Greek actress Katy Finou has addressed public criticism over her extended residence at the Actors House, explaining that her current financial situation and low theatre earnings leave her unable to cover basic living expenses.
The veteran performer spoke out in a video published on social media after facing online backlash regarding the length of her stay at the Athens shelter. Finou rejected claims that she was living at the facility out of convenience, clarifying that she receives no television roles and that theatre income alone cannot sustain a private home.
She stated that earnings from stage acting are so small that they would fail to cover even basic building maintenance fees, known in Greece as koinochrista. Finou also dismissed online speculation about her finances, expressing regret over comments from critics who claimed she was living on state benefits or earning substantial money through TikTok videos.
Financial struggles in theatre
The Actors House is a non-profit charitable foundation based in Athens that provides temporary housing and financial support for performing artists facing hardship. Finou, who built a prominent career in Greek cinema and television during the 1980s, noted that her decision to remain at the facility was driven entirely by economic necessity after her television work dried up.
In the same video message, the actress also sought to clarify a previous controversial remark in which she had stated that she was ashamed to be Greek. She asserted that the phrase was not intended as a broad condemnation of Greece or the Greek people, but rather as an expression of frustration with specific societal issues.
Past social media controversy
Finou explained that individuals frequently use similar phrasing when frustrated by aspects of society that they dislike, noting that people often express shame about their nationality for their own personal reasons. She added that she preferred to move past that controversy because those who know her understand her true character, before addressing the way critics had chosen to express themselves.
Addressing her critics directly, the actress reiterated that she had never anticipated such malice surrounding her presence at the foundation. She concluded her message by noting that she would continue to move forward despite the ongoing commentary regarding her living arrangements and social media presence.
