Last month, Taraji P. Henson got emotional during her interview with Gayle King, reflecting on being underpaid throughout her decades-long career. “I’m tired of hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over,” she expressed. “You get tired. I hear people go, ‘You work a lot.’ I have to. The math ain’t mathing.” Since the interview, several of her peers have chimed into the discussion, including Chance The Rapper, Keke Palmer, and more.
Earlier this week, Boosie Badazz took to Instagram Live to share his thoughts, noting that “power comes in numbers.” In a new clip, the Louisiana-born rapper describes how Black women have been underpaid for some time, while Henson’s comments have simply gotten people to pay attention. “Now everybody’s jumping on the bandwagon,” he explained. “It’s starting to be a reality.”
“Mo’Nique been told y’all,” he also added. “They paid Brad Pitt $25 million and gave her $150K. But when people start opening their mouth up, it becomes reality. […] Power comes in numbers.” Mo’Nique has been a vocal proponent of Black women getting paid fairly in the entertainment industry for years. Back in 2022, she sued Netflix, accusing the streaming service of offering her far lower than they paid her white and male counterparts for a comedy special.
When Chance The Rapper joined the conversation last week, he took aim at those criticizing the Black women speaking up, noting how it’s unlikely they’ve been through what they have. “They’ll write some stuff and they’ve never had to negotiate a contract, never had to hire a lawyer,” he said. “And if they did it’s like, you not in The Color Purple, like you not doing nothing.” What do you think of Boosie Badazz sharing his take on Black women being underpaid? Do you agree with him? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Actress Taraji P. Henson went viral last month after breaking down in tears during an interview with Gayle King about black women’s pay in Hollywood. Taraji talked about the pay disparities for Black female actors and revealed she was considering quitting her acting career. Now Taraji shares she was surprised by the overwhelming support, because she along with other women of color have been talking about this publicly for years to no avail.
ETonline reports:
Taraji P. Henson was not expecting the amount of support, feedback and attention she has received since passionately speaking out about her experiences with pay disparity throughout her career.
The Color Purple actress walked the red carpet at this years’ Palm Springs International Film Festival’s Film Awards at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Thursday, and she spoke with ET’s Denny Directo about her message, and why she wasn’t expecting it to hit so hard with so many people.
“[It’s] because I’ve been saying it for years,” Henson shared. “If you go and do research and look at any women of color in the industry, they said the same thing.”
“I don’t know why people decided to hear the words [this time], maybe it was the emotion attached to it,” she added. “But like I said in the interview, I’m just tired of us having that same conversation. Something’s gotta give.”
Taraji P. Henson has sung the praises of rapper C5 after he dropped bars praising her long career. Young man the image you are displaying is sooooo powerful!!! What an amazing heart you have and you are passing your beautiful humanity down to your baby. What an awesome dad/human you are. I am so grateful for your love and support. MIGHT I ADD YOU GOT BARZZZZZ. I adore you and may God bless and protect you and your beautiful family always. You made my heart smile DEEP!!! @officialc5,” Henson wrote on Instagram.
A graduate of Howard, Henson saw breakout roles in Hustle & Flow (2005) and The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (2008). The latter role saw her receive the only Academy Award nomination of her career so far. Later, she would receive a Golden Globe win for her work in Empire. Henson’s most recent role was in the musical film adaptation of The Color Purple.
As mentioned, Henson’s most recent project is a major role in The Color Purple. The Color Purple recorded the second-best Christmas Day opening of all time, bringing in $18M this past Monday. The only Christmas Day opening to do better than The Color Purple was 2009’s Sherlock Holmes, which brought in $24.6M. Furthermore, the film opened to a 88% critic’s rating on Rotten Tomatoes. “Woke up to all the positive reactions to #TheColorPurple. What a blessing!!! Grateful to all who helped me make this film. Let’s continue to pack the theaters y’all,” director Blitz Bazawule wrote on X.
The film is the most recent reimagining of the seminal novel by Alice Walker. After Walker wrote the book in 1982, it was quickly turned into a film in 1985. The film was directed by Steven Spielberg and served as Winfrey’s breakout role. In 2005, an adaptation opened on Broadway and was revived in 2015. This year’s film is more of an adaptation of the musical than the original novel.
As Diddy’s fall from grace continues to unfold, 50 Cent is solidifying his status as something of a superhero in the entertainment industry. Not only has the “Candy Shop” hitmaker promised he’ll donate proceeds from his documentary exposing Sean Combs’ troubling past to victims of sexual assault, but he’s now also stepping up to ensure Taraji P. Henson stays booked and busy after her emotional revelation about being a Black female actress in 2023.
Just a few weeks ago, the beloved starlet sat down with Gayle King and other entertainers, at which time Henson spoke candidly about suffering from exhaustion, even at this point in her career. “I’m tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do [and] getting paid a fraction of the cost. 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.’ I have to. The math ain’t mathing,” the Washington, D.C. native vented to the journalist. More recently, Taraji told the SAG-AFTRA Foundation about deciding to fire her whole team for failing to capitalize on the success of her Empire character.
“Where is my deal? Where’s my commercial? Cookie was at the top of the fashion game. Where is my endorsement? They had nothing set up,” the 53-year-old explained, also noting a spin-off series centred around her that never came to fruition. Thankfully, 50 Cent is making it clear that he wants to see Henson win, and get the money she deserves. “They dropped the ball, f**k em @tarajiphenson,” he wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday (December 26). “I’m ready to work, let’s get it! GLG GreenLightGang G-Unit Film & TV.”
Taraji P. Henson’s brave decision to speak out about inequality in the industry seems to be sparking a movement in Hollywood. Keke Palmer followed suit while supporting The Color Purple actress, sharing that she takes on multiple side hustles because she has to, not always because she wants to. Read more about that at the link below, and check back later for more updates on 50 Cent and your other favourite rappers.
After fellow actor and Hustle & Flow costar Terrance Howard spoke out about the pay in the entertainment industry, Taraji P. Hensonhas now recently opened up. In an emotional interview, Henson expressed her frustration with working hard yet receiving only a fraction of what she believes she deserves. Keke Palmer,Robin Thede, and Gabrielle Union have since joined the conversation, adding their voices to the growing concerns about equity and pay in the entertainment industry.
Taraji Gets Emotional
Shortly after fellow actor and costar Terrance Howard recently spoke out about the pay in the entertainment industry with Alex Coleman, Taraji P. Henson,known for her roles in movies like Baby Boy and Hustle & Flow, has ignited another conversation surrounding underpaid issues in Hollywood.
During an emotional interview with Gayle King onDec. 19, the seasoned actress passionately shared her dissatisfaction with Hollywood’s current pay state. She revealed that despite her dedication and talent, she is paid significantly less than she believes she should be. Henson painted a picture of Black actors’ harsh reality, expressing her concern for the actors who will come after her. She tearfully exclaimed:
“If I can’t fight for them coming up behind me, then what the fuck am I doing!” Henson’s emotional plea resonated with many in the industry.
Fellow Actresses Chime In
Gabrielle Union, another prominent actress, quickly expressed her support for the Acrimony star’s statement. The Being Mary Jane star affirmed that Henson’s words were the truth. Union emphasized the importance of fighting for the next generation of actors and supporting their peers:
“Not a damn lie told. Not. A. Damn. Lie. We go TO BAT for the next generation and hell even our own generation and above.”
Keke Palmer, known for her roles in both film and television, took to Instagram to share her thoughts on the matter. The actress/singer took to her Instagram and reposted a slideshow of comedian/actress Robin Thede expressing her views on payment issues in the entertainment industry. She captioned the post:
“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.”
Doses Of Taraji
Taraji P. Henson’s extensive filmography, boasting over 45 movies including, Baby Boy,Hustle & Flow, and her current project, The Color Purple – set to release in theaters on Christmas Day – showcases her talent and dedication to the craft.
Updated By: Steven Samuel (12/21/23 at 1:52 pm)
Terrence Howard’s Reveal Of $12K ‘Hustle & Flow’ Salary Spotlights Hollywood Underpay
Terrence Howard, known for his roles in movies like Hustle and Flow and Iron Man, recently shed light on the issue of underpaid actors and actresses in Hollywood. The award-winning actor’s revelations have reignited discussions about fair compensation within the entertainment industry.
Howard Speaks On Low Pay
In a candid interview, Terrance Howard sat down with Alex Coleman on Live at 9 and talked about his pay for the movie Hustle and Flow. The Chicago native revealed the meager $12,000 he received for his breakthrough role in the film, wherein he also faced additional financial setbacks due to contractual issues.
This raises concerns about actors’ treatment and unions’ role in safeguarding their interests. Howard also disclosed that Paramount Pictures not only paid him a paltry sum but also took advantage of his performances by diverting the royalties to their own pockets.
This situation led Howard to pursue legal action against the studio to claim the royalties he believes he is owed. He stated:
“And then on top of that, what Paramount did, instead of putting my name as ‘Terrence Howard’ performing the songs, they put ‘performed by Djay.’ Well, they owned Djay, so guess what? The performance royalties went to Paramount. So now, I’ve got to sue Paramount, and send them a letter to say, ‘Hey, you guys owe me about 20 years’ worth of residuals and performance royalties.’ I was just trying to pay my rent then.”
Furthermore, Howard expressed his frustrations with the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), stating that the union failed to support him. Howard went on to express:
“I want to get rid of the agents, I want to get rid of the managers, I want to get rid of the unions. SAG has done nothing. They sit up and say they’re here for us now they’re talking because they haven’t gotten their money. When I went to SAG five years ago saying FOX stole my image from Hustle & Flow and they’re monetizing it, SAG didn’t do anything to help me. They waited nine months until the statute of limitations was up. They’re not here to help the actors, they’re here to make their money.”
The Empire star’s story is not an isolated incident. Other actors have also experienced underpayment in the industry:
“I .was only paid $10,000 for the part. It’s one of those things—it was just a small movie. We filmed it in 20 days. I got about $10,000 for it or whatever, I didn’t care. I wanted the opportunity.”
James Earl Jones
In addition, iconic actor James Earl Jones, renowned for his portrayal of Darth Vader in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, divulged that he received a mere $7,000 for his iconic role in the groundbreaking film.
Taraji P. Henson
Taraji P. Henson, Howard’s Hustle and Flow and Empire co-star, has also faced unequal compensation. The popular actress disclosed that she was paid $150,000 for her Oscar-nominated role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, a fraction of what her white co-stars received.
This disparity in pay points to a systemic issue of racial discrimination and biases in the industry. She said:
“I’m not saying they shouldn’t have paid Cate and Brad what they deserved. They deserved that because when this comes out, people are coming because of Brad, and they’re going to discover me. I’m bringing a certain amount to the seat, too, and I felt like what I was asking at that time in my career was fair.”
Howard Retires From The Television Screen
In relevance to Terrance Howard’s acting ventures, in 2019, the Empire star saw his retirement coming sooner than later. The popular veteran actor had announced his intent to fall back from acting once his Fox series ended.
Mo’Nique Says ‘Give Us What We Rightfully Deserve’
The plight of underpaid actors and actresses extends beyond the big screen. Mo’Nique, alongside Countess Vaughn, and her husband, Sidney Hicks, advocated for fair compensation for their roles in the hit television series The Parkers. Their demands shed light on the ongoing struggle for equitable pay within the entertainment industry.
Originally Written By: Kynedei Iman Hobbs (11/16/23 at 3:52 pm)
Keke Palmer expanded on Taraji P. Henson’s recent comments on considering quitting acting by discussing how she works multiple jobs to keep afloat. Henson broke down into tears while discussing how much she puts into her performances compared to what she’s paid with Gayle King on her SiriusXM show. Palmer says she can’t just be an actor and must also be an influencer, host, public speaker, and more.
“The entertainment industry is just like any other industry,” she wrote on Instagram. “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.’”
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 28: Keke Palmer attends the UK Premiere Of “NOPE” at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 28, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)
Palmer continued: “For an entertainment career you may be like me, an actor, influencer, host, speaker etc. I keep a job because I HAVE to haha. We ALL work multiple jobs and we may like some but also because we HAVE to. To be successful and live in America it’s literally this way because of the cash to expense ratio and this is why entrepreneurship is so important but that in itself is expensive! Having one job for anyone is not really an option no matter what industry unless you are like the top top top TOP earner and I mean that’s like Bill Gates and them I suppose. Idk because I can’t relate haha! I am not complaining or comparing but I acknowledge that we all have similar struggles in our industries and it’s because corporations run everything and they aren’t people.”
Palmer concluded her post with the quote from Beyonce: “America we have a problem.” Check out the full statement above. Be on the lookout for further updates on Keke Palmer on HotNewHipHop.
The Color Purple, dubbed a “bold new take,” is getting ready to make its Christmas Day career. In a new cover story in The Hollywood Reporter, Oprah revealed producers pushed for Beyoncé or Rihanna to be part of the cast.
“If you were doing this film for $30 or $40 million, the interest in the cast would be very different,” Oprah said. “Once the film moved to $90 to $100 million, then everybody wants us to bring Beyoncé. ‘Can you get Beyoncé or can you get Rihanna?’ So we’re sitting in a room saying, ‘Listen, we love Beyoncé. We love Rihanna, but there are other actors who can do this job.’”
Oprah also revealed it would be nearly impossible for Beyoncé to be a part, citing “she is going to be busy this year.”
Warner Bros. Pictures announced a “bold new take on the beloved classic” The Color Purple. The forthcoming film is directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders, and Quincy Jones.
The film will star Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Danielle Brooks, Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Fantasia Barrino in her major motion picture debut.
The screenplay is by Marcus Gardley, based on the novel by Alice Walker, and based on the musical stage play by Marsha Norma. The executive producers Alice Walker, Rebecca Walker, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Carla Gardini, Mara Jacobs, Adam Fell, Courtenay Valenti, Sheila Walcott and Michael Beugg.
Warner Bros. Pictures will distribute the film worldwide and open in North America on Christmas Day.
On Christmas Day, The Color Purple is set to dazzle another generation of filmgoers. In the new adaptation of the musical version of Alice Walker’s beloved novel, Fantasia will reprise the role she played on Broadway. But the all-star cast doesn’t stop there. Halle Bailey, Jon Batiste, HER, Ciara, and more will appear. Given the film’s musical legacy, the soundtrack has enormous shoes to fill.
On Monday, November 27, it was revealed that a jam-packed lineup of musicians set to appear on the album. Two of the film’s stars, HER and Halle Bailey, will lend their voice to the soundtrack, which is executive produced by Quincy Jones and Scott Sanders. It will also include Alicia Keys, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Megan Thee Stallion, Jennifer Hudson, Keyshia Cole, Jorja Smith, Coco Jones, Ciara, Mary Mary, and Missy Elliott.
The soundtrack’s first taste came from Alicia Keys’ song “Lifeline.” You can listen to the single below. The soundtrack will be shared on December 15 via WaterTower Music and Gamma.
Walker’s novel was first filmed by Steven Spielberg in 1985, with a cast that included Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey, and Margaret Avery. It was a hit that earned 10 Academy Award nominations.
The Color Purple will hit theaters on December 25.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Taraji P. Henson says she nearly missed out on hearing about being cast in the upcoming film, The Color Purple, after ignoring Oprah Winfrey’s phone call to break the news. Henson will be playing the character, Shug Avery, in the musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel of the same name. Speaking with Essence, Henson explained she’ll “never forget” the day she learned she got the part.
“I saved my recording. I don’t answer calls from numbers that I don’t know, and Oprah’s number comes up unknown,” Henson shared. “Tyler Perry hit me and was like, ‘Are you answering your phone?’ I was like, ‘Why?’ He said, ‘Girl, just answer the phone!’ I’ll never forget the day. I was so nervous. What do you say to Oprah? I was practicing my, ‘Hi! Hello! Yes, Oprah!’ And finally, she came on the phone and told me, ‘Shug Avery is coming to town!’ It was the best moment ever.”
Taraji P. Henson & Oprah Winfrey Promote “The Color Purple”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 25: (L-R) Taraji P. Henson, Oprah Winfrey and Danielle Brooks walk offstage after promoting the upcoming film “The Color Purple” during the Warner Bros. Pictures Studio presentation during CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on April 25, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Henson also revealed she previously shot down being involved in a Broadway adaptation out of fear she “was going to blow out [her] vocal chords.” This time around, she felt she could handle the burden. She explained: “You go in the studio, you sing the song, and then they play it on the set. So you don’t have to really sing full-out. It’s the difference between singing that one time in the studio (and) singing eight nights in a row on Broadway.”
Outside of Henson, the film stars Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, and Fantasia Barrino. The Color Purple will hit theaters on December 25, 2023. Be on the lookout for further updates on the movie on HotNewHipHop.
At long last, Offset is giving us a taste of his second solo album. Tonight (July 28), he has shared his new single, “Jealousy,” featuring none other than his wife, Cardi B.
While the song’s title seems to allude to jealousy within their marital dynamic, the two are actually addressing people who spew hate at them out of jealousy.
The song is accompanied by a cinematic visual inspired by the 2001 movie, Baby Boy — and features a cameo from Baby Boy actress Taraji P. Henson.
Though Offset and Cardi are rather ubiquitous in the entertainment landscape, the former often keeps to himself regarding their marriage. But in a recent interview with Variety, the former Migo shared that Cardi has transformed his life for the better.
“She always got my back, right or wrong,” he said. “We both are on the same mission to make each other better. Social is her strong point, so I listen to her social advice. And me, it’s the music, but I play behind the scenes; it’s my wife so I want to make sure she win…We’re a powerhouse at this point — icon status. We believe in God. We believe in family. We’re always going to keep winning.”
You can watch the video for “Jealousy” above.
Cardi B is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
@officialc5,” Henson wrote on Instagram. 
They dropped the ball, f**k em @tarajiphenson,” he wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday (December 26). “I’m ready to work, let’s get it! GLG 
GreenLightGang 
