Taraji P. Henson cries while talking about the pay gap during the Gayle King interview

Taraji P. Henson

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Taraji P. Henson broke down in tears during an appearance on Gayle King’s Sirius XM radio show when she was asked if she had plans to quit acting.

“Are you thinking about that?” King asked the Oscar-nominated actress while sitting next to Blitz Bazzaoli and Danielle Brooks to promote their film. Violet. The question prompted Henson to stop, cover her eyes with one hand, and tear up. “I’m tired of working hard, of being generous about what I do, of getting paid a fraction of the cost. I’ve tried hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over again. You’re tired.”

No wonder King brought up the topic. Henson appears on the current cover of Hollywood Reporter Opposite Brooks, Fantasia Barrino and King’s best friend, Oprah Winfrey, to promote the updated and reimagined film as a musical. Henson said in the story: THR Co-editor-in-chief Nikisa Mumbi Modi said that despite a career full of successes like an Oscar nod for The Strange Case of Benjamin Buttonreceived Emmy Award nominations for the series empire A remarkable transformation Hidden figuresShe often feels stuck in the same low offers.

“I was getting paid and I was fighting like hell on every project to get the same weird quote. It’s a slap in the face when people say, ‘Girl, you’re working all the time.’ You’re always working. Well, damn it, I have to.” Of that. Not because I wish I could make two movies a year, and that’s it. I have to work because math isn’t math,” she said. “I have bills.” THR. “Listen, I’ve been doing this for two decades and sometimes I get tired of fighting because I know what I’m doing is bigger than me,” Henson says. “I know the legacy I’m leaving will impact someone who comes after me. My prayer is I don’t want these black girls to have to fight the same battles.” Which Viola (Davis) and Octavia (Spencer) and I are going through here.” “Why else would I do this? For my vanity? There is no blessing in that. I’ve tried twice to walk away (from work). But I can’t, because if I do, how will it help the people who come after me?

Henson continued the topic by telling King that “math is not math” when it comes to her paychecks and supporting the team of people who work with and for her. “When you start working so much, you know you have a team. Big bills come with what we do. We don’t do this alone,” she explained. “There’s a whole team behind us. They have to get paid.”

She also turned her attention to performers like Brooks by saying that fighting can be more stressful if you can’t leave the door open for others. “It seems like every time I do something and break another glass ceiling, when it’s time to renegotiate, I’m at the bottom again like I didn’t do what I just did, and I’m just tired. I’m tired. I’m tired. It wears on you, you know? Because What does that mean?” She said. “If I can’t fight for their backs, then what do I do? … They play in your face and I’m supposed to grin and grin and bear it.

Henson’s interview went viral on Wednesday as it was shared widely on X (formerly Twitter). Some of Henson’s peers in Hollywood also commented on the topic, with Gabrielle Union posting, “Not a damn lie. No. Damn. Lie. We go to bat for the next generation and hell even for our generation and above. We don’t hesitate to be the change we need We all want to see it and it will impact your mind, your health, your spirit and your career if we keep it 100.

View drawing of the black lady Creator Robin Thede posted a thread encouraging her followers to watch the interview, then took a minute to break down the calculations that come with taxes, commissions for agents, managers, attorneys, and staff fees. “This woman is nominated for an Oscar — imagine the struggle that 99% of the rest have. People probably won’t react to it, but that’s also the problem — being misunderstood and people assuming they’re ‘rich.’” So the next time you see an actor working at Trader Joe’s Maybe it will be different,” she shared before paying tribute to Henson on a personal level. “Taraji P. Henson is a goddess. I met her when I was standing all of us She was the guest of honor. You treated me with the utmost kindness! I saw her a week ago at an awards show and she grabbed me and told me how proud she was of me. “I have always fought for the United States.”

antiquities Co-creator Stephen Canals also offered his opinion, saying, “This is why I always say, ‘Stay out of my bank account.’ People assume that my success equates to financial stability. Yes, I’ve done a whole show, and no, I don’t drive a fancy car and I don’t own my own house.”