Speaking out and standing by Taraji P. Henson: fellow actress Gabrielle Union is offering support and backing up the Empire star after she bravely talked about pay inequality in Hollywood.
In an emotional interview with Gayle King on SiriusXM radio, Henson shed light on the significant pay gap that Black entertainers face in the industry. Her emotional plea has struck a chord with fellow actors, who are now rallying behind her and joining the conversation.
“Not a damn lie told. Not. A. Damn. Lie,” Gabrielle Union wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter), while re-sharing the clip from Henson’s sit-down interview with Gayle King. Union continued, “We go TO BAT for the next generation and hell even our own generation and above.” Union, 51, went on to sai. . “We don’t hesitate to be the change that we all need to see AND it takes a toll on your mind, health, soul and career if we’re keepn it 💯.”
Not a damn lie told. Not. A. Damn. Lie. We go TO BAT for the next generation and hell even our own generation and above. We don’t hesitate to be the change that we all need to see AND it takes a toll on your mind, health, soul, and career if we’re keepn it 💯 ❤️ u @tarajiphenson
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) December 20, 2023
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Actress Keke Palmer also showed her support. She had this to say on Twitter:
“The entertainment industry is just like any other industry. We run businesses to keep our brands afloat, us being the brand/business,” she wrote on Instagram. “And it’s that team of company members that decrease any assumed large lump sum. This includes monthly expenses just like everyone else. In the words of Biggie, ‘more money more problems.’”
“To make money you must spend money so what seems like a lot is taken by a lot,” Palmer added. “There is still privilege in this depending what vantage point you are seeing from, but in our industry amongst one another this is neutralized.”
The 30-year-old went on to say,“We ALL work multiple jobs and we may like some but also because we HAVE to. To be successful and live in America it’s literally this way because of the cash to expense ratio and this is why entrepreneurship is so important but that in itself is expensive!” she wrote, concluding her message with a Beyoncé quote: “America, we have a problem.”
As previously reported, during her conversation with Gayle King, Henson’s emotions ran high as she passionately spoke on this big topic :
“I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do, [and] getting paid a fraction of the cost,” she said. “I’m tired of hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over. You get tired. I hear people say ‘you work a lot!’ I have to. The math ain’t mathing. And when you start working a lot, you have a team. Big bills come with what we do, we don’t do this alone. Big bills come with what we do. We don’t do this alone,” she said. “The fact that we’re up here, there’s a whole entire team behind us. They have to get paid.”
Painting the picture for people to visually understand, Henson continued explaining, “When you hear someone go, ‘Such and such made $10 million,’ that didn’t make it to their account,” Henson continued. “Off the top, Uncle Sam is getting 50%. Now have $5 million. Your team is getting 30% — or whatever you work out — off what you gross, not after what Uncle Sam took. Now do the math.”
With frustration Henson went on to say, “I’m only human. Every time I do something and break another glass ceiling, when it’s time to renegotiate I’m at the bottom again like I never did what I just did, and I’m tired,” she lamented. “I’m tired. It wears on you. What does that mean? What is that telling me? If I can’t fight for them coming up behind me, then what the f**k am I doing?”
As an accomplished actress with an impressive body of work, Henson’s revelation about pay inequality may come as a surprise to many. Despite her talent and success, she has faced the same challenges that countless Black women in Hollywood encounter. Henson’s willingness to share her personal experiences has sparked a much-needed dialogue about the urgent need for change.
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