Justin Ross Lee
| Justin Ross Lee | |
|---|---|
|
Justin Ross Lee poses on the red carpet at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards near actress Gwyneth Paltrow. | |
| Born |
1983 Scarsdale, New York |
| Other names | JRL |
| Known for | Socialite, Fashion entrepreneur |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Website | |
| http://www.justinrosslee.com http://www.pretentiouspocket.com | |
Justin Ross Lee (born April 7, 1983) is an internet celebrity and socialite[1] based in Manhattan. He owns Pretentious Pocket,[2] a silk pocket square brand.[3]
Early life
Justin Ross Lee was born in Scarsdale, New York[4] and raised by Jewish parents.[1][4] He attended the private preparatory high school Brewster Academy and holds an undergraduate degree in entrepreneurship as well as a Master's Degree in Business from University of Hartford. In October 2008 after graduating with his MBA he briefly held a finance job at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, but was fired after four days as a result of material on his Facebook page.
Media Controversy
Around 2009 he began attending exclusive parties in New York City, Miami, and Los Angeles through creation of a branded image.[5] Lee then began frequenting the Hamptons, Europe, and Asia.[2] He has been banned from a number of clubs and restaurants for various antics and stunts.[6] It was around this time that Lee began documenting his lifestyle with social media, and developed a reputation as a "Facebook personality" known as "JRL".[2][3] Features on Lee also began appearing on the cover of New York publications such as The New York Observer,[4] The cover of The New York Times Styles section and several full page stories in The New York Post, of which one headline read, "The Ego That Attacked NYC".[2] This editorial coverage has been received as being both positive and negative.[2]
Lee is a self-proclaimed "JewJetter," a phrase he uses to describe luxury traveling.[6] Lee flies over 200,000 miles a year and showcases his travels on his social media.[5] In 2009, he was featured in Star Magazine with Ashley Olsen flying with him in first class,[3] later to be featured in a similar but more positive story with Brad Pitt.[1] Lee has also been linked to public feuds in national tabloids with Star Jones and has fought with Paul Rudd on Sirius XM Radio after an alleged altercation at a movie premiere.[5] In 2011 he conducted an interview with NPR, who refused to air it unedited. Lee pulled the interview, having it printed elsewhere.[5]
In 2012 Lee debuted on E! television's The Soup, being roasted for his appearance on VH1 dating show, Why Am I Still Single?!. According to Nielsen ratings. his controversial VH1 episode was the highest rated of the series.[6] Later that year, Lee debuted on French TV network Canal+ during a 90-minute prime time special called, En Tatanes Á Manhattan![6] On April 10, 2014, he starred on a controversial episode of Bravo's The Millionaire Matchmaker with Patti Stanger.
In 2015 Lee launched a crowdfunding campaign on Inkshares for his tell-all book Don't You Know Who I Think I Am: Confessions of a First-Class Ass.[7]
Pretentious Pocket
In 2011 Lee founded Pretentious Pocket,[2] a silk pocket square business. According to court documents he has listed his occupation as "haberdasher".[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Felber, Jaime (December 23, 2009). "Introducing: 100% Fuck You: Justin Ross Lee". Joonbug. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Macintosh, Jeanne (September 19, 2011). "Posh Poseur Over". New York Post. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Schuster, Dana (September 9, 2011). "The ego that attacked NYC". New York Post. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Grant, Drew (September 20, 2011). "Socialite Justin Ross Lee is Broke, Living American Dream". The New York Observer. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "NPR to JRL: Jew Interview Goes BadLEE". Social Shark NYC. September 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Griffith, Carson (June 26, 2009). "Justin Ross Lee's Exclusive Interview...With Himself". Hamptons: Guest of a Guest. Retrieved 2011-11-13.