A coalition of celebrities is uniting to express their backing for the strike organized by the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) after negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) fell through. The strike officially began on July 14, and it follows the announcement of a writers’ strike by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) on May 2, which also received support from notable figures.
The actors’ strike had been brewing since SAG-AFTRA entered into negotiations with producers in June, with the goal of securing improved wages and working conditions, as well as safeguards against artificial intelligence, according to CNBC. As a result of the strike, union actors are prohibited from promoting any past, ongoing, or upcoming onscreen projects. Meanwhile, the writers’ strike had been anticipated for months after the WGA and AMPTP failed to reach an agreement on their next three-year contract, primarily due to disputes over writer compensation. In response, all WGA members pledged to refrain from writing or selling new scripts for TV shows or movies until the strike concludes.
Since the start of the writers’ and actors’ strikes, numerous influential figures in Hollywood have voiced their support and solidarity. From Margot Robbie and Cillian Murphy to Keke Palmer and Matt Damon, a diverse range of celebrities have thrown their weight behind the actors’ strike. Fran Drescher, the president of SAG-AFTRA, described the strike on July 13 as a consequence of actors being “exploited by an excessively greedy entity,” as reported by The A.V. Club. Drescher further commented, “I am astonished by the manner in which our business partners are treating us.”
Notably, Drescher highlighted the crucial significance of the strike in the face of advancing artificial intelligence. During a press conference, she warned, “We all face the risk of being replaced by machines and large corporations, which prioritize Wall Street over you and your loved ones.” Drescher elaborated, “The majority of Americans do not possess more than $500 for emergencies. This is an immensely significant issue, and it weighs heavily on us. However, there comes a point when you must assert, ‘No, we will no longer tolerate this. You all are acting irrationally. Why are you doing this?'”
Actors are joining a growing list of stars who have already shown their backing for the writers’ strike. On June 15, Tina Fey, Sara Bareilles, and Lin-Manuel Miranda gathered at a rally in Times Square, New York City, to demonstrate solidarity with the striking writers. Later, on June 25, singer-songwriter Muni Long publicly declared support for the strike during the 2023 BET Awards.
In the past, Colin Farrell and Pete Davidson demonstrated their support for the writers’ strike by visiting WGA picket lines in May. Drew Barrymore also expressed her solidarity by withdrawing from her hosting duties for the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards, according to her representative’s confirmation to POPSUGAR on May 4. In a statement, Barrymore stated, “Having listened to the writers, I have made the decision to forgo hosting the MTV Movie & TV Awards live in solidarity with the strike. Everything we celebrate and admire about movies and television stems from the creative work of writers. Until a resolution is reached, I choose to wait.”
Prior to the writers’ strike, many stars attending the Met Gala on May 1 shared their thoughts with Variety on the matter. Brian Tyree Henry expressed, “I simply hope that everyone receives fair treatment. I hope they receive what they deserve, and I hope people listen to them. People strike for a reason.” Amanda Seyfried, also speaking to Variety on the red carpet, mentioned, “I fail to comprehend what the issue is,” and asserted that the strike is “essential.” She declared, “Streaming revolutionized everything, and everyone should be compensated for their work. It’s unbelievably straightforward.”
In addition, TV creators like Quinta Brunson, star of “Abbott Elementary,” voiced their support for the strike in an interview with AP News. Brunson emphasized, “I am a member of the WGA, and I stand behind the WGA’s pursuit of our collective requirements.”
Since the commencement of the writers’ and actors’ strikes, numerous TV shows and movies have been forced to halt production, including “Saturday Night Live,” which canceled an episode scheduled to be hosted by former cast member Davidson. On May 3, “SNL” star Bowen Yang, also participating in the strike, expressed disappointment to The Hollywood Reporter regarding the sketch comedy show, stating, “I am truly disheartened. We had a few exceptional shows remaining, I believe. We all returned well-rested and ready to work on Monday.” Yang added, “Pete was extremely excited to host, even though he was aware that there was a significant asterisk hanging over the week, and there was a looming possibility that it might not come to fruition. I think we were all prepared to give it our all for the following three weeks before the season ended.”
Among the other celebrities who have shown their support for both the actors’ and writers’ strikes are Billy Porter, Jeremy Allen White, Jennifer Garner, Daniel Radcliffe, Lupita Nyong’o, Auli’i Cravalho, Hilary Duff, George Clooney, Brian Cox, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Kerry Washington, Jason Sudeikis, America Ferrera, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Mark Ruffalo, Mariska Hargitay, Lisa Ann Walter, Ayo Edebiri, and many others. To find out which other stars are endorsing the strikes, continue reading.
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Writers on the “Existential Fight” of the Hollywood Strike: “Streamers Have Been Screwing [Us] Over”
