In an interview with Gayle King on SiriusXM's Radio Andy station (watch below), Taraji P. Henson discussed her career, talking about pay structures and whether she intends to keep on acting in spite of the challenges that come with it.
Promoting the recently-adapted musical and novel, The Color Purple, Henson is working alongside co-stars Fantasia Barrino and Danielle Brooks among others. In a recent chat, journalist King inquired Henson about a rumor they heard, that the Empire star was thinking of quitting acting entirely.
Henson expressed with emotion her feelings of exhaustion due to her hard work, graciousness, and the meager pay she receives. Additionally, she noted that her sisters share a similar sentiment. “You get tired,” she expressed, as tears welled in her eyes.
She continued by saying that she hears people comment on how she works a lot. She explained that it is necessary in order for the finances to add up. She also mentioned that she does not do this job alone, and that there is a team of people who need to be compensated.
“I hear people go, ‘You work a lot,'” she said. “I have to. The math ain’t mathing. When you start working a lot, you know you have a team. Big bills come with what we do, we don’t do this alone … there’s a whole entire team behind us [and] they have to get paid.”
Henson broke down how Hollywood salaries could be perceived as a lot of money, but when broken down, many in the industry are left with a fraction of that amount. Using an example of $10 million, Henson explained that off the top, 50% goes to “Uncle Sam.” From there, the team gets 30% off of gross pay. “Now, do the math,” she continued.
“I am only human and it seems every time I do something and I break another glass ceiling, when it’s time to renegotiate I am at the bottom again like I never did what I just did, and I’m tired.”
“What does that mean? What is it telling me,” she added, before Brooks chimed in saying, “and what does it tell me?” Henson tearfully added, “And if I can’t fight for them coming up behind me then what the f–k am I doing, I’m sorry.”
Throughout her career, Henson has heard a lot of excuses. She said, “They tell me that our production doesn't translate overseas. Honestly, I'm so tired of hearing that. I see what other productions are doing, but when we need help, money is nowhere to be found. It's like they're playing us.”
Henson stated that she has her other brands and her mental health foundation in order to protect herself from the industry taking away her soul. She concluded by saying, “I'm not going to let that happen.”
Most recently, she revealed that for her role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which earned her an Oscar nomination, her salary was only $40,000 while her white co-stars made millions.
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Last update on 2024-05-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
