Title: Actor Billy Porter Forced to Sell House as Actors’ Strike Grinds Hollywood to a Halt
Subtitle: Emmy-winning “Pose” star speaks out against industry executives and calls for fair treatment
In a recent interview with the Evening Standard, renowned actor Billy Porter revealed that he has been compelled to sell his house due to the ongoing actors’ strike, spearheaded by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra). The strike, along with the simultaneous writers’ strike, has brought Hollywood to a standstill for over a month, significantly impacting the livelihoods of performers and creatives.
Porter, known for his outstanding work in both music and theatre, expressed his frustrations with the current situation, stating, “Yeah! Because we’re on strike. And I don’t know when we’re gonna go back. The life of an artist, until you make fuck-you money – which I haven’t made yet – is still check-to-check.”
The actor disclosed that his plans to begin filming a new show and movie in September have been indefinitely postponed, directly affecting his ability to earn a living. Expressing his dismay, Porter addressed those responsible for the industry’s current state, stating, “So to the person who said, ‘We’re going to starve them out until they have to sell their apartments’ – you’ve already starved me out.”
Porter also took aim at Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, who described the actors’ and writers’ demands as “unrealistic” during a television interview in July. Urging for fair compensation and recognition in a rapidly evolving industry, Porter criticized the lack of transparency surrounding streaming companies’ viewership figures and emphasized the need for a modernized contract.
He passionately exclaimed, “To hear Bob Iger say that our demands for a living wage are unrealistic? While he makes $78,000 a day? I don’t have any words for it, but: fuck you.” Porter pledged his support for the strike, promising to join picket lines upon his return.
Iger’s comments provoked immediate backlash from members of Sag-Aftra. Fran Drescher, Sag-Aftra president, responded with a statement, accusing the industry companies of refusing to engage meaningfully in negotiations and expressing the union’s unity in pushing for fair treatment.
Amidst the ongoing recovery from the pandemic and the challenges faced by the entertainment industry, Iger deemed the strike “very disturbing” in a July interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box. However, he acknowledged the successful negotiations between the industry and the Directors Guild and expressed hopes for similar outcomes with the writers and actors, albeit with realistic expectations.
As the strike continues to impact the entertainment industry, actors and writers are determined to fight for their rights and equitable treatment. The months-long standstill serves as a powerful message, highlighting the need for fair compensation and improved working conditions in the age of streaming and evolving business models.
As Billy Porter and his fellow artists struggle to make ends meet, the question of balance and equity in Hollywood remains at the forefront, demanding resolution and negotiation to reignite the creative flame that drives the industry forward.