Constance Wu has a problem. It’s a PR problem, an image problem, and a communications problem. The problem is that she did it to herself. Back in May, Constance threw a tantrum ONLINE using her own social media accounts, all because her popular ABC show, Fresh Off the Boat, had been… renewed. Like, she was mad that she still has a job and a steady paycheck. This was not a situation where Wu was “reportedly” a diva. She was a diva for all of us to see, throwing a tantrum in plain sight. And once that happens, people will believe anything about you. Stories of her diva antics on Fresh Off the Boat, Crazy Rich Asians and Hustlers soon followed. And I believed those stories because, again, she showed us who she is. So that’s Wu’s biggest problem right now – people will believe anything about her because we saw that sh-t with our own eyes. So I was already primed to believe this:
After being dubbed a more “difficult diva” than Jennifer Lopez or Cardi B by those on the set of their stripper movie “Hustlers,” actress Constance Wu is proving her prima donna proclivities by insisting she get top billing on the new movie. Fresh from her “Fresh Off the Boat” renewal drama, reps for the “Crazy Rich Asians” star’s new film have contacted multiple media outlets to ensure Wu is listed as the headliner for “Hustlers,” above co-stars Lopez — who also produced the film — and Cardi B, Page Six has learned. The film, based on the real story of savvy strippers out for revenge on their Wall Street clients, also stars Julia Stiles, Lili Reinhart and Lizzo.
While “Hustlers” premieres in September, select publications have been walloped with a warning from the studio that Wu must be named first in the press as the film’s biggest star. A source said Lopez and her production partners signed off on Wu’s top billing “a long time ago,” adding, “Constance is in the unique position of being a part of projects that are breaking through Asian-American representation in Hollywood.”
I believe it because A) Wu has showed us who she is and B) when I saw the first trailer, I was actually surprised to see that Wu looked like “the star” of the ensemble. Wu has been cast as the young woman entering the strip club world, the one being shown the ropes by the older, wiser stripper played by Jennifer Lopez. Wu plays the character who is the stand-in for the audience. But in any case, Wu wants us to know that she would NEVER.
“Constance had no knowledge or awareness of acts on her behalf of Hustlers to have reporting mirror that of the film’s castings or contractual billings,” a rep for Wu tells Us Weekly exclusively. “Representatives associated with her and the film did engage media outlets to correct misrepresentations of the film’s characters and castings in the spirit of calibrating credits to accurately reflect the guidelines set forth in standard legal contracts.”
“While Constance’s character in Hustlers is the key protagonist, any reporting that implies or indicates that she demanded or directed this recently reported initiative is patently untrue and a clear manipulation of facts,” the rep clarifies. “She has always been and remains a proud supporter of all her fellow castmates inclusion in the celebration of this film and telling of this story.”
“We made this film with an incredible spirit of sisterhood and love. Any reports otherwise have felt like an age-old attempt to pit us against each other and knock us down when, in truth, we had the best time making this!” Wu tells Us. “We won’t be knocked down. We will continue to share and celebrate this story together, as sisters. Thank you to all the fans for believing in us and supporting this film.”
“While Constance’s character in Hustlers is the key protagonist…” LMAO, they literally did it again!! No, I actually get the argument her people are making, and it’s true: who gets billed where and what and how is all part of a conversation between producers and agents and managers and lawyers. It wouldn’t be “Constance and her publicist randomly calling up media outlets to insist that she’s the STAR of Hustlers.” But she definitely wants us to know that she IS the star though.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid, ‘Hustlers’.
I want to like her. But she’s making it difficult.
Right? I loved her in FOTB but I don’t think I’ll even watch the next season
People are going to see this because of JLo not Constance. Hard to believe her name will be above JLo’s or that JLo agreed to it.
Let’s face it, people probably won’t see this. It makes the squabble over the billing even more ridiculous.
The anticipation and press for this movie is off the charts. I’m going opening night with coworkers.
It looks like the names are in alphabetical order (by first name) with Cardi B being billed at the end with an “and”.
Usually the “and” stands out and is the name people remember. I read about that years ago. Heather Locklear for special billing for Melrose Place. She was always known as “special guest star.” I’d rather be “and” than top billing just saying if you’re talking pecking order.
Yes, “and” and “with” are coveted billing, usually reserved for either seasoned vets who aren’t the lead (e.g. and Kurt Russell, on something like Guardians 2), or a well-known name making an acting debut, like Cardi B, who hasn’t earned top billing on their acting, but is a draw and the studios know it.
I see she attended the Kathrine Heigl school of career management.
And I’ll just say it, the Jessica centric episodes of fresh off the boat are the worst because the character in her hands is grating. She was also the worst part of crazy rich Asians. Of all the awesome Asian actresses who have been trying to make a come up I don’t understand how she is the one who is blowing up.
I watched CRA again yesterday….it’s such a great movie…BUT…Constance is the weak link. The scene where she’s sitting on the couch talking about her bad experience at the bachelorette party (which was terrible)…she came across so childish and annoying. She’s supposed to be an Econ professor, an intelligent and mature woman. Sitting with your arms crossed and lips pouting talking about mean girls was not believable at all.
A lot of that is bad writing and directing, though. It’s not like Wu chose to have her character pout about mean girls.
If this movie is a hit, it will be a big deal that an Asian America lead carried the movie. I have no problem with pushing Wu as the lead because Asian actors need more leading roles.
I agree. Might be that she actually IS the key protagonist of the movie. As an Asian actress it is actually huge and it would be pretty frustrating to not having that acknowledged, so I don’t really feel like it’s very legitimate to just call her a “diva” IF she tried to make that clear. What she said about the series renovation was pretty crass but on the other hand she’s achieving a lot in such a little time, specially considering that it is still very difficult to have such a steady and rising Hollywood career when you belong to a minority.
She IS the main character of the movie.
The character she’s playing was the main character in the story this movie was based on. But actually, I think the hair, eyebrows and styling for her are way off. They’ve made her look like a tacky stripper; but the real women apparently looked like a standard business chick – that was part of her appeal and success as a hustler. She looked like a normal Asian business woman. They would send her out, looking corporate, and she would round men up, buy them some drinks, then take them to the strip club. They thought she was a “cool girl” and trusted her as one of them. The whole idea is she fitted into that corporate world. Constance’s styling here is too tacky. And J-Lo looks too gorgeous. The real woman J-Lo is playing was tacky and over-plastic-surgeried as hell.
Agree that she is the worst part of CRA. We need more Asian representation (and options) in Hollywood so that wooden actresses like her aren’t the only option. You know who was actually amazing? Awkwafina in The Farewell.
YES!!! I almost couldn’t finish because of her take on Rachel, which I perceive to be Wu’s actual personality – pouty, whiny and obnoxious.
I liked the movie but Constance’s portrayal failed to add the kind of spark or charm that would make that man go up against his mother and upbringing for her.
I thought that movie was, on the whole, pretty terrible. Rachel sucked but so did her boyfriend/husband, who basically left her to flounder with his rude-ass family without giving her any kind of preparation.
Nice try though.
Although I could believe it of Wu, there is one thing that is ringing absolutely false in this. Who gets top billing, or any billing, is negotiated up front in the actor’s contract long before the movie even begins production. It is something that the stars would demand before they even agree to the part. And there is no way that any publicist would circumvent the contractual obligations of the production company. So either she negotiated this up front and they are just ensuring it gets fulfilled, which is not diva behavior, or the story is BS.
Yes, Susan. All of this.
Why even bother, this has flop written all over it, and this movie comes out a week after It, good luck😄
She’s gonna go the Katherine Heigel route if she keeps it up
Jennifer Lopez is the producer and gave Wu top billing because Wu’s character is the MAIN character in the movie. When it’s Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lawrence, or Angelina Jolie who is the main actress do they not promote the movie with their faces as the prominent ones ???
This is based on a true story and I understand that Wu’s character actually was most significant (but don’t really remember any details). So if she is a traditional lead of the film but the trailer is cut like an ensemble and that Lopez’s character is more important I can see her being upset. After all most people won’t see the film but just get impression who starred in a movie recently.
Well who knows but at can’t wait to see this! I’m seeing it for JLo, of course!
her wig and this movie looks horrible!
She was the lead in Crazy Rich Asians, but got eclipsed by her costars both in the movie and in press attention, and it looks like the same thing is happening here. Maybe she just doesn’t have that star power?
Well when this movie bombs because star power is dead, they will sure love to blame it all on Wu
Apparently Constance Wu has her head so far up her ass, she doesn’t know when she’s been played. Jennifer Lopez is the biggest star on the film AND the producer. Ms. Lopez isn’t known to be shy and retiring. If Lopez gave up top billing, it’s to cover her famous ass. Lopez wins either way. If the film is a flop, it’s on Wu, who is making sure that she doesn’t have any allies to go to bat for her. If the film succeeds, Lopez will be laughing all the way to the bank. I’m a JLo fan, so I’m happy for her.
Where and how you get billed ON SCREEN is definitely contractual, and actors’ agents fight over this all the time in negotiations. It’s not a big thing to do so, and definitely par for the showbiz course.
What is not standard is for agents/managers/PR folks to reach out to MEDIA about how THEY describe a client’s role. Massage positive coverage? Sure. Try and make sure their client gets a prime spot on the cover pic, or a shout out in the profile? Umm, hmm, that’s their job. But correct a reporter’s description of “star” “co-star” or “ensemble” … Nah, because the optics on doing so are absolutely dreadful, and the complete opposite of what someone paid to put you in a positive light would do … UNLESS a client is standing behind them demanding they do something so incredibly petty against their own best interests. Which, given what we know of Wu, doesn’t seem all that unlikely.
So, yeah, if you’re Wu’s PR flack, right now your primary goal is to make your client look as sweet and un-diva-like as possible, which definitely does not jibe with calling up outlets to make sure they know your girl thinks she’s bigger than J-Lo.