Taraji P Henson tears up discussing pay equality in Hollywood
Taraji P Henson has candidly opened up about being underpaid as a Black actress in the Hollwood film industry.
American actress Taraji P Henson has candidly opened up about her finances and pay equality as a black actress in Hollywood.
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TARAJI P HENSON OPENS UP ABOUT UNEQUAL PAY IN HOLLYWOOD
During a radio interview with Gayle King on Tuesday 19 December, Taraji P Henson broke down in tears as she opened up about the pay disparities she has faced within the industry.
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The Hidden Figures actress immediately became emotional when Gayle King asked her about the possibility of retiring. Taraji took taking a long pause before sharing that she is tired of working hard without getting paid her worth as an actress.
“I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do [and] getting paid a fraction of the cost”, Taraji P Henson said.
The Empire actress continued: “I’m tired of hearing my sisters saying the same thing over and over”.
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‘THE MATH AIN’T MATHING’
Taraji went on to share how people always point out how much she works, in which she notes that she has to work for her livelihood.
“I hear people go, ‘You work a lot.’ I have to. The math ain’t mathing”.
“The actress went on to explain that after she gets paid, her team including her agent and publicist, gets about 30 percent of her salary.
She continued: “Big bills come with what we do. We don’t do this alone. The fact that we’re up here, there’s a whole entire team behind us. They have to get paid.”
Henson also estimated that she uses about 20 percent of her salary to the bank after paying taxes and her employees.
“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,” she shared.
With tears rolling down her cheeks Taraji noted that she’s “tired”. “And I’m just tired”, The Colour Purple star added.
“And if I can’t fight for them coming up behind me then what the f–k am I doing?”, the actress shared.