Jinkx Monsoon urges dragstars not to assume roles during SAG strike -TGN

Jinkx Monsoon has advice for other queer entertainers during the actors’ strike. (Getty)

RuPaul’s Drag Race star Jinkx Monsoon has offered advice to fellow queer actors and drag stars during the ongoing actors’ strike.

On July 13, the American actors’ union SAG-AFTRA announced that it would call a strike, whereby its 160,000 members would stop all acting projects within the foreseeable future.

Production of highly anticipated movies and shows, including Bad And Stranger things has been discontinued, and according to union rules, the promotion must also be discontinued. Last week the stars of Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster Oppenheimer left the London premiere after the strike announcement.

For the for the first time in 60 years, actors join the 11,500 TV and film writers who have already gone on strike. Writers have been on the picket line since May, with little prospect of an agreement with studios and streaming services in the near future.

The actors’ union fights for better wages and against AI reproducing the likeness of actors, while writers demand better and fairer pay and better working conditions.

While big names like Meryl Streep, Joaquin Phoenix and Jamie Lee Curtis are members of SAG-AFTRA and will cease work as part of the strike, the industry is full of queer artists who will also have to stop working.

Now twice Drag race champion and Broadway star Jinkx Monsoon has detailed why the entertainment industry is still the hardest for LGBTQ+ performers, but eloquently explained why queer actors are still not allowed to cross the picket line.

The 35-year-old SAG-AFTRA member addressed her “fellow drag entertainers, queer performers, queer entertainers, content creators and influencers” via Instagram, warning that those who take screen work while the strike is underway will be seen as “scabs”.

A “scab” is a derogatory term for someone who decides to break a strike in the industry by taking on work.

“I know firsthand that drag performers, queer entertainers, we’re not taken quite seriously yet. Especially drag performers. Often we are treated like a novelty,” she began.

“As a queer entertainer, I know you never know when your next gig is coming and we live off our performances, so it’s scary to turn down work. But if a company approaches you now to promote new work, to act in new work, to write for new work, and you take that job, you’re considered a “scab.” Drag race icon said.

Jinkx urged queer artists to consider the consequences of working during the strike, saying that SAG-AFTRA would not allow those who break the strike to join the union in the future.

“This could affect your career in the long run once this strike is over. Taking a job now could put you out of work in the future,” she warned.

“In addition, if you take a job now, even though it might be a good opportunity, it might be a good paycheck, you’re undermining the efforts we’re trying to make to create better conditions for all actors, including queer performers, drag performers, and marginalized entertainers.”

She called on all queer entertainers to show “solidarity” by joining the strike, adding: “Hollywood thinks drag performers are interchangeable. Let’s not prove them right. Support each other in this strike.”

After receiving some criticism for filming the video in a makeup locker room, the drag superstar explained that live entertainers weren’t on strike, only movie actors – meaning live comics, musicians and stage actors can continue as normal.

Jinkx’s fellow drag stars and Hollywood actors thanked her for the support and clarification American horror storyCheyenne Jackson’s comment: “Reason 4,582 why I love you. Drag queens and queer artists are definitely NOT interchangeable and it’s powerful to hear that out loud.”

All stars 8 contestant Ms. Kasha Davis added, “Useful info, thanks.”

While Jinkx Monsoon won’t be filming any TV shows or movies for the foreseeable future, Doctor who fans can breathe a sigh of relief as her breakthrough role in the upcoming 14th season has already been filmed and will air in 2024.