Hollywood star Drew Barrymore has stepped down from her role as host for the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards in solidarity with striking Writers Guild of America members.
The shock announcement comes just three days before the actress and talk show host was due to appear as host at the Barker Hangar in Los Angeles on Sunday. The awards ceremony will continue without a host.
On Tuesday, 11,500 film and television writers represented by the union put down their pens and laptops after failing to reach a new contract with the trade association that represents Hollywood studios and production companies.
The union is seeking higher minimum pay, more writers per show and shorter exclusive contracts, among other demands – all conditions it says have been diminished in the content boom driven by streaming.
Drew supported the union by pulling out of the show on Sunday, although she has agreed to return as host for the 2024 edition of the event.
In a statement released to Variety, Drew said: "I have listened to the writers, and in order to truly respect them, I will pivot from hosting the MTV Movie & TV Awards live in solidarity with the strike.
"Everything we celebrate and honor about movies and television is born out of their creation. And until a solution is reached, I am choosing to wait but I’ll be watching from home and hope you will join me.
"I thank MTV, who has truly been some of the best partners I have ever worked with.
"And I can’t wait to be a part of this next year, when I can truly celebrate everything that MTV has created, which is a show that allows fans to choose who the awards go to and is truly inclusive."
According to Variety, the awards ceremony is still "evolving day-by-day" with contingency plans as they wait to find out whether the expected presenters and nominees will still attend the show.
Drew will still make an appearance on the night, however, as the MTV Movie & TV Awards will still use the pre-recorded segments by the Charlie's Angels star.
She was recently praised for her vulnerable interview with Brooke Shields on her talk show, which took place last month.
The actress-turned-presenter, 48, sat down with the Pretty Baby star, 57, as the pair shared their experiences of feeling exploited in the industry from a young age.
The duo both burst onto the scene as child stars in hit movies and their emotional interview quickly went viral.
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