Stephen Amell Reveals REAL Reason Why He Joined SAG Picket Line After Backlash: 'I Put My Foot In My Mouth'

Stephen Amell has clarified his stance on the SAG-AFTRA strike after being seen on the picket line in NYC. He explained he misspoke initially and remains unwavering in his support for the union.

Despite reservations about the strike's impact on working actors, Amell engaged with SAG leadership, leading to a better understanding and support for the process.

Amell walked back his previous comment on Instagram, acknowledging the complexity of the situation and reaffirming his commitment to the union. 

Keep on reading to learn more.

Stephen Amell was recently spotted on the picket line in New York City alongside fellow SAG members, solidifying his support for the union during prolonged negotiations, and it seems his stance on the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike has evolved.

In a recent interaction with a photographer, the "Arrow" star clarified that he hadn't made a complete U-turn but rather misspoke initially and emphasized his unwavering support for SAG-AFTRA.

He said, "I always said I support my union. Not supporting the strike was a wrong choice of words, plain and simple. I put my foot in my mouth. I'm trying to take ownership of it."

He continued, "I knew that some people that I've worked with were going to be on the picket lines on Friday. I was in New York to support Colin Donnell who I've worked with for several years... And it felt like a good time to go the picket line. I'll be on it again."

"I hesitate to say that I did a 180," Amell added. "'It's more that I just should have spoken more clearly and concisely." The actor also shared that he engaged with SAG leadership, who took the time to help him understand the situation better.

Amell faced backlash again as photos of him at the picket line spread online.

Fans took to Twitter (now known as X) to express their criticism, with one user sarcastically remarking, "Oh look, Stephen Amell on full damage control after his anti-strike comments. Love how he says he was misinterpreted. I wonder if he's ever going to walk back all the other shit he said, including slut shaming Miley Cyrus?"

Another user highlighted the change, stating, "HAH! They finally shamed him enough to actually leave his house & join the picket line?? Love it."

A third user wrote, "In four years Stephen Amell will be going to be on some knockoff Joe Rogan podcast and say he was pressured into publicly walking a picket line and he regrets putting image over values."

A fourth person added, "Keep in mind that Stephen Amell does not have a PR team, he has gone on record to say he handles all of it because he thinks he can do it better. So you better believe it was his agent that told him to do this or he was done for in Hollywood."

A fifth comment pointedly questioned, "Did he and his publicist think dropping him off at the picket line like a stubborn child would make people forget he's a scab and called the strike useless?"

Amell first sparked outrage for his differing opinion on the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike after he expressed his reservations at GalaxyCon in Raleigh, North Carolina, labeling striking as "myopic" and a "reductive negotiating tactic."

While he disagreed with the strike, Amell revealed that he stands by the union, saying, "I support my union, I do, and I stand with them, but I do not support striking, I don't. I think it is a reductive negotiating tactic, and I find the entire thing incredibly frustrating."

However, after facing criticism for his stance, Amell addressed the issue on Instagram. In a detailed post, he clarified his support for the union while admitting his earlier statement about not supporting striking was a poor choice of words.

He acknowledged the complexity of the situation, recognized the challenges leadership faces, and reaffirmed his commitment to the union. "Our leadership has an incredibly complicated job and I am grateful for all that they do," he said. "I understand why we are striking, but that doesn't mean it isn't emotionally frustrating on many levels for all involved."

Last Friday, the stars of "Arrow" from The CW gathered at Warner Bros. Burbank, organized by executive producer Marc Guggenheim to raise funds for industry crew members during Hollywood's first dual-union walkout in decades. Katie Cassidy and Willa Holland were among the attendees, but Amell was notably absent.

Coming to Amell's defense on his stance against the strike, Guggenheim told The Hollywood Reporter that "The Flash" actor's views were "misconstrued."

He shared that Amell was in New York for Colin Donnell's play and participated in picketing Warner Bros. Discovery that morning. 

"It's not my place to talk about another union and their strike but Stephen is as supportive of SAG as he is of the WGA. I'm glad he was picketing; I'm bummed he wasn't here to join us today," he shared. 

"He has our back, and we have him," Guggenheim added.