{"id":63487,"date":"2023-12-21T13:32:29","date_gmt":"2023-12-21T13:32:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/21\/taraji-p-henson-breaks-down-while-discussing-pay-disparity-in-hollywood-the-math-aint-mathing\/"},"modified":"2023-12-21T13:32:29","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T13:32:29","slug":"taraji-p-henson-breaks-down-while-discussing-pay-disparity-in-hollywood-the-math-aint-mathing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/21\/taraji-p-henson-breaks-down-while-discussing-pay-disparity-in-hollywood-the-math-aint-mathing\/","title":{"rendered":"Taraji P. Henson breaks down while discussing pay disparity in Hollywood: \u201cThe math ain\u2019t mathing\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"


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In an interview with Gayle King<\/strong> on SiriusXM\u2019s Radio Andy station (watch below), Taraji P. Henson<\/a><\/strong> discussed her career, talking about pay structures and whether she intends to keep on acting in spite of the challenges that come with it.<\/p>\n

Promoting the recently-adapted musical and novel, The Color Purple<\/a><\/strong><\/em>, Henson is working alongside co-stars Fantasia Barrino<\/strong> and Danielle Brooks<\/strong> among others. In a recent chat, journalist King inquired Henson about a rumor they heard, that the Empire<\/em> star was thinking of quitting acting entirely.<\/p>\n

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. \u201cYou get tired,\u201d she expressed, as tears welled in her eyes.<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hear people go, \u2018You work a lot,\u2019\u201d she said. \u201cI have to. The math ain\u2019t mathing. When you start working a lot, you know you have a team. Big bills come with what we do, we don\u2019t do this alone \u2026 there\u2019s a whole entire team behind us [and] they have to get paid.\u201d<\/p>\n

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 \u201cUncle Sam.\u201d From there, the team gets 30% off of gross pay. \u201cNow, do the math,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI am only human and it seems every time I do something and I break another glass ceiling, when it\u2019s time to renegotiate I am at the bottom again like I never did what I just did, and I\u2019m tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does that mean? What is it telling me,\u201d she added, before Brooks chimed in saying, \u201cand what does it tell me?\u201d Henson tearfully added, \u201cAnd if I can\u2019t fight for them coming up behind me then what the f\u2013k am I doing, I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

See Also<\/span><\/p>\n
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Throughout her career, Henson has heard a lot of excuses. She said, \u201cThey tell me that our production doesn\u2019t translate overseas. Honestly, I\u2019m so tired of hearing that. I see what other productions are doing, but when we need help, money is nowhere to be found. It\u2019s like they\u2019re playing us.\u201d<\/p>\n

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, \u201cI\u2019m not going to let that happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Most recently, she revealed that for her role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button<\/em>, which earned her an Oscar nomination, her salary was only $40,000 while her white co-stars made millions.<\/p>\n

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