
Martha Stewart and Netflix are reportedly at odds over the lifestyle mogul's harsh critique of her forthcoming documentary despite her receiving lavish treatment from the streaming giant.
- Sep 22, 2024
AceShowbiz - The tension between Martha Stewart and Netflix is palpable after the 83-year-old business magnate lambasted the streaming service's upcoming documentary about her, titled "Martha." This clash has stirred significant buzz in the film industry, especially following Stewart's pointed remarks at the 2024 Retail Influencer CEO Forum.
At the event, Stewart branded the documentary as "lazy," adding that it did not accurately portray the multifaceted personality that she is. "It's more about my stupid trial, which was so unfair," Stewart noted, referencing her 2004 conviction in a minimum-security federal prison in West Virginia. She was penalized for lying to investigators about stock sales related to ImClone.
Directing her discontent towards the film's director, R.J. Cutler, Stewart said he "refused to change anything," despite her objections. Stewart had a collaboration contract for the documentary but claimed that Cutler was non-compliant when she expressed her concerns about the narrative direction, specifically the portrayal of her legal battles. She was also critical of the way former Manhattan U.S. Attorney and FBI Director James Comey was depicted.
This simmering controversy reached a boiling point at the recent 2024 Telluride Film Festival, where Netflix went as far as to fly Stewart in via private jet for the premiere of the documentary. While Stewart and Cutler participated in a Q&A session at the festival, the domestic guru later made sure to air her grievances during a Q&A with the Daily Beast's Joanna Coles.
"I try not to talk publicly about the things I don't like, [as] it's not good business," Stewart allegedly revealed in the discussion, but she cheekily added, "I can talk a little bit badly about that." Despite her on-the-record criticisms, Stewart did softly hint at a future collaboration with Netflix, stating, "Netflix has already asked me if I'd do another one."
For its part, Netflix has remained tight-lipped about the issue. However, sources from Page Six indicated that the streaming giant is not pleased with Stewart's public critique, considering the extent they went to ensure her presence at the documentary's premiere.
R.J. Cutler, known for his work on the Vogue documentary "The September Issue" and a doc on John Belushi, has so far not responded to the controversy. He was also seen at the Toronto International Film Festival to promote another project on Elton John.
The "Martha" documentary is set to debut on October 30, and it remains to be seen if the friction between Stewart and Netflix will smooth out before then.