Listen up, Hollywood! Djimon Hounsou—yes, that Djimon Hounsou, the guy who’s been in your favorite blockbusters since you were wearing slap bracelets—is out here dropping truth bombs about the industry. Spoiler alert: It’s not all red carpets and champagne.
The 60-year-old actor, whose cheekbones alone deserve their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, has been hustling in Tinseltown since the ’90s. But in a recent interview, he revealed that the glitz and glam come with a hefty price tag—one that Hollywood seems reluctant to pay him.
“I’m still struggling to make a living,” he told CNN, via Complex. Yes, you read that right. Despite two Oscar nods, countless blockbuster hits, and a voice that could sell out audiobooks faster than Taylor Swift concert tickets, Djimon is out here pinching pennies. “I’ve been in this business for over two decades with two Oscar nominations and many blockbuster films, and yet, I’m still struggling financially. I’m definitely underpaid.”
Cue the dramatic music because things get even spicier. Djimon opened up about how the awards scene hasn’t exactly rolled out the welcome mat for him. “I was nominated for the Golden Globe, but they ignored me for the Oscars because they thought I had just come off the boat and the streets,” he said. Ouch. Apparently, looking too good in a tux doesn’t automatically get you an invite to the cool kids’ table.
And while we’re at it, let’s talk about diversity—or, as Djimon points out, the idea of it, which still has a long way to go. “Systemic racism won’t change like that anytime soon,” he added, reminding us that Hollywood still has some soul-searching to do. Maybe it’s time for the Academy to trade their golden statues for some self-awareness?
So, what’s the takeaway here? Djimon Hounsou deserves better, Hollywood. Pay the man what he’s worth, hand him his overdue Oscars, and maybe—just maybe—throw in a lifetime supply of caviar and champagne for good measure. Because if Djimon is struggling, what hope is there for the rest of us?
