Baller Alert It's a lifestyle!
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, LeBron James opens up about his recent transition into the TV/film industry, race and Serena William’s controversial tennis match.
Earlier this week, the new Los Angeles Laker walked the Warner Bros. lot where his production company, Springhill Entertainment, has lived since 2016. In that time, James and his childhood friend #MaverickCarter – who manages Springhill fulltime – have quickly shaped new media in Hollywood. From collaborations with The CW and NBC a scripted series to projects on HBO, including “Student-Athlete,” “The Shop,” a documentary on Muhammad Ali, to James’ most recent news- starring in a #RyanCoogler produced #SpaceJam sequel.
As part of the interview, James discussed his political concerns, and the amount of time #DonaldTrump has to tweet inappropriate and offensive comments. When asked if he was bothered after Trump called him “dumb,” he responded by saying, “No, because I’m not. That’s like somebody saying I can’t play ball. That doesn’t bother me at all. What bothers me is that he has time to even do that. He has the most powerful job in the world. Like, you really got this much time that you can comment on me?”
He also explained the importance of women’s rights – in particular, rights for women of color – which became much more significant for him once he had his daughter Zhuri. Now his support for #SerenaWilliams now hits a much closer part of his home. “What we all have to understand is what she is fighting for is bigger than just that match,” he says. “She is fighting for equality — always having to win more, more, more, just to feel equal. Being an African-American woman playing in a predominantly white sport, she’s dealing with so much more. I have no idea what was going on in her head, but I feel that struggle.”
James also shared how he wouldn’t be where he is today if not for his wife #SavannahJames. “[Savannah] was down when I was at my high school, no cameras, no lights. And she was there with me. You wouldn’t be talking to me right now if it weren’t for he, said the 33-year-old. All-in-all, James just wants to give back to the community in all of his endeavors.
“The goal is to continue to do what we’ve been doing, and if we make a billion-dollar company at the end of it, we will pat each other on the back, hug each other, pop some great wine … but that is not the goal. It’s never been the goal,” he says. “I’m going to continue to play basketball at a high level, continue to give back to my community and make great content for people to fall in love with.”
