Several well-known celebrities have come out in support of the current SAG-AFTRA strike, which has caused havoc in Hollywood. However, it appears that not all celebrities support the strike.
Stephen Amell, who is best known for playing Oliver Queen on The CW’s “Arrow” and currently stars in “Heels” on Starz, spoke out against the ongoing strike while attending GalaxyCon in North Carolina over the weekend.
Amell answered a question about the strike in a fan-shot video by offering his own perspective. “I support my union, I do, and I stand with them,” Amell said. “I do not support striking. I don’t.”
“I think that it is a reductive negotiating tactic, and I find the entire thing incredibly frustrating,” Amell continued. “And I think that the thinking as it pertains to shows like the show that I’m on that premiered last night, I think it’s myopic.”
It’s worth noting that he reiterated his support for his union in the closing moments of the video and that the rest of his remarks were not recorded. Still, it was enough to incite the wrath of social media users who had been shaming him for his honest assessment of the situation.
Since the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), the union that represents all actors in motion pictures and television were unable to reach an agreement on a contract before the deadline, they have been on strike. Productions, advertisements, and conventions like San Diego Comic-Con have all been impacted.
Amell appeared to be frustrated by his inability to promote his new show “Heels,” which has just begun its second season.
The fact that GalaxyCon appears to comply with the rules for union members participating in a panel or Q&A is another important point to note. Although it’s not clear whether saying those precise things about the strike or things that mention “Heels” could be viewed as a violation.
