While Donald Trump may be leading the Republican ticket, it’s his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), who’s making waves in the entertainment industry. On Tuesday, Variety reported that Vance secured an impressive $8 million advance for a sequel to his bestselling book, Hillbilly Elegy.
The original book, which is part autobiography and part social commentary on life in Appalachia, has garnered both acclaim and criticism. Some, like a reviewer in The Guardian, have argued that it relies heavily on cultural stereotypes of poor white voters.
Despite the controversy, Vance and his talent agency, WME, are profiting handsomely from the success of Hillbilly Elegy. Variety noted, “According to the VP hopeful’s financial disclosures, he earned $823,132 in royalties from the book in 2020 and 2021 alone (WME takes a 15% cut, the standard rate for literary sales).”
Although Vance’s book royalties dipped to less than $50,000 in 2023, the announcement of his vice presidential candidacy with Trump has reignited interest, propelling the book back to the No. 1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list. The renewed attention has significantly boosted sales and Vance’s earnings.
“HarperCollins recently said the book, which spawned the 2020 Ron Howard film for Netflix, sold 650,000 copies in the first few days after Vance joined the Republican ticket,” the Variety report highlighted.
Vance also benefited from the $45 million Netflix deal for the film adaptation of his book, a deal he was part of back in 2019. His rising prominence in the GOP has helped the film return to Netflix’s top 10, demonstrating the ongoing impact of his work and political influence on popular culture.
As Vance navigates his political career alongside his success in the entertainment world, his story continues to captivate audiences, bringing his experiences and perspectives into the national spotlight once again.