SAG-AFTRA supports actors competing on ‘Dancing with the Stars’
SAG-AFTRA members are being encouraged to lace up their shoes and hit the “Dancing with the Stars” floor.
The actors union, which includes “DWTS” contestants Alyson Hannigan, Jamie Lynn Spears, Barry Williams, Mira Sorvino, Ariana Madix and Xochitl Gomez, said Thursday it supports its members taking part in the long-running ABC show.
“We support them in fulfilling their contractual obligations,” SAG said in a statement to media outlets.
“The majority of our members on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ had contractual obligations to the show prior to the strike. Many are under option agreements that require them to return to the show if the producer exercises their option which the producer has done.”
The union added that as part of the Network Code Collective Bargaining Agreement, the stars are also subject to a no-strike clause.
“By not showing up to work, our performers can be held in breach of contract and the Union is prohibited from advising them not to work,” the SAG statement added.
The Post has contacted reps for ABC, SAG and the Writers Guild of America for comment.
The statement comes after “Veep” star and “DWTS” contestant Matt Walsh, 58, revealed Thursday that he is “pausing” his participation in the competition until an agreement is made with the also-striking WGA.
“I was excited to join the show and did so under the impression that it was not a WGA show and fell under a different agreement,” the actor said.
“This morning when I was informed by my union, the WGA, that it is considered struck work I walked out of my rehearsal. I have been and will always stand with my union members of the WGA, SAG, and DGA.”
“DWTS” has one WGA writer. Members have been picketing rehearsals.
The WGA started striking in May. SAG-AFTRA joined screenwriters on the picket line in July.
Both unions are demanding increases in base pay and residuals in the era of streaming TV, as well as assurances their work will not be replaced by artificial intelligence.
Season 32 of “DWTS” is set to premiere Tuesday at 8 p.m. EST on ABC and stream on Disney+.
Alfonso Ribeiro, 52, and Julianne Hough, 35, will host, while Derek Hough, 38, Carrie Ann Inaba, 55, and Bruno Tonioli, 67, will judge.
Fans of the show are also criticizing the casting of embattled former Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, 38.
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