As a pandemic-altered awards season continues, former workers of the Chateau Marmont — a celebrity favorite and the location of Jay Z and Beyonce’s past Oscar fêtes — are asking people to celebrate elsewhere, nominating the iconic Hollywood hotel as the establishment with the “worst performance.”
Former employees, supported by Unite Here Local 11 labor union, have been vocal against the Hollywood landmark since the beginning of the pandemic when more than 200 workers were laid off and left without health insurance.
In May, owner Andre Balazs said the hotel “gave more than $250,000,” to employees.
But the storied hotel has also been hit with lawsuits from former staffers, with some claiming racial and sexual discrimination. Other employees claimed the hotel has an allegedly “toxic, drug-fueled culture.”
But as recently as last week, protesters gathered in their cars outside the landmark with signs like “Shame on Chateau Marmont” and other notices, including some handing the hotel an award for the “worst performance.”
Meanwhile, the producers of the Oscars have said Zoom is out and the red carpet is back, and they are committed to holding an in-person event at Los Angeles’ Union Station for nominees, presenters and limited guests on April 25.
There will also be a live component at the Dolby Theatre, which has hosted the Academy Awards since 2001.
“Our plan is that this year’s Oscars will look like a movie, not a television show,” said show producers Jesse Collins, Stacy Sher and Steven Soderbergh in a statement.
And they expect the stars to dress up.
“We’re aiming for a fusion of Inspirational and Aspirational, which in actual words means formal is totally cool if you want to go there, but casual is really not,” the producers said.
Other options to celebrate the Oscars on the night include Elton John’s annual Oscar party, which will be streamed online with host Neil Patrick Harris and feature a performance by Dua Lipa.