SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher Criticized for Dolce & Gabbana Outing in Italy Amid Contract Negotiations: “It’s Bad Optics”

SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher Faces Criticism for Dolce & Gabbana Outing in Italy During Contract Negotiations: “Unfavorable Optics”

According to reports, amidst ongoing contract talks, the president of SAG-AFTRA, Fran Drescher, appeared at the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda festivities in Italy over the weekend. This event, held in Puglia, a Southern region known for its ancient olive trees, drew numerous celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Helen Mirren, Kerry Washington, and Christian Bale. The star-studded affair spanned five days and featured a series of glamorous events, culminating in a concert by Diana Ross.

While the exact number of events Drescher attended and the duration of her stay in Italy remain unclear, her presence at the closing show on Sunday was confirmed by Kim Kardashian in an Instagram post. Kardashian described Drescher as “oh so gorgeous” and praised her as a fashion icon. However, Drescher’s decision to attend the lavish event has sparked dissatisfaction among several insiders in Hollywood. Some critics question the optics of the union president attending such a high-profile event during a crucial moment for contract negotiations. Others point out Drescher’s association with Kardashian, who recently courted controversy for reportedly crossing WGA picket lines to film a lead role in Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story.

Taffy Brodesser-Akner, the creator of Fleishman Is in Trouble, expressed her disapproval on Twitter, stating, “Unless the bargaining table has moved to Italy (along with the dress code), this is a terrible look for a union president.” Jorge Rivera, the vice chair of the Latinx Writers Committee of the WGA West, similarly questioned whether the deadline had been pushed to accommodate Drescher’s attendance at the Italian event.

While Drescher is known for being an outspoken president compared to other union chiefs, it is understood that she has been physically absent in the negotiating room for several weeks. Negotiations for SAG-AFTRA are typically led by the national executive director, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, with presidents of entertainment coalitions taking a less direct role. The negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers continued on July 9, ahead of the contract expiration date on Thursday.

When approached for comment on Drescher’s trip to Dolce & Gabbana, a representative from SAG-AFTRA stated that her appearance was related to “brand ambassador” work and that the negotiating committee was fully aware of her commitment. The representative emphasized that Drescher had been participating in negotiations in person or via videoconference daily. They further explained that Drescher juggles a demanding schedule across different time zones, oversees negotiations, works on-location daily, and attends to her parents’ needs in Florida. The representative assured that Drescher would return to Los Angeles the next day and continue to chair the negotiations.

Steven Ross, a professor at USC specializing in entertainment labor, expressed his view that regardless of Drescher’s level of involvement in the negotiations, her absence from the city during this time could be more favorable from an optics standpoint. He emphasized that any union president should be present when there is a strike or an immediate threat of a strike. Jonathan Kuntz, a film historian and Hollywood expert from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television, agreed that the issue is primarily about optics. He believes that while the incident may have been a misstep, it is unlikely to impact the negotiations significantly, but he emphasizes the importance of being mindful of appearances.

Drescher’s association with Dolce & Gabbana can be traced back to her iconic character, Fran Fine, on the television show The Nanny from 1993-1999. Fran Fine often wore Dolce & Gabbana ensembles, and the show’s resurgence on streaming platforms has earned Drescher recognition as a fashion influencer. She has been wearing the brand for various magazine features in recent years.

Regarding the negotiations, Drescher reassured SAG-AFTRA members in a late-month update that the union was standing firm and would achieve a significant deal. Subsequently, SAG-AFTRA, major studios, and streamers agreed to extend the contract negotiations until July 12. Drescher promised to inform the membership of progress and encouraged unity, solidarity, and strength.

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