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http://www.blackenterprise.com/business/jay-z-purchase-harvey-weinstein-stake/
Jay-Z may be looking to make an investment in The Weinstein Company (TWC) in the midst of the controversy surrounding the company’s founder Harvey Weinstein, a powerful film producer accused of sexually harassing and assaulting scores of women throughout his three-decade career.
(Image: Wikimedia/Creative Commons)
The New York Times reported last week that the Academy Award-winning producer made sexual advances at multiple women in Hollywood, including high-profile actresses like Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, and Ashley Judd. Some women who rejected his non-consensual advances said that, in turn, he used his clout to sabotage their career. Three women also accused him of rape.
As a result, on October 8, Weinstein was ousted from TWC, a mini-major film studio that he co-founded and co-chaired with his brother Bob. TMZ reports that Jay-Z is interested in purchasing Weinstein’s 23-percent stake in the production company.
In 2016, Jay-Z signed a two-year deal with TWC that includes a first-look deal at film and TV projects. The hip-hop mogul worked with Weinstein to produce Time: The Kalief Browder Story, a six-part documentary that premiered earlier this year. The rap star also has several upcoming projects in the works with TWC, including an adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights; a miniseries about Trayvon Martin; a program exploring American race relations hosted by Jay-Z; and a biopic about comedy legend Richard Pryor.
According to TMZ, Jay-Z would partner with other investors to purchase the stake and he “wants his relationship with the company to continue and grow.”
Fox Business, however, reports that rumors of Jay-Z purchasing Weinstein’s stake are false, according to their sources.
In response to the allegations of sexual assault, Weinstein released an apology, telling the New York Times: “the way I’ve behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologize for it.” He added that he will take a sabbatical and is working with therapists to “deal with this issue head on.”
Jay-Z may be looking to make an investment in The Weinstein Company (TWC) in the midst of the controversy surrounding the company’s founder Harvey Weinstein, a powerful film producer accused of sexually harassing and assaulting scores of women throughout his three-decade career.
(Image: Wikimedia/Creative Commons)
The New York Times reported last week that the Academy Award-winning producer made sexual advances at multiple women in Hollywood, including high-profile actresses like Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, and Ashley Judd. Some women who rejected his non-consensual advances said that, in turn, he used his clout to sabotage their career. Three women also accused him of rape.
As a result, on October 8, Weinstein was ousted from TWC, a mini-major film studio that he co-founded and co-chaired with his brother Bob. TMZ reports that Jay-Z is interested in purchasing Weinstein’s 23-percent stake in the production company.
In 2016, Jay-Z signed a two-year deal with TWC that includes a first-look deal at film and TV projects. The hip-hop mogul worked with Weinstein to produce Time: The Kalief Browder Story, a six-part documentary that premiered earlier this year. The rap star also has several upcoming projects in the works with TWC, including an adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights; a miniseries about Trayvon Martin; a program exploring American race relations hosted by Jay-Z; and a biopic about comedy legend Richard Pryor.
According to TMZ, Jay-Z would partner with other investors to purchase the stake and he “wants his relationship with the company to continue and grow.”
Fox Business, however, reports that rumors of Jay-Z purchasing Weinstein’s stake are false, according to their sources.
In response to the allegations of sexual assault, Weinstein released an apology, telling the New York Times: “the way I’ve behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologize for it.” He added that he will take a sabbatical and is working with therapists to “deal with this issue head on.”
On Hard NOC Life, Keith sits down with actor and stunt performer Yoshi Sudarso.
Keith and Yoshi discuss Iron Fist, the problem with whitewashing and why it’s okay to cross-cast Asian ethnicities, and Buffalo Boys, the movie he’s currently shooting in Indonesia. They also talk about his Daniel Wu fandom and Keith tries to get him cast on Into the Badlands by trying to trend #Yoshi4Badlands.
All this and more on Hard NOC Life! Watch it on your screen, hit “play,” and check this. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play!
As always, our official theme music is brought to you by the super team of Adam WarRock and Chops.
As the executive vice president and chief creative officer of Cashmere Agency, Ryan Ford is behind public relations, social media, and experiential activations for Hollywood hit films like Girls Trip. But beyond Ford’s day-to-day position, he’s also committed to providing solutions for multicultural creators to get the spotlight they deserve.
Below, Ford exclusively shares his insights on the one debate that has circled around Hollywood for quite some time.
What is the biggest thing you’d like to see changed in the film industry and how are you working to make that change happen?
I’m constantly perplexed when movies like Girls Trip or Straight Outta Compton are deemed as surprise hits. Since the very first moment that films like that are announced, everyone that I know understands that they are going to be huge hits. I mean, like everyone. TV is the same thing. Whether it’s Netflix’s Luke Cage or Master of None or more traditional outlets like TNT’s Claws or FX’s Atlanta, shows that are offering viewers new and engaging yet wholly authentic looks at multicultural life shouldn’t be deemed as surprise hits.
Cashmere is a marketing agency that helps clients engage diverse communities through culturally authentic content. So, it’s our main focus to be able to anticipate hits before they happen. To achieve that? Just listen to the demos that you are trying to target. Or simply go to a barbershop or check in with Black Twitter.
What’s your solution for changing the diversity landscape in Hollywood?
The landscape has already changed. The entertainment industry is recognizing the value of diversity. On average, films with more diverse casts are outperforming their less inclusive competitors.
It’s clear what people want to see. It’s just that Hollywood is behind. Hollywood is good at doing something second. They don’t want to be first. It’s too risky for them. That’s why we shouldn’t even be looking to Hollywood to give us the kind of depictions that we are so hungry for. Social media is offering a new generation of content creators to thrive. And it’s not only the subject matter of the content; it’s the various forms that it’s coming to us in. Digital influencers are using Snapchat stories, or YouTube videos, or Facebook memes, or even Instagram carousel pictures to offer us visions of ourselves through new, always-on mediums.