Ali Abbasi, the director of the Oscar- and Golden Globe-nominated Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice, has parted ways with his U.S. representation at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and management company Entertainment 360.
The development comes amid allegations that Abbasi groped a well-known actor at a Golden Globes afterparty, sources have revealed.
Alleged Incident at Golden Globes Afterparty
According to reports, the controversy began at CAA’s exclusive Golden Globes afterparty, where Abbasi, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, inappropriately touched an A-list actor represented by CAA. The incident reportedly led to internal discussions within the agency, with executives demanding an apology from Abbasi. However, conflicting accounts suggest that CAA advised the filmmaker not to reach out to the actor directly.
Abbasi’s Split from CAA, Entertainment 360, and PR Firm
It remains unclear whether Abbasi was dropped by his agencies or if he voluntarily left, but his separation from CAA and Entertainment 360 was finalized on January 27. Abbasi is now represented solely by LARK in the UK.
In addition to parting ways with his U.S. reps, Abbasi is also no longer working with the public relations firm The Lede Company. However, sources claim his contract with the PR firm had already expired following the release of The Apprentice. The director is also no longer associated with the law firm Granderson Des Rochers, though reports suggest this decision is unrelated to the latest controversy.
Abbasi’s Response to the Allegations
While Abbasi has not directly addressed the groping allegation, he released a statement regarding his professional split with CAA and Entertainment 360. He said:
I can confirm that I’ve made the decision to move in a new direction with my career. I’m grateful for the work CAA and Entertainment 360 have done, particularly their commitment to The Apprentice, which remains a project I’m incredibly proud of. I look forward to announcing my next steps at the appropriate time.
Impact on Abbasi’s Career
The Apprentice has been a highly discussed film, earning Oscar nominations for Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump and Jeremy Strong as Trump’s controversial mentor, Roy Cohn. Despite the film’s success, Abbasi’s recent controversy could impact his future projects and industry relationships.
As of now, neither CAA nor Entertainment 360 has publicly commented on the split. Abbasi’s future in Hollywood remains uncertain as the industry awaits further developments.
The Information is Collected from Deadline and Yahoo.
