The Starters Block: Advocating for Fresh Faces and Ideas in the Entertainment, Fashion, and Music Industries

The entertainment, fashion, and music industries have long been dominated by the same familiar faces and recycled ideas, with reboots and sequels often taking center stage. But a new organization, The Starters Block (TSB), is challenging this status quo. Launched on September 20, 2025, TSB seeks to advocate for a future where fresh talent, new ideas, and diverse voices lead the way. The organization was co-founded by actress and petite plus-size model Victoria Pousada, alongside Taylor Tookes, a pioneering African American petite fashion model and founder of the Height Revolution. Together, they are creating a movement that aims to disrupt the industry’s reliance on outdated narratives, giving a platform to emerging voices in entertainment and fashion.

The Vision Behind The Starters Block

At the heart of The Starters Block is the belief that the entertainment, fashion, and music industries need to evolve. The current trend of recycling ideas, reboots, and casting the same faces repeatedly has stifled creativity. Instead of fostering innovation and diversity, these industries have opted for comfort and predictability. The founders of TSB are determined to change that narrative.

Victoria Pousada and Taylor Tookes both have extensive experience in industries that are often criticized for their lack of representation and creativity. Their diverse backgrounds and expertise give them a unique perspective on the changes that need to be made. Pousada’s work as a plus-size model and Tookes’ advocacy for height inclusivity through Height Revolution are prime examples of how TSB is committed to breaking barriers and creating more inclusive spaces in entertainment and fashion.

Through The Starters Block, Pousada and Tookes are pushing for new, untold stories in Hollywood, emphasizing the importance of fresh faces in all aspects of the industry. The organization encourages studios, casting directors, and fashion executives to seek out undiscovered talent, offering them the opportunities to showcase their work and stories. They believe that by casting new faces, the industries can experience a surge of creativity that will benefit both audiences and creators.

TSB’s Mission: Fresh Faces and Fresh Ideas

The entertainment industry, particularly Hollywood, has been plagued by the same ideas for years. Reboots, sequels, and remakes dominate the silver screen, while new talent often struggles to break through. The Starters Block aims to challenge this cycle by advocating for original content and the inclusion of fresh faces in all forms of media.

By promoting fresh ideas, TSB wants to shift the focus from nostalgia to innovation. It’s about reimagining storytelling and casting diverse, untapped talent who can offer new perspectives and experiences. The organization aims to raise awareness about the limitations of recycled ideas and push for better funding for fresh narratives. In an age where creativity often feels constrained, TSB believes it is crucial to support storytellers who bring a unique voice to the table.

The Fashion Industry: Moving Beyond Nepo Kids and AI Models

Alongside their focus on entertainment, The Starters Block is also dedicated to shaking up the fashion world. The rise of “nepo kids”—individuals who get opportunities based on their family connections—has led to a lack of diversity and inclusivity on the runway and in fashion campaigns. Additionally, AI-generated models have introduced a new layer of uniformity to the industry, leaving little room for individuality.

TSB is determined to change this by advocating for fresh faces in the fashion world. The organization is committed to ensuring that talent isn’t limited to those with family connections or those created by artificial intelligence. Instead, they want to give real, diverse individuals a chance to shine and define beauty in all its forms. By amplifying the voices of newcomers, TSB hopes to create a fashion landscape that values originality and celebrates diversity.

The Music Industry: Embracing Human Talent Over AI Artists

In the music industry, the rise of AI-generated music and virtual artists has raised concerns about the future of human talent. While AI can create impressive tunes, it lacks the emotional depth and creativity that real artists bring to the table. The Starters Block is determined to ensure that the voices of real musicians—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—are heard.

TSB advocates for a music industry that supports emerging artists and values the human experience behind the music. The organization is calling for studios, labels, and industry leaders to invest in artists who bring something new to the table. By prioritizing genuine talent over AI-generated content, The Starters Block hopes to preserve the soul of the music industry and foster an environment where creativity thrives.

TSB’s Impact on the Industry: Looking Toward the Future

Since its launch, The Starters Block has begun making waves in the entertainment, fashion, and music industries. With its advocacy for fresh talent, new ideas, and greater inclusivity, TSB is already starting to shift the conversation about representation and creativity.

The organization has garnered support from individuals and companies that are equally committed to breaking down barriers and promoting diversity. TSB’s founders have been vocal about the need for systemic change and are pushing for a future where talent is recognized for its originality, not for its connections or ability to replicate past successes.

As the organization continues to grow, The Starters Block plans to host events, collaborate with like-minded organizations, and provide platforms for emerging talent to showcase their work. By championing fresh ideas and new faces, TSB is helping to create a more inclusive, creative, and innovative future for the entertainment, fashion, and music industries.

Join The Movement: Contact The Starters Block

The Starters Block invites anyone who is passionate about change in the entertainment, fashion, and music industries to get involved. Whether you’re a budding artist, a casting director, or simply someone who wants to see more diversity in media, TSB is the place for you.

For more information about The Starters Block or to get in touch, visit The Starters Block Website. You can also follow them on Instagram for the latest updates and initiatives.

With its bold mission and unwavering commitment to fresh talent, The Starters Block is changing the game. Join them in advocating for a future where new voices and fresh ideas have a place in the spotlight.

The Dark Side of Legacy Wealth: Breed of Greed Turns a Family Inheritance Into Psychological Horror, Hitting Theaters and VOD September 26

Vertical Entertainment has secured North American distribution rights to Breed of Greed, a sharp, psychological thriller that gives a supernatural twist to the oldest drama in the book: families tearing themselves apart over money. Directed by Ralph Hemecker and co-written with Otto Eckstein and Andrew Boszhardt, the film premieres in theaters on September 26 before landing on VOD.

At its heart, Breed of Greed is about the potentially corrosive nature of privilege and the seductive danger of inheritance. The story follows the Wendolyns, a dynasty whose pharmaceutical empire has shaped their every triumph and grievance. When the family patriarch dies, his grown children gather at their sprawling estate to divide an inheritance that seems to promise not just wealth but status, power, and the chance to rewrite old rivalries. Their bickering, however, soon takes on darker tones when Henry Wendolyn, the wayward son, uncovers a series of unsettling clues suggesting the Wendolyn fortune may come with a supernatural price.

“We wanted to make a film that was topical but also timeless. Everyone loves a good ‘downfall story,’ and we tried to make one that was entertaining and fun, not preachy,” said Andrew Boszhardt, a co-writer, producer, and actor in the film. “We are very excited to have Vertical as our partner,” he added.

The creative team uses the horror genre to emphasize what could otherwise be a straightforward morality tale. The supernatural elements underline the invisible forces of greed, guilt, and entitlement that shape dynastic families behind closed doors. By letting those forces manifest literally, Breed of Greed invites audiences to consider whether the true monster is the curse or the people who sustain it.

Vertical’s Senior VP of Acquisitions, Tony Piantedosi, said, “We look forward to presenting the film to North American audiences.” For a distributor that has recently championed elevated fare such as Ron Howard’s Eden and Kristin Scott Thomas’ My Mother’s Wedding, the film represents a savvy addition to a slate that marries mainstream appeal with sophisticated storytelling. “Ralph has done a remarkable job of balancing horror thrills with a dark sense of humor rooted in modern headlines of the privileged class,” Piantedosi noted.

The Dark Side of Legacy Wealth Breed of Greed Turns a Family Inheritance Into a Psychological Horror

Photo Courtesy: Voodoo Production Services and Mythic Films (Andrew Boszhardt and Adrian Enscoe)

The cast brings an impressive mix of veteran charisma and fresh energy. Gina Gershon lends sly magnetism as the calculating matriarch, a woman navigating the treacherous line between grief and opportunism. Andrew Boszhardt, Adrian Enscoe, Chelsea Gilligan, and Madison Lewis round out the sibling ensemble, highlighting the edges of rivalry, resentment, and long-simmering secrets. Their performances anchor the story’s more fantastical turns in painfully recognizable dysfunction, the fragile alliances, the whispered betrayals, the quiet hunger to be seen as the favorite child.

Beyond its cast, Breed of Greed resonates because of its cultural timing. Conversations about dynastic wealth, “nepo babies,” and the ethics of inheritance have dominated headlines and social feeds. By literalizing the toxicity of privilege, the filmmakers encourage viewers to see greed not as a character flaw but as an external parasite, one that feeds on bloodlines and may be difficult to shake off.

That conceptual bite aligns Breed of Greed with a broader trend of genre stories addressing societal anxieties. It uses heightened stakes to pry open real-world discomfort, finding sly humor in the absurdity of excess even as it builds dread. The film isn’t just a takedown of the one percent; it’s a cautionary tale about anyone willing to sacrifice relationships, sanity, or morality for the temptation of unearned power.

Ultimately, Breed of Greed suggests that some legacies carry more than gold and stock certificates. They carry stories, secrets, and shadows, and sometimes those shadows can come at a price. For the Wendolyn clan, the real cost of wealth isn’t written in the will; it’s waiting in the walls, watching every move. With Vertical shepherding its release, Breed of Greed is poised to attract both genre enthusiasts and fans of sharp, socially tinged storytelling.