his week on In The Room—where culture meets Hollywood—we’re asking the question behind every headline:Who owns the work, the face, and the future?Taylor Swift is moving to protect her voice and likeness from AI misuse, raising bigger questions about identity as intellectual property.Kenya Barris opens up about why he walked away from Black-ish and what happens when corporate mergers start shaping creative decisions.Nia Long is reportedly in a contract dispute with Lionsgate, reigniting the conversation around pay equity, deal terms, and how Hollywood values Black actresses. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences draws a line on AI and artistry, forcing the industry to confront a new reality: where does technology stop and creativity begin?And in Table Read, we break down Hollywood’s vertical takeover—from Issa Rae and Kevin Hart to Netflix and Disney+—and why the future of storytelling may already be living on your phone.Plus: Snoop Dogg’s upcoming biopic sparks a bigger conversation—what actually makes someone biopic worthy?00:00 Intro01:15 Taylor Swift vs AI: Protecting the Face06:47 Public Narrative Control & Erika Kirk12:35 Kenya Barris on Censorship, Mergers & Creative Control18:27 Nia Long vs Lionsgate: Contracts, Clauses & Pay Equity26:38 The Academy Draws a Line on AI39:00 Snoop Dogg’s Biopic & Who Gets One41:06 What Makes Someone Biopic Worthy?53:37 Table Read: Hollywood Goes Vertical55:30 Issa Rae, Vertical Series & Audience Behavior59:40 Writing for Vertical Content01:00:58 Can Great Storytelling Exist in 90 Seconds?