Fran Drescher, president of the SAG-AFTRA union, defended herself for attending a publicity event in Italy over the weekend as contract negotiations between thousands of actors and film studios fell apart.
During Thursday’s press conference that announced the official start of the first acting strike in decades, the “Nanny” star was asked about the spanking she received for taking a “selfie” with Kim Kardashian at a Dolce & Gabbana event.
“It wasn’t a selfie” Drescher said. “I am a brand ambassador for a fashion company, and so is Kim. I met Kim just seconds before this publicity shot was taken.”
She added: “It had nothing to do with being at a party or having fun – it was absolute work … We work, this is what we do.”
Drescher said that despite being nine hours ahead of her colleagues at SAG-AFTRA in Los Angeles, who were working to reach an Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) agreement, she kept in touch and even left the event early to attend meeting with union negotiators on Zoom.
![Fran Drescher with Kim Kardashian](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/Fran-Drescher.png)
“And if I couldn’t contact them because I was on the plane, I texted them throughout the flight,” Drescher said.
The union president faced heavy criticism after a photo of her with a Kardashian smile surfaced on social media earlier this week.
At the time of the photo, AMPTP had extended their union contract by almost two weeks, although no solution was in sight and strike talks were underway.
![SAG-AFTRA CEO Fran Drescher recently spoke at a press conference announcing a strike against Hollywood studios on July 13, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000014025621.jpg?w=1024)
“My union president is relaxing in Italy while we are negotiating and about to go on strike,” Insidious: The Last Key actor Kirk Acevedo tweeted on Monday.
“We ask studios for better pay and Fran Drescher robs cameras in Italy. The optics look fucking awful.
wrote actress Laura Lee: “Hey @frandrescher, why are you wandering around like that when our strike is coming? Super bad look. And with Kim, who recently crossed the WGA picket line, no more, no less. #gross.”
![Fran Drescher with other members of the union after negotiations with the Alliance of Film and Television Producers, an entity representing major studios and streamers](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000014017173.jpg?w=1024)
“Perry Mason” actor Eric Lange tweeted: “That’s a really bad look @frandrescher. It is amazing that on the eve of a probable strike, while people are losing their homes, health insurance etc., you are partying with Kim in Italy. Amazing and indefensible.”
Actor Gerald Webb added: “Is @frandrescher is giving away @dolcegabbana bags to all the unemployed and soon strikes @sag members to pay rent and buy groceries? totally #tonedeaf.”
“This is a clear example of how the president is out of touch with the majority of the rank and file,” Maya Dunbar, who is running against Drescher in the SAG-AFTRA presidential election, said in a statement.
![WGA attackers](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000014025619.jpg?w=1024)
“While most members are currently wondering if there will be a strike and how to pay their rent, bills and support their families during the worst economic stability in recent years, she is outside taking pictures with high profile celebrities and it’s a shame to cross the WGA picket line.”
SAG-AFTRA rushed to Drescher’s defense in the immediate aftermath of the objection, claiming that the negotiating committee understood her commitment to Dolce and Gabbana.
“Every day, she negotiated in person or via videoconference. President Drescher manages a physically demanding schedule across three time zones, oversees negotiations and field work daily, and attends to the needs of his parents in Florida. He is returning to the States and will be in Los Angeles tomorrow and will continue to lead our negotiations,” the union said.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, co-chair of SAG-AFTRA, reiterated his support on Thursday, saying it was “outrageous” that employers were “cynically trying to turn our members against Fran”.
The union unanimously voted Thursday to stop working after the contract expired and talks with AMPTP broke off.
The strike – doubling with the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike – effectively shuts down production across the entertainment industry.
Both SAG-AFTRA and WGA are demanding increases in basic wages and allowances in the era of streaming TV, and assurances that their jobs will not be replaced by artificial intelligence.
The strike will officially start at midnight on Friday.