Only 2% of actors earn their main source of income from acting work - and they are usually the only voices heard when the industry talks about what it means to be an actor. But even beyond the red carpets and the spotlight, the industry is far from the glamorous picture most imagine. Power imbalances, unchecked malpractice, and a lack of meaningful support affect performers at every level - from the rising actors juggling auditions with day jobs, to those already recognised and celebrated. If the system can fail the most visible and influential - as we’ve seen happen - the risks and lack of protection for the remaining 98% are even greater.
The 98% CIC was created to help actors make informed choices and access guidance, tools, and a community that supports creatives in navigating their careers with confidence and awareness - especially when encountering misconduct, power imbalances, or other challenges within the profession. Drawing on lived experience and years of advocacy, the CIC offers a unique perspective on the risks actors may face, while working to educate, inform, and gradually reduce harmful practices that have too often gone unchecked in an industry shaped by hierarchies and a culture silence.
Read The 98%’s Theory Of Change.
PAST
Est. 2018: The 98% Podcast
Launching in 2018 The 98% was a first-of-its-kind podcast that lifted the curtain on the real #actorslife - shining a light on the 98% of actors who aren’t in full-time acting work. Hosted by actors Alexa Morden and Katie Elin-Salt, the show blended honesty, humour, and solidarity to tell the stories most often left out of the spotlight.
Self-funded and passion-led, The 98% has run voluntarily for over seven years because the conversations mattered - and no one else was having them. Across 120+ episodes, it explores everything from “pay-the-bills” jobs and mental health to activism and toe-curling industry tales. Guests include casting directors, agents, writers, and producers, helping to bridge the gap between actors and the so-called gatekeepers of the industry.
With over 10,000 social followers and half a million downloads, The 98% has built a loyal community of actors who finally feel seen - and industry professionals who gain a truer picture of life beyond the red carpet.
As the podcast evolved, the conversations deepened. Listeners began sharing their own stories of misconduct and exploitation. One email changed everything - leading to an article in Deadline Hollywood, a 130-hour armchair investigation by Alexa into a con-artist talent agent and a growing movement for accountability in the arts.
PRESENT
Est 2025: The 98% CIC
What began as a podcast has grown into a community built on support, honesty, and action. The 98% fills a gap left by official industry bodies - offering guidance, resources, and solidarity where none previously existed. Over the years, it has investigated misconduct, supported victims, and helped bring accountability to areas of the industry too often left unchecked.
For 18 months prior to the launch of the CIC, Alexa supported dozens of actors facing a wide range of industry malpractice - from predators to fraudsters, abuse at drama school to rogue agency practices. Independent investigations led by The 98% have exposed criminal and unethical behaviour, prompted formal inquiries, and seen findings featured on national news - seeing consequences for those responsible, when official bodies had previously not acted on the same reports. These experiences revealed how easily harm can go unchallenged, and how many are left without the protection or advocacy they deserve.
Now established as a Community Interest Company, The 98% is a dedicated space to support, educate, and empower those working in the entertainment and performing industries. Alongside advocacy, victim support work, and aiding in investigations, The 98% provides accessible resources, online support groups, webinars, and more. Every initiative led by The 98% is designed to empower individuals in their careers and wellbeing, while driving industry-wide change, holding proven wrongdoing to account, and fostering a culture of solidarity and transparency across the industry.
FUTURE
The 98% CIC looks to the future with the aim of transforming the acting industry for the better. The vision is an environment where performers and creatives can pursue their careers without fear of exploitation, abuse, or discrimination. We want to shift the culture away from silence, tolerance, and enabling of misconduct, towards accountability, transparency, and support at every level.
The 98% aspires to continue amplifying unheard voices, providing accessible resources and guidance, and fostering a community where actors feel empowered to speak up and protect themselves and others. By combining advocacy, education, and wellbeing support, The 98% CIC aims to create lasting change - making the industry safer, fairer, and more inclusive for generations to come.
So far, all work undertaken by The 98% is voluntary, reflecting the commitment to supporting the 98% of performers who work outside the limelight, and ensuring their experiences are acknowledged, validated, and acted upon.
If you would like to support this work, help maintain resources, or enable further advocacy and victim support, please consider donating to The 98%. With your support, The 98% CIC can continue to grow and make a meaningful difference for actors, performers, and creatives across the industry.
“The 98% is potentially saving lives. The impact of my experiences have left permanent marks, but The 98% has given me a voice. A platform of support that has allowed me to not feel scared anymore for simply telling the truth, after so long of feeling alone and isolated.”
Contact us
If you need support, start by exploring our ‘Industry Insights’ and ‘Help’ pages, where you may find guidance or resources relevant to your situation. If you don’t see what you need, please get in touch with us directly.