Michael Rubin’s White Party takeover

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Of course, there have been other parties with the same dress code, but nothing came close to what Diddy could put together. For that, your host needed influence, power and credibility across different spaces like business, sports and showbiz.

From middle-class to millionaire

According to a recent interview Rubin gave Vanity Fair in September, he grew up in a middle-class family in Philadelphia. He told the publication he was always selling various items while growing up and, at 26, he founded GSI Commerce, which eBay bought for US$2.4 billion in 2011.

Fanatics was a subset of GSI, which Rubin bought back from eBay to extend his reach into the sports world. It’s considered the global leader of sports merchandise and has deals with major leagues.

Rubin has invested in the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils. According to Forbes, his estimated net worth is around US$11.5 billion. Rubin commented on his fortune and flashy lifestyle in his Vanity Fair interview, quipping, “Of most wealthy people, I’m talking people that are worth many billions, what per cent do you think are fun?”

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His powerful Meek Mill connection

The infamous story of how Mill and the businessman became friends is something you’re more likely to see in a movie. Rubin was at an All-Star game with his daughter Kylie, then aged eight, when she spotted Nicki Minaj, who was dating Mill at the time. Per Vanity Fair, while his daughter was trying to get the attention of Minaj, Rubin started chatting to the musician. Per Bleacher Report, Rubin didn’t know who Mill was, but they bonded over the 76ers and being from Philadelphia.

Mill was 27 at the time and had been on probation since he was a teenager, relating to drug and gun charges, per the same publication. (The conviction was eventually overturned.) The two kept in touch and, in 2017, Mill took Rubin with him to a hearing about his recent parole violations. Mill ultimately returned to prison, with his case sparking a call for mass incarceration and prison reform. Rubin took the issue close to heart, spending much of his time working on making sustainable changes in the system.

Of course, in a highly publicised and iconic moment, Rubin then picked up Mill after he was released from prison via helicopter and they flew straight to the 76ers playoff game without even having showered.

It’s not just his money

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Rubin has been nicknamed “your favourite billionaire’s billionaire”, which couldn’t be more accurate. He has managed to surround himself with an array of powerful figures – not because of his money, but for speaking his mind and his strong work ethic.

Gary Vaynerchuk said Rubin is a “purebred” entrepreneur, per Vanity Fair, who lives and breathes what he does. Rubin admitted to the same source that he grew up hugging people and not being afraid to show them how much he loved them. He added that he and his friends often joke about saying “I love you” to each other.