Connect with us

Published

2 years ago

on

The Hollywood Reporter and Esquire refused to publish an explosive article by a freelance journalist who discovered that popular self-help podcaster Jay Shetty lied about aspects of his biography.

John McDermott spent a year researching the story about Shetty, which was eventually published by the British-based outlet Guardian.

Shetty, the author of two bestselling books who also officiated the wedding of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, plagiarized social media posts and misrepresented parts of his life story, including the claim that he spent three years in India as a monk, according to McDermott’s reporting.

But McDermott was initially tasked with reporting the story by Esquire, the popular men’s magazine owned by Hearst Communications, according to the news site Semafor.

When McDermott’s story began to take on a more critical tone, he was informed by the editors at Esquire that they would not publish the article, it was reported.

McDermott then approached THR, but the Penske Media-owned publication backed off after Shetty’s public relations handlers complained about him, Semafor reported.

When reached by The Post, McDermott declined to comment.

THR decided not to proceed further once they learned of a conflict of interest between the subject and the reporter attached to the pitch of the story, a Penske rep told The Post.

A Penske Media spokesperson told Semafor that THR’s decision to pass on the Shetty story “has nothing to do with Jay Shetty’s PR.”

Instead, the company said it passed on the article due to a “conflict of interest’ involving McDermott.

The Post has sought comment from Shetty and Hearst.

Hearst, whose media properties such as Esquire and Cosmopolitan were once known for publishing hard-hitting, aggressive stories, have reportedly become more gun-shy due to fears of being sued.

In 2018, Esquire reporters who investigated sexual misconduct allegations leveled against director Bryan Singer said their corporate bosses at Hearst killed the story before it was set to be published. No explanation was given as to why the decision was made.

Singer, whose Hollywood credits include “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “The Usual Suspects,” “Valkyrie” and several films in the “X-Men” series, was accused of having sex with several underage boys.

The allegations were eventually detailed in a story published by the Atlantic.

Another Hearst property, Road & Track magazine, published a critical piece about Formula One racing written by a left-leaning writer.

But the story was removed from the publication’s website hours after it went live without any explanation given.

Last month, another Hearst publication, Rolling Stone, was rocked by the announcement that its editor-in-chief, Noah Shachtman, would be resigning.

Shachtman, the former top editor at Daily Beast, reportedly clashed with Rolling Stone CEO Gus Wenner, who was frustrated by the magazine’s reliance on anonymous sources, according to Semafor.

His departure has called into question the future publication of several stories that were in the works, according to Semafor.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Sports

No. 7 Georgia Tech down 3 starters vs. Syracuse

Published

2 hours ago

on

October 25, 2025

By

No. 7 Georgia Tech down 3 starters vs. Syracuse
Oct 25, 2025, 10:06 AM ET

No. 7 Georgia Tech will be without three starters — wide receiver Malik Rutherford, center Harrison Moore and nickelback Jy Gilmore — against Syracuse on Saturday.

All three were ruled out on the ACC availability report after suffering injuries during last week’s win over Duke.

Rutherford is tied for the Yellow Jackets’ lead with 23 receptions and two receiving touchdowns this season and ranks third on the team with 202 receiving yards.

With cornerback Ahmari Harvey out for the second straight week, Georgia Tech will be down two key secondary members against an Orange passing game that is averaging 294.3 yards per game (15th in the NCAA).

The Yellow Jackets are 7-0 for the first time since 1966, while their No. 7 ranking is the school’s highest since 2009.

Continue Reading

Sports

Utah QB Dampier now probable to face Colorado

Published

2 hours ago

on

October 25, 2025

By

Utah QB Dampier now probable to face Colorado

  • Max OlsonOct 24, 2025, 10:35 PM ET

    Close

    • Covers the Big 12
    • Joined ESPN in 2012
    • Graduate of the University of Nebraska

Utah quarterback Devon Dampier has been upgraded to probable for the Utes’ game against Colorado, according to the updated Big 12 availability report released Friday night.

The junior quarterback has dealt with a lower leg injury this season, and coach Kyle Whittingham said Dampier “got beat up in this game pretty good” after the Utes’ 24-21 loss to rival BYU last weekend.

Dampier was initially listed as questionable Wednesday but progressed throughout the week and took reps in practice, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

The 5-foot-11, 210-pound junior, a transfer out of New Mexico, has started every game despite the injury and ranks sixth in the Big 12 in total offense with 1,375 passing yards, 442 rushing yards and 18 total touchdowns.

True freshman backup Byrd Ficklin played four snaps against BYU and would be in line to start if Dampier is unavailable Saturday against the Buffaloes (10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Utah wide receiver Tobias Merriweather and defensive tackle Dallas Vakalahi were downgraded from doubtful to out against Colorado. Merriweather ranks second among Utes wideouts with 130 receiving yards on eight receptions this season.

Continue Reading

Sports

UNT QB Mestemaker has record 608 yards in win

Published

2 hours ago

on

October 25, 2025

By

UNT QB Mestemaker has record 608 yards in win

  • Associated Press

Oct 24, 2025, 11:03 PM ET

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Redshirt freshman Drew Mestemaker passed for a school-record 608 yards with four touchdowns as North Texas scored 37 unanswered points to beat Charlotte 54-20 on Friday night.

Mestemaker completed 37 of 49 passes with one interception in breaking the record.

He covered 80 yards with three passes — the final one a 41-yard scoring strike to Cameron Dorner — on the game’s first possession to put North Texas (7-1, 3-1 American) up 7-0.

Charlotte (1-7, 0-5) answered with Liam Boyd‘s 24-yard field goal and Grayson Loftis‘ 33-yard touchdown pass to Javen Nicholas to take a 10-7 lead into the second quarter. Loftis and Nicholas then teamed up for a 64-yard score in a one-play drive and Charlotte led 17-7.

Kali Nguma followed with a 29-yard field goal and Mestemaker hit Caleb Hawkins for a 6-yard score to tie it 17-all at halftime.

Charlotte had a drive stall at the North Texas 3-yard line to begin the third quarter and settled for Boyd’s field goal and a 20-17 lead. It was all Mean Green from there.

Mestemaker passed to Tre Williams III for a 30-yard gain to the Charlotte 1 and Kiefer Sibley ran it in on the next play to put North Texas ahead. Nguma added a 41-yard field goal for a 27-20 advantage after three quarters.

Mestemaker connected with Hawkins for a 7-yard touchdown, and Wyatt Young turned a short pass into a 70-yard score and a 20-point lead after the 2-point run failed. Sibley added a 45-yard touchdown run, and Ashton Gray scored on a 32-yard run to polish off the rout.

Young finished with nine receptions for 190 yards. Dorner caught seven passes for 117 yards, and Landon Sides hauled in five for 114.

Loftis totaled 295 yards on 20-for-36 passing for the 49ers. Nicholas had seven catches for 187 yards.

Continue Reading

Trending