Taraji P. Henson breaks into tears over pay disparity in Hollywood

In an interview with Gayle King, the 53-year-old actress discussed how she is tired of working hard and only receiving a fraction of the cost. She claimed she has been unable to negotiated a higher amount yet she has expenses such as tax and employing a team.

“I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious about what I do, getting paid a fraction of the cost. I’m tired of hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over. You get tired,” Taraji narrated. 

The actress, who was nominated for an Oscar for her role in 2008’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, explained that even sizeable paycheques are quickly eaten away by costs.

She said entertainers often have a team behind them that shares in any paycheck — and that’s not to mention the chunk claimed by 'Uncle Sam'.

“When you start working a lot, you have a team,” she said. “Big bills come with what we do. We don’t do this alone. It’s a whole team behind us. They have to get paid. When you hear someone go, ‘Such and such made $10 million,’ that didn’t make it to their account.” She explained.

The award-winning actress said her previous accomplishments which include several Emmy nominations and an Academy Award nomination don’t carry weight when it comes time to negotiate a salary, adding that it is a problem affecting many Black female actors.

'The Colour Purple' star broke down in tears as she explained she is trying to "fight" for the next generation of actors and actresses coming up behind her but claimed that pay disparities in Hollywood can "steal your soul", although she will not let that happen.

Henson added that even after decades in Hollywood she still finds herself fighting the same battles.

“And I’m just tired. I'm tired. It wears on your because what is that telling you? And if I can't fight for those coming up behind me, then what am I doing? And then they tell me that we don't translate overseas. I'm tired of hearing that, twenty plus years in the game and when it's time for us to go to bat, they don't have any money,’ she added.

Henson is among notable African American women in Hollywood who have launched hair-care products in recent years.

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