Top Cannes Lions Creators: JB Smoove, Amanda McCants, Angela Hunte & Others Deliver Hot Takes
“AI is actually changing the world. Maybe we just need to let it reset our brains.”
The epicenter of the creative marketing mecca that is Cannes Lions was definitely the Swayable House at Steak ‘n Shake, where Maxim partnered with Portrait Media Group to chat with creators that brands are desperate to reach. Here’s what they had to say:
Amanda McCants
Amanda McCants came for the connections, not the campaigns. The content creator, actress, and comedian thinks “authenticity” is the most overused word in the business and claims that Los Angeles is the only city where she can truly be herself. “You can hunker down or be out there,” she says. “That city allows both.”
Hot take: “Every time I hear ‘creator economy,’ I’m energized. Every time I hear ‘authenticity,’ I check out.”
JB Smoove
JB Smoove—aka Leon from Curb Your Enthusiasm—hosted the Steak ‘n Shake World Cup Watch Party for England vs. Ghana. When we caught him between plays and asked whose creativity he’d steal for 24 hours, he zeroed in on Eddie Murphy, a comedian who “doesn’t even have to learn how to act.”
Hot Take: “Talent is the soul of creativity. You either have it or you don’t.”
Nina Cavallaro
With nine years in the content creation game, Nina Cavallaro is done with overstimulating feeds. “The content that stops me is simple. A person doing their day. One piece of advice. No frills.” Her pick for most creative city is Seoul.
Hot take: “If you haven’t been to Seoul, I feel sorry for you.”
Alex + Pablo
This comedic duo believes authenticity is overrated—especially when brands announce it. “The second you say you’re being authentic, you’re not.” Tokyo runs the world creatively, they say, though LA is having a moment thanks to World Cup energy.
Hot take: New Balance is the preeminent sneaker brand. “They figured out how to be for everyone without trying.”
Angela Hunte
She’s the Emmy-nominated songwriter and producer behind Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind”—which, if you watched a single NBA Playoff game this year, you heard approximately 400 times. Fittingly, she commented on the importance of music at Cannes Lions. “Music is culture. Where the culture is, the music should be.”
Hot take: She has zero patience for swag-bag chasers. “Put the bag down. Go talk to somebody. Actually know somebody.”
Xyla Foxlin
This engineer, entrepreneur, and YouTuber is building a real plane from scratch. She’s hyped on the new space-race moment, claiming, “The Apollo era is back,” and she’s deeply skeptical of noise-over-craft trends.
Hot take: “I love LA. I hate LA. That tension is probably why I keep making things.”
Shingy (David Shing)
The philosophically minded marketing executive is writing a book with a strict rule: six lines per thought. “Like a rock album with big egos—the limitation forces the truth.” Regarding AI, he’s calm where everyone else is panicking.
Hot take: “Desktop publishing was the AI of my generation. The question is whether we’re designers or just prompt engineers.”
Jimmy Hilton
It was this automotive YouTuber’s first time at Cannes, and he fell in love with the architecture before he even checked into his hotel. “Back home, buildings are functional. Here, they’re sculpture.” He’s currently building an affordable micro car for aspiring gearheads who can’t afford to drop obscene cash on custom builds.
Hot take: Osaka has the best creative energy on earth. “Custom Civics going up mountains as loud as possible—a horror show. I love it.”
Courtney Spritzer
It was the Socialfly co-founder and CEO’s first time at Cannes Lions, and she was already the most quotable person in the room: “Whoever has the most air conditioning wins.” More relevantly, she’s currently building a women’s media empire.
Hot take: “AI is actually changing the world. Maybe we just need to let it reset our brains.”