Netflix Under the Stars: A Streaming Dream Turned into a Global Empire at Tudum 2025
Netflix Under the Stars: A Streaming Dream Turned into a Global Empire at Tudum 2025 originally appeared on L.A. Mag.
Under the shimmering Los Angeles night sky, the Kia Forum was no longer just an arena—it had become a glittering cinematic universe. On May 31, 2025, Netflix hosted its most ambitious Tudum event to date, transforming the venue and its surrounding grounds into a living, breathing celebration of storytelling. Giant LED screens flickered with first looks, futuristic sculptures towered over photo opportunities, and a curated sensory playground of sights and sounds welcomed Hollywood's elite, Gen Z's TikTok royalty, and superfans from every corner of the world.At the heart of it all was Ted Sarandos, the soul of Netflix.The son of a grandfather who emigrated from the breathtaking Greek island of Samos, Sarandos has never forgotten his roots. His rise through the entertainment industry reads like a screenplay of the American Dream—humble, determined, and electrifying. When he joined Netflix in the early 2000s, it was a scrappy tech company mailing DVDs in red envelopes. Fast-forward two decades, and Sarandos has helped sculpt it into a $416.22 billion entertainment titan with over 301.6 million subscribers worldwide. At Tudum 2025, the Greek-American CEO stood not only as a business leader but as the architect of a cultural revolution.And what better way to honor that legacy than with a celebration that felt part film festival, part fashion show, part music video—and all Netflix.
Lady Gaga Rises from the Dead—LiterallyThe moment that set social media ablaze came halfway through the night: an eerie silence descended on the Forum as smoke curled across the stage. Then, in a theatrical flourish only she could pull off, Lady Gaga rose from a blood-red coffin etched with the words 'Here Lies the Monster Queen.'Her entrance marked the debut of her original song 'Zombieboy', which she followed with a haunting rendition of 'Bloody Mary'—a track long associated with her fanbase's obsession with the supernatural. She closed her set with 'Abracadabra,' complete with dancers in gothic ballet corpses and floating chandeliers swaying to the beat.The performance wasn't just a concert—it was a proclamation. Gaga is officially joining Netflix's smash hit , playing the mysterious Professor Rosaline Rotwood in Season 2. The show returns in two parts—August 6 and September 3—turning Wednesdays into global events once more.'It's spooky. It's poetic. It's theatrical. It's me,' Gaga told Sofia Carson during a backstage segment streamed live to millions around the world.
A Global Stage Built in Los AngelesBut Tudum 2025 wasn't only about what was on the screen. It was also about who showed up—and how Netflix brought its stories to life. Outside the Kia Forum, Netflix constructed an interactive 'Storyverse,' where fans could walk through immersive pop-ups themed after Squid Game, One Piece, Bridgerton, and even Happy Gilmore 2, starring an unretired Adam Sandler.The drone hovered, dazzled above the Forum as the audience roared in awe. LED arches pulsed with crimson and neon purple. Stylists, makeup artists, and celebrity glam teams brushed shoulders with TikTok creators, YouTubers, and journalists from Tokyo to São Paulo. The vibe was very much: the Emmys meets Coachella meets a designer-clad fever dream.It wasn't just a press event—it was a statement of cultural dominance.
A Galaxy of Stars Beneath the Los Angeles SkyFollowing the live show, the action spilled into a lavish outdoor reception built entirely for the evening. Giant mirrored sculptures spun slowly in the breeze as guests sipped custom Netflix cocktails named after their favorite shows (yes, there was a Squid Game Sangria and a Sex Education Spritz). Oscar nominees clinked glasses with streaming darlings, and dancers performed on elevated platforms as ambient house music filled the air.Spotted among the crowd: Jenna Ortega, dressed in black lace and boots; Guillermo del Toro, deep in conversation with Rian Johnson; Addison Rae recording TikTok videos with the Stranger Things cast; and even Ben Affleck having fun with his best friend Matt Damon. It was a mosaic of entertainment—streaming, cinema, social, and everything in between.
Legacy in Motion: Ted Sarandos and the Power of Global StorytellingAt the core of the evening was a quiet but powerful tribute to the man who made it all possible.Ted Sarandos didn't just bet on streaming—he bet on stories—international ones. Diverse ones. Risky ones. As Netflix grew, so did its mission: to empower creators everywhere, from Lagos to Lisbon, and from Norway to Argentina. It was Sarandos who saw potential in non-English language content before it became trendy. His greenlight of Money Heist, Squid Game, and Lupin turned local shows into global obsessions.But what drives him most isn't numbers—it's people. That, too, stems from his Greek-American heritage. The spirit of the Greek ideal of duty, which emphasizes doing good quietly, informs his leadership style. Sarandos is the person who knows the name of the camera operator, who checks in with junior executives, and who shares thoughts with filmmakers, because he understands that humans, not just algorithms, build storytelling.At Tudum, as he welcomed guests and thanked the team behind the event, Sarandos humbly deflected the spotlight. But make no mistake: it was his night.
Netflix Hits a Record HighThe day after Tudum, Netflix stock hit an all-time high of $1,217.75, briefly making the company the second most valuable entertainment brand in the world. Netflix's market capitalization, or net worth, is approximately $416.22 billion—a staggering figure that underscores its dominance in the industry. And the ambition doesn't stop there: the company is aiming for a $1 trillion market cap by 2030, a goal that now feels less like a fantasy and more like a strategic inevitability. Industry insiders view the event not only as a celebration but also as a bold flex—proof that Netflix isn't just surviving in a crowded streaming space; it's thriving, innovating, and leading. As traditional studios grapple with theatrical declines and IP fatigue, Netflix has cracked the code: build community, embrace global voices, and create moments that feel personal, even when viewed by millions.
The Night Stories Became MagicIn the final hour of the reception, as the lights dimmed and drones traced the Netflix 'N' across the stars, you could feel it: that unmistakable tingle of wonder. The same feeling you get watching a perfect pilot, reading a line of dialogue that hits too close, or losing sleep bingeing on something brilliant. That's what Tudum 2025 was about. Not just content, but connection. Not just a platform, but a pulse. And at the center of it all stood a man from a family of Greek immigrants—proof that sometimes the most powerful stories begin on a small island like Samos and end up reshaping the way the entire world watches TV.
This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
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