From Hidden Figures to Empire, Taraji P. Henson has already played some historic and memorable characters over the years. But, despite being one of the most successful Black actresses in the business, her most recent tearful confession proves her reality is not all it seems.
In a recent SiriusXM interview with Gayle King, Henson, who stars as Shug Avery in the upcoming musical adaptation of The Color Purple, gave an ultra-candid answer when asked about the possibility of retiring soon, per Variety.
“I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do [and] getting paid a fraction of the cost,” Henson said, already tearing up. “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.”
Henson then went on to explain some behind-the-scenes finances that take place as a high-paying actress. “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,” Henson continued. “Off the top, Uncle Sam is getting 50%. Now you have $5 million. Your team is getting 30% off what you gross, not after what Uncle Same took. Now do the math.”
Henson, who’s broken so many boundaries in her career already, then opened up about the lack of change she’s seen in the business despite all the success she’s reached. “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,” she said. “It wears on you. What does that mean? What is that telling me?”
Fellow actress and The Color Purple co-star Danielle Brooks then chimed in, echoing her helplessness. “And what does that tell me?” she said. “If I can’t fight for them coming up behind me then what the f— am I doing?” Henson replied.
As Henson continued explaining the reality of her work, she broke down why Black actors and Black storylines like The Color Purple don’t get the attention –or the money– they deserve. According to the actress, she often gets told they “don’t translate overseas” compared to how white stories would. Heartbreaking, we know.
“I’m tired hearing of that my entire career,” Henson admitted. “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. And I’m just supposed to smile and grin and bear it. Enough is enough!”
As a way to make ends meet, Henson then relies on other ways to make money, like building her haircare brand TPH by Taraji. “That’s why I have other [brands] because this industry, if you let it, it will steal your soul,” she said. “I refuse to let that happen.” We’re applauding her for staying strong through it all and for being brave enough to speak out.
Before you go, click here to see the most iconic roles played by Black women in movies & TV.
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