Actress Taraji P. Henson broke out crying when she complained about “working so hard” and the government taking so much of her money.
The twist of irony in the Hollywood star’s lament during an interview raised eyebrows over her lack of self-awareness and prompted chuckles from social media users who were happy to see the “Empire” actress get a reality check.
In the interview with Gayle King for Sirius XM Radio, Henson struggled to respond when asked about rumors that she was thinking of quitting the business. In a dramatic move to hold back tears, “The Color Purple” actress replied that she was “tired of working so hard” and “getting paid a fraction of the cost.”
“I’m tired of hearing my sisters saying the same thing over and over,” Henson said, with fellow guests, Danielle Brooks and Blitz Bazawule looking on.“I hear people go, ‘You work a lot.’ I have to. The math ain’t mathing.”
“Big bills come with what we do. We don’t do this alone,” the 53-year-old said. “The fact that we’re up here, there’s a whole entire team behind us. They have to get paid.”
“Know that off the top, Uncle Sam is getting 50%. Your team is getting 30% of whatever you gross. Now do the math,” Henson added.
“I’m only human and it seems every time I do something and I break another glass ceiling, when it’s time to renegotiate I’m at the bottom again like I never did what I just did. And I’m just tired,” she said, fighting tears. “It wears on you, you know, ’cause what does that mean? What does that tell me? And if I can’t fight for them coming up behind me then what the f*** am I doing?”
“They play in your face. And I’m just supposed to smile and grin and bear and just keep going,” Henson said, adding, “Enough is enough.”
It’s not the first time Henson has complained about wages, either. In a 2019 interview with Variety, she grumbled that she only got $150,000 for her supporting role in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008) even though she had requested $500,000.
“You’ve got to check your ego. I mean, I’m a black woman, so I knew it was going to be a fight,” she said at the time. “I don’t get paid if I don’t fight.”
Henson’s latest lament was torched on X where reactions echoed that of conservative actor James Woods, who has long been shunned by the far-left Hollywood liberals.
Rich Democrats literally crying over high taxes they voted for is one of life’s purest ironies. https://t.co/pehcm0jaWB
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) December 21, 2023
Self awareness isn’t allowed in celebrity circles.
— Moderate to Severe (@Mod2Severe) December 21, 2023
It’s unfortunate, but their tiny indoctrinated minds can’t connect their voting choices to the negative impacts of the voting choices on their lives. That is literally how we end up with democrat voters. They vote for promises and deny the realities.
— Belinda (@Cobeekat) December 21, 2023
If you ever needed a reason to hate Hollywood and all they stand for this is peak hypocrisy. A slap in the face to people who work hard, earn a 10th of that and try to live within their means despite inflation.
— ≠⚖️ (@tphilip631) December 21, 2023
me trying to find sympathy for taraji p henson pic.twitter.com/iFl2QnulbV
— a nuisance (@LVDON) December 21, 2023
If she thinks she has it bad, she should talk to people who are making $15-$20/hr and trying to make it in Biden’s economy. So tired of millionaires playing victim.
— Babble 365 (@Babble365) December 20, 2023
Multimillionaire ain’t mathing
— KayDreamer (@kaydreamer11) December 20, 2023
I am sure the underpaid behind the scenes people in Hollywood are shedding tears for her right now.
— Olenna.Tyrell (@XXCHROMOSOMES23) December 20, 2023
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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