SAG-AFTRA Strike No Acting, Promoting & More ... Strict Rules for All Union Actors
SAG-AFTRA actors are facing a load of rules as the strike goes into effect ... and we're talking about everything, from acting on camera to even tweeting about projects.
TMZ has obtained a copy of the rigorous guidelines the 160,000 union members are required to follow until the strike ends ... and it cites the expected no-nos like acting, singing, and doing motion capture work in front of a camera.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg, because they also aren't allowed to do any voice acting, narrating, or re-recording their voice for a scene, also known as dubbing.
In addition, performers can't attend costume fittings, makeup tests, or rehearsals and they can't audition for upcoming projects.
There's also a ban on promotion, in every form -- they can't do interviews, tours, fan expos and conventions, podcast appearances, award shows or even post about a project on social media.
It appears pre-recorded promos are fair game for the studios, but SAG-AFTRA's asked publicists to add a disclaimer in front of pre-deadline press junkets so some actors don't come off as scabs down the line.
Stand-ins and background actors in the union are also forbidden from crossing that picket line ... leaving options incredibly limited for any shows or movies staying in production. Also, anyone not in SAG-AFTRA that crosses the line won't be getting future entry into the union.
As we reported, a handful of panels and signings at San Diego Comic-Con have already been canceled, while others that typically include celebs are expected to follow before the event starts next week.
related articles
Kevin Costner Lawyer Says Estranged Wife Robbing Him Blind!!!
-
Exclusive
- 714 shares
Kevin Costner says his estranged wife is fleecing him in a big way in the wake of their divorce ... buying personal items and taking cash out with credit cards from the staff that runs the family house ... and Kevin's lawyer believes there's evidence she hatched this plan well before filing for divorce.
Costner filed legal docs Thursday, claiming Christine Baumgartner "has shown a disturbing propensity in the last several months, both before and after separation, to take [Kevin's] property without his knowledge or consent, especially since this case was filed."
The new docs allege Christine paid a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer $25,000 from Kevin's separate property funds, without his knowledge. As for why she needed a criminal defense lawyer ... no explanation for that.
Kevin Costner's Wife Files For Divorce
The docs also say she paid her divorce lawyer, Susan Wiesner, "on the credit card of an employee which is traditionally used for Costner family house charges and paid by [Kevin].
There's more ... Costner's lawyer alleged Christine took cash advances on various credit cards that were not issued to her but to members of the house staff.
And, the allegations continue ... months before they separated, Christine bought an expensive vehicle -- something out of the ordinary because they have always leased, not purchased cars. What's especially interesting ... the prenup says she's allowed to take her personal vehicle with her, so the claim is she upgraded by buying a new one before she split.
The allegation regarding the car is telling, because Kevin's lawyer says it's evidence she "had been planning her exit long before she told [Kevin] in April 2023."
The filing includes a laundry list of household items Christine plans to take with her -- everything from artwork to pots and pans -- but Kevin's attorney reminds his ex, "She has plenty of money to buy furniture, pots and pans and dishes" ... a reference to the $1.5 million lump sum Kevin has already paid Christine.
According to the new docs, Kevin's lawyer asked Christine for an agreement that she would not loot the residence before she leaves, and she refused to sign it.
The docs Kevin's lawyer filed say Kevin's totally fine with Christine taking her separate property from the family home, which she must vacate by the end of July. He's even willing to let her take other items, as long as they agree on that.
related articles
Jeezy My Tips on Adversity, Success ... More Relatable Than Bill Gates Types
-
Exclusive
- 762 shares
Jeezy knows not all moguls are created equally ... which is why he feels the story behind his success probably resonates with the common man better than billionaires like Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk.
The trap rap king joined us on "TMZ Live" Thursday to explain why his new book, "Adversity For Sale: Ya Gotta Believe" offers better keys to success for the average American than most "get rich" books.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Jeezy's leaning in to his early days as a young hustler on the streets of Atlanta -- but says, even back then, he had an idea about where he wanted to end up ... and how music would help him get achieve that.
Along the way, he became one of the biggest forces to ever dominate hip hop ... yet, Jeezy told us he's always been entrepreneurially minded, succeeding in real estate, business ownership and philanthropy. He says rap just happens to be what got his foot in the door.
He hopes his book will influence inner-city youth living in violent surroundings, and show them there is a path to prosperity for them.
"Adversity For Sale" drops on August 8. Let's get it!!!
related articles
SAG-AFTRA Vote to Strike ... 160K Actors Join Writers!!!
-
Breaking News
- 680 shares
Hollywood is officially shut down ... the union representing actors is now on strike, which means actors will join writers on the picket lines for the first time in more than half a century.
SAG-AFTRA's national board met Thursday morning and voted unanimously to strike after its contract ran out Wednesday night, following a 2-week extension at the end of June to keep negotiations with the studios going.
Both sides of the battle agreed Tuesday to have a federal mediator join negotiation talks in a last-ditch effort, but that failed to get the union and the studios on the same page.
You'll recall, roughly 98% of union members voted in favor of a strike last month if a deal wasn't struck ... and that vote came weeks after the Writers Guild stopped working.
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher called the studios' responses to their demands "insulting and disrespectful" after the contract expired ... adding, “Until they do negotiate in good faith, we cannot begin to reach a deal.”
There are some pretty strict rules that come with this strike ... starting at midnight tonight, actors cannot work on film and TV projects across the globe -- actors also aren't allowed to do any promotions for upcoming projects ... which includes press junkets and premieres.
The big London premiere for "Oppenheimer" happened Thursday, and the studio pushed the event up an hour so stars like Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, and more aren't going against union rules.
Christopher Nolan says the cast of #Oppenheimer left the premiere to ‘go and write their pickets’ and join the strike pic.twitter.com/rc2SaSxcfk
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 13, 2023 @DEADLINE
The massive cast stepped onto the red carpet, but they weren't present inside the theater -- with director Christopher Nolan saying they left to gear up for the strike.
Actors also can't participate in panel discussions, including those going down at the ultra-popular San Diego Comic-Con, which kicks off next week.
Actors and writers last joined forces on the picket line way back in 1960 -- for context, Ronald Reagan was the president of SAG at that time.
FYI, actors are asking for fair streaming residuals, improved working conditions, and increased minimum rates, among other things ... and as you know, the WGA began fighting for much of the same when it put pencils down at the beginning of May.
"There is a level of expectations that [the writers and actors] have that is just not realistic," says $DIS CEO @RobertIger on the @sagaftra and WGA strike. "They are adding to a set of challenges that this business is already facing and that is very disruptive." pic.twitter.com/ySYvfQBYA5
— Squawk Box (@SquawkCNBC) July 13, 2023 @SquawkCNBC
Disney CEO Bob Iger took a shot at writers and actors Thursday morning, saying they're demands aren't realistic -- adding the challenges they're adding to the industry are "very disruptive."
We covered the SAG-AFTRA strike on the latest episode of The TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms.
related articles
Adam Carolla $47K/Month to Estranged Wife ... Child, Spousal Support Set
-
Exclusive
- 1.5K shares
Adam Carolla and his ex finally have a financial agreement as their divorce plays out ... and it will have him shelling out close to $50K each month.
According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Adam agreed to pay Lynette at least $17K a month in base child support for their 17-year-old twins, Santino and Natalia. That's an interim number, and additional child support might be ordered in the future depending on Adam's income.
The exes also agree to split the cost of their children's extracurricular activities, including things like college test prep fees, cell phones, and tutoring ... but Adam will solely cover the kids' health insurance.
In the docs, Adam also agrees to pay Lynette an additional $30K each month for spousal support. The payments actually started at the beginning of this year, so that means Adam's already dropped $329K for the first half of 2023.
As Kevin Costner would no doubt tell Adam ... divorce ain't cheap!
Adam announced he and Lynette were divorcing in 2021, saying they'd already been separated for a few months. They'd been married since 2002.
He told 'Adam Corolla Show' listeners there was no drama between them -- just that they're now different people who process life differently, and they weren't able to "meet in the middle somewhere."
related articles
Rick Ross Eyeing $37 Mil Star Island Pad ... Plans to Gut the Place!!!
-
Exclusive
- 42.1K shares
Rick Ross is set to expand his kingdom soon with the pending purchase of a luxury crib smack dab in the celeb hotbed of Miami Beach's secluded Star Island.
Sources with direct knowledge of the sale tell TMZ Hip Hop ... Rozay is under contract to buy a 6-bedroom, 9-bathroom mansion for a cool $37 million!!!
We're told the sale is expected to close in the next few weeks, and Ross plans on shelling out even more big dough to renovate the palace to his liking.
The house has been on the market since May and sports 40,000 sq. ft., along with royal amenities such as a heated pool, a summer kitchen, an entertainment room, and plaza deck terraces throughout.
Star Island will be even more lit with Rick on the block ... joining neighbors like his party pal Diddy, J Lo and Shaq.
Rozay's real estate empire has grown considerably this year.
Back in April, he scooped up Meek Mill's Atlanta mansion for $4.2 million -- but, now the Boss is coming home, Miami!!!
Jill Eber, Jill Hertzberg, Felise Eber, and Fabio Lopes of The Jills Zeder Group hold the listing.
related articles
Kansas QB Jalon Daniels Rocks $50K Chain To Big 12 Media Day ... Plays His Highlight Reel!!!
-
Exclusive Details
- 87 shares
Forget diamond pendants ... Univ. of Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels pulled up to Big 12 Media Day with something far cooler around his neck -- a mini-TV that plays his highlights!!
The Jayhawks signal-caller paired it with a crisp, tan suit and red tie ... telling reporters his whole inspiration for the chain was to pay homage to his journey to stardom at KU.
Kansas QB Jalon Daniels has a chain with an Apple Watch that shows his highlights. Crazy. pic.twitter.com/u1yJMy0Wjh
— Gabriel Trevino (@GabeCTrevino) July 12, 2023 @GabeCTrevino
"Just a reminder to everyone I'm walking around, this is what I do," he said as the piece showed him piling up yards. "I like to play football. I like to play quarterback. I like to score touchdowns."
TMZ Sports has learned ... Daniels got the bling from Ivy J Jeweler in Los Angeles -- after the QB's dad saw store owner Gambit wearing a similar one earlier this year.
Gambit said Daniels hit him up just after his pops told him about it ... and the jeweler got to work right away on creating the junior a custom piece.
We're told Jalon's drip is made with 18 carats of VS diamonds ... and also features his "JD6" logo. It all sits on a Cuban link ... and according to Gambit, it cost around $50K.
As for the live pendant, Gambit tells us it's interchangeable -- saying Daniels can upload up to four minutes of any video he wants on it. It all charges like an Apple watch too, Gambit added.
"You can literally have a new chain every day," he said.
Gambit said Daniels -- who threw for 2,014 yards and 17 touchdowns last season -- is the first college athlete to rock his tech chain ... though he has made several other similar pieces for NBA players and UFC stars. He's now hoping the attention Daniels' piece gets opens the door for more football-playing clients.
"Start something new," he said, "and bring tech fashion to the world."
related articles
Raquel Leviss Still Negotiating with Bravo ... No Deal in Place
-
Exclusive
- 237 shares
There's still a major piece of the puzzle missing on Season 11 of "Vanderpump Rules," because we've learned Raquel Leviss is still NOT signed on.
Sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations tell TMZ ... Raquel's people are "talking" to Bravo, but the deal is not done.
There have been various media reports indicating Raquel has already signed on. Those reports are not accurate. They're still negotiating.
Our sources say there's one thing that remains paramount in any possible return to "VPR" -- Raquel's mental health.
As we reported, Raquel has been in a mental health facility since mid-April, in the wake of all the fallout and hate as a result of Scandoval.
The cast has been shooting -- sans Raquel -- over the last week or so. They were all together Tuesday night at Sur in WeHo, shooting and arguing as per usual.
We covered the "VPR" drama on a recent episode of The TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms.
related articles
Ronald Acuña Jr. All-Star Game Chain ... Worth $145k In Diamonds!!!
-
Exclusive Details
- 10 shares
Ronald Acuña Jr.'s "too small" chain he rocked before the All-Star Game was anything but that ... and TMZ Sports has learned the flashy piece is worth a whopping $145k in diamonds!!
The Atlanta Braves star certainly turned heads prior to his fourth ASG appearance on Tuesday ... rocking an all-pink 'fit with an iced-out mini version of himself doing his famous celebration around his neck.
Gabriel the Jeweler -- go-to guy for some of the biggest names in sports -- tells us the piece is made of 80 carats total ... and the one-of-a-kind accessory was designed in collaboration with Xample Brand, Acuña's agency.
We're told Xample likes to treat Acuña to a new chain for every ASG appearance ... with each one documenting a new characteristic of Ronald's game.
Of course, Acuña's known to do the "too small" gesture whenever he hits homers ... so this year's jewelry was a no-brainer.
Ronald Acuña Jr. hit the “too small” celebration again while rounding third base 👀
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 15, 2023 @TheAthletic
🎥 @Braves pic.twitter.com/3hspYHvo4B
The chain itself is Gucci style and composed of brilliant diamonds and baguettes ... and we're told Ronald's family was also gifted smaller versions of the piece as well.
"I am blessed to be selected to play in this year's All-Star Game, and thank everyone who supported me on this journey and believed in me," Acuña Jr. tells us.
As for the chain, he added ... "You know, I always say, 'I just want to play.' And, well -- that's me playing."
related articles
Funny Marco Sued For $6M Over Alleged Breach of Contract, Ruined Potential Deals With Jess Hilarious, Sukihana
-
Exclusive
- 627 shares
Popular social media podcaster Funny Marco is now facing a $6 million lawsuit from the company that helped launch his podcast ... with the company claiming he went on a campaign to destroy their reputation in an effort to get paid more.
The suit was filed on Tuesday by Breakbeat Media and veteran publisher Dave Mays, creator of "The Source" magazine.
According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, Marco and Breakbeat struck a deal in August 2021 to host his content on their YouTube channel.
But following the runaway success of the channel beginning with a Boosie Badazz interview they paid $15k for, the company claims Marco breached his contract on numerous occasions in an attempt to get more money out of the company.
Breakbeat says it caved to many of Marco's demands to incorporate his Cornbread TV brand into the mix ... and even gave him 35% of the revenue and rights to the production, but the suit claims Marco wasn't satisfied and continued to post to his own YouTube channels in violation of the deal -- siphoning hundreds of thousands in revenue from the Breakbeat channel — despite repeated requests to stop.
Marco's also accused of fumbling the bag for Breakbeat multiple times ... claiming he refused to read on-air ads and allegedly entered into side deals with advertisers.
Mays also says Marco would bad-mouth the company ... hurting its ability to sign other celebrities and influencers like Jess Hilarious, Sukihana and Bubba Dub to join Breakbeat.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Breakbeat Media is now seeking at least $5 million for Marco alleging screwing with the business and harming its reputation, and Mays is seeking $1 million for damage to his character.
They also want to stop Marco from disparaging them on social media and elsewhere and block Marco from creating any new podcasts until he fulfills his obligations under the deal.
related articles
Kevin Costner To Pay Estranged Wife $129K In Child Support ... About Half What She Wanted
Kevin Costner's one step closer to finding out what he owes his estranged wife for child support ... a judge tentatively ruled the actor will be coughing up more than $129k a month.
According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, the judge in their divorce case says Kevin must pay Christine Baumgartner $129,755 per month in child support. The ruling is tentative, subject to another upcoming hearing though the decision rarely changes.
The figure is a little over half of what Kevin's estranged wife was gunning for ... she requested $248k, a figure Kevin's accountant said included more than $100k for cosmetic procedures.
TMZ broke the story ... Kevin initially offered Christine $51,940, in addition to him paying all the children's expenses, but she scoffed at the figure ... saying the offer was "completely inappropriate."
According to the docs, Kevin and Christine will each be on the hook for 50% of their kids' health care expenses, plus their extracurricular activities and private school tuition.
Kevin is also being ordered to advance Christine $200k for attorney's fees and another $100k in forensic costs.
This child support order is temporary ... there will be a full hearing in the next few months where Kevin and Christine will present evidence of the proper amount of child support -- so it could go up, or down.
related articles
Aretha Franklin Will Found in Couch Deemed Valid ... Big Win For 2 of Her Sons
-
Breaking News
- 3.6K shares
A jury determined a handwritten document found in Aretha Franklin's couch is a valid will ... a major development after years of her kids battling over her estate.
The ruling on the hard-to-read pages came in Tuesday in a Michigan court. The will was found in 2019 -- the year after she passed -- in a notebook tucked under the couch in Aretha's Detroit home.
The docs, dated March 31, 2014, are significantly different from a 2010 draft of her will.
The newer pages apparently designate her sons Kecalf and Edward as executors of her $6 million estate, and it looks like the name "Teddy," AKA Ted White II -- their brother who was pinned as executor in the 2010 version -- is crossed out.
What's more, the 2010 will appeared to require Kecalf and Edward would have to take business classes, and get a degree or certificate to benefit from Aretha's estate -- but the 2014 version doesn't include that requirement.
TMZ broke the story, no will was initially found when Aretha died in 2018 following a battle with pancreatic cancer -- but since then there has been an all-out war between her children.
The game of Aretha's financial throne is finally over.
related articles
YK Osiris Dropped By Def Jam After Relationship Runs It's Course
-
Exclusive
- 675 shares
YK Osiris and Def Jam are no longer in biz together, TMZ Hip Hop has learned ... after the label dropped the "Worth It" singer from his contract back in December.
Sources with direct knowledge say the split left no bad blood between either camps, both teams just acknowledged the relationship ran its course. Obviously, his recent controversy with Sukihana played no role in the separation, either ... as the decision was made well before.
YK signed to the label back in April 2018 and released 1 album the following year ... the gold-selling "The Golden Child" which produced the 3x platinum single "Worth It."
The whirlwind success perhaps stunted his career growth. YK's openly admitted to blowing through the millions he earned at Def Jam.
On Tuesday, YK made his debut as an indie artist with the emotional track "Dear Fans."
Def Jam also bulked up today ... adding Issa Rae's Raedio label into its fold.
Sometimes growing apart makes you grow bigger. 🤷🏽♂️
related articles
Britney Spears Memoir Sets Release Date in October
Britney Spears is telling her story in her own words -- and this time it's not going to come via a social media rant -- she's finished her book, and it's due out this fall.
Britney's memoir, titled "The Woman In Me," is set to be released Oct 24 ... and she's already taking pre-orders for the highly-anticipated tell-all.
The book is being published by Simon & Schuster's Gallery Books, which is hailing Britney's memoir as "a brave and astonishingly moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith, and hope."
The cover features a black and white photograph of a topless Britney ... folding her arms to cover her breasts.
We've also learned Britney's memoir was the reason she was in Las Vegas earlier this month ... she went to Sin City to celebrate finishing the project, but it all got derailed by the Victor Wembanyama slapping incident.
Nonetheless, she still stuck around for dinner at Catch to enjoy her latest accomplishment ... as much as she could.
related articles
Selena's Father Suing Cruise Company Over Selena Tribute Trip
-
Exclusive
- 3.3K shares
The father of late music icon Selena Quintanilla is going after a cruise company ... claiming it had no right to set sail as a tribute cruise to his daughter and her legacy.
According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Abraham Quintanilla Jr. is suing Catalina Classic Cruises over its Cumbia Cruise L.A. trips -- something he says has been dubbed this year as a "Tributo a Selena."
The evening boat cruise apparently takes passengers across Long Beach Bay with music bumping, which presumably would include Selena's hits. The party at sea is fit with 2 dance areas, food, and a couple of full bars.
Abraham says the company's a repeat offender ... claiming it called last year's trip “Cumbia Cruise Homenaje a Selena y La Sonor Dinamita por Maritza y Su Sonora.”
Selena's Father Threatens to Sue Over 'Trump Supporter Gathering' at Her Statue
Abraham insists he still controls the rights to Selena's trademarks, name, voice, signature, and likeness in connection to merch and ads, among other things ... and he claims the company never got permission to use them.
He says the use of Selena's name on the cruise has caused substantial confusion and even deceived people into thinking her estate approved the usage -- which he says just isn't true.
Abraham's now seeking to block the use of his famous daughter's name and trademarks and wants the company to fork over any profits the tribute cruises made with her name.
FYI, it does appear the company's scrubbed most of the Selena references online ahead of this weekend's voyage.
related articles
SAG Prez Fran Drescher Scorched for Mugging with Kim K in Italy ... Called Tone Deaf Amid Looming Strike
Fran Drescher's Hollywood union is about to head into a strike this week -- which is why her members are pissed over her chillaxin' in Europe ... just a day before s*** hits the fan.
SAG-AFTRA actors seem to be furious after seeing their President hobnobbing in Italy Monday ... next to none other than Kim Kardashian, who's catching a lot of heat amid the ongoing writers' strike (more on that later).
Fran posed for a cozy pic with Kim at a Dolce & Gabbana event -- which KK posted -- and now SAG members are calling Fran out for what they perceive as not taking their own looming strike very seriously. On its face, you can't blame 'em ... 'cause the clock's ticking.
If a deal isn't reached between SAG and movie studio bosses by midnight tonight, actors of all ilks are expected to walk off sets/hit the streets in a new wave of picketing that could rock the industry ... even more so than it already has with writers fighting their own fight.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
While SAG itself as an org has actually defended Fran being in Italy -- saying she was there working as an ambassador on behalf of Dolce and Gabbana, which was know by the negotiating committee -- that hasn't appeased the rank and file. SAG says Fran has been in negotiations every day in person or over videoconference and will be returning to LA tomorrow.
Several SAG members blasted this photo ... saying Fran appears to not really care about the fact that actors/her members are about to be out of work. Rather than trying to hammer out a new contract, they say she's just having the time of her life halfway across the world.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
There's another element of criticism ... pointed at Kim. As you know, she's in the new season of 'American Horror Story' -- which had already been written before the writers' strike -- but she's been labeled a scab by some ... seeing how she's crossed the picket line and continues to work with Ryan Murphy -- who's also caught a bad rap in this whole saga.
The fact Fran's sidled up next to her specifically doesn't sit well with a lot of actors, and the consensus seems to be ... at the very least, this is not a good look at such a crucial time.
Interestingly, Fran has expressed solidarity with the Writers Guild ... and has even hit the streets for them too. On the looming SAG strike -- it's unclear to what extent she's actually involved in negotiations ... some have said there are other folks who are leading the charge.