$1 Million For a Bar Mitzvah? No Way, Kanye
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Former NBC CEO Jeff Zucker threw his son Andrew a lavish bar mitzvah at the Four Seasons this weekend — complete with sushi, a celebrity guest list that included Katie Couric and customized Converse sneakers handed out to Andrew’s pals as party favors.
But if there was one thing missing from the bash, it was an appearance by Kanye West, who demanded a staggering $1 million when the family asked if he would perform at the event. The New York Post reports that Zucker briefly considered offering West a mere $800,000 — but then came to his senses and offered the gig to Jewish rapper Drake instead (who accepted, presumably for a more reasonable price).
Kanye or no Kanye, The Shmooze’s heart doesn’t exactly break for young Andrew, who reportedly celebrated his transition to adulthood with pastries by “Cake Boss” chef Buddy Valastro and customized drinks coordinated by event planner Colin Cowie.
The event is said to have cost Jeff Zucker a grand total of over $250,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
