Octavia Spencer weighs in on pay disparity: 'I am not mad at [Mark] Wahlberg for asserting his worth'

Mark Wahlberg, who this week is facing criticism for demanding $1.5 million to reshoot scenes for "All the Money in the World," has found an unlikely defender in Octavia Spencer.

Many were incensed to learn that Wahlberg snagged the hefty paycheck while co-star Michelle Williams took home less than $1,000, or less than 1% than her male co-star. But Octavia Spencer is offering a different perspective.

"So... I am about to say something that will likely ruffle feathers, but sometimes we need it," Spencer wrote on Instagram. "I am not mad at Wahlberg for asserting his worth and demanding to be paid for reshoots."

Instead, she said, "I’m upset with how the situation was presented to Michelle. She should have been given all the information to make an informed not emotional decision. We have to take a page out of this playbook of negotiating."

She added the hashtag "KnowOurWorth."

Neither Wahlberg nor Michelle has publicly weighed in on the controversy, but other famous faces have in addition to Spencer. Busy Phillipps, Jessica Chastain, Judd Apatow and Jesse Tyler Ferguson were among the stars voicing their opinions about the discrepancy.

Spencer also encouraged her followers to go to the movies -- but not to see "All the Money in the World." Pointing out that studios have been reluctant to produce films led by women of color, she said, "This weekend my girl Taraji P. Henson has Proud Mary opening. Let's help her have a huge weekend so that the next time they say [women of color] don't open movies, we can point to 'Hidden Figures,' 'Girls' Trip' and 'Proud Mary' as recent debunkers."

Spencer's enthusiasm for the "Proud Mary" coincides with questions about Sony's interest in promoting it. Some insiders have speculated that the studio may be "underselling" the film, declining to show screenings and ramp up marketing efforts. Studios often "bury" films they don't expect to perform well in January.