Emmy-winning actor Billy Porter has said he is having to sell his house because of the ongoing strikes in Hollywood.

The comments by the actor, singer and stage star, who is best known for his portrayal of Pray Tell in New York drama series Pose, offer an insight into the struggles faced not just by jobbing actors, but also by some well-known stars.

Porter rose to fame on Broadway, winning a Tony award for best actor for his performance in Kinky Boots before going on to become a household name in Pose – for which he was Golden Globe nominated and became the first openly gay man to win best actor in a drama award at the Emmys in 2019.

Read more: Seth Rogen says film studios and streamers ‘hate each other’

In Hollywood, both actors and writers are currently on strike for the first time since 1960, bringing the film and TV industry to a standstill and wreaking financial havoc in Los Angeles.

Speaking in an interview with the Evening Standard, Porter said he was having to sell his house due to the uncertainty over when he will return to his acting work.

“The life of an artist, until you make f***-you money – which I haven’t made yet – is still cheque-to-cheque. I was supposed to be in a new movie, and on a new television show starting in September. None of that is happening.”

Pose star Billy Porter reveals he has been HIV-positive for 14 years

Fairy Godmother to be genderless in new Cinderella – Billy Porter explains why

The actor, who also starred as the Fabulous Godmother in the 2021 retelling of Cinderella starring Camila Cabello, made the comments in an interview about his music career – he will release an album, The Black Mona Lisa, later this year – and said he would not discuss any of his film and television work due to the industrial action.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

‘You’ve already starved me out’

Porter referenced an article by US entertainment publication Deadline, in which an anonymous studio executive was quoted as saying on the writers’ strike: “The endgame is to allow things to drag on until union members start losing their apartments and losing their houses.”

The star commented: “So to the person who said, ‘We’re going to starve them out until they have to sell their apartments’ – you’ve already starved me out.”

Read more:
US actors’ strike: Why are Hollywood stars walking out
Hollywood stars strike outside Netflix and Disney

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

He was in the UK at the time of the interview, but said he would join picket lines when back in the US.

Actors and writers are striking for a number of reasons, including seeking higher pay and safeguards against unauthorised use of their images through artificial intelligence.

Performers see their jobs as especially vulnerable to new technology, with generative AI able to replicate facial expressions, body movement and voice with alarming accuracy.

Related posts:

Disneyland reopens for first time in 13 months as US hits another major vaccine milestone Pictures show catastrophic damage caused by US tornadoes Aafia Siddiqui: Who is the Pakistani prisoner at the centre of Texas synagogue siege? UK working with FBI after British man took four people hostage at Texas synagogue, Priti Patel says Armed man who ‘wanted to kill’ Brett Kavanaugh arrested near US judge’s house ‘He poses a serious danger to the public’: Prosecutors recommend R Kelly serves 25 years in prison Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap heads to New York after 70 years Daylight savings could become permanent in the US The key figures in the Trump hush money case – including ex-Playboy model Former US Marine accused of killing homeless man with chokehold on New York subway train denies manslaughter Biden says Putin ‘losing war in Iraq’ in latest mishap Missing girl walks into police station four years after disappearance – but case is ‘far from being closed’