American actress Taraji P. Henson expressed dissatisfaction with her earnings from movie roles in Hollywood, citing inadequate compensation.
She stated this on SiriusXM interview with Gayle King while promoting her new film, “The Color Purple.”
When questioned by King about rumors of contemplating quitting acting, the Oscar and Emmy-nominated actor, Taraji P. Henson, admitted reaching her breaking point in Hollywood due to ongoing underpayment.
“I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do [and] getting paid a fraction of the cost,” Henson said. “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.’ Well, I have to. The math ain’t math-ing. When 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.”
“When you hear someone go, ‘Such and such made $10 million,’ that didn’t make it to their account,” Henson continued. “Off the top, Uncle Sam is getting 50%. Now have $5 million.
“Your team is getting 30% of what you gross, not after what Uncle Sam took. Now do the math. I’m only human. 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?”
She further elaborated that despite her numerous accomplishments, she frequently encounters explanations like Black actors and stories “don’t translate overseas,” among other excuses, as reasons for not receiving substantial compensation.
“I’m tired hearing of that my entire career,” Henson said. “Twenty-plus years in the game and I hear the same thing and I see what you do for another production but when it’s time to go to bat for us they don’t have enough money. And I’m just supposed to smile and grin and bear it. Enough is enough! That’s why I have other [brands] because this industry, if you let it, it will steal your soul. I refuse to let that happen.”
Actress Taraji P. Henson has navigated a diverse cinematic landscape, earning acclaim for both dramatic and comedic roles.
Early recognition came for her raw portrayals in films like “Hustle & Flow” and “Baby Boy,” which yielded Academy Award and SAG Award nominations.
Henson’s range is evident in lighter fare, including the “Think Like a Man” franchise where she infuses humor and sass, action-packed “Proud Mary,” and voice roles in animated hits like “Minions: The Rise of Gru” and “Ralph Breaks the Internet.” Notably, she also starred in the movie “Acrimony.”
