Veteran actress Rami Chuene has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding the cast and crew of Queendom, who have sent an open letter to Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, demanding action over unpaid wages.
In a social media post, Chuene criticised the delays and urged the industry to take more proactive steps. “The issue has been going on for months. You should have stopped shooting a long time ago. No pay, no shoot,” she said. She emphasised the importance of following proper protocol before turning to government officials for help.
“Etiquette. He’s not the producer, he’s the minister,” Chuene explained. “The steps to follow are to approach the producer first. Don’t wait for them to say they can’t pay. If that fails, go to the channel for a way forward. If an agreement can’t be reached, they’re in breach and you can stop working.” She stressed the importance of understanding one’s rights, particularly those outlined in contracts.
Chuene also highlighted a broader issue within the industry, calling out the way service providers are quick to take action when they’re owed money. “The energy and speed the service providers use to take your house, car, kick your kids out of school, is the same energy you should treat producers who are in breach,” she said, urging people to be more assertive when their rights are violated.
The actress also drew attention to the lack of response to a recent tragedy on another set, questioning why there was no outcry or petition. “Wasn’t there a death at a production just the other day? What happened there? No outcry, no petition, no letter to minister, nothing. We’re still gonna get taken for a p**s by production houses because we stand for nothing,” she said, calling for unity and a stronger collective stand.
Chuene warned that change would require effort and discomfort, but it was necessary for the industry to move forward. “Change is costly, change is uncomfortable but change is good. Be uncomfortable for a bit, pay the price and fight for what’s rightfully yours,” she urged, adding that until people said “enough,” exploitation would continue.
The open letter from the Queendom cast and crew accuses Minister McKenzie of not addressing the payment crisis despite his previous promises of reform. It also criticises his silence on the matter, questioning whether his Christmas gift to the industry was concert tickets to see Chris Brown instead of addressing their financial struggles.
In his response, McKenzie defended his actions, stating that the department hadn’t been approached directly by the cast and crew before they sent the open letter. “This approach helps no-one,” he remarked. “The National School of the Arts wrote to us, respectfully, and we helped them. Who among you approached me first?”
As tensions continue to rise, Chuene’s message is clear: the industry needs to come together and fight for fair treatment and payment. “Minister McKenzie can’t fix it until we do our part. Change is coming, but you got to want it,” she concluded.
I can’t believe that open letter from Queendom brought me back to X sooner than planned. A just cause fought in all the wrong ways.
1. You write a letter, put all your names on it. All of you. Fighting from the shadows?
2. Etiquette! He’s not the producer, he’s the Minister.
— Rami Chuene (@ramichuene) December 18, 2024
