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When asked about rumors suggesting her potential departure from acting, Henson was in tears. Here is her response to the interviewee's question:
"I'm exhausted from working tirelessly and being undervalued for my contributions. "I'm tired of hearing my fellow sisters in the industry echo the same sentiments repeatedly. It takes a toll."
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Henson also highlighted the necessity of having a dedicated team supporting her behind the scenes.
"People often say to me, 'You work so much,' but I have to. The numbers just don't add up. The costs associated with our work are substantial. We don't undertake this journey by ourselves. You see us on screen, but there's a whole army of individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes who also deserve fair compensation."
Henson captivated audiences with her role as Cookie Lyon in the Hit TV series "Empire." She earned a Golden Globe for that role. Prior to playing Cookie Lyon, she received an Academy Award nomination for her role of Queenie in book-based film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," starring alongside Brad Pitt. In 2016, she captivated audiences once again with her remarkable performance in the critically acclaimed, book-based film "Hidden Figures" alongside Janelle Monáe and Octavia Spencer, which received three Oscar nominations.
Henson has previously shared her experiences with wage inequality in several interviews. In 2019, she disclosed to Variety that she had asked for half a million dollars before signing on for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," only to end up receiving $150,000 for the role. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she said that she has had to fight really hard for fair compensation in every project she takes on.
Here is her statement on the matter: "Listen, there are times when I get tired of battling because I understand that what I do transcends my own self. I know that the legacy I leave behind will impact those who follow in my footsteps."
She also spoke about the struggles faced by other Black actresses such as Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer, expressing her prayer that future Black women in the industry won't have to endure the same hardships.
Gabrielle Union, Henson's co-star in book-based film "Think Like a Man," showed her support for Henson, emphasizing the truth in her statements. On X (formerly known as Twitter), Union stated, "Everything she said is absolutely true. We fight not only for the next generation but also for ourselves and those who paved the way before us."
Below this post is another interview expressing how she felt about her payment in Hollywood:
Source: HuffPost
Taraji should have waited until after the Color Purple hype was over to speak publicly on her pay being too low. pic.twitter.com/afrWpc7vTD
— James Jones (@jamesjonesesq) December 21, 2023