Latest news with #EvilHag
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Aubrey Plaza to star as Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss
Aubrey Plaza is set to star as Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss in a new biopic. Titled The Heidi Fleiss Story, the dark comedy will follow the final days leading up to Fleiss' 1993 arrest, when authorities exposed her high-end prostitution ring operating in Los Angeles, Deadline reports. Plaza will star in and produce the film through her company, Evil Hag. The project marks her first major role since the death of her husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena, in January this year. Fleiss rose to prominence in the early 1990s for allegedly running a secretive operation that catered to celebrities, media executives and other powerful figures. She was said to have taken over the business from her mentor, convicted madam Elizabeth 'Madam Alex' Adams, and expanded it into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. That empire collapsed in June 1993, when Fleiss was arrested and later charged with pandering, tax evasion and money laundering. Prosecutors alleged she laundered more than $1.5 million (£1.1 million) through shell companies and false records. The case drew national headlines, fuelled by speculation over a list of high-profile clients. The list remains sealed to this day. Plaza has been gradually returning to public life following Baena's death by suicide. In February, she appeared on SNL50: The Anniversary Special, wearing a pink tie-dyed T-shirt - a subtle tribute to the couple's wedding-day attire. The pair had been together for more than a decade, but had separated in the months before Baena's death.
San Francisco Chronicle
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Aubrey Plaza to star as Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss in new biopic
Aubrey Plaza is set to return to the spotlight with a characteristically offbeat new role portraying Heidi Fleiss, the infamous Hollywood madam. Titled 'The Heidi Fleiss Story,' the dark comedy biopic will follow the chaotic final days leading up to Fleiss's 1993 arrest, when authorities exposed her high-end prostitution ring operating in Los Angeles, according to Deadline and other industry publications. Plaza, who splits her time between Los Angeles and Marin County, will star and produce the film through her company, Evil Hag. The project marks her first major role since the death of her husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena, in January. Fleiss rose to prominence in the early 1990s for allegedly running a clandestine operation that catered to celebrities, executives and other powerful figures. She was said to have taken over the business from her mentor, convicted madam Elizabeth 'Madam Alex' Adams, and quickly expanded it into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. That empire collapsed in June 1993, when Fleiss was arrested and later charged with pandering, tax evasion and money laundering. Prosecutors alleged she laundered more than $1.5 million through shell companies and false records. The case drew national headlines, fueled by speculation over a still-sealed list of high-profile clients. Plaza has been gradually returning to public life following Baena's death by suicide. In February, she appeared on 'SNL50: The Anniversary Special,' wearing a pink tie-dyed T-shirt — a quiet tribute to Baena's pandemic-era hobby and the couple's wedding-day attire. The pair had been together for more than a decade, though they had separated in the months before his death. Plaza's upcoming slate also includes a leading role in 'Honey Don't!,' the latest film from Ethan Coen, arriving in theaters on Aug. 22. She also appears in Francis Ford Coppola 's 'Megalopolis' and previously earned praise for her performances in 'The White Lotus' Season 2 and in the Sundance Film Festival favorite ' My Old Ass. ' Next, she'll star alongside Susan Sarandon in 'The Accompanist,' an indie drama that marks the feature directorial debut of 'The Office' alum Zach Woods.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Aubrey Plaza to play Heidi Fleiss in biopic directed by Leah Rachel from Pinky Promise
Aubrey Plaza is set to both star in and produce The Heidi Fleiss Story, an upcoming biopic about the notorious 'Hollywood madam' who made headlines in the 1990s. The film, which marks the feature directorial debut of Leah Rachel, will chronicle Fleiss's rise and fall as the operator of what was reported to be the world's largest high-end prostitution ring—implicating celebrities, politicians, and other powerful figures. Plaza will portray Fleiss during the turbulent period leading up to her trial, as she attempts to manipulate her Hollywood connections in an effort to have the case against her dropped. According to the official logline, the story follows Fleiss navigating Los Angeles with the help of Jaclyn, a young aspiring writer, as she tries to leverage secrets and threats to evade justice. The script is co-written by Rachel, Rachel Sennott (Bottoms), and Travis Jackson. Sennott, known for her rising status as a Gen Z screen star, adds comedic and dramatic edge to the film's take on the infamous media frenzy that surrounded Fleiss's case. The project is being produced by Jessamine Burgum and Kara Durrett under their production company Pinky Promise, with Plaza producing via her banner Evil Hag. Production is scheduled to begin later this year in Los Angeles. Plaza, best known for roles in Parks and Recreation and The White Lotus, recently appeared in Ethan Coen's Honey Don't, Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis, and the Sundance breakout My Old Ass. She'll next appear in The Accompanist, directed by Zack Woods and co-starring Susan Sarandon. She is represented by CAA and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham. Pinky Promise continues to establish itself as a force in indie cinema with titles like The Starling Girl and Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul, and upcoming projects such as Scarlett Johansson's Eleanor the Great.
