Taraji P. Henson, known for her role in “The Color Purple,” expressed frustration with pay inequality in Hollywood during an interview with Gayle King.
She emphasized the financial challenges faced by black actresses, highlighting the disparity in pay and the financial responsibilities that come with their work.
Henson also mentioned feeling undervalued and considering a career change due to the persistent pay gaps and negotiation struggles. (Trending: Assault Weapons Ban Set To Take Effect, Here’s What To Know)
She emphasized the need to fight for fair compensation and revealed her focus on non-acting ventures to maintain her independence from the industry’s demands.
This isn’t the first time Henson has spoken out about being underpaid, citing a previous experience where she had to settle for a fraction of her requested salary.
“I’m tired of hearing my sisters saying the same thing over and over,” Henson said.
“I hear people go, ‘You work a lot.’ I have to. The math ain’t mathing.”
“Big bills come with what we do. We don’t do this alone,” Henson said.
“The fact that we’re up here, there’s a whole entire team behind us. They have to get paid.”
“Know that off the top, Uncle Sam is getting 50%. Your team is getting 30% of whatever you gross. Now do the math,” she said.
“I’m only human and it seems every time I do something and I break another glass ceiling, when it’s time to renegotiate I’m at the bottom again like I never did what I just did. And I’m just tired,” she said.
“It wears on you, you know, ’cause what does that mean? What does that tell me? And if I can’t fight for them coming up behind me then what the f— am I doing?”
When “it’s time for us to go to bat” for contracts, studios say “they don’t have any money.”
“They play in your face. And I’m just supposed to smile and grin and bear and just keep going,” she added.
“Enough is enough.”
“I have other things because this industry, if you let it, it’ll steal your soul. But I refuse to let that happen,” she said.
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