Stars are coming together to support the Writers Guild of America after the labor union declared a writers’ strike on May 2. For months, the inevitable strike has been looming over Hollywood after the WGA and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) failed to reach an agreement on their next three-year contract, largely over disputes of compensation for writers. As a result, all members of the WGA have vowed not to write or sell new scripts for TV shows or movies until the union votes to end the strike. And now, some of Hollywood’s biggest names are speaking out and standing with the picketers in support of the WGA’s fight.
Most recently, Drew Barrymore pulled out of her 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards hosting gig — with the show still currently scheduled for Sunday — to support striking writers, her rep confirmed to POPSUGAR on May 4. “I have listened to the writers, and in order to truly respect them, I will pivot from hosting the MTV Movie & TV Awards live in solidarity with the strike,” Barrymore said in a statement. “Everything we celebrate and honor about movies and television is born out of their creation. And until a solution is reached, I am choosing to wait.”
Ahead of the strike, many stars who attended this year’s Met Gala on May 1 spoke to Variety about their thoughts on the writers’ strike, with Brian Tyree Henry saying, “I just hope that everyone is treated equally. I hope they get what they deserve and I hope people listen to them. People strike for a reason.” Amanda Seyfried also spoke to the outlet on the red carpet and said, “I don’t get what the problem is,” adding that the strike is “necessary.” “Everything changed with streaming and everyone should be compensated for their work. It’s f*cking easy.”
Elsewhere, TV creators like “Abbott Elementary” star Quinta Brunson told AP News, “I’m a member of WGA and support WGA, and them getting — we, us — getting what we need.”
Since the writers’ strike kicked off, a number of daytime and late-night talk shows have shut down production (i.e., filming and airing new episodes), including “Saturday Night Live,” which canceled an episode that was to be hosted by show alum Pete Davidson. On May 3, “SNL” star Bowen Yang, who’s joined the strike, told The Hollywood Reporter of the comedy sketch show, “I’m really disappointed. We had a few good shows left, I think. We all came back rested and ready to work on Monday.” He added, “Pete was very excited to host, even though he knew there was a big asterisk on the week, and there was a looming possibility it might not happen. I think we were all ready to give it our all for the next three weeks before the season ended.”
Other celebrities who have joined the writers’ strike as picketers so far include Rob Lowe, Cynthia Nixon, Natasha Lyonne, Ilana Glazer, Zach Cherry, and Bill Nye. Scroll ahead to see which other stars are supporting the strike.