TikTok star Addison Rae can now join the same union that protects the rights of leading Hollywood talent such as Tom Hanks.
Last week, the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists approved a revised “Influencer Agreement” that will invite influencers – who profit from product sales transacted on leading social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram – to join the union.
TikTok & Insta influencers can now join a union through the Screen Actors Guild. The kids are alright. https://t.co/1rUwKfFsvD
— Sally Hudson (@SallyLHudson) February 11, 2021
In an exclusive interview with Backstage, the union’s president Gabrielle Carteris stated that the new influencer agreement “was created in response to the unique nature of Influencer-generated branded content and offers a new way for influencers to work under a SAG-AFTRA agreement. We want to be able to support both current and future SAG-AFTRA members in this space and for them to be able to access the benefits of union coverage”.
Previously, the union only offered protection to YouTubers who advertised on their channels. However, the union’s recent inclusion of influencers from other leading platforms indicates that social media is becoming increasingly viewed as a full-time career. With some Instagram and TikTok stars making over a million dollars a year in paid sponsorships and brand deals, many individuals have been inspired to switch careers – hoping to achieve similar success.
With union protections – such as health benefits – now available to influencers, we expect that there will be more people than ever who will want to make the transition from full-time day job to full-time influencer in 2021.