Tommy Mottola

Mottola was born in the Bronx, New York City, to a middle-class Italian-American family. He graduated from Iona Grammar School in 1962 and Iona Prep in 1966. After a brief period in military school, he attended high school and later Hofstra University on Long Island. However, he dropped out of Hofstra to pursue a music career as a guitarist and singer with The Exotics, an R&B cover band.{{Cite book |author=Thomas D. Mottola |title=Hitmaker: The Man and His Music |publisher=Grand Central Publishing |year=2013 |isbn=978-0446585187}}

Mottola entered the music industry in the mid-1960s as a recording artist for CBS Records, performing under the name "T.D. Valentine." When his recording career did not achieve commercial success, he transitioned into music management. He began working for Chappell Publishing, where he connected with various artists, and later established his own management company, Champion Entertainment Organization.

One of Mottola’s early successes was managing Daryl Hall & John Oates, helping them secure a record deal and several lucrative endorsements. His innovative promotional strategies, including the use of music videos and tours, contributed significantly to their rise in popularity.

Mottola successfully managed the black rock group Xavion, leveraging new media formats such as music videos and promotional tours to boost their visibility.{{Cite web|last=Cunningham|first=Montrose|date=February 11, 2016|title=The '80s: Xavion's 'Burnin' Hot'|url=http://soultrain.com/2016/02/11/the-80s-xavions-burnin-hot/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212081220/http://soultrain.com/2016/02/11/the-80s-xavions-burnin-hot/|archive-date=February 12, 2016|access-date=December 3, 2024|website=Soul Train}}

In 1988, Mottola was hired by Sony Music Entertainment (then known as CBS Records) by Walter Yetnikoff to run its U.S. operations. In 1990, he succeeded Yetnikoff as chairman and CEO of the newly renamed Sony Music. During his tenure, Sony Music expanded its operations to over 60 countries and became the first major music company to offer digital downloads commercially. By 2000, Sony Music's annual revenue exceeded $6 billion.{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Simon |title=Tommy Mottola And His Plans To Do For Latino-Focused TV What He's Done For Latin Music |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonthompson/2018/01/01/tommy-mottola-on-his-plans-to-do-for-latino-focused-tv-what-hes-done-for-latin-music/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

Mottola is widely recognized for signing and promoting artists such as Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Destiny's Child, Gloria Estefan, CoCo Lee, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Shakira, and the Dixie Chicks. He also oversaw the release of digitally remastered compact discs of classic recordings by artists including Barbra Streisand, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Andy Williams, and Pink Floyd.{{Cite web |last=Eaton |first=Phoebe |date=2003-02-21 |title=Tommy Mottola Faces The Music |url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/news/features/n_8387/ |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=New York Magazine |language=en |archive-date=April 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404074228/https://nymag.com/nymetro/news/features/n_8387/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |author=Billboard Staff |date=2004-08-05 |title=Mottola To Build 'The Wall' On Broadway |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/mottola-to-build-the-wall-on-broadway-67051/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=April 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405103521/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/mottola-to-build-the-wall-on-broadway-67051/ |url-status=live }}

Mottola also worked closely with Michael Jackson during the production and promotion of Jackson's Dangerous album. However, their professional relationship deteriorated during the promotion of Jackson's 2001 album Invincible. Jackson publicly accused Mottola of exploitative practices and labeled him a "racist who exploited black talent." Jackson further alleged that "recording companies really, really do conspire against the artists."{{Cite web |url=http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1455976/20020708/jackson_michael.jhtml |title=Michael Jackson Shocks Al Sharpton By Calling Tommy Mottola A Racist |first=Jennifer |last=Vineyard |date=8 July 2002 |publisher=VH1 |access-date=August 10, 2011 |archive-date=December 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224182611/http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1455976/20020708/jackson_michael.jhtml}}

Mottola served as the head of Sony Music Entertainment until January 2003. Following his departure, he established a new entertainment company encompassing recorded music, television production, theater, fashion, and branding management. The company was involved in reviving and managing the careers of artists such as Marc Anthony and Lindsay Lohan.{{Cite news|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/lindsay-lohan/news/lohan-to-testify-in-mothers-case_1004424|title=Lohan to testify in mother's case|newspaper=ContactMusic.com|agency=WENN|date=August 4, 2006|access-date=June 24, 2015|archive-date=June 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624145709/http://www.contactmusic.com/lindsay-lohan/news/lohan-to-testify-in-mothers-case_1004424|url-status=live}} Later, Mottola expanded his roster to include artists such as Cassie Ventura and Mika.{{Cite web|url=http://observer.com/2013/01/tommy-mottola-hitmaker-takes-today/|title=Tommy Mottola, Hitmaker, Takes Today|publisher=New York Observer|date=January 29, 2013|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=June 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611072726/http://observer.com/2013/01/tommy-mottola-hitmaker-takes-today/|url-status=live}}

In a joint venture with Universal Music Group, Mottola revived the iconic Casablanca Records. Under this venture, he signed artists including Lindsay Lohan and Mika.{{Cite web|last=Hautman|first=Nicholas|date=June 21, 2019|title=Lindsay Lohan Signs Record Deal, 'Already Finished a Few Songs'|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/lindsay-lohan-signs-record-deal-already-finished-a-few-songs/|access-date=April 6, 2024|website=Us Weekly|language=en-US|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503201951/https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/lindsay-lohan-signs-record-deal-already-finished-a-few-songs/|url-status=live}}

In January 2013, Mottola published his memoir, Hitmaker: The Man and His Music, co-written with Cal Fussman. The book offers insights into his career, the music industry, and his relationships with artists.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1537498/tommy-mottola-on-relationship-with-mariah-carey-absolutely-wrong-and|title=Tommy Mottola on Relationship With Mariah Carey: 'Absolutely Wrong and Inappropriate'|magazine=Billboard|date=January 31, 2013|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412002531/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1537498/tommy-mottola-on-relationship-with-mariah-carey-absolutely-wrong-and|url-status=live}}

After leaving Sony in 2003, Mottola founded Mottola Media Group, which has produced various projects across theater, television, and music. Among its notable productions is the musical adaptation of Chazz Palminteri's A Bronx Tale. Palminteri credited Mottola with realizing the project and bringing it to fruition, stating that Mottola "put the musical on his back" while partnering with Dodger Properties.{{Cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-new-chapter-in-a-bronx-tale-1440622719 |title=A New Chapter in 'A Bronx Tale' |publisher=Wall Street Journal |date=August 26, 2015 |access-date=April 21, 2016}} The production premiered on Broadway in December 2016 and ran until August 5, 2018. A national tour commenced in October 2018 at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles.{{Cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/a-bronx-tale-closes-on-broadway-august-5 |title=A Bronx Tale Closes on Broadway August 5 |publisher=Playbill.com |date=August 5, 2018 |access-date=August 22, 2018 |archive-date=August 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823105532/http://www.playbill.com/article/a-bronx-tale-closes-on-broadway-august-5 |url-status=live }}

In collaboration with Dodger Properties, Mottola Media Group also produced several other musicals, including Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (2017), Jersey Boys (Off-Broadway, 2004), and Groundhog Day (2016).

In 2018, Mottola Media Group signed a multi-year first-look deal with eOne, now part of Lionsgate, to develop scripted and unscripted television projects.{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2018/10/tommy-mottola-inks-first-look-deal-with-eone-sets-harlem-high-at-freeform-1202487405/ |title=Tommy Mottola Inks First-Look Deal With eOne, Sets 'Harlem High' At Freeform |publisher=Deadline Hollywood |date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=November 27, 2018 |archive-date=November 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127234347/https://deadline.com/2018/10/tommy-mottola-inks-first-look-deal-with-eone-sets-harlem-high-at-freeform-1202487405/ |url-status=live }}

Mottola also created and produced documentaries for HBO, including The Latin Explosion: A New America (2015) and 15: A Quinceañera Story (2017), the latter of which earned a Directors Guild of America (DGA) nomination.

In March 2021, Mottola co-founded Ntertain Studios with Neon16 CEO and co-founder Lex Borrero, alongside representation firm Range Media Partners. Ntertain is described as "an entertainment and media company that creates, develops, and produces content across multiple mediums, highlighting Latino stories and representing Latino talent, brands, and culture."{{Cite web|last=Villafañe|first=Veronica|title=Music Execs Lex Borrero, Tommy Mottola and Rep Firm Range Media Partners Launch Ntertain To Create Latino-Themed Content|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/veronicavillafane/2021/03/22/music-execs-lex-borrero-tommy-mottola-and-rep-firm-range-media-partners-launch-ntertain-to-create-latino-themed-content/|access-date=2021-03-31|website=Forbes|language=en|archive-date=March 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331214734/https://www.forbes.com/sites/veronicavillafane/2021/03/22/music-execs-lex-borrero-tommy-mottola-and-rep-firm-range-media-partners-launch-ntertain-to-create-latino-themed-content/|url-status=live}}

Ntertain's notable productions include:

Los Montaner for Disney+, which was renewed for a second season.{{Cite web|title=Ntertain's Los Montaner Picked Up For Season 2|url=https://hitsdailydouble.com/news%26id%3D338276%26title%3DNTERTAINS-LOS-MONTANER-PICKED-UP-FOR-SEASON-2|access-date=2024-01-26|website=HITS Daily Double|language=en|archive-date=January 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126220354/https://hitsdailydouble.com/news%26id%3D338276%26title%3DNTERTAINS-LOS-MONTANER-PICKED-UP-FOR-SEASON-2|url-status=live}}

Thalía's Mixtape: El Soundtrack de Mi Vida for Paramount+.

La Firma (The Signing) and Neon for Netflix.

In 2023, Ntertain partnered with Audio Up Media to launch original Latino podcast programming and other multimedia projects.{{Cite web|last=Garcia|first=Thania|date=May 22, 2023|title=Ntertain Studios Partners With Audio Up to Launch Original Latin Podcast Programming and More (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/ntertain-studios-audio-up-latin-podcast-programming-1235621493/|access-date=2024-01-26|website=Variety|language=en-US|archive-date=January 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126220353/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/ntertain-studios-audio-up-latin-podcast-programming-1235621493/|url-status=live}}

Based in Miami, Ntertain is led by Mottola and Borrero in collaboration with Peter Micelli, CEO of Range Media Partners.

Mottola began dating Mariah Carey while she was recording Mariah Carey,{{harvnb|Carey|Davis|2020|p=129}} and they were married at the Episcopal Saint Thomas Church in New York City on June 5, 1993, in a half-million dollar ceremony.{{sfn|Shapiro|2001|page = 75}} The newlyweds moved into a custom-built mansion, located on a {{convert|51|acre|adj=on}} estate in Bedford, New York, referred to by Carey as "Sing Sing"{{cite magazine |last=Collis |first=Clark |date=January 30, 2013 |title='Hitmaker' Tommy Mottola recalls marriage to Mariah Carey |url=https://ew.com/article/2013/01/30/mariah-carey-tommy-mottola/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808044758/https://ew.com/article/2013/01/30/mariah-carey-tommy-mottola/ |archive-date=August 8, 2021 |access-date=August 8, 2021 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}} (alluding to her feeling imprisoned there).{{harvnb|Hirsch|2023|p=140}} Their relationship began to deteriorate due to their growing creative differences in terms of her music.{{harvnb|Nickson|1998|p=156}} They separated in December 1996,{{harvnb|Shapiro|2001|p=98}} and announced it publicly on May 30, 1997.{{cite news|last=Reilly|first=Patrick M.|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB865203574355965500|url-access=limited|title=Sony Official, Mariah Carey Disclose Plans to Separate|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=June 2, 1997|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113125400/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB865203574355965500|archive-date=November 13, 2022}} The couple divorced on March 4, 1998.{{cite magazine|first1=Matthew McCann|last1=Fenton |first2=Suna|last2=Chang|url=https://ew.com/article/1998/03/20/monitor-paula-abdul-and-mariah-carey-file-divorce/|title=Monitor: Paula Abdul and Mariah Carey file for divorce|date=March 20, 1998|access-date=July 15, 2024|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}} Shortly afterwards they sold their home to Nelson Peltz for $20.5 million;{{cite news |date=May 26, 1998 |title=Mariah Carey's House Goes for $20M |url=https://apnews.com/article/9ce33c415b19e984ce14fdfa095a8869 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513195628/https://apnews.com/article/9ce33c415b19e984ce14fdfa095a8869 |archive-date=May 13, 2021 |access-date=April 21, 2021 |publisher=Associated Press}} it burned down in 1999.{{cite news|title=DREAM MANSION REDUCED TO ASHES|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1999/12/21/dream-mansion-reduced-to-ashes/|newspaper=Sun-Sentinel|date=December 21, 1999|access-date=August 27, 2024|url-access=subscription}}

File:Thalia and Tommy Mottola.png

Mottola married Thalía on December 2, 2000.{{Cite news | title=Thalía is pregnant! | url=http://www.peopleenespanol.com/pespanol/en/articles/0,22490,1722075_1632035,00.html | work=People en Español | date=12 June 2007 | quote=The couple was married on Dec. 2, 2000 in New York. | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091106100743/http://www.peopleenespanol.com/pespanol/en/articles/0,22490,1722075_1632035,00.html | archive-date=6 November 2009 | df=dmy-all }} The article appears in English. Note: The U.S. edition of People gives the wedding date as 11 October 1997: {{cite news| url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,621423,00.html| title=Music Mogul Marries| first=Stephen M.| last=Silverman| date=13 October 1997| work=People| access-date=24 June 2015| archive-date=24 September 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924163957/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,621423,00.html| url-status=dead}} The couple have two children, a daughter born in October 2007,{{cite web |url=http://celebritybabies.people.com/2007/10/08/thalia-and-tomm/ |work=People |title=Thalía and Tommy Mottola welcome daughter Sabrina Sakaë |date=8 October 2007 |access-date=24 June 2015 |archive-date=26 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626152430/http://celebritybabies.people.com/2007/10/08/thalia-and-tomm/ |url-status=dead }} and a son born in June 2011.{{cite news| url= http://celebritybabies.people.com/2011/06/25/thalia-welcomes-son-matthew-alejandro/| work= People| title= Thalía Welcomes Son Matthew Alejandro| date= 25 June 2011| access-date= 24 June 2015| archive-date= 25 June 2015| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150625194104/http://celebritybabies.people.com/2011/06/25/thalia-welcomes-son-matthew-alejandro/| url-status= dead}}

• City of Hope Spirit of Life Award (1990):{{Cite web |last=Pollack |first=Marc |title=NO DOUBTING THOMAS |url=https://hitsdailydouble.com/news%26id%3D274900%26title%3DNO+DOUBTING+THOMAS |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=HITS Daily Double |language=en |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126220353/https://hitsdailydouble.com/news%26id%3D274900%26title%3DNO+DOUBTING+THOMAS |url-status=live }} Recognizing his philanthropic efforts and contributions to the City of Hope's mission.
• Billboard Power Player of the Year (1993): Acknowledging his influence and leadership in the music industry.
• TJ Martell Foundation, Humanitarian of the Year: Honoring his commitment to supporting cancer, leukemia, and AIDS research.
• National Italian American Foundation, Honoree:{{Cite web |title=Robert De Niro, Sophia Loren & Tommy Mottola Honored at the NIAF 27th Anniversary |url=https://www.niaf.org/niaf_event/robert-de-niro-sophia-loren-tommy-mottola-honored-at-the-niaf-27th-anniversary/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=The National Italian American Foundation}} Celebrating his achievements and contributions as a prominent figure of Italian-American heritage.
• Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2019):{{Cite web |last=Trakin |first=Roy |date=2019-10-10 |title=Tommy Mottola: From the Bronx to the Boardroom to the Hollywood Walk of Fame |url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/tommy-mottola-hollywood-walk-of-fame-star-interview-1203365209/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=April 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430050833/https://variety.com/2019/music/news/tommy-mottola-hollywood-walk-of-fame-star-interview-1203365209/ |url-status=live }} A testament to his enduring impact and legacy in the world of entertainment.

• Hall & Oates' song "Gino (The Manager)", from the duo's album Daryl Hall & John Oates (1975), was written about Mottola.{{cite web|title=Hall & Oates smdAlbums|url=http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Hall_%26_Oates/Albums/album/13173/30966387/|website=starpulse.com|access-date=December 23, 2014|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001003/http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Hall_%26_Oates/Albums/album/13173/30966387/|url-status=dead}} The record jacket insert reads: "And introducing Tommy Mottola as 'Little Gino'".{{cite web|title=Mottola and Music|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-03-04-ca-2407-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|date=1990-03-04|access-date=August 13, 2024|archive-date=April 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423002808/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-03-04-ca-2407-story.html|url-status=live}}
• In the 1976 song "Cherchez La Femme" by Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, Mottola is namechecked at the start of the song.
• The character of Gene Balboa, in the Channel 101 Internet TV series Yacht Rock, is loosely based on Mottola, in particular his time as Hall & Oates' manager.{{Cite web |url=http://www.yachtrock.com |title=Yacht Rock |publisher=Yacht Rock |access-date=March 23, 2011 |archive-date=March 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309041823/http://www.yachtrock.com/ |url-status=dead }}
• Mariah Carey wrote a song called "Petals" on her album Rainbow (1999), which addresses her marriage to Mottola. In the song, Carey refers to Mottola as "Valentine"— alluding to his former stage name, T.D. Valentine. She later addressed her marriage to Mottola in detail in her 2020 memoir The Meaning of Mariah Carey.
• In the television series Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Mottola is portrayed by Ryan O'Nan.
• Australian alternative rock band Regurgitator’s third album ...art (1999) features a song entitled "I Love Tommy Mottola".
• Ghostface Killah's song "Cherchez La Ghost", track 18 from his studio album Supreme Clientele (2000), mentions Tommy Mottola in the song's intro.
• Fugees' song "How Many Mics", track 2 from their studio album The Score (1996), mentions Tommy Mottola in Wyclef Jean's second verse.
• Wyclef Jean's song "Columbia Records", track 1 from his studio album The Ecleftic 2 Sides II a Book (2000): mentions Tommy Mottola in the opening skit.
• In The Sopranos season 4 episode 2, No Show, Janice says “Tommy Mottola at Sony, looks like he's gonna offer us a deal." Later in the same episode Tony states "That Tommy Mottola is one slow motherfucker"{{Citation |title=That Tommy Mottola, he's one slow motherfucker. |url=https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/3a0b48c7-23a1-4d45-8939-989f359702af |access-date=2024-01-26 |language=en |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126220354/https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/3a0b48c7-23a1-4d45-8939-989f359702af |url-status=live }}
• In JAY-Z's song "Success" featuring Nas, track 12 from his studio album American Gangster, Nas mentions "Mottola" in the last line of his third verse. "Up your catalog, dog, mine's worth too much. Like Mike Jacks ATV pub, Mottola can't touch. Let this bitch breathe! (Ha heh)"{{Cite web |title=Up your catalog, dog, mine's worth too much / Like Mike Jacks ATV pub, Mottola can't touch / Let this bitch breathe! |url=https://genius.com/5202/Jay-z-success/Up-your-catalog-dog-mines-worth-too-much-like-mike-jacks-atv-pub-mottola-cant-touch-let-this-bitch-breathe |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Genius}}

• Mottola, Tommy, A New America: How Music Reshaped the Culture and Future of a Nation and Redefined My Life (Celebra, 2016) ISBN 0451467787.
• Mottola, Tommy with Cal Fussman, Hitmaker: The Man and His Music (New York: Grand Central Publishing, 2013) {{ISBN|978-0446585187}}.
• Tosches, Nick, Dangerous Dances: The Authorized Biography (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1984) {{ISBN|0283991895}}.

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{cite book|last1=Carey|first1=Mariah|author-link1=Mariah Carey|last2=Davis|first2=Michaela Angela|author-link2=Michaela Angela Davis|date=2020|title=The Meaning of Mariah Carey|place=New York|publisher=Andy Cohen Books|isbn=978-1-250-16468-1}}
• {{Cite book |last=Hirsch |first=Lily E. |year=2023 |title=Can't Stop the Grrrls |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1538169063}}
• {{Cite book |last=Nickson |first=Chris |author-link=Chris Nickson |title=Mariah Carey revisited |year=1998 |publisher=St. Martin's Griffin |location=New York |isbn=978-0-312-19512-0}}
• {{Cite book |last=Shapiro |first=Marc |year=2001 |title=Mariah Carey |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-52eG8YN4tAC&pg=PA18 |location=Toronto |publisher=ECW Press |isbn=978-1-55022-444-3 |access-date=October 25, 2015 |archive-date=January 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119181715/https://books.google.com/books?id=-52eG8YN4tAC&pg=PA18 |url-status=live }}

• {{Discogs artist|Tommy Mottola}}
• {{AllMusic|artist/tommy-mottola-mn0001228360}}
• {{IMDb name|nm0609554}}

{{Mariah Carey}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mottola, Tommy}}

Category:1948 births

Category:Living people

Category:American music managers

Category:American music industry executives

Category:American people of Italian descent

Category:A&R people

Category:Businesspeople from New York City

Category:Casablanca Records

Category:Celine Dion

Category:Mariah Carey

Category:People from the Bronx

Category:Iona Preparatory School alumni