MovieChat Forums > Taraji P. Henson Discussion > She's now dissing The Curious Case of Be...

She's now dissing The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

posted 8 years ago by vesperview
4 replies | jump to latest

From her book:

"Both Brad and Cate got millions. Me? With bated breath, I sat by the phone for hours, waiting for Vince[Cirrincione, her manager] to call and tell me the number that I thought would make me feel good: somewhere in the mid six figures ? no doubt a mere percentage of what Brad was bringing home to Angelina and their beautiful babies, but something worthy of a solid up-and-coming actress with a decent amount of critical acclaim for her work.

Alas, that request was dead on arrival. ,"Im sorry, Taraji", Vince said quietly when we finally connected. ?They came in at the lowest of six figures. I convinced them to add in a little more, but that's as high as they'd go.? There was one other thing: I'd have to agree to pay my own location fees while filming in New Orleans, meaning three months of hotel expenses would be coming directly out of my pocket. Insult, meet injury."

She then goes on to say Tyler Perry was the one who put her on her way to be paid her worth. Is this a biting the hand that feeds you scenario? What do you guys think? I don't think we would even be having this conversation if she hadn't been in Benjamin Button.

http://www.indiewire.com/2016/10/taraji-p-henson-brad-pitt-cate-blanchett-benjamin-button-pay-1201735735/

[–] b_bluesky 8 years ago

I didn't see it as biting the hand that feeds her. I simply saw it as a statement of facts.

For mainstream Hollywood, Benjamin Button is what put Taraji on the map, but Taraji was already a household name to the average black person in America under 40 (due to breakout roles in Baby Boy, Hustle & Flow and marketing exposure in black mag/entertainment shows).

Coming in to Ben Button, she didn't have much bargaining strength because she was not a known actress. If Tyler Perry was the first one to give her a proper paycheck, I don't think there's anything wrong with her saying so. It simply is what it is.

Pay discrepancy is a serious and longstanding issue (women of color get the worst of it).

Variety just issued the salary chart of several top tv celebrities and this fact is clearly on display.

I commend her for saying so (even though it's already common knowledge).

Until this day, after an oscar nom, long run on a top-rated CBS show (PoI), and headlining a blockbuster Fox show (Empire), she is still among the lowest paid.

I am on chapter 4 of her book now, and it's an exciting read for sure; I appreciate her candor; it's refreshing.

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I did not come to this earth to please you. 

[–] rarity-22752 8 years ago

She's definitely biting the hand that feeds her, and she should be grateful that she's getting work in Hollywood at her age. She comes across as self-entitled in her interviews, and she needs to take a few seats.

This comment said it best:

Outrage police much? A little known actor (at that time) is paid much less than two globally-famous movie stars…and this is somehow indicative of injustice? Gimme a break.
Also, six-figures is not sofa change. Sounds like someone needs to check her privilege.

[–] xfastfurious15 8 years ago

She was not biting the hand that feeds her! She is stating facts and expressing her disappointment. She was not an up and coming actress at the time. She already had a big body of quality work so don't pretend she was a new 20 year old actress in hollywood.
I'm not saying she should've gotten what Brad got (and she also said she expected a percentage of that) but to get the lowest amount is crazy. Also she didn't talk badly about anybody so idk why this would be considered biting the hand that feeds her.

I bet you're wondering what a place like this is doing in a girl like me-The Mummy

[–] statuskuo 8 years ago

Many people think the pay discrepancy is due to sexism. Consider the biggest producer in the 80's and 90's was Sherry Lansing. With the change of millenium Amy Pascal ran Sony. The demand will always dictate need and need will dictate leverage. If public stayed clear of male dominated movies, management would look to make more female-centric movies.