Graydon Carter Reveals Why Harvey Weinstein Was Banned From Vanity Fair’s Oscars Party

March 24, 2025: Graydon Carter, the former editor of Vanity Fair, has opened up about the reason for the permanent exclusion of disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein from the magazine’s prestigious Oscars party. Carter shared the details in his upcoming book, When the Going Was Good, which is set to release on Tuesday.

Weinstein, who was once a regular at the exclusive event, was banned due to his repeated rude and disrespectful behavior toward the event staff. Carter revealed that Weinstein would often bring more guests than his invitation allowed and would bully the staff, crossing a line that was deemed unacceptable. Despite speculation that his behavior was influenced by alcohol, Carter clarified that it was not a result of drinking but rather an inherent aspect of Weinstein’s character.

Carter, who served as editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair for over two decades, began hosting the Oscars party in 1994. The event became a glittering gathering for Hollywood stars, especially after the death of agent Swifty Lazar, who previously hosted such parties. Managing the guest list proved difficult, with Sara Marks, the editor in charge, facing bribery, threats, and abuse from those eager to secure an invite.

Weinstein’s ban is part of the larger narrative of his misconduct that eventually led to his fall from grace. Since 2017, more than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment, assault, or rape, sparking the #MeToo movement. Weinstein was convicted in 2020 of criminal sexual assault and rape, receiving a 23-year prison sentence. He was also sentenced to an additional 16 years in 2022 after being convicted of three more charges in Los Angeles. In 2023, his New York convictions were overturned due to errors by the judge, and he is now awaiting a retrial, set for April 2025, while serving time at Rikers Island.