This isn’t a joke. Hollywood made $5,000 bucks in the last week of March. Yes, that’s right. Box offices pulled in $5k – the lowest ticket sales total in history. During the same time last year, box offices pulled in $200 million. Instead of theaters people have turned to streaming services. Of course most theaters are closed and are considered non-essential but people aren’t entering the few that are open. Nearly all 2020 wide-release films are either available for streaming.
Some are saying that the entertainment industry will never be the same. People want more online content and earlier access to digital versions of blockbuster movies.
According to sources, “Film studios in Hollywood have already seen losses totaling $7 billion, the outlet said, and it’s estimated that bottom line number could grow to as high as $17 billion by June.”
Timing is everything. Just ask Andra Day. Her song Rise Up has jumped back on the Top 5 on US iTunes Sales Chart. The track was included in a piece about “heroes and heartwarmers” that aired on NBC’s TODAY Show.The track was released nearly 5 years ago and is seeing a resurgence because of the its lyrical relevance.
It’s a tough time for the Hollywood celebrity. With a national shutdown and no more gigs, the celebrity has turned to the ruling class to promote public service messages like “stay positive,” “we’re all in this together”, “Stay The F Home”, “Wash Your Hands”. This has become a PR disaster for most and if not treated carefully, their careers won’t recover.
Jennifer Lopez posted a video of her family sheltering in the backyard of Alex Rodriguez’s vast Miami compound, the public snapped.“We all hate you,” was one representative response.
Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee said to his fans in a tweet – ‘Stay Inside’: ‘I Got Some Big Stadium S**t To Do In June’. The fans replied to Tommy with “Stay The F Home, the tour isn’t happening.
Pharrell Williams asked his followers to donate to aid frontline responders. The public told him to empty his own deep pockets.
“Ellen DeGeneres lounged on her sofa, video-chatting with famous friends. Comedian Kevin T. Porter solicited stories from service workers who had experienced run-ins with DeGeneres, whom he called “notoriously one of the meanest people alive.”
David Geffen deleted his Instagram after being slammed for a post about how he’s self-isolating on his $590 million superyacht.
The list goes on and on. Check out The New York Times ‘Celebrity Culture Is Burning.’
Justin Bieber has postponed his 45-date stadium “Changes” tour. The tour was to kick off on May 14th and run through a Sept. 26 show in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Sam Smith is making some changes in light of the pandemic. Smith said that the upcoming album will no longer be called “To Die For” and will be delayed in release. It makes sense, “To Die For” does seem a bit out-of-touch with the current situation.
“I have done a lot of thinking the last few weeks and I feel that the title of my album and imminent release doesn’t feel right,” the announcement read. “So I have come to the decision to continue working on the album and make some important changes and additions.”