Billy Porter has had to sell his house as jobs fall through due tothe strikes (Picture: Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Billy Porter has revealed he has no choice but to sell his house as he struggles due to the ongoing Hollywood strikes.
The Kinky Boots star, 53, is a Tony-winning theatre actor, regularly appearing on Broadway, and has also clinched major film and TV roles.
But right now the actor is out of work, as Hollywood shuts down due to the writers and actors’ strikes taking place simultaneously.
Matters pertaining to streaming residuals, fair pay and artificial intelligence were at the centre of failed talks, which caused the first joint WGA and Sag-Aftra strike since 1960.
In a new interview with The Evening Standard, it’s pointed out that Billy cannot talk about any of his work – whether previous projects or upcoming – and the star spoke about how it was affecting him.
Saying people were struggling as they’re sent ‘six cent cheques’ as residuals since the rise of streaming services, the West End star took issue with certain people looking on the strikes as ‘millionaires trying to get more millions.’
And he revealed: ‘Billy Porter has news for you. I have to sell my house.’
The award-winning actor hit out at industry bosses who were calling actors’ calls for fair pay unreasonable (Picture: Getty Images)
‘Because we’re on strike. And I don’t know when we’re gonna go back [to work]. The life of an artist, until you make f***-you money — which I haven’t made yet — is still cheque-to-cheque.
‘I was supposed to be in a new movie, and on a new television show starting in September. None of that is happening.’
And he had strong words for Disney CEO and multi-millionaire Bob Iger, who complained actors and writers were being ‘unrealistic’ and described the strikes as ‘disturbing.’
It comes as Billy and husband Adam announced their marriage was over after six years (Picture: Getty Images for Related)
‘To hear Bob Iger say that our demands for a living wage are unrealistic? While he makes $78,000 a day? I don’t have any worse for it, but f*** you.’
Elsewhere, he spoke of his divorce to husband Adam Smith after six years of marriage, calling it ‘bittersweet.’
‘Relationships are hard. I will always love him. We made it as far as we could.’
The actor met Adam 36, at a dinner party in 2009 and they tied the knot almost a decade later.
But last month they confirmed they’d made the ‘sad decision to end their marriage after six years.’
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‘I don’t have any worse for it, but f*** you.’
