SAG-AFTRA, the union representing entertainment industry professionals, has shown its support for reality show cast members who are fighting against what they call grotesque and depraved treatment. The union’s public solidarity comes just weeks after former Real Housewife of New York, Bethenny Frankel, called for reality talent to form a union on Instagram.
In a statement, SAG-AFTRA expressed its readiness to assist Frankel, along with the attorneys representing approximately 50 reality show cast members, in their fight against mistreatment. The guild condemned the exploitation of talent by studios and production companies and urged reality television performers to reach out to SAG-AFTRA for protection and to end the exploitative practices in the industry.
The move by SAG-AFTRA follows a letter sent by the attorneys to NBC accusing the network of various forms of mistreatment. The allegations included attempts to manufacture mental instability, denial of mental health treatment, exploitation of minors, distribution of non-consensual pornography, covering up acts of sexual violence, and restricting cast members’ freedom to leave the shows. The attorneys are currently investigating the treatment of reality stars and have been in correspondence with SAG-AFTRA.
Freedman, one of the attorneys, commended SAG-AFTRA for joining the fight and stated that the commitment sends a message to profiteers that mistreating workers for financial gain is not acceptable.
This development could potentially lead to reality television talent being included under SAG-AFTRA’s Network Code Agreement, depending on the specific production and talent involved.
The call for a union and the support from SAG-AFTRA highlight the need for better protection and fair treatment of reality show cast members. The guild stands ready to advocate for their rights and hopes for a new path towards union coverage in the reality TV industry.
