Matt Walsh is taking a “pause” from “Dancing With the Stars” amid the ongoing writers’ and actors’ strikes in Hollywood.
“I am taking a pause from ‘Dancing with the Stars’ until an agreement is made with the WGA,” the “Veep” star, who was paired with pro dancer Koko Iwasaki, tells Pvnew in a statement.
“I was excited to join the show and did so under the impression that it was not a WGA show and fell under a different agreement.”
Walsh, 58, adds that he “walked out” of his rehearsal the moment he was informed by his union, the Writers Guild of America, that participating in the dance competition show would be considered struck work.
“I have been and will always stand with my union members of the WGA, SAG and DGA,” he continues.
“Beyond our union artists, I am sensitive to the many people impacted by the strike and I hope for a speedy and fair resolution, and to one day work again with all the wonderful people I met at ‘DWTS’ who tolerated my dancing.”
Pvnew has reached out to ABC for comment.
“Dancing With the Stars” was scheduled to return to ABC and Disney+ for Season 32 next week, with stars like Ariana Madix, Jason Mraz, Charity Lawson, Tyson Beckford, Jamie Lynn Spears, Alyson Hannigan and more competing.
However, according to PvNew, the dance competition series is “more-than-likely” to be delayed “unless the writers strike is resolved” by end of day Thursday.
ABC confirmed to the outlet that they’re “putting plans in place” to postpone the premiere amid rising pressure from both the WGA and fans online.
The news of Walsh taking a “pause” comes just one day after picketers were spotted outside “DWTS” rehearsal studios in Los Angeles.
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