Oprah Winfrey, Ava DuVernay, & Reese Witherspoon Make THR’s Most Powerful People in Entertainment List
Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Ava DuVernay are all collaborating on one of 2018’s most highly anticipated films, “A Wrinkle in Time.” Winfrey and Witherspoon star in the DuVernay-directed adaptation of the beloved sci-fi novel, set to bow early next year. The trio of A-listers have something else in common: they’re among the 24 women to make the cut for The Hollywood Reporter’s Most Powerful People in Entertainment List.
The number of women in this year’s THR 100 marks an improvement from last year’s, when 19 women appeared on the list. Women — such as TV titan Shonda Rhimes, “Wonder Woman” director Patty Jenkins, and producer/ host Ellen DeGeneres — earned spots on the list for acting, producing, directing, and fronting studios. Here are some highlights from the feature:
The best advice Witherspoon has received about power: “I had the privilege of working with Oprah Winfrey on a movie for three months this year, and she taught me so much about business. She does not waste a minute of her time, and she does it all with grace and style and humor. She is hustle personified.”
What Witherspoon has learned about her job from her kids: “My kids help me understand emerging platforms and the opportunity there to reach a broader audience. It inspired me to expand my production company into digital and mobile content for women and create a dialogue on social media with my fans.”
The best advice Jenkins has received about power: “I learned to watch the simplicity of shifting power dynamics from [producer] Brad Wyman, who used to break it down for me daily while we were making ‘Monster.’ He has one of the cleanest grasps on power of anyone I’ve ever met because it is totally unfettered by emotion or his own agenda. He’s a pessimist but could always be talked into pointing out the only available avenues for optimism when pushed. I learned a lot from him about the dry simplicity of strategy and patience.”
The object on Jenkins’ desk people would be surprised to see there: “An Avid. I don’t edit my films myself, but I need access to all takes, music, and ways of doing things at all times. It’s the writer in me who wants access to fiddle and learn.”
How Trump has changed Jenkins’ job and life: “I think he has made the messages and discussions I want to have more in-focus and pertinent than ever.”
Who DuVernay would switch jobs with in Hollywood for a day: “[Netflix’s] Ted Sarandos. I’d like to know how it feels to be the industry’s biggest disruptor and have those deep pockets too. I’d make it a shopping day.”
How Trump has changed DuVernay’s job and life: “He’s devastated me in many ways, but each of those ways has made me more determined than before.”
Who Diane Nelson, President of DC Entertainment, would switch jobs with in Hollywood for a day: “Patty Jenkins. To feel demand for your talent, regardless of gender, and knowing you are creating films that are going to leave lifetime imprints.”
The best advice Nancy Dubuc, President/CEO of A+E Networks, has received about power: “I can’t say there’s been any specific advice that I could quote. But, so many people that I admire, especially those women who have climbed the ranks, from superagents to gifted storytellers and mentors — all taught me by example to respect your use of power and never assume it’s a given, certainly as a woman.”
See below for a complete list of women on the THR 100. Head over to THR for more words of wisdom from the most powerful women in Hollywood.
98. Reese Witherspoon (Actor/producer)
94. Patty Jenkins (Director)
75. Meryl Streep (Actor)
70. Ava DuVernay (Director/producer)
64. Diane Nelson (President, DC Entertainment)
62. Melissa McCarthy (Actor/producer)
55. Channing Dungey (President, ABC Entertainment)
53. Mary Parent (Vice chair, worldwide productions, Legendary Entertainment)
48. Dede Gardner (Producer/partner, Plan B)
45. Cindy Holland (VP, original content, Netflix)
44. Nancy Dubuc (President/CEO, A+E Networks
43. Ellen DeGeneres (Host/producer)
41. Jennifer Lawrence (Actor)
37. Shonda Rhimes (Writer/executive producer)
30. Megan Ellison (CEO, Annapurna Pictures)
27. Jennifer Salke (President, NBC)
21. Bonnie Hammer (Chairman, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment)
19. Kathleen Kennedy (President, Lucasfilm)
16. Dana Walden (Co-CEO/chairman, Fox TV Group)
12. Stacey Snider and Emma Watts (Chairman/CEO; Vice chairman and president of production, 20th Century Fox Film)
11. Donna Langley (Chairman, Universal Pictures)
9. Oprah Winfrey (CEO, OWN)
6. Shari Redstone (President, National Amusements, and vice chair, Viacom/CBS)
