Recently Taraji P. Henson was a guest on Instyle’s “Ladies First With Laura Brown” podcast, and during her interview, she spoke about mental health, life during quarantine, certain experiences she had within her career, and much more.
During the interview, she was asked about how she learned to own her ability on what she was paid in terms of the roles she has taken, and how she had to learn to advocate for herself. Taraji revealed that while she was working on the 2008 film, “The Curious Case of Benjamin,” she had asked for a certain quote. However, the amount she asked for ended up getting denied.
She said, “Me and my team felt like we had finally gotten to this place where I could ask for half a million, that’s all we were asking for.” Taraji continued to say, “Couldn’t get it.”
In the film, Taraji starred alongside Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, and she said she’s not sure how much they were paid. However, she’s sure they received whatever quote they requested. “And rightfully so, I’m not saying they shouldn’t have paid Cate and Brad what they deserved, they deserved that,” she said.
She continued to say they offered her $100,000 right away, and that she was “gutted,” and in the end, she got $150,000. However, after the government had to take 50% of her check, and she had to pay her team 30%. “So once Uncle Sam takes his 75, then I have another 30 that’s coming off of that 75, so I may have made $40,000.
Taraji later earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 2009 Academy Awards for her role in the film.
Want updates directly in your text inbox? Hit us up at 917-722-8057 or click here to join!
TSR STAFF: Jade Ashley @Jade_Ashley94