Tell Me Something Good - Famous Htown jeweler has humble roots, Cy-Lakes HS Sumo Wrestler getting national attention

Johnny Dang is famous for his bejeweled 'grills' that he makes for celebrities, but he has an humble story which found him right here in Houston....and a Cy-Lakes HS student is making a huge impact in the world of Sumo Wrestling

Episode Transcript

(00:02):
Tell me something good brought to usby our friends at Goodwill Houston. He
is known as the King of Bling. His name Johnny Dang. But life
wasn't always so easy. This isan inspirational story. He had very humble
beginnings in Vietnam. He recalls verytough times for his family, his country.

(00:24):
He says his dad was a soldierin the South Vietnam Army. He
escaped prison, made it to theUS on a small, crowded boat.
Can you even imagine the stories thatman must have to tell? Anyway,
So Johnny arrives in Houston years later, the year nineteen ninety six. He
was twenty three years old. Heworked with his brother at a flea market,

(00:47):
making thirty five dollars a day.He had a background already in jewelry
and that's how he was making hismoney. So he meets a DJ named
Paul Wall. The two collaborate.Haul lets him promote his product, best
known product, his grills, andthen enter a dentist who led him maid

(01:07):
make a custom crown with a diamondin it. That's how he started.
I mean, it's a really amazingbeginning. Johnny and Paul worked twenty hours
twenty two hour days and another thingthat kind of made it all work together.
Nellie's song Grills definitely helped with thatsuccess. Oh yeah, crazy story.

(01:29):
You always see the bling, butthere's always that backstory that really history.
Yeah really, producer Anthem, Imean, this is so cool.
There's an athlete from Side Lakes HighSchool who's attracting worldwide attention after bringing home
a national title. Her name isZariah Whittington, and she started off on
her school's wrestling team, but thenquickly realized she actually had an act for

(01:51):
something a little more unique. Sonow, at just sixteen years old,
Zariah is now one of the bestsumo wrestlers in the country. I know.
This high school student dan is nottake down men and women of all
ages has become a full blown tsunami. She made her way to the national
championship, placed top three in fourdifferent events, winning the US Junior lightweight
title, and she's not stopping there. This falls. Zariah is competing in

(02:12):
the World Championship in Japan. Shesaid she's upping her training since she's typically
going up against adult men. Remember, and there's not exactly a big pool.
I'm surprised a big pool of sumowrestlers here in Houston, so keep
an eye out and good luck toZariah Whittington from Side Lakes making a name
for herself and making Houston proud inthe world of sumo. First question,
I'd ask hers, what is motivatingyou to do this? I was gonna

(02:36):
say. I thought you're gonna say, what is she eating next? Exactly?
And your parents? Anyway, youcan always find out tell me something.
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