Taraji P. Henson , Addresses Pay Disparity in Hollywood.
Henson appeared on Gayle King's Sirius XM radio show recently to promote 'The Color Purple,' according to 'The Hollywood Reporter.'.
During the interview, the actress voiced her frustrations about people of color, particularly women, being paid significantly less than their white counterparts in Hollywood.
King asked if she planned to quit acting because of it, and Henson started to cry. .
I’m just tired of working so hard,
being gracious about what I do,
getting paid a fraction of the cost.
I’m tried of hearing my sisters say the
same thing over and over. You get tired, Taraji P. Henson, via Gayle King's Sirius XM radio show.
I’ve been getting paid and I’ve been
fighting tooth and nail every project to get
that same freaking [fee] quote. And it’s a slap
in the face when people go, ‘Oh girl, you
work all the time. You always working.’ , Taraji P. Henson, to 'The Hollywood Reporter'.
Well, goddammit, I have to. It’s
not because I wish I could do two
movies a year and that’s that.
I have to work because the math ain’t mathing. And I have bills, Taraji P. Henson, to 'The Hollywood Reporter'.
Henson went on to talk about the
legacy she hopes to leave behind.
I’ve tried twice to walk away
[from the business]. But I can’t, because if I do, how does that help the ones coming up behind me?, Taraji P. Henson, to 'The Hollywood Reporter'.
Henson's peers took to X
to weigh in on the subject.
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, Gabrielle Union, via X.
This is why I always say, ‘Stay outta
my bank account.’ People make
assumptions that my success equates
to financial stability. Yes, I had a whole
ass show and no, I don’t drive a luxury
car & I don’t own my home, 'Pose' co-creator Steven Canals, via X