Gothamist: Project Jay Tonight!

Jo

Thu, 23 Feb 2006 07:33:14 -0500

As a CPA who has worked with scores of actors, designers, and entertainers, my intuitive response would be he made a bad decision. The lack of biz sense for some artistic folks is astounding, but it does make for great fodder. Many have speculated he didn't take the $100K because of some restrictive aspect of the contract. Its known that Klum's production company owns the rights to all of the designs from the show, so I presume the objectionable portion of the contract has to do with licensing, but who knows. More likely is he simply lacked the vision to realize the exposure would be worth far more than missing out on a few dimes. Jay has mentioned his "sustainable career" in virtually every interview I've read in the last year, but why pass up the momentum that seed money would have provided? He's a great t.v. personality, but his attitude about his career is so infantile. At some point his 16th minute will be up. Then he'll have to sweat his way up like the rest of the world. Time will tell, but it was just a dumb move IMO.

pasc

Thu, 23 Feb 2006 00:55:55 -0500

He didn't take the money because he opted for a rep and (I think) some licensing deals which - if they worked out well - would have made him more money than the $100K. I didn't watch the episode, so I don't know how his business is doing, but I think it was a smarter move overall.

kim

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 18:49:51 -0500

There is an interview in the 2/16-22 issue of TONY with Jay and it mentions he wants to "strike his own licensing deal" And then..when he's asked: TONY:Why didn't you take the prize money? JM: I can't talk about any of it, but it's nightmarish, kind of. I've opted to take other avenues. Use your imagination. I love Jay!

Jen

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 17:15:33 -0500

That makes sense, though it's less sexy/salacious than I had hoped. ("For the $100,000, you'll have to design crap for a year!")

sam

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 14:30:38 -0500

I have no idea why he didn't take the money, but my assumption, when I first heard it, was that he might possible have not "owned" the designs that he made while he was indentured to Banana - That while he got 100K, if his line took off, they would be reaping most of the benefit/financial reward.

kowgurl

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 14:23:37 -0500

I assume he didnt take the money 'casue it meant being banana republic's bitch, er, apprentice for a year.