Photo by Rich Fury and Taylor Hill/Getty Images
Keke Palmer is in full support of Taraji P. Henson’s recent comments about the pay disparity for Black actors in Hollywood.
The Disney alum may hold a reputation for “keeping a job,” but Palmer’s response to Henson’s interview with Gayle King speaks volumes. She highlights her need to keep multiple gigs due to inadequate compensation.
On Wednesday (December 20), Palmer reposted a clip in which Henson discusses Hollywood’s unfair treatment of Black actors. She accompanied the repost with a lengthy caption.
She wrote, “The entertainment industry is just like any other industry. We run businesses to keep our brands afloat, us being the brand/business. And it’s that team of company members that decrease any assumed large lump sum. This includes monthly expenses, just like everyone else. In the words of biggie ‘more money more problems.'”
Palmer has had to branch out from being just an actress to keep her coins stacked and have a successful entertainment career.
She also juggles other gigs in Hollywood that include TV hosting, social media influencing, and being a guest speaker at events, to name a few. Palmer noted that people can no longer depend on only one form of employment to cover expenses.
Palmer declared that for the majority of people, having one job is not adequate, “no matter what industry unless you are like the top top top TOP earner” like Bill Gates.
Henson made headlines this week after expressing her frustration with being underpaid for her work. She even discussed the possibility of leaving the industry because of it.
During a press run for ‘The Color Purple,’ King questioned Henson regarding the rumors of her wanting to quit acting.
She replied, “I’m just worn out from working so hard, being respectful, but getting so little in return. I hear the same story from my colleagues and you get tired.”
The 53-year-old detailed that the IRS takes 50% of her paycheck, and her team takes another 30% after she closes a new movie deal. This arrangement leaves her with little to nothing if she has already agreed to accept less than her asking price.
And it now appears that Henson feels discouraged to continue working in Hollywood if she still has to fight to receive the same pay as her white co-stars.
“I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do, [and] getting paid a fraction of the cost,” she said. “I’m tired of hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over,” Taraji said. “You get tired.”
Henson finds it equally frustrating to feel like she’s starting from rock bottom every time she breaks “another ceiling” to advocate for the salary she believes she deserves.
“If I can’t fight for them coming up behind me, then what the f*** am I doing?” she said.
Despite her considerable success in acting, Henson recalls previous instances when people told her that they don’t offer adequate salaries for Black actors because they “don’t translate overseas.”
“When it’s time for us to go to bat, [they] don’t have any money. Enough is enough,” she declared.
