As the SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America strike continues to grip Hollywood, the absence of major stars has become noticeable. Industry insiders and protesters have pointed out the “palpable” lack of headliners on the ground. While the strike has garnered significant attention, some prominent SAG-AFTRA members prefer to remain anonymous while discussing the ongoing situation. Dwayne Johnson recently made a huge donation.
Despite notable stars like Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, and Rami Malek expressing their support for the strike in a letter, their physical presence at the protests has been notably absent. Even Leonardo DiCaprio, who showed solidarity on Instagram, has not been seen participating in person at any protests. The strike continues with the industry watching to see if these A-list actors will join the picket lines.
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Protesters Question A-List Stars’ Absence From The Strikes
At the onset of the actor’s strike in July, a protester at Netflix headquarters held a sign asking, “Where the f*ck is Ben Affleck?” Despite the call for prominent stars to join the front lines, Affleck’s presence at the protests has yet to be seen.
The list of missing stars includes many other big names like Denzel Washington, Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and the recently un-retired Cameron Diaz. Their star power and media influence are undeniable, and the absence of these celebrities at the protests hasn’t gone unnoticed, especially since cameras tend to follow them everywhere they go.
Many acclaimed award winners like Rachel McAdams, Lupita Nyong’o, Mark Ruffalo, Quinta Brunson, Allison Janney, Bob Odenkirk, and others have shown up to support the guilds. However, the conspicuous absence of some megastars might have more intricate reasons behind their decision to stay home.
Why Are Megastars not Showing Up For The Strikes
According to a SAG-AFTRA member, there is a perception problem where people view the striking actors as “just a bunch of rich actors.” The absence of megastars on the picket lines might be due to the fact that they don’t work for scale pay and don’t necessarily need the same level of contract protection. If they were to show up, it could be interpreted as them crying poor, which could complicate the strike’s message.
According to a confidential, top talent advisor, there is a matter of taste to consider. Some of their clients have inquired about which pickets to attend and whether they should prepare for media appearances with hair and makeup. The advisor emphasized that the strikes are a very serious matter and not an opportunity for a red-carpet appearance.
Numerous members aligned with the AMPTP, representing the companies in contract negotiations, have observed the significant influx of stars who have taken on substantial producer roles in the industry.
Source: Variety
