Anne Hathaway Shows Solidarity with Condé Nast Union Walkout at Vanity Fair Photo Shoot
In a surprising turn of events, Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway made a bold statement by walking out of a Vanity Fair photo shoot in support of the ongoing Condé Nast Union walkout. The walkout, led by nearly 400 union members, aims to protest what they believe are unlawful negotiation practices.
Hathaway, who was unaware of the work stoppage when she arrived at the New York City photo shoot, was still in the midst of hair and makeup when her team received a notification from SAG-AFTRA advising her to support the walkout. Without hesitation, Hathaway immediately got up and left.
“They hadn’t even started taking photos yet,” a source revealed. “Once Anne was made aware of what was going on, she just got up from hair and makeup and left.” This impromptu act of solidarity showcases Hathaway’s commitment to supporting workers’ rights and her willingness to take a stand.
Interestingly, the work stoppage coincided with the announcement of the 2024 Oscar nominations, which took place on the same morning. Employees from various Condé Nast publications, including Vanity Fair, Vogue, GQ, Allure, and Teen Vogue, among others, gathered outside the company’s offices in New York to hold a rally.
Videos shared on the union’s social media platforms captured the passionate protesters holding signs that read, “Layoffs are out of fashion.” They could also be heard chanting, “Say it loud, say it clear, winter’s extra cold this year,” cleverly referencing Anna Wintour, Condé Nast’s chief content officer and global editorial director of Vogue.
The union’s frustration stems from recent changes within the company. Last week, Condé Nast merged Pitchfork with men’s magazine GQ, resulting in layoffs at the digital music publication, including the departure of editor-in-chief Puja Patel. Wintour addressed these changes in a memo to company staff, stating that the decision was made after a careful evaluation of Pitchfork’s performance and what they believed would be the best path forward for the brand.
However, the Condé Nast Union had already shared their potential walkout plans on social media, expressing their discontent with the company’s actions. They called for support from their followers, urging them to stand with the workers and demand an end to the alleged law-breaking, union-busting, and layoffs.
This recent walkout is not the first time Condé Nast has faced employee backlash. In November 2023, CEO Roger Lynch announced that the company would be laying off over 300 employees and implementing other cost-reduction measures to improve efficiency. These decisions have undoubtedly fueled the discontent among workers and further solidified their determination to fight for their rights.
Anne Hathaway’s unexpected show of support for the Condé Nast Union walkout has undoubtedly brought attention to the ongoing dispute. Her decision to prioritize workers’ rights over her own professional commitments serves as a powerful reminder that celebrities can use their platform to advocate for change. As the union continues its fight against what they perceive as unfair negotiation practices, it remains to be seen how Condé Nast will respond and whether this display of solidarity will inspire others to join the cause.