But, soon after the dust settled, the veracity of the article’s many anecdotes and characterizations came under heightened scrutiny. In an on the record statement to me, Risa Heller, a spokesperson for Zucker, went even further than the statements provided to Variety. “Siegel was informed by The Atlantic that the charges were completely false, but she nevertheless decided to smear Alberta. Jon Kelly, editor in chief of Puck, similarly defended his reporter, who was portrayed in the piece as a Zucker shill. Reached for comment, a Variety spokesperson notably offered a defense of the piece that contained far less fervor.

Source: CNN July 26, 2023 04:46 UTC