Latest news with #AsylumRecords
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
David Geffen accused of paying thousands for sex, forcing cosmetic procedures on estranged husband in bombshell lawsuit
David Geffen's estranged husband, David Armstrong, filed a bombshell lawsuit, accusing the billionaire of paying him thousands for sex and 'grooming' him. Armstrong, who also goes by Donovan Micheals, claims he and the film producer, 82, met on a website the 32-year-old alleges rich men like Geffen 'shop for the vulnerable,' according to court documents obtained by Page Six. Armstrong claims in the suit, filed Tuesday, that Geffen paid him $10,000 to have sex on the first night they met. After that night, the former model claims Geffen — who vehemently denies all the claims in the lawsuit — began treating him 'as a living social experiment – a trophy to show off to his wealthy friends, under the guise of benevolence.' 'It was a sick game. Michaels became a prop in Geffen's theater of virtue, paraded around as evidence of Geffen's supposed altruism, while privately used as a sexual commodity,' the lawsuit claims. Armstrong, who grew up in the foster care system, alleges Geffen eventually professed his love for him and told him they were in a 'genuine and enduring' relationship. The former go-go dancer, who married Geffen with no prenup in March 2023, says in the docs that he 'believed he had finally found someone' who cared about his 'traumatic upbringing' as a foster kid. Armstrong claims in the lawsuit that Geffen 'used [Armstrong's] tragic story not as a reason to offer genuine support, but as a grooming tool – casting himself as savior, 'white knight,' mentor, and gatekeeper to a better life.' Armstrong alleges that the record executive 'began transporting [Armstrong] across the globe as his paid sex worker,' taking international trips, 'many of which took place aboard Geffen's private superyacht,' according to the suit. He claims that Geffen would often hire sex workers, both men and women, throughout their 'sexually-open marital lifestyle.' Additionally, Armstrong alleges that Geffen 'critiqued every aspect' of his appearance and 'carefully controlled [Armstrong] with respect to all aspects of his body hygiene.' Per the docs, Geffen would allegedly make Armstrong undergo 'painful' laser treatments and dental treatments and would allegedly become enraged over the mere 'existence of an ingrown hair.' Armstrong claims that Geffen 'plied' him with drugs — including cocaine, molly, and cannabis — and allegedly expected the former to partake with the Asylum Records co-founder's A-list friends. Due to his drug usage, Armstrong says in the court docs that he underwent treatment to become sober and followed a 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous program. Once Armstrong told his partner that he wanted a 'new beginning' and to 'develop an independent identity that he could be proud of,' the Geffen Records founder allegedly cut him off and demanded a divorce. As Geffen, who filed for divorce from Armstrong in May, was gearing up to attend Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's Venice wedding last month, the DreamWorks Records co-founder allegedly 'demanded that [Armstrong] immediately vacate the New York residence,' which would effectively make him homeless, he claimed. 'In addition to evicting Michaels, Geffen also cut him off from his status quo financial support, making it impossible for Michaels to secure an appropriate living situation and provide for his daily necessities,' the lawsuit claims. Armstrong is seeking damages, as well as a home that Geffen cannot reclaim and 'adequate support necessary to pay [Armstrong] reasonable general living expenses for the rest of his life. Geffen's attorney Patty Glaser denied Armstrong's allegations. 'There was no contract — express, written, oral, or implied — that has ever existed,' she told Page Six in a statement. 'We will be vigorously and righteously defending against this false, pathetic lawsuit,' she added.
Mint
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Who is Hollywood's richest celeb? With $8.3B net worth, richer than Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Cruise, Steven Spielberg
Hollywood fame brings fortune, but not like his. The industry's richest man is neither an actor, musician or even a director. While he doesn't appear in front of the camera, he runs the show behind it. With $8.3 billion to his name, this mogul is even richer than big names like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Cruise and Dwayne Johnson. In fact, filmmakers like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas are nowhere close to him. It is film producer, record executive, and media proprietor David Geffen. According to Forbes magazine, David Geffen is the richest celebrity in the world. Reportedly, he has a net worth of $8.3 billion as of May 2025. Over the past fifty years, David Geffen has built an entertainment empire in the industry, launching iconic record labels and co-founding the popular studio DreamWorks, backing music and films. David Geffen's wealth is said to be a net worth of $8.3 billion. He's far ahead of other big names in Hollywood like Mark Cuban, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg, who are said to be worth between $5.3 and $5.7 billion. While Oprah Winfrey follows with $3.1 billion, it's Jay-Z, the world's richest musician and Beyonce's husband with $2.5 billion net worth. Geffen is so wealthy that even if you add up the net worth of Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Tom Cruise to about $2.1 billion, still only a quarter of what Geffen's wealth is. David Geffen started in entertainment as a teenage extra on the sets. Later he moved into talent management in the late 1960s. In 1971, he co-founded Asylum Records, signing icons like the Eagles, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Linda Ronstadt, and others. By the 1970s, he forayed into films, becoming vice chairman at Warner Bros. In 1980, he launched Geffen Records, which went on to represent global music icons such as Elton John, Cher, Olivia Newton-John, Guns N' Roses, Nirvana, and Neil Young to name only a few. In 1982, Geffen founded his own company, the Geffen Film Company, producing hit dark comedies like Beetlejuice and Broadway adaptations of hits like Dreamgirls and Cats. In 1994, Geffen joined forces with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg to co-found DreamWorks SKG, the studio producing blockbusters like Shrek, Transformers, Gladiator, Saving Private Ryan, and American Beauty.
India.com
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet world's richest star, has net worth Rs 69000 crore, richer than Shah Rukh Khan, Salman, Aamir combine, not Tom Cruise, The Rock, name is...
Did you believe that Beyoncé, Steven Spielberg, Tom Cruise, Shah Rukh Khan, or even Taylor Swift are the richest people in the world of film? The real chunk of Hollywood wealth—a man who has never even been in front of a camera—is far more impressive than any of these megastars. Hollywood's billionaire king Introducing David Geffen, a media tycoon, record executive, and film producer who, as of May 2025, Forbes estimates, is the richest person in Hollywood with an astounding net worth of $8.3 billion. With $5.3–$5.7 billion, Geffen's fortune dwarfs that of industry tycoons like Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and Mark Cuban. Geffen is far wealthier than even Oprah Winfrey ($3.1 billion) and Jay-Z ($2.5 billion), the richest musician in the world. In actuality, you would still have less than 25% of Geffen's wealth if you added up the fortunes of Tom Cruise, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé. The story behind the fortune Geffen's ascent to fame started modestly as a teenage extra. He was a talent manager by the late 1960s and co-founded Asylum Records in 1971, signing such legendary artists as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and the Eagles. With the establishment of Geffen Records in 1980—home to legends like Neil Young, Elton John, Cher, Guns N' Roses, and Nirvana—he furthered his Midas touch. Geffen did more than just make music, though. In 1982, he established the Geffen Film Company, which produced Broadway triumphs like Dreamgirls and Cats as well as cult favorites like Beetlejuice. He then co-founded DreamWorks SKG, the formidable studio behind Shrek, Transformers, Gladiator, Saving Private Ryan, and American Beauty, with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg in 1994. David Geffen is not only the richest man in Hollywood but also the wealthiest celebrity in the world thanks to his empire, which spans five decades and numerous businesses. Even while the performers receive most of the attention, Geffen, who works in the background, is the real owner of the program.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
David Geffen's Estranged Husband, 32, Requests Spousal Support amid Divorce from Billionaire Music Exec, 82
David Geffen's estranged husband David Armstrong filed a response to the media mogul's divorce filing Armstrong requested spousal support and more A court order gave each party 60 days to share their financial informationDavid Geffen's estranged husband David Armstrong has filed his response to the billionaire's divorce filing, which came earlier this month after nearly two years of marriage. Armstrong, 32, requested spousal support from Geffen, 82, as well as attorney's fees and costs and 'all other relief the Court deems just and proper,' according to documents filed on Tuesday, May 27 and obtained by PEOPLE. Geffen — who is worth $8.7 billion, according to Forbes — filed for divorce on May 16, citing irreconcilable differences. He listed the couple's date of separation as Feb. 22, though Armstrong said their split date was 'TBD' in his response. They were married on March 7, 2023. Geffen's initial filing indicated that he would pay Armstrong's spousal support and attorney's fees. Both filings stated that 'the exact nature and extent of separate property assets and obligations are unknown at this time,' and both parties reserve their right to amend their filings once the information has been ascertained. A court order was issued on May 27 that requires both Geffen and Armstrong (a model and dancer who also goes by the name Donovan Michaels) to share their financial information, including statements, valuations, important facts and access to records about all current income and expenses and community and separate property assets and debts. Each party has 60 days after filing to complete the court order. Geffen, who is now retired, rose to fame as the co-founder and founder of a number of record labels, including Asylum Records, Geffen Records and DGC Records. In 1996, he also co-founded DreamWorks Animation with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg. Much of his income consists of stocks and equities in property, and California law states that dividends from stocks remain separate, meaning Armstrong likely will not walk away with much cash, TMZ reported. State law also requires divorce petitioners to pay spousal support for half the length of the marriage, meaning Armstrong will likely receive payments for one year. Geffen dated Cher for a year and a half in the early 1970s, and came out as gay in 1992. He and Armstrong largely kept their relationship out of the public eye, though the media mogul did share a now-deleted photo of the pair on a boat in December 2021. 'Merry Christmas indeed!' he captioned the Instagram photo. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billionaire David Geffen, 82, files for divorce from go-go dancer husband, 32, without prenup
For the record, this marriage has come to an end. Entertainment billionaire, David Geffen, has filed for divorce from his husband David Armstrong, after less than two years of marriage. The 82-year-old mogul tied the knot with the go-go dancer, 32, who goes by Donovan Michaels when he performs, in 2023 and the two did not sign a prenup. With the help of well known divorce attorney Laura Wasser, Geffen cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split, according to TMZ. Despite not signing a prenup, Forbes puts the retired businessman's net worth to be $8.7 billion. Geffen co-founded Asylum Records in 1971, founded Geffen Records in 1980 and DGC Records in 1990, and co-found DreamWorks Records in 1996. However, the record executive has been retired for 15 years and his income now consists of stocks and equities, which are separate property. Per California law, dividends from stocks remain separate, which could possibly leave Armstrong without a large cash settlement. The performer will receive spousal support for a year, however, since under California law, spouses receive payment for half the length of their marriage. Geffen will also pay Armstrong's spousal support and attorney's fees, TMZ reported, citing divorce documents. The pair reportedly first met in 2020 when Armstrong served as a personal trainer for Geffen before marrying in a private ceremony in Beverly Hills. In 2023, details surrounding Armstrong's past came to light. His former friends told The Post at the time that the dancer's income stems from picking up odd jobs in New York and Miami. The go-go dancer was born David Armstrong in Michigan, until he began going by Brandon Foster after relocating to Florida in 2014. The trainer started dancing and promoting parties at gay clubs around Miami including 'clothing optional' pool parties 'along with plenty of other hot sexy guys.' Armstrong was no stranger to flaunting his toned physique in Instagram photos, with one shot from September 2014 noting he was 'doing a little camming tonight.' The caption added he would 'put on a good show' for anyone who would pay for his footage. Two years later, around 2016, Armstrong left Florida for New York City, where he took on his new name. A former girlfriend revealed she only knew Armstrong to date women. But due to the fact he liked adventure and would dive head first into situations, his former flame wasn't shocked by his marriage. 'I wouldn't be surprised. I mean, he's very attractive,' she shared. 'He would tell me people just assumed that he was into guys from what he posts on Instagram.' 'I know that he was getting comments like that from gay men, that he was really attractive and in really good shape.' At the time, pictures of Geffen and Armstrong spotted at a New York City heliport surfaced. The photos showed Geffen flashing a gold band on his ring finger. Another one of Armstrong's friends told The Post the former fitness guru 'was always looking for his next adventure and was really determined to improve his life.' Sources noted that Armstrong also came from 'very humble beginnings' in Imlay City, Michigan, a town of just 4,000 people and was one of 13 children. A former pal revealed he was 'super secretive' and rarely divulged his past. 'It took a while to really get to know him because he was really private about his past,' said the former friend. They explained Armstrong was 'always searching for something to help him understand his past and what he experienced.' 'I think he rebelled a lot when he was younger, and that was a big part of why he left,' the friend confessed.
