UPDATE: Just hours before its premiere, the highly anticipated Melania Trump documentary, titled “Melania,” is being dismissed as a “farce” by entertainment expert Segun Oduolowu. The film, produced by Amazon MGM Studios, premiered at the newly rebranded Trump Kennedy Center on Thursday evening, but early reviews suggest it may struggle to attract audiences.
Oduolowu appeared on CNN This Morning and revealed shocking insights about the film’s financial backing. He stated, “The money is what you have to follow,” referring to the $40 million price tag for the documentary, a record for the genre. “Pocketing $27 million for a documentary is unheard of here in Hollywood,” he added, highlighting that typical documentary sales range from $250,000 to $750,000.
Critics are questioning the motivations behind Amazon’s substantial investment. Oduolowu noted, “It screams payoff because Jeff Bezos and Amazon paid $40 million for this, and $35 million was spent on advertising for a movie projected to bring in just $1 million to $2 million in its opening week.” He emphasized, “No one in Hollywood does that kind of math.”
Social media has been abuzz with skepticism, as users report that ticket sales for the premiere are alarmingly low. Oduolowu anticipates a harsh reception from both audiences and critics, stating, “It’s not going to make money… but it’s already made money for those involved.” He clarified that while Melania Trump may walk away with significant earnings, the film is unlikely to perform well at the box office.
He also expressed concerns about the film’s narrative, suggesting it misrepresents the current reality. “It’s going to stream on Amazon, where the propaganda machine can keep it going,” he said. The film’s premise revolves around Melania’s return to the White House, a notion Oduolowu finds misleading as it overlooks the fact that her son, Barron Trump, is in college and not moving back home.
The documentary’s portrayal of Melania as she prepares to “move back” has drawn ridicule, with Oduolowu cynically quipping, “What is she, packing boxes? It’s a farce.”
As the premiere unfolds tonight, viewers and critics alike will be watching closely to see if the film lives up to its hefty price tag or if it will be remembered as one of Hollywood’s more questionable investments. Keep an eye on streaming numbers and box office figures as they develop in the coming days.
