The lights are on at MSG, but the spotlight is on its dark secrets. An explosive report by Wired magazine has left the entertainment world reeling, alleging a sinister 'talent' database run by Madison Square Garden (MSG). This alleged internal goldmine contains 39,539 entries of A-listers, musicians, and business moguls, with some facing labels that scrape beneath the surface – their sexuality, racial identity, and even assigned 'risk' levels.
The data dump, courtesy of hacker collective ShinyHunters, suggests a staggering number of high-profile figures are caught up in this web. Some 93 individuals, including music sensations Phoebe Bridgers and Ricky Martin, were marked as LGBTQIA. While not always consistently applied, the report reveals that some celebrities' racial and gender identities were also recorded.
But it's the 'risk' scores assigned to over 400 stars that have sparked outrage. Rappers like Freddie Gibbs and Lil Jon are allegedly flagged as 'high risk', while Morgan Wallen and Lily Allen are categorised as 'medium risk'. Conversely, Ice Spice and Selena Gomez were listed as 'low risk'. The fallout is already being felt, with Freddie Gibbs publicly questioning his inclusion on social media.
MSG has fired back at the allegations, dismissing Wired's report as 'inaccurate and false' and vowing to pursue legal action. This bold stance sets the stage for a potentially bruising battle between the venue and the publication.
The implications of these claims extend far beyond the entertainment industry. The data leak also uncovered a massive customer database holding over 10.5 million entries, complete with email addresses, phone numbers, and birth dates. And it raises uncomfortable questions about the surveillance techniques employed by companies under MSG's parent leadership – including facial scanning technology at venue entrances.
One high-profile casualty of this alleged database is hip-hop producer Pete Rock, who was marked as 'DO NOT HOST' due to his past calls for a boycott of Dolan's businesses. This incident highlights the real-world consequences of such databases and their potential impact on professional relationships and public appearances.