They’re Back: Kamala Harris Fires Up Hollywood’s Power Brokers

As a seasoned Hollywood insider with deep connections in the industry, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing countless political campaigns come and go. But none have left me as exhilarated as Kamala Harris‘ current bid for the presidency.

As I explored the lush neighborhood of Brentwood, about a mile north of Sunset, my eyes were drawn to a mysterious residence shrouded in greenery. While other houses showcased diverse architectural styles, from Mediterranean casas with terra-cottas tops to mid-century clapboards worth millions, this one remained elusive. Using Google Maps Street View to get a closer look was futile; the property, boasting 35,000 square feet and four bedrooms, was intentionally obscured digitally for privacy reasons, leaving me with nothing but a blurry splotch in my viewfinder.

When she’s not staying at the vice president’s house in Washington D.C.’s Naval Observatory, which is just a short 10-minute drive from the White House and could be her new home as vice president, this is where Kamala Harris resides.

As a seasoned observer of American politics, I find it fascinating that the house in Brentwood, although not often mentioned in discussions about Kamala Harris, holds significant weight in her story. Her childhood in Oakland and early years as a Bay Area prosecutor are well-known aspects of her public persona. However, this Angeleno residence serves as an essential piece of the puzzle, as it puts us one step closer to potentially having a Californian as our next president of the United States. It’s an intriguing turn in Harris’s journey that adds depth and complexity to her narrative.

In the past 24 hours, this town has been buzzing with excitement like never before since the days of Barbenheimer. Out of nowhere, major Hollywood Democratic donors who had been hesitant to write checks since Joe Biden’s debate stumble on June 27, have suddenly started pouring millions into our local girl’s campaign. I can hardly believe it myself – she went from underdog to potential nominee in just one night!

As a long-time Democratic consultant and fundraiser with deep roots in both politics and Hollywood, I can’t help but be excited about the possibility of having a president from Los Angeles, like Kamala Harris. Having witnessed the growing influence and power of California over the past decade, I believe that a President Harris would significantly shift the political landscape.

As a seasoned observer of politics and society, I have come across many public figures who meticulously guard their personal connections for strategic reasons. However, the background of Kamala Harris, the Vice President-elect of the United States, stands out as particularly intriguing due to her deep-rooted ties to Hollywood.

Further exploration revealed that Chrisette Hudlin, a dear friend of Harris, introduced her to Emhoff. Chrisette is married to Reginald Hudlin, known for directing the 1990 Kid ‘N Play comedy “House Party” and producing Quentin Tarantino’s 2012 film “Django Unchained.” After Harris was elected to the Senate in 2016, they frequently visited Brentwood and their D.C. apartment, but over time, their Hollywood ties grew stronger. (It is reported that they also own property in San Francisco.)

When Harris entered the 2020 presidential race, she already had a strong network of connections in Los Angeles. This network allowed her to attract high-profile supporters, as evident at fundraisers like the one hosted by J.J. Abrams at Bad Robot. Notable attendees included Ben Affleck, Reese Witherspoon, Jeff Shell, Donna Langley, Jessica Alba, Mindy Kaling, Ron Meyer, Jeff Bridges, and Shonda Rhimes. Leonardo DiCaprio was also spotted at one of these events, while Steven Spielberg reportedly made a significant donation to her campaign before she ultimately joined Biden’s ticket as his running mate.

Jenny Frankfurt, a former literary agent and current organizer of The Finish Line script competition, shares her perspective on Kamala Harris: “Her energy was off the charts, and she had an extraordinary ability to connect with people. She was always warm and inviting, making it easy for others to approach her. Some may criticize her for her laughter, but I see it as a reflection of her joyful and intelligent personality. Her background as a person of color and her impressive accomplishments make for a compelling story, which she tells eloquently. At times, she did repeat herself, but around mid-campaign, she added new elements to her speech, keeping things fresh.”

Although Harris has been hesitant to leverage her Hollywood connections, they could prove valuable as she prepares for a potential showdown against Trump. A prominent Hollywood executive shares, “The prospect of electing Kamala as the next president is sure to generate considerable enthusiasm in Tinseltown.” This sentiment is echoed by another industry insider, who adds, “Donors are clamoring to support her campaign following her impressive performances lately. The post-debate mood was dismal; many believed the race was lost. However, Kamala’s recent achievements have reinvigorated supporters and reignited their determination to engage in the political battle once more.”

According to Frankfurt’s perspective, everyone I’ve met today has shown extraordinary excitement. Some are thrilled just being around him, while others are elated due to the new beginning they’re hoping for with Biden’s presidency.

In truth, some individuals may exhibit extreme excitement towards the idea of defying Silicon Valley’s allegiance to Trump, who has received significant backing from tech magnates such as Elon Musk, Ben Horowitz, and Peter Thiel. A prominent Democratic consultant shares, “Let’s face it, Hollywood hasn’t exactly been friends with these guys.” The thought of these individuals aligning with the Trump administration is met with distaste and disdain in Hollywood. With a considerable amount of financial resources at their disposal, as well as a strong dislike for these tech industry leaders, I believe many will contribute generously to demonstrate that money can’t buy an election.

One Hollywood exec puts it more succinctly. “Fuck these Trump-loving techies,” he says.

Certainly, not every Democrat in Hollywood may be fully on board and excited about the Kamala news. For example, it’s unclear how Jeffrey Katzenberg is reacting. Previously, the former DreamWorks co-founder and ex-co-chair of the Biden campaign had been confidently reassuring people that Biden was in good health. However, after Biden’s poor debate performance, Katzenberg found himself dealing with a bigger controversy than Quibi.

“Another Hollywood executive expressed frustration. Jeffrey reportedly demanded substantial payments, yet dismissed concerns about his own health with repeated denials, which were later discovered to be untrue.” (Even Barry Diller, who had previously defended Katzenberg, now openly supports Kamala Harris, stating, “I wholeheartedly back her,” and expressing confidence that she will defeat Trump.)

Despite Katzenberg’s objections, the town is buzzing with enthusiasm. In various parts of Los Angeles, including its bluest neighborhoods, particularly the forested one above Sunset where Gwyneth and Dr. Dre reside, you can almost touch the electric excitement permeating the atmosphere.

Brentwood may get its first president.

Additional reporting by Scott Feinberg and Lachlan Cartwright.

2024-07-22 21:25

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