A long-standing dispute over a single quote in a high-profile profile of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes has resurfaced in the documentary "You Can See Everything," prompting the original journalist to address how the reporting unfolded. The documentary, co-directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, features Holmes trying to persuade Fielder that The New York Times mischaracterized her remarks regarding how Hollywood portrays her.
The Conflicting Versions of a Single Word
The contested exchange stems from a 2023 profile published by The New York Times. In that article, Holmes was quoted discussing actors portraying her on screen, such as Amanda Seyfried's performance in Hulu's series "The Dropout." The published piece quoted Holmes as saying, "They’re not playing me. They’re playing a character I created."
Holmes challenged the quote following the profile's release, insisting her actual statement was, "They’re playing a character they created." In "You Can See Everything," Fielder explores the friction, viewing the disagreement as emblematic of a broader dilemma: whether media coverage distorted Holmes' image or whether Holmes harbors personal delusions about how she presents herself. The documentary does not offer a definitive conclusion on which version was accurate.
Documentary Claims and Missing Recordings
Within the film, Holmes' partner, Billy Evans, asserts that he recorded her discussions with the newspaper. However, he does not provide audio evidence proving that the reporter misquoted her. An end card in the documentary notes that Fielder and Oppenheim contacted The New York Times, but neither party produced definitive audio evidence.
At the time of the dispute, The New York Times maintained that the reporter reviewed her interview notes alongside editors and confirmed the published quote's accuracy, informing Holmes and considering the matter settled. Following the film's release, the profile's author, Amy Chozick, spoke directly to the outlet about the circumstances surrounding the interview.
Chozick Explains Reporting Methods and Notebook Disposal
Chozick stated that the conversation took place during a walk outside Holmes and Evans' rented California beach residence while Evans was away at a gym. According to Chozick, she mentioned hearing that Jennifer Lawrence had recently exited a movie project based on Holmes, which prompted the founder's response about actors portraying a character she had created.
Chozick explained that while formal conversations seated at the table or couch were recorded by both parties, she did not run an audio recorder during their walk. Instead, she immediately handwrote the remarks in her notebook, later starring, highlighting, and marking the page with a Post-it note during her evening review. Chozick acknowledged that she did not retain the physical notebook, noting she typically keeps reporter pads for only a few years, and expressed regret that she had not preserved it.
Broader Context Surrounding the Theranos Persona
Addressing why readers should rely on the quote without audio documentation, Chozick noted that the theme of image construction emerged repeatedly throughout their multi-day interview. She referenced Holmes discussing her past Theranos persona—widely recognized for signature black turtlenecks, bold red lipstick, and an altered vocal delivery—and acknowledging that observers may have sensed it lacked authenticity.
Chozick noted that Holmes did not dispute the wider context of those discussions. She observed that profiling controversial figures often evokes strong reactions to specific quotes, reiterating that the concept of an intentionally crafted persona was an ongoing focus of their conversations as Holmes re-emerged publicly following the collapse of her blood-testing startup.
As "You Can See Everything" reaches audiences, the absence of surviving physical notes or audio recordings leaves the differing accounts intact, preserving the debate as an unverified exchange between a subject and the reporter who chronicled her.
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Source: Variety
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