Arrow star Stephen Amell explains why he decided to join NYC’s SAG-AFTRA picket line after saying he didn’t support the strike: ‘I didn’t choose my words as carefully as I should’
Stephen Amell is back in Los Angeles after joining the SAG-AFTRA strike picket line in New York on Friday.
His show of solidarity with the American actors’ union followed the backlash he received for saying he did not support the strike.
But since then, Amell seems to have changed his tune on the matter, realizing that the strike is for a greater cause.
Moments after landing in California on Saturday, the Toronto, Canada native opened up about the past two weeks where he denied doing a 180 in terms of the strike, telling a TMZ photographer at LAX Airport who he just mispronounced at first.
“I think when I spoke the first time I didn’t choose my words as carefully as I should,” the Arrow star, 42, insisted. ‘I have always said that I support my union. Not supporting the strike was a bad choice of words, simple as that. I put my foot in my mouth and I try to take ownership of it.’
Expanded: Stephen Amell, 42, explained his apparent change of mind during the SAG-AFTRA strike as he returned to Los Angeles on Saturday one day after joining the picket line in New York City
After taking a moment to let the “180” comment sink in, Amell spoke out again about the accusation and denied that he had done any sort of flip-flop.
“I hesitate to say I did a 180,” he added. “It’s just that I should have spoken more clearly and decisively.”
Amell now says he was briefed on the strike’s process after talking to SAG leadership, who explained it was not done lightly.
When asked if he felt any backlash from SAG leadership at the rally, the actor claimed he didn’t feel “they were ever particularly angry” at him.
“I appreciate that they took the time to talk to me, actually on the day this all happened,” he said. It was nice talking to them. They really taught me about the goals of the strike and the importance of the strike.
He went on to say how he feels that everyone involved simply wants to be “treated fairly.”
“I think I should have understood sooner that no one comes to these decisions lightly. They do not. Hitting is challenging and difficult,” he explained.
When confronted by the photographer about how he can survive a strike financially better than most due to his success, Amell agreed that he can withstand the pitfalls of a long layoff.
Referring to his time on the New York picket line the previous day, The Flash star revealed he felt the need to join others he had worked with many years in the past.
“It felt like a good time to step into the picket line,” he said before announcing his return. “I’ll be at it again.”
Taking ownership: Amell has received backlash in recent weeks for saying he did not support the strike
Clarifying his stance: Moments after landing in California, the Toronto, Canada native denied doing a 180 in terms of the strike, telling a TMZ photographer at LAX Airport that he simply made a mistake at first
Confession: “I think when I spoke the first time, I didn’t choose my words as carefully as I should,” the actor insisted. ‘I have always said that I support my union. Not supporting the strike was a bad choice of words, simple as that. I put my foot in my mouth and I try to own it’
“I’ve been fortunate to work very consistently since joining SAG in 2012,” the Heels star shared. “I should use my position within my union to be a force within my union and not a force for myself.”
Arnell then sounded like a man who realized that he may have put his self-interest above that of his fellow union members in the first place.
“I speak from the heart. I think it’s one of the things that made me a passable actor. But I think it’s very important, and maybe I didn’t realize this before, but when I speak, people listen,” he confessed. “And again, I should choose my words more carefully.”
Arnell then expressed his full confidence in the SAG-AFTRA team’s negotiating timeframe for a possible new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
Misspoke: Amell, who starred on Arrow for eight seasons (2012-2020), went on to say, “I hesitate to say I did a 180. It’s just that I should have spoken more clearly and decisively’
Better educated: The Canadian actor, who now stars in the series Heels, says he was briefed on the strike’s process after speaking to SAG leadership, who explained it was not done lightly
“I am confident that our union has good leadership and that they will do a good job during the negotiations,” he said, before offering whatever help he could. “If I can be part of a positive force to help find a solution. I don’t care if handing puts pickets on the picket line. I don’t care if that’s part of the negotiations.’
As for the repercussions of the comments he made about going on strike, Amell confessed that it wasn’t the easiest two weeks for me personally.”
“It’s been hard for everyone, so I shouldn’t be thinking just about myself,” he admitted. are friends of mine. And then there are people who have my phone number who decided not to pick up the phone but to comment anyway. That’s disappointing, but I have no ill will or hostility.’
Amell is trying to remain positive about his situation and the strike and hopes that his experience over the past few weeks can “somehow further the discussion.”
Show support! Amell was seen wearing a ‘SAG-AFTRA Strong’ shirt as he joined a picket line with other strikers in New York City on Friday
Solidarity: “I’ve been fortunate to have worked very consistently since joining SAG in 2012,” the leading man said. ‘I should use my position within my union to be a force within my union and not a force for myself’
Members of SAG-AFTRA went on strike on July 14 over an ongoing labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
The union cited several issues during the negotiations, including “economic fairness, residuals, regulating the use of artificial intelligence and easing the burden of the industry-wide shift to self-absorption.”
The work stoppage coincides with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, which began May 2 in a series of wider Hollywood labor disputes with the AMPTP.
Both the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and WGA labor disputes contributed to the largest disruption to the US television and film industry since the impact of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
The SAG-AFTRA union represents approximately 160,000 media professionals and entertainers.