Taraji P. Henson recently discussed her contemplation of retiring from acting while promoting her new movie The Color Purple. She spoke about it during an interview with Gayle King, alongside director Blitz Bazawule and Costar Danielle Brooks. The interview clip was shared on SiriusXM on December 19th.
“I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do, [and] getting paid a fraction of the cost,” the academy nominated actress explained as she attempted to fight back tears. “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!’ I have to. The math ain’t mathin’. And when you start working a lot, you know you have a team. Big bills come with what we do, we don’t do this alone. The fact that we’re up here, there’s a whole entire team behind us. They have to get paid.”
Henson continued, “When you hear someone say, ‘Oh, such-and-such made $10 million,’ no, that didn’t make it to their account.” She explained how taxes and other necessary expenses significantly reduce the figures reported by the media. “I’m only human, and it seems every time I try to 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 added. “And if I can’t fight for them coming up behind me, then what the f**k am I doing?”
Coming to the big screen on Christmas Day, the all-new “The Color Purple” also stars Phylicia Pearl Mpasi and Fantasia Barrino Taylor, who play the young and adult Celie. Danielle Brooks as Sofia (Oprah Winfrey played the role of Sofia three decades ago) in the original film. Halle Bailey and Ciara play the young and adult Nettie. Other powerhouse performers include Colman Domingo (Mister), Louis Gossett Jr. (Mister’s Father), Corey Hawkins (Harpo), Deon Cole (Alfonso), father to Celie and Nettie, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (as Mama of Celie and Nettie), H.E.R., Tamela Mann, Jon Batiste and more.
Photo credit: (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
