Meet the Man at the Center of Paramount’s Legal Drama

Plus: Trump Talks to VF

View in browser | Update preferences SUBSCRIBE FOR FULL ACCESS According to his own telling, high-stakes gambler R.J. Cipriani first cultivated a reputation—and the nickname Robin Hood 702—around Las Vegas for giving his blackjack winnings to families in need. Since then, he has fashioned himself a thorn in the side of the wealthy and famous. The most recent target of Cipriani's self-styled vigilantism is Paramount president Jeff Shell, who claims Cipriani is trying to extort and defame him with a $150 million lawsuit over, among other things, crisis communications services and confidential company information. Vanity Fair's Dan Adler talked to the man at the center of the legal drama, which, new reporting suggests, may lead to Shell's ouster from his role at Paramount. Meanwhile, Chris Murphy has your guide to all the drama surrounding The Drama, A24's new movie starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. And Aidan McLaughlin got on the phone with Donald Trump following his address to the nation this week. You can read all about their chat here. CAITLIN DICKSON, SENIOR EDITOR Why this ad? The High-Stakes Gambler, and Self-Styled Vigilante, at the Center of Paramount's Legal Drama BY DAN ADLER "Well, you must not have read all the shit about me, buddy." In an interview with Vanity Fair, R.J. Cipriani is eager to share his side of an alleged extortion saga that has ensnared studio executive Jeff Shell. READ MORE Get more as a Vanity Fair subscriber Exclusive offer: Subscribe to get one month of Vanity Fair free START YOUR FREE TRIAL More Great Reads FILM All the Drama Surrounding The Drama, Explained BY CHRIS MURPHY A24's dark comedy starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson has sparked both intrigue and controversy—thanks to the film's shocking twist and the past behavior of its director. READ MORE POLITICS Donald Trump Talks to Vanity Fair the Day After His Iran Address BY AIDAN MCLAUGHLIN On Wednesday, the president delivered his first White House address to the nation on the war in Iran. In an interview with VF, over a background track of Fox News programming, he touted his supposed triumphs: "I don't worry about markets. I worry about nuclear weapons." READ MORE Video The XO, Kitty Cast Take the Hot Seat BY VANITY FAIR Is it just us, or is it getting hot in here? The stars of the hit Netflix series take turns answering uncomfortable questions in VF's Hot Seat. Which cast member is the most likely to be in a real-life love triangle? What's an XO, Kitty fan theory that they wish were true? Watch the cast take on these juicy questions—and more. READ MORE Why this ad? In Case You Missed It The Best New Movies and Shows on Netflix This Month From Beef to Love on the Spectrum to a documentary on Noah Kahan, here's what to watch—and what to look out for—on the streamer this month. MORE FROM VANITY FAIR POLITICS BUSINESS HOLLYWOOD STYLE ROYALS CELEBRITY This e-mail was sent to you by VANITY FAIR. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, vanityfair@newsletter.vf.com, to your address book. View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe Copyright © Condé Nast 2026. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.