“I haven’t seen a pay raise in my income since Proud Mary,” Taraji P. Henson states during a SAG-AFTRA Foundation interview. That means she has not seen an increase in her income since 2018.
Recently, Henson has gone viral for speaking her truth about how hard it is to be a Black woman in Hollywood, no matter your talents and recognition.
Black women have often faced various difficulties in the entertainment industry. They are often only given roles that perpetuate stereotypes, such as being uneducated, unattractive, oversexualized, or violent.
Despite these challenges, Black women have gone on to play leading roles in top-grossing films. Yet, despite this progress, the one problem that anchors Black women to the bottom of the food chain is how little they get paid.
New Film, Same Story
One of Henson’s most viral moments was during an interview on SiriusXM, where Gayle King interviewed her. During the interview, King questions Henson about why she almost quit acting.
When answering this question, Henson takes a moment to respond. She bows her head and puts her hand on her forehead, trying to compose herself. When she looks back up, tears fill her eyes, and she says, “I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do, and getting paid a fraction of the cost.”
She further explains that the issue of getting paid isn’t black and white. Although she and other women work hard, their efforts don’t show in their income.
The irony is that this issue isn’t new and is something Black women have been discussing for years.
Black Women Have Been Speaking Out
Academy Award-winning actress and comedian Mo’Nique has spoken out against unfair pay for years. One of her biggest battles was against Netflix, whom she sued for pay discrimination.
The acclaimed Viola Davis, an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards) winner, has also been speaking out against pay inequality since 2018. She has mentioned that people often refer to her as the Black Meryl Streep. Yet, she and other Black women continue to get paid a fraction of what white actresses get paid.
Octavia Spencer, another great actor, has received higher and more equal pay thanks to the help and advocacy of others. Co-star Jessica Chastain was able to help Spencer get five times her original pay during a project they were working on. Likewise, LeBron James, who was the executive producer of the Netflix series about Madam C.J. Walker, had to intervene to help Spencer receive equal pay.
While the numbers on their paychecks are essential, the issue is more complex than a single paycheck.
The Multifaceted Problem of Pay Inequality
Equal and fair pay is not simply about the amount one receives. Instead, it is about the treatment of Black women.
One Paycheck for the Many
Henson pointed out during her interview that many Black actresses’ earnings aren’t just going to their bank accounts. Black women must pay their team of hairdressers, stylists, agents, lawyers, and more. Thus, when Black women ask for more, it’s not just for themselves but for everyone who works for them.
Not Receiving Pay Continues Despite Their Accolades
Many actors can go their entire careers without winning an Emmy or an Oscar. Reaching an award-winning level of fame is not easy; however, it’s something Black women have accomplished. Yet, these awards don’t seem to matter when Black women are auditioning for films or receiving pay.
In an interview with Variety magazine, Mo’Nique said that a trophy is just a trophy. “To ask me about a trophy is really irrelevant,” she says. ”But why is there such a pay gap?”
She further states that although she has won an Oscar, she still receives offers that are way below the standard for an award-winning actor.
Henson has also mentioned that despite her awards, the industry undervalues her skills. Hollywood views her success and the success of other Black women as a one-off or an exception to the status quo.
Black Women Are Advocating for Themselves and the Next Generation of Actors
The fight for pay equality isn’t just for the women currently working but for the next generation of Black performers.
If today’s women continue to accept low pay, chances are the minimum pay will be even lower for the talented Black actresses who are just starting.
Continuous Support for Black Women Is Needed
While this may seem like an issue for women in Hollywood, it affects Black women everywhere.
Even though the general public isn’t cutting the check for actresses, they can still influence pay equality.
Thus, Black women must support each other. In the entertainment arena, support can look like:
- Seeing movies that star Black women
- Supporting Black-owned businesses that women own
Outside of the entertainment realm, support can look like
- Speaking out against injustice treatment
- Having more conversations with other women about salary and income
- Hiring more Black women
Ultimately, Black women haven’t gotten this far because society has become overall more empathic. Black women have shown up on movie screens, climbed the corporate ladder, and earned medals and honors because Black women have supported Black women.
