Talent Agency CAA Cuts Ties With Kanye West Following Anti-Semitic Remarks
Written by SOURCE on October 24, 2022
Hollywood talent agency CAA has dropped Kanye West following his recent string of anti-Semitic remarks.
As reported by The Los Angeles Times, the renowned agency has quietly made the decision to no longer work with Ye. According to a person who has knowledge of the situation, CAA ended its relationship with him on account of his embrace of anti-Semitism on both social media and in various interviews. The news comes not long after Balenciaga pulled the plug on its partnership with Ye, who tweeted that he intended to go “DEATH CON 3 on Jewish people” earlier this month.
On Monday, MRC studio executives Modi Wiczyk, Asif Satchu, and Scott Tenley also announced they have scrapped a completed documentary about Ye.
“This morning, after discussion with our filmmakers and distribution partners, we made the decision not to proceed with any distribution for our recently completed documentary about Kanye West. We cannot support any content that amplifies his platform,” the three wrote. “Kanye is a producer and sampler of music. Last week he sampled and remixed a classic tune that has charted for over 3000 years—the lie that Jews are evil and conspire to control the world for their own gain.”
United Talent Agency co-founder and CEO Jeremy Zimmer has also condemned the multi-hyphenate’s behavior, which emboldened a hate group to hang a “Kanye is right about the Jews” sign above the 405 in Los Angeles.
“As a company we stand for a wide diversity of voices and ideas; But we can’t support hate speech, bigotry or anti-Semitism,” Zimmer wrote in a note sent to staff, per Variety. “Please support the boycott of Kanye West. Powerful voices spewing hatred have frequently driven people to do hateful things.” Ye was previously a client of UTA.
Ari Emanuel, who heads entertainment and sports company Endeavor, made similar comments in a column for Financial Times last week. “Those who continue to do business with West are giving his misguided hate an audience,” Emanuel wrote. “There should be no tolerance anywhere for West’s anti-Semitism.”
