AI actress Tilly Norwood, created by Eline Van der Velden's studio, is in talks with talent agencies, sparking debate over AI's role in entertainment. While some see AI as a creative tool, many industry figures and celebrities oppose its use, citing concerns about authenticity and impact on human performers. If signed, Norwood could become the first AI-generated actress to join a talent agency, marking a significant shift in the industry.
Bill Maher severed ties with his longtime talent agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), after not receiving an invitation to the private Oscars party at the agency CEO's home, despite the agency's recent successful negotiations for a two-year extension for Maher's HBO show Real Time. Maher had been represented by CAA for over two decades.
Kelly Clarkson is suing her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, and his father's management company, Starstruck Entertainment, for acting as an unlicensed talent agency that booked gigs for her, seeking reimbursements for payments dating back to 2007. This comes after winning a $2.6 million ruling against Blackstock last fall. Blackstock's lawyer argues that it's wrong to seek money back from him, as he used the earnings on their children and lifestyle during the marriage. The legal battle follows their divorce in 2022, with Clarkson ordered to pay Blackstock a one-time payment and monthly support.
In Japan, celebrities are being advised by a major talent agency not to mention the popular game Palworld to avoid damaging relations with The Pokémon Company and potentially spoiling any future collaborations, despite the game's massive success on Game Pass, PC, and Twitch.
Japanese entertainment professionals have reportedly been instructed by a talent agency to avoid mentioning the game Palworld to protect potential collaborations with The Pokémon Company, following The Pokémon Company's statement expressing concerns about the unauthorized use of Pokémon intellectual property in Palworld. Despite this, Microsoft's Xbox gaming branch has announced support for Palworld's developers, with the game becoming the biggest third-party launch title on Xbox's Game Pass subscription service.
"The White Lotus" star Tom Hollander revealed that he mistakenly received an "Avengers" bonus paycheck meant for Tom Holland due to a mix-up at their shared talent agency, leading to a surprising 7-figure sum. The British actor shared the amusing incident on "Late Night with Seth Meyers," highlighting the confusion that arises from their similar names and how he discovered the mishap while watching a friend perform a play. Despite initially feeling smug, Hollander quickly realized the error and the substantial amount involved, ultimately attributing it to the nature of showbiz.
Meghan Markle may be dropped by her talent agency, William Morris Endeavor (WME), due to the controversy surrounding Omid Scobie's new book. Royal expert Angela Levin suggests that WME is concerned about the potential repercussions of the book on the Sussexes' rebranding efforts. Levin also claims that Meghan has been advised by the agency to "stop moaning" as people are getting tired of it. The book, "Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy's Fight for Survival," alleges that King Charles and Kate Middleton made racist remarks about Archie's skin color. The royals have not responded to the allegations, and Scobie has blamed a translation error for the controversy.
Hollywood talent agency UTA has dropped Susan Sarandon as a client after she spoke at a pro-Palestine rally and made remarks that drew criticism. Sarandon encouraged others to speak up in support of Palestinians and thanked the Jewish community for their support. This comes after Maha Dakhil, co-head of film at CAA, faced backlash and resigned from the agency's board for reposting an image critical of genocide. Sarandon is the latest public figure to face consequences for their stance on the Israel-Hamas war.
Actress Susan Sarandon has been dropped by talent agency UTA following her controversial pro-Palestinian remarks at a rally in New York City. Sarandon's comments, including comparing the experiences of Jews and Muslims, and reposting an anti-Israel post, led to her termination. This comes as talent agencies are making tough decisions regarding public statements on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Johnny & Associates, a talent agency, plans to establish a new company called Smile-Up to manage its performers and address the sexual abuse allegations against its late founder, Johnny Kitagawa. Smile-Up will focus on identifying victims and providing them with compensation before disbanding. A new company will then take on the role of talent agency.
Talent agency giant CAA has sold a majority stake to Artémis, the investment firm controlled by François-Henri Pinault, CEO of fashion firm Kering. CAA's leadership team will remain in place, with Bryan Lourd expected to be named CEO. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but CAA's previous owner TPG sought a valuation of about $7 billion. The sale marks the biggest acquisition in Hollywood's representation space since 2013 and brings CAA closer to the luxury space where Pinault has a large presence.
Investigators have called for the resignation of Julie Keiko Fujishima, the niece of late J-pop talent agency boss Johnny Kitagawa, over allegations of sexual abuse within the agency. The independent panel also recommended that Johnny and Associates compensate the victims. Kitagawa, who never faced charges, was accused of sexually exploiting aspiring pop stars for decades. The investigators found that Fujishima, as president and CEO, must have known about the abuse but took no action. The report also highlighted the enabling environment in the Japanese entertainment industry that allows sexual predators to act with impunity.
An expert team investigating allegations of sexual abuse by late musical mogul Johnny Kitagawa has released a scathing report, calling for the resignation of Johnny's & Associates President Julie Keiko Fujishima. The report reveals that Kitagawa began sexually abusing boys in the 1950s and continued to do so at his talent agency from the 1970s to the 2010s. The team, consisting of three experts and six lawyers, conducted interviews with 41 individuals for the investigation.
Hollywood talent agency CAA is reportedly in advanced talks to sell a majority stake to French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault, the owner of luxury and fashion empire Kering. The deal, which would value CAA at $7 billion, comes at a critical time for Hollywood as actors join writers on strike against film and TV companies. If the acquisition goes through, it would bring Kering closer to the entertainment world, as the luxury group has already made strides in the film industry through initiatives like sponsoring the Cannes Film Festival.
Meghan Markle has reportedly been advised that there is "no future" in working professionally with Prince Harry and is being encouraged to break away from the "Brand Sussex." She has signed with talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME) and is considering relaunching herself as her own person, with offers allegedly pouring in. While Meghan leans towards showbiz-type work, Harry will focus on humanitarian efforts, including the release of his Netflix documentary, Heart of Invictus. Meghan is not looking to return to acting but will focus on producing and creating content.
