In early 2020, workers at the Chateau began organizing with UNITE HERE Local 11 in the hopes of forming a union to change the hotel’s culture for the better. The hotel’s management calls these allegations “meritless” and “unproven.” Black and Latino workers have also accused managers of discrimination and using racial slurs. The hotel has long held a reputation as a “playground” for its wealthy guests, where wild parties involving drug and alcohol abuse are almost encouraged through the tagline: “Always a safe haven.” The Chateau’s owner, famous hotelier André Balazs, has been accused of abusive treatment and sexual harassment by several employees, which he denies. SAG-AFTRA did not respond to a request for comment on its high-profile members who attended Jay-Z’s party at the Chateau. He added that multiple Hollywood unions have also been supportive, including the Teamsters, Writers Guild of America-West, SAG-AFTRA and IATSE. “The story needs to be told about those who didn’t go in, those who stood by us,” Peterson explained, noting that many cars arriving at the Oscars party turned around and left after encountering the picket line. “Aaron Sorkin, the cast and crew of Being the Ricardos stand in solidarity with the Chateau Marmont’s workforce,” producer Todd Black said at the time. While filming his Oscar-nominated movie Being the Ricardos last April, writer-director Aaron Sorkin cancelled a planned shoot at the Chateau at the last minute after learning of the boycott. Several celebrities have endorsed the Chateau boycott and stayed away from the party, including Gabrielle Union, Issa Rae, Jane Fonda, Tom Morello, Adam McKay, Samira Wiley, Spike Lee, Robin Thede, Alfonso Cuarón, Amanda Seyfried, Steven Van Zandt, Ashley Nicole Black, Sarah Silverman, Martin Sheen and Edie Falco. “I have to believe that every single one of them knows they did something wrong.” We believe she’s going to be the first of many,” Petersen told In These Times. “We applaud Rosario Dawson for stepping up and committing not to go back. I stand w/ the protesters & won’t go back till resolved. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) are well known.ĭawson tweeted on Tuesday that she arrived at the hotel after the picketers had gone home and therefore “didn’t cross a picket line.” She added that it was “disturbing to learn of the work conditions. Many of the celebrities came under intense criticism on social media for crossing the picket line and being “scabs,” including Dawson and Ratajkowski, whose progressive politics and support for democratic socialist Sen. “It might just be one party to them but these are people’s livelihoods.” Jordan, Rihanna, DJ Khaled, Zoë Kravitz and other Hollywood elites chose to prioritize their party and their fame over real people,” said Keisha Banks, former events server at the Chateau Marmont. “It is disappointing and frustrating that Jay-Z, Michael B. (This piece will be updated with any responses that come in.) In These Times reached out to their respective publicists for comment, but none responded. Jordan, Rihanna, Emily Ratajkowski, Saweetie, Questlove, Daniel Kaluuya, Tiffany Haddish, Tyler Perry, Mindy Kaling, Jon Hamm, DJ Khaled and Kim Kardashian. He was not on the side of workers, of Black women, of justice for working people,” said Kurt Petersen, UNITE HERE Local 11 co-president.Īround 75 hotel workers and community allies held a lively picket outside the Chateau during the first two hours of the party Sunday night, from 11pm to 1am, surrounded by a heavy presence of private security and police.īased on various reports, some celebrities who attended the party despite the highly publicized union boycott included: Rosario Dawson, Janelle Monáe, Zoë Kravitz, Timothée Chalamet, Michael B. But he made it clear what side he was on. “We hoped that Jay-Z would do the right thing and move his party. The billionaire hip hop mogul refused to respond to the union’s requests that he honor the boycott by moving his party to a different venue. While the world reacted to movie star Will Smith’s altercation with comedian Chris Rock at the 94 th Academy Awards ceremony Sunday night, a different Oscars controversy was brewing - one centering on the struggles of hospitality workers at a hotel that caters to Hollywood elites.įollowing the awards show in Los Angeles, rapper Jay-Z hosted a party at the Chateau Marmont hotel, where workers with UNITE HERE Local 11 have been leading a boycott since February 2021 amid allegations of rampant sexual misconduct, racial discrimination and union busting.
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