Taraji P. Henson Cries Over Hollywood Pay Gap, Explains How Much Actresses Actually Earn

Taraji P. Henson broke down in tears during a new interview as she opened up about the persistent pay disparity in Hollywood that has left her feeling exhausted and undervalued.

The emotional moment came after the acclaimed actress was asked by Gayle King in a candid SiriusXM interview if she was still thinking about quitting acting.

Henson, who was promoting her latest film, "The Color Purple," suggested that she considered it due to her weariness with the unequal compensation for her hard work.

"I'm just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do [and] getting paid a fraction of the cost," she told King. "I'm tired of hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over. You get tired. I hear people go, 'You work a lot.' Well, I have to. The math ain't math-ing."

Henson pointed out that substantial portions of actors' earnings are allocated to taxes and their professional teams.

The Oscar- and Emmy-nominated actress explained that if an actor was paid $10 million for a movie role, 50% of it would go to taxes and 30% of the remaining amount would go to the actor's team.

Henson also expressed frustration with the recurring pattern of starting from the bottom when renegotiating her pay, despite her numerous achievements. She said this has taken a toll on her and questioned the industry's lack of progress.

"Now do the math. I'm only human. Every time I do something and break another glass ceiling, when it's time to renegotiate I'm at the bottom again like I never did what I just did, and I'm tired. I'm tired. It wears on you," Henson shared.

Henson was nearly sobbing as she said she still gets told excuses such as Black actors and stories not translating overseas as reasons for not paying her fairly.

"Twenty-plus years in the game and I hear the same thing and I see what you do for another production, but when it's time to go to bat for us they don't have enough money," she said. "And I'm just supposed to smile and grin and bear it. Enough is enough! That's why I have other [brands] because this industry, if you let it, it will steal your soul. I refuse to let that happen."

"The Color Purple" director Blitz Bazawule, who joined Henson in the interview, supported her claims, revealing the challenges he faced in casting leading actors for the film.

According to Bazawule, the studio was hesitant even though the actors, including Henson, had proven track records of success and made "each one" of them audition for roles that were "second nature" to them.

"A Black Lady Sketch Show" creator Robin Thede also backed Henson, writing on X, formerly Twitter, that 70% to 80% of actors' "gross income is gone off top for taxes [and] commissions (agents, managers, lawyers)."

Thede also noted that a $10 million salary for actors is "very rare," and most Black actresses earn substantially less, making Henson's frustrations understandable.

"Most of your fave Black actresses make about [$250,000]-[$500,000] for STARRING in movies (so [$50,000]-[$100,000] net) and might only get ONE project a year," Thede wrote.

In a previous interview with Variety's Angelique Jackson, Henson revealed that her pay income has remained the same since 2018 and that she almost didn't take on her "The Color Purple" role because of the salary being offered.

Henson also told Variety in 2019 that she was paid $150,000 for her role in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." It was higher than the $100,000 she was initially offered but much less than the $500,000 she was expecting to earn as the third-billed actor in the film.

"I asked for half a million. That's it," Henson said. "And they gave me $100,000. Does that make sense? I'm number three on the call sheet. Does that make sense to you? All I was asking was $500,000 - that's all we were asking for."

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