The documentary film 'Melania' is set to host an exclusive preview event at the White House, offering an intimate glimpse into the life of the former First Lady before its official debut. This private gathering, reserved for a select group of seventy guests, will feature a special dinner and screening in the East Room. The guest list boasts an impressive array of public figures, including renowned boxer Mike Tyson, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and Amazon executive Andy Jassy. This unannounced event highlights the unique nature of the documentary's pre-release strategy.
Scheduled for a private showing at the White House on Saturday, this exclusive dinner and screening of the 'Melania' documentary will precede its official premiere at the Kennedy Center. The event will gather approximately seventy distinguished guests, ranging from family and friends to high-profile VIPs. Notable attendees expected at this invite-only function include film director Brett Ratner, Queen Rania of Jordan, Zoom CEO Eric Yuan, New York Stock Exchange CEO Lynn Martin, AMD CEO Lisa Su, and self-help expert Tony Robbins. Additionally, photographer Ellen von Unwerth, who crafted the film's poster, will be present. Amazon's Mike Hopkins, CEO Andy Jassy, and Marc Beckman, a long-time advisor to the First Lady and a key figure in the project's development, are also slated to attend. The East Room of the White House has been specially transformed into a state-of-the-art screening venue for the occasion, equipped with advanced sound and film technology under the supervision of Ratner. Sources indicate that only a small circle has viewed the film thus far, with even the President and his advisors seeing it for the first time on Saturday night. The evening will be further distinguished by a military band performing 'Melania's Waltz,' an original composition for the film by Tony Neiman, followed by a selection of Hollywood movie themes.
The documentary, financially supported by Amazon with an investment of $59 million, is slated for a national cinematic release on January 30, following the Kennedy Center premiere on January 29. In parallel, smaller premiere events featuring red carpets are planned across twenty cities, including Nashville, Boston, San Francisco, and Las Vegas, to honor local VIPs, supporters, and friends of the First Lady. Despite a robust advertising campaign across television and radio, the film's marketing budget has been kept under wraps, though reports of $35 million in spending have been refuted by the 'Melania' team. The documentary chronicles Melania Trump's public life from the 2025 presidential campaign through to inauguration day. It is understood that director Brett Ratner spent several months residing at Mar-a-Lago during the filming process.
This high-profile White House event serves as a significant precursor to the public rollout of the 'Melania' documentary. With its exclusive guest list, custom-built screening facility, and a dedicated musical score, the premiere underscores the project's ambitious scope and the notable figures involved in its creation and promotion. The film's eventual widespread release and accompanying regional premieres are poised to draw considerable attention, offering audiences a comprehensive look at the former First Lady's journey.