Ava DuVernay Leaves ‘Intelligent Life’ + Oprah’s Co-President Sheri Salata Exits [Deuces]

Ava DuVernay, Sheri Salata

Ava DuVernay is throwing up the deuces! The Selma director has exited Intelligent Life, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The upcoming sci-fi DreamWorks project stars Lupita Nyong’o, centering on a United Nations employee who monitors outer space and makes contact with a beautiful woman who may be an alien.

Ava DuVernay

Ava DuVernay initially joined the film in February. Sources state the reason for her departure was because of scheduling conflicts.

She’s currently is working on the OWN series Queen Sugar. Lupita will remain on the film.

Sheri, Oprah Winfrey

And in other news, one of Oprah Winfrey’s closest OWN leaders is exiting stage left. Co-president Sheri Salata has left OWN to start her own firm, according to multiple reports. Erik Logan will continue as the sole president. Sheri Salata has been with Oprah since 1995, when she joined Harpo studios as a promotions producer for the Oprah Winfrey Show.

Oprah Winfrey

OWN said Salata plans to launch a “brand innovation agency and content/story platform.” Oprah said in a statement,

I give my deep thanks and appreciation to Sheri not only for helping to create a strong platform of growth for OWN and our digital business, but for her tireless commitment and sacrifice producing the final years of ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show.’ It was an unparalleled time of our lives. I am excited about what we are doing at OWN and look forward to continuing our growth with Erik and the dedicated team as we take our company to the next level.

Sheri Salata and Logan were named co-presidents of OWN in 2011 and helped to solidify the channel’s focus on lifestyle and entertainment programming. She said in a statement,

It’s time to take what has been the ride of my life to the next level in creating my own agency and doing what I love best — telling stories,” Salata said. “Oprah has been my North Star and spiritual mentor for 20 years and her faith in me and this next venture means everything. Erik and the entire OWN team are simply the best in the business and I can’t wait to see what unfolds.

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