Editorial: Sean Parker - less of a wedding party, more of a movie set
So much for the low-key dress that Silicon Valley is known for
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Wow. Even by California standards, this weekend’s wedding of internet billionaire Sean Parker and his singer-songwriter girlfriend, Alexandra Lenas, is on a lavish scale.
Not only has the hard-partying backer of Napster, Facebook and Spotify splashed out an arguably extravagant £7m on the event. He has also remodelled the grounds of the Ventana Inn & Spa in Big Sur to host it, spending hundreds of thousands on such necessities as ornamental gateways, fake waterfalls, picturesque ruins and even a cottage. To top it off, there is a costume designer – Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings alumna Ngila Dickson, no less – to ensure that the 300 guests are all suitably attired.
So much for the low-key, T-shirt-and-trainers approach for which Silicon Valley is supposedly famous. So much, too, for the superior virtues of the virtual – a cause which Mr Parker (immortalised by Justin Timberlake in The Social Network) has done so much to promote.
While Mr Parker may have prevailed over local planners to bring his fantasy to life, whether he has prevailed in matters of good taste is another question. But he has, at least, given the landscape gardeners of Monterey much to celebrate.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments