Wage inequality is a global problem that has affected women and marginalized communities for centuries. In 2023, the pay disparity between men, women, and people of color is even more glaring than ever, as Taraji P. Henson recently highlighted in the entertainment industry.
“I got tired of working hard and being polite about what I was doing.” Henson said emotionally during a sit-down with Gayle King. I’m tired of hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over again. It’s exhausting. I hear them say, ‘You’re working hard.’Well, I have To. Once you start working a lot, you’ll build a team. Our activities involve significant charges. We don’t do this alone. The whole team is behind us and they have to get paid. ”
She continued: “I’m just a human. Every time I do something and break the glass ceiling again, when the time comes to renegotiate, I fall back to the bottom as if I hadn’t done what I just did, and I get tired. I’m tired. It gets to you. What does that mean? What does it say to me? If I can’t fight for them coming from behind, what am I supposed to do? What are you doing?”
Henson was far from alone and quickly received support from black film stars such as Keki Palmer, Robin Seeds, and Gabrielle Union. She’s also not the first to raise the issue, with stars like Mo’Nique, Viola Davis, and Octavia Spencer all expressing their dissatisfaction with this systemic problem years ago.
Check out what these and other Black stars have to say about the pay gap in Hollywood below.
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Monique
Image credit: CHRIS DELMAS/AFP, Getty Images Monique has been speaking out about gender and race-based pay disparities long before it became a hot topic, but Henson’s comments put her name back in the conversation.
In a 2016 interview variety, The winner questioned the value of trophies like the Oscars when she and other black women are not being fairly compensated for their work.
“Ask me about trophies is completely irrelevant. It’s just a trophy. But why is there such a pay disparity? If a black movie is released and the cast is all black, why is it low budget? Is it a movie? I get fewer offers than I did 11 years ago, and that was before I won an Oscar.”
STOCKBRIDGE, GA – OCTOBER 14: Comedian Monique performs on stage at the Bridge Comedy Show at Stockbridge Amphitheater on October 14, 2023, in Stockbridge, Georgia. (Photo by: Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
The comedian previously sued Netflix for alleged gender and racial bias when it came to negotiating her salary.
“Netflix courted Monique, saw what she had to offer, and made her an offer,” Monique’s attorney said in the official complaint. “However, the offer that Netflix made to Monique created discrimination. It perpetuated the pay disparity that Black women suffer from.”
Monique spoke out against Netflix’s discriminatory compensation offer, pointed out how discriminatory it is, and called on Netflix to do the right thing by negotiating fair compensation. Netflix did the opposite. The government thoroughly refused fair negotiations and supported a discriminatory offer.
The lawsuit was eventually settled.
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Robin Sede
Image credit: Michael Kovac/The Hollywood Reporter, Getty Images
Comedy writer and actress Robin Sede was one of the first to offer public assistance following Henson’s emotional confession. In her Instagram post, Sede first addressed those who assume that actors are not in a financial position to complain.
“Before you comment, try hitting the minimum wage! Teachers are underpaid too! Yes, that’s awful and true! But commenting that they’re spoiled rich. You guys do this to these women every day! Two things can be true: Black women are underpaid in every job and level. ”
She went on to reference her own full Twitter thread on the issue, then co-signed Henson’s statement about being underrepresented as a Black woman in entertainment.
“You all expect celebrities to give you all the charm and flair and provide a smile when you’re grossly undervalued. And that’s what happens when you’re like, “Going into a business” (which they do!) (Taraji has several!) and “get better reps” (the problem is systemic, studios are paying me the same salaries they pay non-black actors, regardless of reps). Hear what Taraji P Henson has to say. Her tears are real and deep and she is the best of us! Just imagine what the rest feels like. ”
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Kiki Palmer
Image credit: MICHAEL TRAN/AFP, Getty Images
Kiki Palmer also supported Henson on social media, extending the discussion beyond Hollywood to the everyday workers in short supply in her industry.
“The entertainment industry is like any other industry. We run a business to keep brands alive, and we are the brand/business. This includes monthly expenses just like everyone else. In the words of a tycoon, ‘More money means more problems,'” she wrote.
“This is why no one can have one job anymore! If you work outside of the entertainment industry, you might be working on Uber Eats, working as a postman, being a part-time accountant, or being a bi-weekly substitute teacher. “I can’t,” she continued. In an entertainment career, you might be just like me: actor, influencer, host, speaker, etc. I keep working because I have to. We all work multiple jobs. I work multiple jobs, and while I may love some of the work, I also do it because I have to.”
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Gabriel Union
Image credit: Kevin Winter/WireImage for Parkwood
Gabrielle Union also co-signed Henson’s statement and reposted the emotional interview on Twitter.
“We go to bat for the next generation and the generations above ours are going to hell. If you let it go, it will take a huge toll on your mind, health, soul, and career.”
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Viola Davis
Image credit: ANGELA WEISS/AFP, Getty Images.
Viola Davis addressed the gender and racial pay gap in Hollywood in 2018, stating that while white women earn less than white men, women of color receive less talent and accolades to establish their inherent worth. Despite this, she pointed out that they have no choice but to fight for scraps.
“They’re getting half the salary that men are getting, but, well, we’re probably getting one-tenth the salary of white women. And I’m No. 1 on the call sheet,” she said at the time, referring to African-American women in the Women of the World interview.
Meryl Streep, Viola Davis, and Jessica Chastain attend the 48th Annual Chaplin Awards Gala held at Alice Tully Hall on April 24, 2023, in New York City. (Photo: Nina Westervelt/Variety via Getty Images)
Davis also named colleagues such as Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, and Sigourney Weaver who earn significantly more than her despite having similar backgrounds and resumes.
“I’ve won an Oscar, I’ve won an Emmy, I’ve won two Tony Awards. I’ve done Broadway, I’ve done Off-Broadway, I’ve done TV, I’ve done movies. I’ve done it all, she said. And yet, I’m nowhere near them in terms of money or job opportunities. Not even close. People say, ‘You’re the black Meryl Streep and we love you. There’s no one like you. ‘OK, then if there’s no one like me and you think I am, pay me what I’m worth.’ You give me something of value. ”
The actress also won a Grammy Award in 2023, making her an official EGOT recipient.
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Angela Bassett
Image credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
Angela Bassett spoke about the gender pay gap in the entertainment industry in 2018: El Cometer.
“It’s infuriating. It’s ridiculous. It makes no sense at all, Bassett told the publication about gender pay inequality in Hollywood. It’s written that men are more important and valuable, but that’s not true. That’s not true and work matters. As women, we work long hours and just as hard. There’s no reduction in hours. And, I think that’s just a standard that it’s been held to. I don’t know for what reason. I’m happy to break that, at least in this town.”
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Octavia Spencer
Image credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
Octavia Spencer has spoken out many times about the pay gap in Hollywood. She revealed LeBron James had to intervene during salary negotiations in 2019 Madam CJ, a production for which James served as executive producer, pointed out the importance of a man standing up for what is right regarding a woman for her to receive a fair check.
A similar story occurred when Jessica Chastain revealed that after she spoke out about racial inequality in Hollywood. It helped her get paid five times the original estimate for a project she co-starred in. “I think my goal is to make sure that all women of color receive equal pay. The only way to make that happen is to have a conversation with your co-stars and discuss the numbers. Jessica and I were standing together, and it was interesting for her to take that position — but negotiations also require advocates and allies.” She said.
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Beyonce
Image credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood)
Beyoncé addressed the national pay gap between women and men in a 2014 essay in the Shriver Report.
“Today, women make up half of the U.S. workforce, but the average working woman earns only 77 percent of the average working man,” the actress wrote in Dream Woman. But things won’t change unless women and men say this is unacceptable. Men must demand that their wives, daughters, mothers, and sisters earn more income commensurate with their qualifications, not their gender. Equality is achieved when men and women are given equal pay and equal respect.”
