Taraji P. Henson on Pay Disparity in Hollywood: ‘Math Isn’t Math’

Taraji P. Henson has a lot of thoughts about pay disparity in Hollywood.

The 53-year-old actress expressed her frustration through tears while pressing the press for her upcoming film, “The Color Purple.”

“I’m tired of working hard, being generous with what I do, and getting paid a fraction of the cost,” Henson told Gayle King on SiriusXM. “I’m tired of hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over again. You’re tired. I hear people say, ‘You’re working too much.’ Well, I have to. Math isn’t math.”

Artists often have a team behind them that shares any paycheck — let alone the portion Uncle Sam demands, she said.

“When you start working a lot, you know you have a team,” the “Empire” star continued. “Big bills come with what we do. We’re not doing this alone. There’s a whole team behind us. They have to get paid.”

Henson said her past accomplishments — which include multiple Emmy nominations and an Academy Award nomination — don’t carry weight when it comes time to negotiate salary, an issue that affects many Black actresses.

“Every time I do something I break another glass ceiling, and when it comes time to renegotiate, I find myself at the bottom again, like I never did what I just did, and I’m just tired,” she explained. “It wears on you — because what does that mean? What does it say to me? And if I can’t fight for the visibility of (black actresses) behind me, what can I do?”

Henson said her fight for equal pay is part of the reason she is expanding and adding business ventures. An increasing number of actors are finding alternative forms of revenue.

Henson is among the black women in Hollywood who have launched hair care products in recent years. Others include Pattern’s Tracee Ellis Ross, Sienna Naturals’ Issa Rae and Hannah Diop, Flawless’s Gabrielle Union, and 4U’s Tia Mowry. It’s part of a boom in the beauty industry, which has benefited from black purchasing power, but has only seen a small number of black business owners thrive.

“That’s why I have other things. I have my brand TPH and I have my mental health brand,” Henson said. “I have other things because this industry, if you let it, it will steal your soul. But I refuse to let that happen.”

Fellow Black women in the entertainment industry expressed their support on social media for Henson’s comments.

“Not a damn lie. No. Damn. Lie. We go to bat for the next generation and hell even for our generation and above,” Gabrielle Union wrote in a letter. Share X. “We don’t hesitate to be the change we all need to see and it will impact your mind, your health, your spirit and your career if we keep it (100).”

Comedian and former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Leslie Jones books“, “I felt this – deep down!! It doesn’t matter how much you work, how great you are at your job. They still don’t see you or think you’re a relevant source. And I’m afraid for the Leslie Jones who will come after me! Felt like this – @tarajiphenson. I have loved you ever since I met you on my first real audition in this industry!! I know how long you’ve been there!!

“We feel you @tarajiphenson and we love you.” chirp “Community” actress Yvette Nicole Brown. “It’s a battle we’re all fighting. For ourselves and for those who come after us. This mess sucks!”

“A Black Lady Sketch Show” creator and actor Robin Thede weighed in on the conversation Share X“Watch this,” he writes. Taraji tells the absolute truth. 70-80% of gross income goes to taxes and commissions (agents, managers, attorneys). And for those who pay other employees as well? Babyeeee! Mathematics is not mathematics!

Times staff writer Marissa Evans contributed to this report.