Hollywood Walk of Fame
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Walk of Fame stars aren’t cheap.
From the website: “Due to rising costs, sponsorship fee will increase to $75,000 for all accepted nominations starting with the class of 2024.”
This represents a jump from $55,000 last year. The sponsorship fee has increased astronomically in the past 36 years.
“When I started in 1987, I think it was about $3,500,” Martinez says. “Then it went up to $5,000. It would go up every few years. The last time we had a big increase, was probably almost 10 years ago – it went from $40,000 to $50,000. Then it was $55,000. Everything is astronomical right now. Everything has gone up since we’ve been back from COVID.”
Some of the costs the sponsorship fee covers include the creation and installation of the star (they are made of terrazzo and brass); the costs associated with the star unveiling ceremony, which is free and open to the public; maintenance of the star in instances of cracking or vandalism (Donald Trump’s star was whacked more than once); and the presentation of a large floral arrangement on the day the honoree dies.
The Hollywood Historic Trust, not the city of Los Angeles, takes care of Walk of Fame repairs and the floral arrangements. “They get a portion of the sponsorship fee,” Martinez says. “The trust was formed to maintain the look of the Walk of Fame and they do other things as well. During COVID, I believe they did a $3 million repair because nobody was on [Hollywood] Blvd. so it was a perfect time to do it.”
When it is suggested that the requirement to commit to sponsor the star would put this out of reach for even most superfans, Martinez replies, “You would be surprised. When Liza Minnelli was selected, she was nominated by fans. They had movie nights at somebody’s house and they would sell baked goods. That’s how they raised the money. For Dean Stockwell, he was very much into the environment. His fans collected newspaper [for recycling; what used to be called paper drives] and got money for that. So, they have their ways. And nowadays, they have GoFundMe and things like that.”
From the website: “The Hollywood Walk of Fame does not encourage or endorse online campaigns for fundraising for a star prior to selection. Such initiatives do not impact the selection process for a star on the Walk of Fame.”
From the website: “The nominator must promise to sponsor the star presentation if it approved. Please submit completed nomination application and a commitment to sponsor the star.”
Martinez amplifies on that point. “We are a non-profit. We cannot pay for it.”
That said, the Walk of Fame brings in quite a bit of money. At the new rate of $75,000 per star presentation, and assuming 27 presentations per year (the midpoint in the 24-30 range Martinez cites), the presentations bring in $2,025,000 per year. At $250 per application, and assuming 200 applications a year, applications bring in an additional $50,000. (Note that applications buy two years of consideration, so that second figure may be more like $25,000 per year.)
If you still want to go through with this, visit the Walk Of Fame Nomination Dashboard.
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Source: VALERIE MACON / Getty / Michael B. Jordan
Michael B. Jordan has been the talk of the internet, but this latest news has nothing to do with a debate about him being “corny,” looking at you, Joe Budden.
Easily one of Hollywood’s hottest actors, Michael B. Jordan now has a star on the Walk of Fame, one of Hollywood’s most significant accomplishments, on Wednesday, March 1
The honor was first announced by The Hollywood Walk of Fame selection panel in 2021, and Jordan’s name was on a list that included television mogul Byron Allen and the late Hip-Hop star Nipsey Hussle.
His friend and frequent collaborator, Black Panther director Ryan Coogler and his new buddy and Creed III co-star Jonathan Majors were on hand to deliver kind words about Jordan before he was given his star and plaque.
This latest accomplishment in his career came ahead of Creed III’s release, which Jordan directed, and critics are raving is the best film in the boxing movie franchise.
This is probably one of the most unforgettable weeks I’ve had,” Jordan said at the ceremony. “I’m extremely humbled and grateful to be here … I know it’s not a small achievement. It’s not lost on me how special this moment is and what this represents to our community, so from the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you.”
Jonathan Majors & Ryan Coogler Came With The Glowing Words For Michael B. Jordan
Ryan Coogler and Jordan are now a formidable Hollywood 1,2 punch since Fruitvale Station. Coogler spoke on their history and recalling meeting a young Jordan in Starbucks by Universal Studios to discuss him possibly starring in the film.
The rest is history after that, with Jordan and Coogler working on other films like the first Creed film and Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
For his speech, Jonathan Majors had nothing but kind words about his buddy pointing to the long days on the Creed III set and how Jordan’s determination. “Today, brother, you go from man to god,” Majors said.
“You sit among Olympians. I honor you, I love you, and we are all so proud to call you our son, our brother, but chiefly, I am extremely honored to call you my friend. No man on the planet I know deserves it more. I love you to the moon and back,” Majors continued.
Congratulations to Michael B. Jordan, and see Creed III immediately. It’s fire.
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Photo: VALERIE MACON / Getty
Ice-T will be honored with the 2,747th on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 17.
“Ice-T is a cultural icon and a success both in the music and television industries. His fans will be very excited to see their favorite performer placed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” said Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in a press statement.
Since its orgin in the 1950s, millions of tourists walk the popular attraction daily to get a photo of their favorite celebrities’ five-pointed honor. The stretch of pink terrazzo and brass stars along Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, and its adjacent streets, are full of more than 2,500 celebrities who have contributed to film, music, television, theater and radio.
Out of the thousands of Walk of Fame stars, did you know Ice-T is only the eleventh rapper in history to receive the honor? The number isn’t too shocking, since the process to get a star is pretty laborious. Each celebrity must be nominated, apply for the star with a written statement and raise the required amount of money to receive the honor.
See below for the 11 rappers who have received the ultimate Hollywood “street cred.”
Sophie Turner is gushing with pride over her husband, Joe Jonas, and the Jonas Brothers‘ latest career milestone.
The Game of Thrones actress was present Monday when Joe, Kevin and Nick received their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and she took to Instagram on Tuesday (Jan. 31) to express just how proud she is of her family.
“To see the hard work and love and light you boys bring to your music… it’s an honor just to watch from the sidelines,” Turner captioned a photo from the event, in which she, Joe and her famous in-laws posed for commemorative photos.
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“After almost 20 years of hard work, you boys are so deserving of this. I’m so lucky to count you as family. I’m proud of you every day,” she added, placing a shining star and red heart emoji at the end of her post.
The Jonas Brothers were equally excited to become Walk of Famers — so much so that during the ceremony, the brothers celebrated the achievement by announcing that their new project, The Album, is arriving on May 5.
“It’s nice to reflect on this nearly 20-year journey and to commemorate it here today, but we’re looking towards the future and what’s coming next,” Nick said during the ceremony. “So with that, I think that we should make a quick announcement. We are excited to announce today that our new album, The Album, will be coming out May 5th, and we can’t wait to see you on tour later this year.”
See Turner’s Instagram post here.
Nick Jonas had a very special supporter at the Jonas Brothers‘ Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on Monday (Jan. 30). In addition to wife Priyanka Chopra, the couple’s baby Malti was in attendance for her very first public appearance.
The year-old babe was perched on her mom’s lap as Nick and his brothers accepted their honor. The couple have kept Malti’s face private on social media since her January 2022 birth, but she can briefly be seen in Chopra’s Instagram post from the event wearing an all-cream ensemble and matching headband in white. (While Kevin Jonas’ girls, Valentina and Alena, were also in attendance with mom Danielle Jonas, Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner left their two daughters at home.)
Nick Jonas also gave his daughter a sweet shout-out during his remarks at the podium, saying, “To my beautiful wife, you are the calm in the crazy, the rock in the storm and I love being married to you. It is the greatest gift. And I love being a parent with you, so Malti Marie, hi babe. I can’t wait to come back here with you in 15 years and embarrass you in front of your friends.”
During the ceremony, the JoBros also announced the May 5 release date for their upcoming sixth album, titled The Album, and revealed they plan to go on tour later this year — much to the roaring approval of the Jonatics in attendance. Over the weekend, the trio already teased one of the new songs expected on The Album in the form of funky ’70s-style disco groove “Wings.”
Get a glance at Malti in Chopra’s slideshow below.
Salt-N-Pepa are the latest celebrities to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced on Tuesday (Oct. 25) that the MCs will receive their star in the Recording category, and the honor marks the 2,739th star on the walk of fame.
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The duo’s star will be located at 6213 Hollywood Boulevard adjacent to Amoeba Music, and will be presented to them in a ceremony on Friday (Nov. 4) at 11:30 a.m. PT. MC Lyte and Roxanne Chante will appear as guest speakers of the event, and the entire ceremony will be streamed live exclusively at walkoffame.com.
“This upcoming star ceremony honoring Hip-Hop pioneers SaltN-Pepa will honor the amazing 80s music we all love and so many grew up with!” shared Walk of Fame Producer Ana Martinez in a press statement. “We’re placing these ladies of Hip Hop royalty adjacent to Amoeba Music and right next to the Walk of Fame star of another Queen of Hip Hop, Missy Elliott!”
Cheryl James (Salt) and Sandra Denton (Pepa) got their start as a group back in 1985, and since then, they’ve reached countless accomplishments including three No. 1s on Billboard‘s Hot Rap Songs chart, five albums on the Billboard 200, and winning the Grammy for best rap performance by a duo or group in 1995 — which made them the first women in rap to win a Grammy.
Additionally, their hit “Push It” became the first rap song by a female act to hit the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, and it eventually climbed its way up to No. 19.