Gina Kirschenheiter and Bethenny Frankel may not have crossed paths, but it appears Gina thinks Bethenny’s recent reality TV union chatter holds some weight. If reality TV workers are hoping to unionize, they might want to hop to it sooner rather than later. If the actors’ strike comes to an end before reality TV workers can strike, audiences will have plenty of other media to turn to.
The idea of a reality TV union was popularized by Bethenny Frankel amid the writers’ and actors’ strikes. Since then, Bethenny has expended her efforts to bring about the reality reckoning, hoping to secure more rights for workers.
As Bethenny continues ramping up the pressure on production studios, other reality stars have had their say on the idea of a strike. Now, Real Housewives of Orange County’s own Gina Kirschenheiter has had her say on the matter.
Gina, reality strikes, and the children
Gina recently appeared on Jason Tartick’s podcast, Trading Secrets, where she discussed branding and business. When she pointed out that her kids “don’t get paid and … don’t get protected” for being on RHOC, that led Jason to ask about the potential reality TV union. Gina admitted, “We could use some protection and some security; some residuals would be nice.”
She continued: “A little control. Protection for my children. That is something that I am very big on. When children become child actors, they have to open up a bank account that’s protected. The parents cannot spend that money.” She was referring to the Coogan Act, which set allows child actors to access earnings from their work when they reach the age of majority.
“Realty children have to get a work release,” Gina said. “So they’re working. But they don’t get paid and they don’t get protected. That doesn’t make sense to me.” Gina also confessed that she puts money away for her kids when they appear on camera, particularly because filming isn’t something her kids always want to do.
TELL US – SHOULD GINA KIRSCHENHEITER AND BETHENNY FRANKEL LINK UP? WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON GINA’S POINTS? COULD A REALITY TV UNION HELP THE CHILDREN?
