The wife of Pearl Jam’s lead vocalist Eddie Vedder, Jill Vedder has shown her support to the entertainment industry workers by reposting a statement that explains how the global pandemic has affected and will continue to affect millions of people if we don’t take precautions.
Vice-chairman at the EB Research Partnership and Global Citizen ambassador, Jill Vedder has proved once more that she is one of the most prudential humans along with being a great mother and role model to her daughters.
Posting a fascinating photo of Eddie Vedder taken on stage, Jill has conveyed the words of a worker in the entertainment sector, Leona Flowers. The long letter, which clarifies the severity of the situation after the coronavirus outbreak, reminded the importance of wearing masks and staying at home if we want to keep music and art alive.
Here is what was said in the statement Jill Vedder reposted:
“Repost. Words by Leona Flowers… “I don’t know if the audience side really understands how dire the situation is for millions of hard-working professionals. Broadway is closed until 2021. Cirque du Soleil is filing for bankruptcy and cut 3500+ jobs. Feld Entertainment laid off 90% of its workforce permanently.
Live Nation had to lay off a significant amount of employees. Cruise ship entertainers are out of work. Theme park productions have no idea when they will be recalled. There are no concerts, festivals, or touring productions scheduled until 2021 and if they don’t happen next year, they may never happen again.
No Jazz Fest, no Coachella, no Bonnaroo, no EDC, no Rolling Stones Final Tour(s), and no Symphonies…. all gone. It’s being predicted that 90% of independent music venues may close, the longer this continues. No more Whiskey-a-gogo, no more Tipitina’s, no more Red Rocks, all gone.”
She continued:
“Entertainment Management, Publicity, Live events coordinator, Performing arts organizations of all kinds- choirs, theatres, orchestras, dance companies- all are trying to figure out on a daily basis how to keep going and employ anyone they can in the field.
More than 12,000,000 people work entertainment production in the US and produce revenue in the multi-billions of dollars, we are not insignificant and this industry cannot reopen until mass gatherings can happen again. This doesn’t include the additional layoff of the venue management and bar staff, security, and thousands of vendors.
Also, we can’t forget about the hundreds of thousands of performers and entertainers that make our careers possible, without them, there is no show. So when you see your entertainment friends begging you to wear masks and stay home, understand that we are helplessly watching our industry crumble before our eyes because the country is doing so poorly at reducing the spread.
This is personal for us, our entire livelihood is dependent on social gathering and we will not accept being labeled ‘nonessential’. Music and art are critical to a cheerful, balanced society. Everyone’s career and the whole industry is indefinitely on hold. Please wear your mask. Save our stages.”
You can see the post below.
