SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher clarified her recent photo with Kim Kardashian taken in Italy just as actor-production company negotiations were deteriorating, leading to the actors' strike.
Drescher, who also serves as a brand ambassador for a fashion house, emphasized that her presence at the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda event in Italy during the crucial pre-strike period was strictly work-related. She explained that the photo opportunity with Kardashian, also a brand ambassador, was purely professional and not a leisurely social gathering.
Drescher detailed the demands of her work commitments in Italy, highlighting the long hours spent on hair and makeup, navigating cobblestone streets in heels, and other work-related activities. She drew a parallel with Kardashian, suggesting that they both prioritized their professional obligations despite potentially preferring to be elsewhere.
Following the fashion event, Drescher immediately rejoined the SAG-AFTRA negotiations via Zoom from her hotel room, maintaining constant communication with her team. She underscored her commitment to the union's efforts, working across multiple time zones while also attending to family responsibilities.
The SAG-AFTRA strike announcement on Thursday saw prominent actors joining writers on picket lines, marking a significant escalation in the labor dispute. Notable figures like Jason Sudeikis, Frances Fisher, Sean Astin, and Drescher herself were among those picketing.
The "Oppenheimer" cast's walkout from the UK premiere just before the strike announcement further highlighted the growing solidarity within the industry. Director Christopher Nolan confirmed their departure to prepare for the impending strike action.
The simultaneous strike by both actors and writers, a first since 1960, reflects shared concerns about fair compensation, residual payments in the streaming era, and the potential impact of artificial intelligence on their creative work.
