Claudia Eller Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefHollywood insiders and movie fans are still scratching their heads over Kristen Stewart being shunned by the Screen Actors Guild last week for her ballyhooed performance as Princess Diana in “Spencer.”I too am totally mystified as to why one of the best performances of the year was ignored by Stewart’s actor peers.From the moment “Spencer” premiered to great fanfare at the Venice and Telluride film festivals, Stewart was considered the hands-down favorite to win the Oscar. I can’t imagine that she won’t score an Oscar nomination on Feb.

William Earl Variety has scored 98 nominations for the 2021 National Art and Entertainment Journalism awards, leading all publications.The awards are presented yearly by the Los Angeles Press Club.“Thank you to the NAEJ for recognizing the hard and wonderful work of our great team of writers and editors. We’re so honored,” said Claudia Eller, editor-in-chief of Variety.Variety was nominated twice for print entertainment publication, for its “Hitmakers” and “Gamechangers” issues.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefAs I mention in my cover interview with Bob Iger in this week’s issue, when you look back at his impressive 15-year run as CEO, it’s funny to think about how many people in the industry and the media — myself included — underestimated him. For the decade that Iger worked under then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner, leading up to his run to succeed him in 2005, people frequently used the term “empty suit” when referring to Iger.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefIt’s always so jarring and upsetting to learn that someone you have greatly admired has died — no matter how old they are.Italian writer-director Lina Wertmüller, who passed away last week at age 93, was one of those industry icons whom I had hoped to one day reconnect with. I had the honor of first meeting her two years ago when she was in Los Angeles at a luncheon given in her honor by Women in Film.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefHFPA president Helen Hoehne recently reached out to actor Gabrielle Union to read off the nominations for this year’s Golden Globe Awards on Dec. 13 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel.

David Viramontes Movie theaters reopened, “Succession” Season 3 is finally here and some of the biggest artists are hitting the road once again to go back on tour.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefI remember the day so vividly. It was Jan.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefSo much has been going horribly wrong lately. No sooner did I write an editor’s letter decrying the fact that the tragedy that unfolded on the set of “Rust,” killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, was 100% preventable had strict gun safety protocols been followed, than another deadly incident took the lives of 10 people at Travis Scott’s Astroworld festival in Houston.Both catastrophes were the result of human error.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefFor all of us big Paul Newman fans, it came as thrilling news last week that Knopf will be publishing the Hollywood icon’s unfinished memoir next fall, largely based on his own oral history along with interviews with his friends and family, actors like Tom Cruise and directors including George Roy Hill of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” fame.I’ve been obsessed with Newman my entire life, having grown up watching all his movies and going gaga every time he

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefThere are still so many unanswered questions as to what led to the devastating death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust” — the most salient being how live ammunition got into the gun that killed her and wounded director Joel Souza.Last week came the shocking revelation from an Oct.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefWe are all still in shock and reeling with grief and anger over the tragic death of 42-year-old cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was accidentally killed last week on the set of the Western movie “Rust” by a prop gun that was discharged by Alec Baldwin.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefIt ain’t over yet.Many in Hollywood have been breathing a big collective sigh of relief that IATSE and the studios, networks and streamers finally reached a tentative agreement this past weekend that narrowly staved off a workers’ strike that would have paralyzed production across Hollywood.But, as we learned, not all IATSE members were thrilled with the new three-year contract, and many have taken to social media to denounce the deal and persuade members to vote

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefIt will be a downright fiasco if the leadership of Hollywood’s studios, networks and streamers doesn’t do everything in its collective bargaining power to prevent the labor union representing camera operators, editors, production designers, grips and other workers from going out on strike.Such a self-inflicted action — after what was a devastating year for the entire industry as it involuntarily navigated its way through an unforeseen pandemic — would be, well …

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefI had the pleasure of recently interviewing one of the most dynamic figures of our time, Amanda Gorman, who is one of our five Power of Women honorees this year.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefIt is such welcoming news that television veteran Lesli Linka Glatter has been elected president of the Directors Guild of America. For years, Glatter has mentored and advocated for women directors and has been a force within the union fighting for members’ rights.Presumably her position will give her an even bigger platform to continue pushing for more parity in Hollywood’s male-dominated director ranks.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefThe changing of the legacy guard in Hollywood continues in a business focused on prioritizing content for streaming customers.Last week, we learned that seasoned studio chief Jim Gianopulos, who for decades has been shepherding big, successful theatrical movies, was being pushed out after four years as chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures in favor of a digital-leaning leader known for purveying lower-cost content aimed at younger consumers.While the abrupt move

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefLast week’s alarming news that the Supreme Court refused to block a Texas law that bans abortions after six weeks drew outrage from the entertainment community. And for good reason — the disgraceful decision could spell the end of Roe v.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefI know there’s a lot going on in Hollywood right now, but to me the most vital and urgent news is unfolding in Afghanistan, where women and journalists are under siege, fighting for their rights and their lives with the Taliban again ruling the nation.In the immediate aftermath of the extremists reclaiming the capital of Kabul on Aug.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefI want to give a huge shout-out to our Herculean six-person team of editors and writers — Brent Lang, Cynthia Littleton, Gene Maddaus, Michael Schneider, Matt Donnelly and Joe Otterson — who collectively pulled off this week’s incredibly comprehensive cover story.The piece, titled “Battle Royal,” chronicles and analyzes what Scarlett Johansson’s legal battle with Disney over her “Black Widow” compensation means for future talent deals, and it also documents and

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefAs many powerful figures with high-profile jobs could attest in recent years, past bad behavior has a way of coming back to haunt you in the #MeToo era. Just ask former New York Gov.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefCalling Alan Horn! As the nasty war between Scarlett Johansson and Disney continues to escalate and rage on in the public eye, might it not be beneficial for someone within the not-so-Magic Kingdom — such as Horn — to intervene and help diffuse the hostilities?A highly respected industry statesman who’s always been a voice of reason, Horn should step in and try to get Disney to dial down the vitriol that is alienating some of its own movie fans, angering talent

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefI spent last week in New York having face-to-face business meetings with entertainment executives after not being able to make direct contact over the past 15 months. Last time I was in Manhattan was February 2020, right before COVID-19 began wreaking havoc on my favorite city away from home, and of course on the entire country.There were residual signs of pandemic fallout: A number of restaurants long favored by industry folks had shuttered for good.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefThe latest spate of stories on Britney Spears’ oppressive 13-year conservatorship have been dominating the entertainment headlines for the past month. On June 24, the pop star gave her first public testimony in court that was livestreamed to the media.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefAt the same time Quentin Tarantino announced last week that he had bought and would restore the historic single-screen Vista Theatre in Los Feliz, the mouthy Hollywood director inexplicably threw major shade on some of the big theater chains that were forced to close during the pandemic. “I never like any theater closing, but some of these exhibitors that are going, they fucking deserve to go.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefI have great admiration for people who refuse to fit in, go against type and live by their own rules and convictions. I applaud those who are bold, provocative and fearless in their life and career choices.That is precisely why I count myself a devoted fan of Tilda Swinton and her daring, unpredictable nature and work.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefWelcome to the oh-so-awkward grand reentry! A top industry executive privately recounted a recent experience that I believe speaks for many of us who are beginning to make that foreign-feeling transition back to the real world of in-person meetings, screenings and other live events.The insider said he had had an appointment on his calendar with a business associate at another company and was in his home office awaiting the Zoom link to pop up on his screen.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefWe are thrilled to bring you the Changemakers Issue, honoring the annual Juneteenth holiday and celebrating diverse voices who have a significant impact on the culture through their art, storytelling and activism.Our cover subject, 23-year-old singer H.E.R., enlists her incredible talents to call out inequality and the need to fight for justice.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefWhen Amazon’s $8.45 billion deal was announced, outgoing honcho Jeff Bezos assured shareholders that the company was committed to “reimagining and developing the deep catalog of MGM.” Never mind that the library his company is purchasing is highly exploited, with a good many of its vintage titles, and even some new movies, already licensed to rival streamers like Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu and Paramount Plus.I say forget more potential remakes, spinoffs and TV shows

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefI’m so proud to bring you our annual Pride Issue, which highlights the joys and struggles of trans youth. Our charismatic cover subject, 20-year-old Jazz Jennings, made headlines in 2007 at age 6 when she gave a nationally televised interview to Barbara Walters about identifying as a girl.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefTo borrow from the name of a popular Hollywood franchise, this week’s industry news came fast and furious.No sooner did The Wall Street Journal publish a profile of Jason Kilar celebrating his one-year anniversary as the CEO of WarnerMedia than Bloomberg broke a high-octane merger story two days later that will likely spell the end of the leader’s short and controversial tenure at the entertainment company.The morning after the May 16 bombshell news broke that

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefI bet when the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefIn my interview with Kate McKinnon for our Power of Women in Comedy issue, she hinted that this could be her last season as a regular cast member on “Saturday Night Live.”McKinnon stopped short of confirming that she was planning to leave the show after a nine-year run. But when asked how much longer she foresaw being part of “SNL” beyond this season, the Emmy-winning performer nervously answered: “Umm, gosh, it’s April.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefDuring Sunday’s Oscars telecast, Sony Pictures Classics co-chief Tom Bernard and I were commiserating by text about how strange it was to be watching the show from our respective homes on the East and West coasts.

Ethan Shanfeld “People just wanted an escape from all the traumatic issues that were happening in the world,” said Ukonwa Ojo, chief marketing officer at Amazon Studios and Prime Video.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefNewsrooms have been dominating the news lately.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefOur issue this week aims to capture the altered state of the entertainment industry.