Copyright Variety
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. Uber is officially in its F1 era. Last weekend, the ride-hailing giant revved into the center of Austin’s Grand Prix scene with The One Party by Uber — a real-life rodeo held in a transformed warehouse outside of the city center. Held exclusively for Uber One members, the invite-only affair featured a performance by Zac Brown Band, mechanical bulls, real bulls and a bold-faced guest list including “The Hunting Wives” stars Brittany Snow and Malin Åkerman and reality star Brooks Nader. The event is a clear sign that Uber is positioning itself as more than just transportation service, and Uber One as a lifestyle membership with cultural cachet. By tapping into the momentum of F1’s surging popularity in the U.S., the company inserted itself into the heart of a weekend that’s become as much about fashion, celebrity and brand activations as the race itself. On the red carpet, Snow and Åkerman reflected on the breakout success of “The Hunting Wives,” Netflix’s most recent breakout hit. “We know nothing,” Snow laughed when asked about season two, which officially got renewed for a second season. “We have like little tidbits from [the show creator] Rebecca [Cutter] and they’re in the writing room right now, but we found out a month and a half ago and the writers are feverishly writing.” She added, “I don’t think anyone foresaw the trajectory for me from ‘Pitch Perfect’ to this, so I think it’s nice for people to see me in a new light.” Ackerman was equally candid about how the show’s bold tone resonated with viewers: “It might have been a slow burn on Starz, but on Netflix—without censoring anything—there’s a beautiful, real shock value. You go, ‘Wow. This is kind of new ground for Netflix.’” She also spoke about her experience embodying the show’s hedonistic spirit: “I feel like I really stepped into a new version of myself that was always there. It’s such a female-forward show, and there’s this freedom with our bodies, to do what we want. Margot’s not a good person, but boy, does she party — and you kind of want to be part of her crew.”
