Andy Warhol-founded ‘Interview’ magazine folds amid legal battles with former employees

A publication created by Andy Warhol nearly 50 years ago, “Interview” magazine, has folded amid legal disputes with former staffers who allege the company owes them hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation.

The publication, which was launched in 1969, has reportedly filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which entails the liquidating of assets.

Interview has been embroiled in public controversy, with former editorial director Fabien Baron suing the company for $600,000 for what he alleges is money owed to his wife and him. Baron resigned from the publication last month after working there for more than 10 years.

Former associate publisher Jane Katz, who says she was fired without cause, also charges the publication owes her $230,000 in unpaid wages, while former Interview President Dan Ragone alleges he is owed $170,000.

Warhol died in 1987. The magazine had since gone through several reboots, including in 2009, when billionaire Peter Brant purchased the publication.

Employees, former writers and other journalists took to Twitter to lament the magazine’s demise.

interview magazine has folded … media rocks!! hit my line for freelance etc ezramarcus2@gmail.com

— Ezra Marcus (@ezra_marc) May 21, 2018

Wow. I interned at Interview Magazine in college. The experience had a profound impact on me and encouraged me to work in media, despite the wildly unstable nature of the industry. Sad to hear it’s folding. In awe of the legacy – the iconic covers, the conversations, everything.

— Bradley Stern (@MuuMuse) May 21, 2018

Interview Magazine, originally created by Andy Warhol and British journalist John Wilcock, has reportedly folded…what a shame.

— Jeff Benjamin (@Jeff__Benjamin) May 21, 2018

Interview Magazine gone, too. You’ll miss these publications when they’ve all vanished. https://t.co/YZ8S5s0ITK

— Jason Pontin (@jason_pontin) May 21, 2018

After 10 months at my dream job at @InterviewMag, today is sadly my last day as the magazine has closed.

My personal email is iamtreytaylor@gmail.com if you hear of anything going. So much love to my amazing coworkers @ezra_marc @Jane_Gayduk @austentosone. pic.twitter.com/ILJOvPWpD4

— trey taylor (@treytylor) May 21, 2018

Ugh this is so sad. https://t.co/MlQkeT1Sq4

— Alicia Kort (@aliciairenekort) May 21, 2018

The end of INTERVIEW magazine is truly the end of an era. my favorite magazine growing up, with the best Madonna covers/shoots/interviews of the 80’s. pic.twitter.com/lfs6xPpXl1

— David Russell (@17days) May 21, 2018

The news of the folding was first reported in the New York Post on Monday.