Universal Music CEO Lucian Grainge positive for coronavirus just weeks after starry birthday bash
Powerful music executive Sir Lucian Grainge has been hospitalized after testing positive for coronavirus — just over two weeks after celebrating his 60th birthday with a host of power players including Kris Jenner and late-night TV host James Corden.
Grainge, the CEO of Universal Music whose artist roster includes Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Drake, is being treated at Los Angeles’ UCLA Medical Center, according to a source, and staff at his Santa Monica office were sent home Friday.
Grainge’s diagnosis has rattled a host of moguls who attended his 60th birthday in late February at exclusive residential community Madison Club near Palm Springs.
Guests also included Apple CEO Tim Cook, legendary music manager Irving Azoff, British billionaire Philip Green, top entertainment attorney Allen Grubman and Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick.
A source told Page Six, “The party was just close friends, no artists or Universal executives. It was 16 days ago, and while we are concerned about Lucien, everybody else in the group is fine, to my knowledge.”
Staff at Universal Music’s Santa Monica headquarters were evacuated from the office on Friday after Grainge tested positive for coronavirus, and the building has been closed indefinitely.
An internal memo from Universal Music reads, “We have just been informed that there is a confirmed case of infection in an employee based in our 2220 Colorado Avenue offices.
“Accordingly and out of an abundance of caution, we are immediately closing all of our Santa Monica offices, and all Santa Monica staff are required to work from home until further notice.”
A spokesperson for Grainge and Universal Music didn’t immediately comment.
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