It’s not an exaggeration to call Nicole Avant one of L.A.’s most influential political figures. A former U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas, she’s been a top bundler for the Democratic Party for more than 20 years — getting Hollywood’s wealthy progressives to open their wallets for Barack Obama, Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden and many, many others. But if you’re looking for a shoulder to cry on about the recent election, she’ll probably tell you to save your tears. “People have to understand that no matter how much you might want something or think that it’s right, it doesn’t always happen,” says Avant. “I hope people really look at themselves right now.”
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Sitting in the ballroom turned salon of the Hancock Park estate she shares with her husband, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, Avant is even-keeled about the nation’s recent swing to the right. But she has a proven record for maintaining perspective, a skill showcased in her book Think You’ll Be Happy. The memoir, in paperback Dec. 3, grapples with the shocking death of her mother — philanthropist Jacqueline Avant was shot in her Trousdale Estates house during a 2021 home invasion — while shifting the focus to the full life she led. It was a follow-up of sorts to The Black Godfather, a documentary about her late father, music executive and great social connector Clarence Avant. With her family’s stories told, she’s turning her attention to others. Her latest producorial effort is Tyler Perry’s The Six Triple Eight, which stars Kerry Washington and follows the only all-Black, all-female battalion in World War II. It hits theaters Dec. 6 before a Christmas streaming bow — on Netflix, naturally.
Tyler Perry is somebody whom people associate with creative control. He writes and directs all of his work on his own. What’s it like giving him a note?
Oh, he surprised me. When I had any notes, and I didn’t have a lot, he’d get into it. “Really? Why do you feel that way? Tell me about it.” Then he’d rewrite in two seconds. It’d look great. Twenty minutes later, there’d be another version, and he’d say, “Oh, I thought of something else.”
This film is for your husband’s platform. What’s a Ted note like?
Ted loves to give notes. He’s like, “I’m pretty good at this.” So if I would get stuck on something or Tyler would get stuck on something, I’d read it aloud to Ted. I also give notes to him on everything. We have this little game. When he has early versions of things, I’ll watch them and he’ll ask me if I think it’s going to be big or not.
Netflix is very particular about when it gives a film a theatrical release. How did you land on one for this film?
Scott Stuber, when he was there, he really championed this film for me. And he felt like, “Let’s go into the award season and see what happens.” I’d love to see Kerry nominated. But also, this is a movie for theaters. It belongs on the big screen, really. I think it’s going to do great in theaters and on Netflix.
Quincy Jones was your godfather. He was obviously known as a great artist, but he was also a real character. Would you mind sharing a funny memory of him?
He did the song “The Secret Garden.” It was Al B. Sure!, El DeBarge and Barry White — and I was so in love with Al B. Sure! at the time. Such a crush. It was ridiculous. I remember Quincy saying, “Girl, you’re sprung. Sprung like a mattress.” (Laughs.) Sprung? What? But he wasn’t a godfather in name [only]. He really raised me. Rashida [Jones, his daughter] and I were laughing the other night about the fact that my mom gave Quincy and Peggy [Lipton, Jones’ third wife) a going away party for a two-week trip to Japan. We thought they were leaving for six months, that’s how close our parents were.
The circumstances of your mother’s death are unfathomable for anyone who’ll read this. How did you come to the decision to write a book in the immediate aftermath?
There was a sense of urgency after the way my mom was killed and because this cannot be the legacy. She has a beautiful story and lived such a meaningful life. The last thing I wanted to read was “Jacquie Avant was murdered on December 1st, 2021.” No, that’s how she left, but that’s not her story. I keep her day planner next to my bed, and I love it because it reminds me that you have plans in life. She had plans that day. She was going to give books away and see friends for lunch. She was in the middle of all that.
Your childhood home famously hosted a constant flow of artists, thinkers, politicians. What encounter would you go back and redo as an adult if you could?
Alex Haley. I was maybe ten when Roots came out. It was heavy, but I wish I could go back and really sit with him. A lot of people, when they think of Black history, they don’t start in the 1600s. And, yes, slavery has been going on forever. With all colors of people. I understand that. But speaking to the African-American experience, he really changed the game. He made America look at itself acknowledge the entire journey.
You never sold the house. Have you and your brother decided what to do with it?
I think it’s time to let go. My parents were big collectors, and they made it very clear what they wanted done with it. Most everything has gone to a museums around the nation, which makes me happy. They live on through that. And the house is so great. It’s a great mid-century house, so I want it to go the right person. I love the fact that my mom didn’t die there. She died in the hospital. That house is filled with history. Only good came out of that house. But it’s been three years. It’s time.
I’d imagine you and your collaborators thought or hoped this film would coincide with a Black woman heading to the White House. Does this swerve impact the way you market or promote it?
Look, I get that a lot of people wanted to see that happen for Vice President Harris. It didn’t. What I love is that she jumped into the arena when no one knew what was going on. Things happened so fast. I love that spirit. She’s still the second most powerful person in the world right now. And she made history, by the way.
You’ve been an influential fundraiser for the Democratic Party for years. What are your thoughts on the election results?
People need a reality check. The Democratic Party needs a reality check. I don’t really follow Bernie Sanders, but I love what he said: “Are we really shocked that the Democratic Party is going to leave the working class and then the working class decides to vote for somebody else? Why are we in shock?” Now and again, everything swings. People have to regroup.
What do you say to the people asking, “What next?”
Everybody is going, “Oh my God. Where am I going to move?” I’m not going anywhere. I’m an American. I love my country. But at the end of the day, millions of Democrats didn’t vote. I’m still very optimistic, and I think that we have great people in the party — Gov. Josh Shapiro, Gov. Andy Beshear, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, they’re all smart and effective. People need to decide how they want to be effective and productive and be orderly about it. Don’t be whining all the time.
If we went to your TV room right now, what would I find in your Netflix queue?
Ted controls that for us — whatever’s coming up that he thinks we should watch. But I like the easy things, romance shows like Sweet Magnolias and Emily in Paris. Right now, I’m watching any holiday movie they have. I don’t want heavy drama. I don’t want negativity. I’ve had enough. And if it’s not Netflix, we always go back to Turner Classic Movies.
Since you mention holiday movies, have you seen Hot Frosty?
Hot Frosty! (Laughs.) We started it the other night, just the trailer. Oh boy. The name says it all. I’ll probably watch that this weekend.
This story appeared in the Dec. 4 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.
