Mandy Moore Spills Secrets on Hollywood's 'Lean Years' Survival and Relying on Residual Paychecks

Mandy Moore is providing further insight into why actors rely on residual paychecks, following her recent comments about her limited earnings on "This Is Us."

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, July 19, the 39-year-old actress explained, "Our industry is unpredictable, and throughout my 20+ years as a performer, my career has had its ups and downs. There have been times when work has been scarce, and in the past, actors could rely on residuals from previous projects to assist them during those periods. However, the landscape of the world and the industry has changed, and I am optimistic that we can find a meaningful solution going forward."

Having been in the acting industry since her teenage years, Moore recognizes that she is currently in a privileged and unique position as she achieves success as an adult. However, she does not take this for granted and is aware that her favorable financial situation may not last indefinitely.

Acknowledging the widespread negative impact across various industries, Moore expresses concern about the far-reaching consequences. While she is willing to utilize her platform to address issues that affect her fellow members of the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (@sagaftra), she acknowledges that her perspective is based on her personal experiences.

Courtesy of Mandy Moore/Instagram

She concluded: “Here’s hoping we get a fair contract soon so we can get back to doing the jobs we all love and miss so much.”

Earlier today, Moore divulged the precise sum of money she earns when audiences revisit episodes of NBC's "This Is Us" on streaming services. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday, July 18, while joining the SAG-AFTRA protest in Los Angeles, Moore emphasized the significance of residual income. She acknowledged that she and her fellow actors are privileged to have achieved great success in their careers. However, Moore highlighted the struggles faced by other actors in similar positions who relied on residuals to meet their financial obligations.

Moore, known for her portrayal of matriarch Rebecca Pearson on the hit series "This Is Us" for six seasons until its conclusion in 2022, also mentioned that she receives meager streaming residuals, amounting to as little as 81 cents. Despite the lack of response from NBC and streaming platforms regarding Moore's remarks, she has been actively participating in protests since July 14, where she even joined forces with her former "This Is Us" co-stars Chrissy Metz and Jon Huertas.

The SAG-AFTRA union, representing over 160,000 performers, recently decided to initiate a strike following the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers' refusal to accept any of their contract negotiation terms. Led by President Fran Drescher, SAG-AFTRA is advocating for equitable wages concerning residual payments, clear regulations pertaining to the utilization of their likeness with artificial intelligence, and additional demands.