Fran Drescher defends smiling ‘selfie’ with Kim Kardashian forward of strike announcement: ‘It was absolute work’

Fran Drescher, head of the SAG-AFTRA union, defended herself for attending a publicity occasion in Italy over the weekend whereas contract negotiations between hundreds of actors and movie studios crumbled.

Throughout a Thursday press convention asserting the official begin of the primary actor strike in a long time, “The Nanny” star was requested concerning the bashing she acquired for taking a “selfie” with Kim Kardashian throughout a Dolce & Gabbana occasion.

“That wasn’t a selfie,” Drescher said. “I’m a model ambassador for a trend firm and so is Kim. I had solely met Kim seconds earlier than that publicity image was taken.”

She added: “It had nothing to do with being at a celebration or having enjoyable – it was absolute work … We work, that’s what we do.”

Drescher stated that regardless of being 9 hours forward of her SAG-AFTRA colleagues in Los Angeles who have been working to succeed in an settlement Alliance of Movement Image and Tv Producers (AMPTP), she stored in fixed contact and even left the occasion early to attend a Zoom assembly with union negotiators.

“And if I couldn’t get by way of to them as a result of I used to be on a aircraft, I used to be texting with them continually all through the aircraft experience,” Drescher stated.

The union president fell underneath heavy criticism after an image of herself and Kardashian smiling made its rounds on social media earlier this week.

On the time the picture was taken, AMPTP had prolonged the union’s contract by practically two weeks, although no decision was in sight and talks for a walkout have been underway.

“My union president chilling in Italy whereas we’re in the course of negotiations and about to go on strike,” “Insidious: The Final 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 horrible.”

Actress Laura Lee wrote: “Hey @frandrescher, why are you gallivanting round when our strike is looming? Tremendous dangerous look. And with Kim, who just lately crossed the WGA picket line, no much less. #gross.”

“Perry Mason” actor Eric Lange tweeted, “It is a actually dangerous f–king look, @frandrescher. It’s astonishing that, on the eve of a probable strike, whereas individuals are shedding their properties, their medical insurance, and so on you’re partying it up with Kim in Italy. Astonishing and indefensible.”

Actor Gerald Webb added: “Is @frandrescher handing out @dolcegabbana baggage to the entire unemployed and shortly to be hanging @sag members to pay their hire and purchase their groceries? fully #tonedeaf.” 

“It is a clear instance of how out of contact the president is with nearly all of the rank-and-file membership,” Maya Dunbar, who’s working in opposition to Drescher for SAG-AFTRA president, stated in a press release, in accordance with Deadline.

“Whereas most members are at the moment questioning if there’s going to be a strike and the way they’ll pay the hire, their dues and afford to offer for his or her households through the worst financial stability lately, she’s off taking pics with celebrities broadly recognized and shamed for crossing WGA picket line.”

SAG-AFTRA rushed to Drescher’s protection within the rapid wake of the backlash, claiming that the negotiating committee understood her dedication to Dolce and Gabbana.

“She has been in negotiations on daily basis both in particular person or through videoconference. President Drescher is managing a bodily demanding schedule throughout three time zones, overseeing negotiations and dealing on location day by day in addition to managing her mother and father’ wants 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 stated.

Duncan Crabtree-Eire, co-chair of SAG-AFTRA, reiterated the assist Thursday, stating it was “outrageous” for employers to “cynically attempt to flip our members in opposition to Fran.”

The union unanimously voted Thursday to cease working after their contract expired and talks broke off with AMPTP.

The strike — doubled with the continuing walkout by Writers Guild of America screenwriters — successfully shuts down manufacturing throughout the leisure trade.

Each SAG-AFTRA and WGA are demanding will increase in base pay and residuals within the streaming-TV period, plus assurances that their work is not going to get replaced by synthetic intelligence.

The strike formally kicks off at midnight Friday.