Harvey Weinstein, who has never been known as a meek or unassuming movie studio executive, told a group of high school students Friday at President Obama’s abode that he wouldn’t accept rejection from anyone — even the White House.
Weinstein was among a high-profile, seven-person panel — including “The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg and “Gossip Girl” star Blake Lively — at a workshop hosted by Michelle Obama to teach the high schoolers the ins and outs of filmmaking.
{mosads}The Weinstein Co. co-chairman offered encouragement to the students during a session moderated by “CBS This Morning” anchor Gayle King, telling them to “go out and kill it.”
He then added, to laughs, “I never let anybody tell me, ‘no’ — including the White House.”
Weinstein, a supporter of President Obama, has donated heavily to Democratic political candidates, and hosted the commander in chief for a Democratic National Committee fundraiser at his New York City home earlier this year.
Goldberg also shared some words of wisdom with the young crowd, but not even an event at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. could persuade her to hop on a plane.
After devoting a good chunk of time to chatting one-on-one with the students and offering some advice, the Academy Award winner lamented she had to head out early from the symposium.
When King noted Goldberg’s early departure was because she doesn’t fly, Goldberg replied, “It’s not for me.”
Goldberg said in a 2011 CNN interview that she has had a fear of flying for the past 30 years, after witnessing a mid-air collision while standing on a balcony.
The “Ghost” actress then advised the group, “This is my parting shot to you — use your cellphones when you need to. Shut them off in the later part of the day because you deserve to have an hour to yourself where no one needs to talk to you.”
She continued, “You deserve to have time to go to the bathroom and not have to talk to anyone.”
Goldberg revealed she shuts off her phone each day at 5 p.m., saying, “If you’re not calling my house, you’re not talking to me.”