Taraji P. Henson got real when talking about the pay disparity in Hollywood and opened up about the struggle she continues to face despite her success in the industry.
While making an appearance on Gayle King’s SiriusXM show to promote The Color Purple, Henson broke down in tears as she talked about getting underpaid for her work and almost quitting the industry altogether.
“I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do, getting paid a fraction of the cost,” Henson said after taking a long pause and breaking down. “I’m tired of hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over. You get tired. I hear people go, ‘You work a lot.’ I have to. The math ain’t math-ing. And you start working a lot, you have a team. Big bills come with what we do. We don’t do this alone. It’s a whole team behind us. They have to get paid.”
Related Stories
She continued, “So, when you hear someone saying, ‘Oh, such and such made $10 million,’ know that didn’t make it to their account. Know that off the top, Uncle Sam is getting 50%. Ok? Do the math, now we have $5 million. Your team is getting 30% off what you gross, not after what Uncle Sam took. Now do the math. I’m only human. It seems every time I do something and 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 tired. I’m tired. It wears on you. What does that mean? What is that telling me? If I can’t fight for them coming up behind me then what the fuck am I doing?”
Gabrielle Union shared the clip of Henson and added, “Not a damn lie told. Not. A. Damn. Lie. We go TO BAT for the next generation and hell even our own generation and above. We don’t hesitate to be the change that we all need to see AND it takes a toll on your mind, health, soul, and career if we’re keepn it 100.”
Henson’s words also resonated with Robin Thede who took to social media to defend the Empire alum and share insight into the disparity of wages.
“Y’all expect celebrities to give you all the glam and talent and smile when they’re being horribly undervalued,” she wrote on Instagram. “And it’s not as simple as “start a business” (they HAVE! Taraji has SEVERAL!) or “get better reps” (the problem is systemic and studios won’t pay us what they pay non Black actors, regardless of reps!). Please just try to hear what @tarajiphenson is saying. Her tears are real and deep and she is the BEST of us! Imagine what it’s like for the rest.”
Thede also shared screenshots of her X/Twitter thread where she goes on to echo Henson’s opinion. Check it out in the post below.
Must Read Stories
Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy.