Fran Drescher, head of the SAG-AFTRA union, defended herself for attending a publicity event in Italy over the weekend while contract negotiations between hundreds of actors and film studios crumbled.
During a Thursday press conference announcing the official start of the primary actor strike in a long time, “The Nanny” star was asked concerning the bashing she received for taking a “selfie” with Kim Kardashian during a Dolce & Gabbana event.
“That wasn’t a selfie,” Drescher said. “I’m a brand ambassador for a fashion company and so is Kim. I had only met Kim seconds before that publicity picture was taken.”
She added: “It had nothing to do with being at a celebration or having fun – it was absolute work … We work, that’s what we do.”
Drescher said that despite being nine hours ahead of her SAG-AFTRA colleagues in Los Angeles who were working to succeed in an agreement Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), she kept in constant contact and even left the event early to attend a Zoom meeting with union negotiators.
“And if I couldn’t get through to them because I used to be on a plane, I used to be texting with them continually throughout the plane ride,” Drescher said.
The union president fell under heavy criticism after an image of herself and Kardashian smiling made its rounds on social media earlier this week.
On the time the image was taken, AMPTP had prolonged the union’s contract by nearly two weeks, though no resolution was in sight and talks for a walkout were underway.
“My union president chilling in Italy while we’re in the midst of negotiations and about to go on strike,” “Insidious: The Last Key” actor Kirk Acevedo tweeted Monday.
“We’re asking to be higher compensated by the studios and Fran Drescher is mugging for cameras in Italy. The optics look f–king terrible.”
Actress Laura Lee wrote: “Hey @frandrescher, why are you gallivanting around when our strike is looming? Super bad look. And with Kim, who recently crossed the WGA picket line, no less. #gross.”
“Perry Mason” actor Eric Lange tweeted, “This can be a really bad f–king look, @frandrescher. It’s astonishing that, on the eve of a possible strike, while individuals are losing their homes, their medical insurance, etc you’re partying it up with Kim in Italy. Astonishing and indefensible.”
Actor Gerald Webb added: “Is @frandrescher handing out @dolcegabbana bags to the entire unemployed and shortly to be striking @sag members to pay their rent and buy their groceries? completely #tonedeaf.”
“This can be a clear example of how out of touch the president is with nearly all of the rank-and-file membership,” Maya Dunbar, who’s running against Drescher for SAG-AFTRA president, said in a press release, in response to Deadline.
“While most members are currently wondering if there’s going to be a strike and the way they’ll pay the rent, their dues and afford to offer for his or her families throughout the worst economic stability lately, she’s off taking pics with celebrities widely known and shamed for crossing WGA picket line.”
SAG-AFTRA rushed to Drescher’s defense within the immediate wake of the backlash, claiming that the negotiating committee understood her commitment to Dolce and Gabbana.
“She has been in negotiations daily either in person or via videoconference. President Drescher is managing a physically demanding schedule across three time zones, overseeing negotiations and dealing on location every day in addition to managing her parents’ needs in Florida. She is returning to the states and will probably be on the bottom in LA tomorrow and can proceed to chair our negotiations,” the union said.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, co-chair of SAG-AFTRA, reiterated the support Thursday, stating it was “outrageous” for employers to “cynically attempt to turn our members against Fran.”
The union unanimously voted Thursday to stop working after their contract expired and talks broke off with AMPTP.
The strike — doubled with the continuing walkout by Writers Guild of America screenwriters — effectively shuts down production across the entertainment industry.
Each SAG-AFTRA and WGA are demanding increases in base pay and residuals within the streaming-TV era, plus assurances that their work is not going to get replaced by artificial intelligence.
The strike officially kicks off at midnight Friday.
