Sony Hack: One Direction, David Bowie And Adele Could Be Next
The Mail is reporting today that executives at Sony are bracing themselves for a fresh wave of embarrassing information being leaked to the internet by those responsible for the hack. Sony’s movie division was rocked by a series of leaks before Christmas, as the hackers released a series of emails that appeared to mock President Obama and launched a scathing attack on actress Angelina Jolie, calling her a “minimally talented spoiled brat.”
To date, the Sony Music Division has been relatively unscathed by the hacking scandal, but Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton has called on executives to offer a “blanket apology” in advance of any details that may come out. Sony Music brass are particularly concerned about details of artists’ contracts, including live performance riders, being made public in a new wave of released e-mails.
The Mirror claims that “pop star’s diva demands in their riders, salaries, contracts and personal information are all expected to be released.” Artists signed to Sony Labels include Beyoncé, One Direction, David Bowie, AC/DC, Pitbull, Barbra Streisand, and Adele. It is thought that Barbra Streisand, Bruce Springsteen, and new sensation Meghan Trainor have been targeted too.
The Mirror says that “There is a terrible amount of stress in Sony about what the hackers have found.”
“Already personal information about many of their movie stars including passport details, the pseudonyms they use and health records have been leaked.”
“They found it hugely embarrassing when the hackers revealed the email in which Angelina Jolie was called a ‘minimally talented spoiled brat’ in one company exchange.”
“Bosses now fear similar details have been hacked on their music stars including the demands each artists makes while on tour.”
“There is a lot of nervousness at Sony HQ.”
The original hacking scandal was thought to have stemmed from parodying of North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, in the assassination comedy The Interview. The hackers, who call themselves the “Guardians of the Peace,” have been traced to Pyongyang, North Korea, by the FBI. The Independent has reported that the National Security Agency knew North Korea was involved because they were already hacking the North Koreans.
The hackers recently leaked e-mails, claiming Sony Music and CEO Michael Lynton were working on a “top-secret project” late last year to potentially sell off music publishing division Sony/ATV. Along with Michael Jackson’s estate, Sony owns the copyright to most of the Beatles’ back catalog.
If details of information on salaries and artists’ recording contracts does leak, it will be another hugely embarrassing episode for Sony and the artists concerned.
