As Entertainment Industry Flees California, People Fear Los Angeles Could Become ‘the Next Detroit’ |

California’s Population Exodus: From Average Citizens to Hollywood’s Elite

For the past two years, California has been experiencing a notable population decline, largely attributed to its notorious high taxes and cumbersome regulations. Initially, the exodus was primarily comprised of everyday residents in search of more favorable living conditions. However, the trend is now infiltrating the entertainment industry, signaling a potential seismic shift in the cultural landscape of Los Angeles.

What If Hollywood Leaves? The Identity Crisis of Los Angeles

As the entertainment industry begins to abandon California for states with more attractive tax structures, one must ponder: what happens to Los Angeles when Hollywood’s glitz and glamour fades away? The city has long been synonymous with the film and television industry, and without it, could we witness a transformation akin to that of Detroit? Some voices are already echoing this alarming prediction.

According to a report from The New York Post:

Los Angeles at Risk of Becoming ‘the Next Detroit’ as Film and TV Productions Depart

With a growing number of celebrities relocating to states like Texas and Florida, industry insiders are sounding the alarm over a significant drop in entertainment projects within Hollywood and across California. This urgent concern was the focus of a town hall held on April 14, where lawmakers and film producers advocated for a revision of the state’s entertainment production tax incentives, proposing coverage for up to 35% of eligible expenses while expanding the types of productions eligible for these subsidies.

“This is not hyperbole to say that if we don’t act, the California film and TV industry will become the next Detroit auto,” stated producer Noelle Stehman, a member of the “Stay in LA” campaign, during the event as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

A Case of Self-Sabotage: The Entertainment Industry’s Role

However, it’s essential to recognize that the entertainment industry may have inadvertently orchestrated its own decline. The same policies that are now driving production out of California were, in part, supported by the very studios now lamenting the consequences.

Well the studios feed into the Democratic policies that are destroying them.

— Never forget ❤️ (@kathy25932350) April 17, 2025

Calls for Change: The Need for New Leadership

In a candid reflection, actor and filmmaker Rob Lowe expressed his dismay regarding the escalating costs of filmmaking in California, emphasizing the need for accountability among state leaders. In a pointed critique, he stated, “It’s criminal what California and LA have let happen. It’s criminal. Everybody should be fired,” targeting the political figures he believes are responsible for driving the industry away.

“It’s criminal what California and LA have let happen. It’s criminal. Everybody should be fired” – Rob Lowe, calling out corrupt politicians like Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass for chasing away the entertainment industrypic.twitter.com/Iscc3pX48c

— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) March 23, 2025

The Bottom Line: The Future of Los Angeles Hangs in the Balance

As the entertainment industry grapples with its uncertain future, one must ask: will the same leaders who facilitated this decline be the ones to rectify it? The answer remains murky, and the stakes could not be higher for a city whose identity is deeply intertwined with the magic of Hollywood.