Taraji P. Henson recently hit us with a plot twist more dramatic than a telenovela when she revealed she might consider leaving the acting scene. In a jaw-dropping SiriusXM interview with Gayle King, the 53-year-old star of The Color Purple spilled the tea on why she’s contemplating an exit strategy that doesn’t involve a red carpet.
Taraji got real emotional, and not just because her favorite snack was out of stock. She spilled the beans, saying, “I’m exhausted from working my booty off, being all gracious and stuff, and then getting paid peanuts. Seriously, I’ve had it. My sisters in the biz feel the same way. I mean, come on! People say, ‘You work a lot,’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah, because the math is playing hide-and-seek.’ When you work a lot, you’ve got a squad, bills that could fund a small country, and it’s not a solo gig. We’re a package deal, and packages come with a hefty price tag. Uncle Sam’s taking a chunk, my team is eyeing a cut, and suddenly, that $10 million turns into chump change.”
She then dropped some Hollywood math wisdom, stating, “So, someone’s flaunting their $10 million payday? Guess what? Uncle Sam’s grabbing half, leaving you with a high five million. Then your team wants their share, but not from the five mil – it’s off the full gross. Crunch those numbers, and suddenly I’m thinking, ‘Am I a math whiz or just plain tired?’ Every time I smash a glass ceiling, it’s like Hollywood forgets and goes, ‘New phone, who dis?’ when it’s contract renewal time. I’m over it. Over. It’s like déjà vu, but with less fun and more exhaustion. What’s that telling me? If I can’t fight for the rising stars, then why am I even bothering?”
Hold on, because the drama doesn’t end there. Taraji spilled the beans on how she’s constantly bombarded with the excuse that “Black stories don’t sell overseas.” She’s not having it. “I’ve been hearing that excuse my entire career – two decades, y’all! They pull out this ‘overseas’ card every time payday rolls around. It’s like, ‘Sorry, we can’t pay you what you’re worth because apparently, the world doesn’t vibe with Black stories beyond our borders.’ I call B.S. I’ve seen the magic happen, but when it’s time to show me the money, suddenly there’s a budget crisis. Enough is enough! That’s why I’ve got other gigs because if you let Hollywood, it’ll snatch your soul quicker than you can say ‘action.’ Not on my watch!”
And scene!
