A Resurfaced Report Hints That Donald Trump May Have Persuaded Broadway Producer To Cast Marla Maples in Major Role
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On August 3, 1992, Marla Maples made her Broadway debut in The Will Rogers Follies where she played “Ziegfeld’s Favorite.” The show drew some fanfare with celebrities like Kathy Lee Gifford, LaToya Jackson, and Keith Carradine in the audience to celebrate her big night, but there were quite a few questions as to how she secured the role given her association with Manhattan’s most recognizable celeb at the time: Donald Trump.
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A resurfaced New York Times article from that era tackles some of the mystery behind Donald Trump’s former mistress booking a major Broadway part. The then-New York real estate scion claimed that his involvement with nabbing Maples the role was minimal even though he was close friends with show producer Pierre Cossette. He told the media outlet, “You can have all the friends you want. If they don’t think the person is a terrific talent, no way can they be at the Palace Theater.”
But even one of the ensemble member’s mother even quipped to the newspaper, “It’s amazing what a little money can do.” Donald Trump’s influence was felt everywhere that night from the 200 complimentary tickets he received to the “Western theme party for 500 in the grand ballroom of the Plaza Hotel” that he threw after the show. And of course, the media showed up to the future president’s PR stunt — he got a job for his girlfriend and got himself a lot of press.
It seems like the nepo-baby event worked, though. One audience member bought tickets for Maples’ big night because she followed the affair gossip. “I wanted to see the woman who stole Ivana Trump’s husband,” Dale Canner told The New York Times. The associate director didn’t hold back with his admission that she was a “huge help” for ticket sales in the struggling show. And talk show host Maury Povich praised Maples while suggesting why a lot of people were in the audience that night. “Everyone is waiting for slips,” he said honestly. “But there aren’t any. I think she is living up to the role.” A Broadway debut with a tabloid twist.
Before you go, click here to see all the celebrity couples who have stayed together after cheating scandals.
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