickleball titled “Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story“. In this 90-minute doc (currently in negotiations for distribution), she delves into the rapid growth of the game’s popularity. As she puts it, “We uncovered a story about the birth of a pro sport. It’s a gold rush with an influx of money. There’s celebrity, egos, and personalities vying for the top.”
Currently, a sport that initially found popularity among people over 50 has also been experiencing a surge in interest from younger generations, even those linked to the wealthy and famous. Jamie Grinberg, known for organizing top-notch pickleball events for the youthful demographic, recently organized a 16th birthday party with 60 teenagers for the daughter of a prominent Hollywood executive. Following this event, some well-known real estate agents who specialize in high-end Hollywood properties approached Grinberg about hosting pickleball events at their open houses as a unique way to showcase their luxury listings. The planning for a real estate tournament is currently underway.
Currently, Grinberg’s schedule is jam-packed with private tutoring sessions and pickleball gatherings. “It’s an excellent, hygienic method for children to engage in physical activity and interact,” she explains. “Parents can be present with their kids while also building connections at the same time.”
I came across an intriguing tale featured in the August 21 edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. If you’d like to keep up with such captivating stories, consider subscribing here.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-08-24 20:25