by Riley Cook
Billy Porter has revealed that he's facing the difficult decision of selling his house due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which has taken a toll on his finances. The entertainment industry is witnessing a significant strike involving thousands of actors and entertainers, united with the Writers Guild of America (WGA), advocating for increased pay and residuals in response to the evolving landscape of streaming services.
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While this collective effort holds potential benefits for the acting community, Porter is already grappling with its adverse effects. The 53-year-old "Pose" star disclosed to the Evening Standard that he's forced to part with his home due to the current situation. The strike has placed a pause on the activities that Porter had been gearing up for in September, including a couple of upcoming projects.
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Porter portrayed the charismatic ballroom emcee Pray Tell in "Pose" from 2018 to 2021, and despite his high profile, he emphasizes that the financial reality for many artists is living paycheck to paycheck until substantial financial milestones are reached.
As he articulated, "The life of an artist, until you make f–k-you money, which I haven't made yet, is still check-to-check." The strikes' impact has reverberated beyond just a temporary pause in work; it has plunged artists into situations where they're compelled to make drastic financial decisions like selling their homes.
Porter's candid statements reflect the emotional toll the strike has taken on him. He was compelled to address Disney CEO Bob Iger's assertion that actors' expectations of treatment in the industry are "just not realistic." Porter firmly believes that the rapidly changing landscape of the entertainment business demands a corresponding evolution in contracts.
In the era of streaming films and TV shows, Porter emphasizes the need for contracts to adapt to these new dynamics. He expressed his frustration by contrasting Iger's multi-million dollar daily earnings with the demands of artists seeking a fair wage. "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: f—k you," Porter voiced his dissent.
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Porter acknowledged his anger and the struggle to find useful ways to channel it, stating, "That's not useful, so I've kept my mouth shut. I haven't engaged because I'm so enraged." However, he affirmed his commitment to the cause by expressing his intention to join the picket lines once he resumes work.
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The current strike is significant, marking the first time the 160,000-strong SAG-AFTRA has undertaken such action in the film and television industry since 1980. The actors and entertainers are advocating for fairness, acknowledging the changing landscape of the industry, and striving for contracts that align with the new realities brought about by streaming platforms.
Porter's situation is a poignant reminder of the far-reaching implications of these collective actions. It underscores the financial vulnerability faced by even well-known figures and serves as a rallying cry for all those participating in the strike, a reminder of the importance of their unity and determination in securing a just and equitable future for all members of the industry.