Taraji P. Henson Tears Up While Discussing Unfair Pay In Hollywood, Considers Quitting

Taraji P. Henson became emotional while speaking with Gayle King in a recent SiriusXM interview. The beloved The Color Purple actress broke down in tears when recounting her experiences in Hollywood when it comes to pay and treatment.

King asked the Oscar and Emmy-nominated star if she’d thought about quitting acting, to which Henson admitted that being underpaid has made her reach a breaking point.

“I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do [and] getting paid a fraction of the cost,” Henson started. “I’m tired of hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over. You get tired. I hear people go, ‘You work a lot.’ Well, I have to. The math ain’t math-ing. When you start working a lot, you have a team. Big bills come with what we do. We don’t do this alone. It’s a whole team behind us. They have to get paid.”

Speaking of how pay is broken down for actors, she added, “When you hear someone go, ‘Such and such made $10 million’ — that didn’t make it to their account. Off the top, ‘Uncle Sam’ is getting 50 percent. Now you have $5 million. Your team is getting 30 percent off what you gross, not after what ‘Uncle Sam’ took. Now do the math.”

She emotionally continued, “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. 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?”

Wiping away tears, the 53-year-old recalled being told that Black actors and stories “don’t translate overseas.”

“I’m tired of hearing that my entire career,” she said. “20 plus years in the game and I hear the same thing and I see what you do for another production, but when it’s time to go to bat for us they don’t have enough money. And I’m just supposed to smile and grin and bear it. Enough is enough! That’s why I have other [brands] because this industry, if you let it, it will steal your soul. I refuse to let that happen.”

Henson’s sentiments brought on an outpour of support, including commentary from Robin Thede, who declared that she’s “telling the absolute truth.”

“70-80% of GROSS income is gone off top for taxes & commissions (agents, managers, lawyers),” Thede wrote on X. “And for those who pay other employees as well? Babyyyy! The math ain’t math-ing! And I know – you’re like $10M minus $8M is still $2M…Yes that’s true. However, $10M is VERY RARE! Most of your fave Black actresses make about $250k-$500k for STARRING in movies (so $50-$100k net) and might only get ONE project a year.”

The Color Purple‘s director, Blitz Bazawule, also supported Henson’s claims in the interview, explaining how Black actors’ success isn’t always accounted for when it comes to landing leading roles.

“The fact that each one of you had to audition for this role…roles that were second nature for you…roles that no one should even question…” he said, speaking of Henson, Danielle Brooks and Fantasia Barrino all having to audition for the forthcoming film.

Watch Henson’s full interview above and the offical trailer for The Color Purple below. The reimagined film premieres in theaters on Christmas day (Dec. 25).

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