In a recent SiriusXM interview with Gayle King, the star of “The Color Purple” Taraji P. Henson, expressed her weariness with being underpaid. Responding to rumours about contemplating quitting acting, Henson, visibly emotional, spoke about the challenges she faces despite her hard work and talent.
“I’m simply exhausted from putting in so much effort, being gracious in what I do, and receiving only a fraction of the deserved compensation,” she shared, wiping away tears. “I’m tired of hearing my sisters echo the same sentiment repeatedly. It gets draining. People say, ‘You work a lot.’ Well, I have to. The numbers don’t add up. When you work extensively, you have a team, and substantial bills come with our profession. We don’t do this alone; there’s an entire team behind us, and they need to be paid.”
During the interview, which aimed to promote the film set to open on December 25, the 53-year-old Henson, alongside co-star Danielle Brooks and director Blitz Bazawule, highlighted the financial challenges even high-paid actors face. She explained that even with a $10 million paycheck, the significant amount quickly diminishes after accounting for taxes and the team’s share.
“Know this upfront, Uncle Sam takes 50%. Now you’re left with $5 million. Your team takes 30% of your gross, not after Uncle Sam’s cut. Now, do the math. I’m only human. It seems every time I achieve something groundbreaking, during negotiations, I find myself at the bottom again, as if I never accomplished what I just did. I’m tired. It wears on you. If I can’t advocate for those coming up behind me, then what on earth am I doing?”
During the emotional interview, Brooks provided comfort as Henson continued to express frustration. Despite successes in films like “Hidden Figures” and a commanding role in Fox TV’s “Empire,” Henson still hears that Black actors and stories “don’t translate overseas.”
“I’ve been tired of hearing that throughout my entire career,” Henson declared. “Over two decades in the industry, and I hear the same thing. I see what you do for another production, but when it’s time to support us, they claim not to have enough money. And I’m just supposed to smile and bear it. Enough is enough! That’s why I have other ventures because this industry, if allowed, will steal your soul. I refuse to let that happen.”
Bazawule joined in to acknowledge the struggles they faced in ensuring Henson, Brooks, and Fantasia Barrino were part of the new musical adaptation of “The Color Purple.”
“We have to be brave. You have to follow your heart,” he stated. “Especially for Black women, it’s as if you were never here. It’s not enough to just be a director. You have to be a therapist, a friend, a brother, a champion. Understand that we have to break cycles, and what happens here will set an example.”
Henson also spoke with Variety in a SAG-AFTRA discussion, revealing that she nearly turned down Oprah Winfrey’s produced “The Color Purple” due to pay concerns, wanting to set an example for her female co-stars.
“If I don’t take a stand, how am I making it easier for Fantasia and Danielle (Brooks) and Halle (Bailey) and Phylicia (Mpasi)?” she questioned. “Why am I doing this if it’s all just for me? We are here to support each other.”
Henson mentioned in the interview that she has not seen a pay raise since her lead role in the 2018 action movie “Proud Mary.”
In 2019, Henson disclosed to Variety that she was initially offered $100,000 for her role alongside Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett in 2008’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Despite earning a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination, her pay was later increased to $150,000, still falling far below the $500,000 she expected as a third-billed actor in a major studio movie.
“I want to make this very clear – I’m not saying that Brad or Cate shouldn’t have gotten what they got,” Henson clarified. “Their names sold movie tickets, so give them their money. They deserve it. I’m not saying they shouldn’t get what they’re getting. I was just asking for half a million – that’s all. That’s it. When I was doing ‘Benjamin Button,’ I wasn’t worth a million yet. My audience was still getting to know me. We thought we were asking for what was fair for me, at the time.”
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