Billy Porter is already experiencing the impact of the ongoing writers’ and actors’ strikes in Hollywood. The Emmy- and Tony-winning actor and singer recently disclosed to London’s Evening Standard that he is feeling the financial strain and has had to consider downsizing his home due to the lack of income in the foreseeable future. Porter candidly stated, “Until you make significant money, you live paycheck to paycheck as an artist, and I haven’t reached that level yet.”
Porter had anticipated working on a new movie and a television series scheduled for September, but unfortunately, both projects have been put on hold. He expressed his frustration, stating, “None of that is happening.” This further emphasizes the impact the strikes are having on his career and livelihood.
Speaking about the Hollywood studio executives’ strategy to “starve out” striking writers and actors, Porter added, “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.” This quote, attributed to an unnamed executive, highlights the severity of the situation and the detrimental effect it is having on individuals in the entertainment industry.
The strikes began in July for actors and in May for screenwriters. The Actors Guild, known as SAG-AFTRA, is seeking better residuals from streaming platforms and increased protection against the use of artificial intelligence, among other demands. Similarly, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) is also striking, with the goal of negotiating a new contract that addresses their concerns. It is worth noting that HuffPost’s employees, who are part of the Writers Guild of America, East, also support these strikes.
During his interview with the Evening Standard, Porter was cautious not to discuss the specifics of his film and TV work, adhering to the strike’s guidelines. However, he did criticize Disney CEO Bob Iger for dismissing the demands of actors and writers as “not realistic” and for characterizing them as “very disruptive.” Porter strongly disagreed with Iger’s remarks, stating, “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.” He expressed his anger and vowed to join the picket lines upon his return to work.
Overall, Billy Porter’s comments shed light on the challenging situation faced by artists in Hollywood during the ongoing strikes. The financial impact, uncertainty about future projects, and frustrations with industry executives have created a difficult environment for actors and writers alike.
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