Hurley Protested at Premiere
Oct. 18 -- At the Tuesday night Los Angeles premiere of her new film, Bedazzled, Elizabeth Hurley managed a smile on the red carpet as protestors hoisted signs that read "Elizabeth Scably, You Make Me Hurl," "I Want to Hurl Liz Out of the Union," and "Beauty Fades, Honor Doesn't."
Approximately 40 protestors came out to the Mann Village Theater to target the British beauty. Despite her repeated apologies for filming an Estée Lauder perfume ad in the middle of the commercial actors’ strike, Hurley is still being met with enmity in the acting community. According to reports, the premiere was noticeable for its absence of the acting and industry types who are usually glad to turn out for a free movie and free photo ops.
Co-star Brendan Fraser, director Harold Ramis, and Raquel Welch, who played Lust in the 1967 Bedazzled, were all in attendance. This week, Hurley made a $25,000 contribution to the Screen Actors Guild as part of her apology.
The actress is blaming Estée Lauder, the company she’s promoted for years, and its agency, Bates, for failing to notify her that the ad violated the ongoing strike. “I did not deliberately cross the picket line,” Hurley said in a letter to strike captain Paul Reggio. “I feel that I have been victimized by those whom I relied upon. I have not and will not appear in another commercial over which SAG has jurisdiction while the strike is proceeding and I am sorry and apologize to all SAG members who, I know, have been troubled by these events.”
Faces Disciplinary Action by SAG
Hurley also expressed frustration that she had been trying for several months to “amicably resolve” the matter with the union but had been unable to do so. After being told on Oct. 10 that it would take another 10 days to conclude negotiations, Hurley said she took matters into her own hands and sent a $25,000 check to SAG by overnight mail, along with the letter of apology. SAG still plans to assign Hurley’s case to a trial board for possible discipline, which could include suspension, fines, or expulsion.
