Gabrielle Union Highlights the Pandemic's Disproportionate Effect on Black Entertainers

Chelsey Sanchez
·2 min read
Photo credit: Dia Dipasupil - Getty Images
Photo credit: Dia Dipasupil - Getty Images

From Harper's BAZAAR

  • In a recent interview, Gabrielle Union spoke out about how the coronavirus pandemic, which has shut down schools, businesses, and events across the world, is disproportionately affecting Black entertainers in Hollywood.

  • "Most of us are one or two checks away from not having money to pay for all of our things," she said.

As the novel coronavirus continues to disrupt day-to-day life, shut down businesses, halt school semesters, and postpone events and affairs across the world, some communities are being hit harder than others. Actress Gabrielle Union recently highlighted the pandemic's disproportionate effects on Black people working within the entertainment industry.

"For most—certainly Black entertainers, Black celebrities—for all of the Oprahs and the people who have just a lot of money, most of us are one or two checks away from not having money to pay for all of our things," she said, speaking specifically on the pandemic's impact on Hollywood. "So this stoppage of work and money is impacting marginalized celebrities the most. All those influencers you see … they seem to be everywhere, they may not have a lot of liquid income. You can't charge your rent. You have to pay your rent."

Many were quick to point out the combined net worth between her and husband Dwyane Wade. Later, she clarified her statement on Twitter, acknowledging that the issue at hand was not personally about her own situation.

"DEFINITELY not comparing struggles," she wrote. "The question that was asked if you watch the whole thing was SPECIFICALLY about how this is impacting Hollywood/Black Hollywood. I have been at every level of the game so I speak from personal experience. That is all. But let's discuss."

She added in a subsequent tweet, "The average SAG (actor union) actor makes around 54k a year, while VAST MAJORITY make less than 1k a year from acting work. If we just look at Black actors those #s go down even further. Lets keep talking. Share your stories. Every actor whose name you recognize started somewhere."

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