Taraji P. Henson Tells Oprah That Black Actors + Actresses Are Underpaid | Joe Budden Reacts

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[@bsandmg]

Box Office can help or hinder argument Proud Mary budget $14M did $21M Worldwide - it lives on syndication though What Men Want budget $20M did $74M worldwide - again her movies are syndication gold (and it was #1 around the world on release) Hidden Figures budget $25M did $256M worldwide Karate Kid $50M did $359 worldwide Think Like A Man 1&2 budget $12$25M each did $96M & 70M Plus a blockbuster ride as Cookie on Empire where she won a Golden Globe and nominated for an Emmy 2 years in a row She could talk

[@melvinbarnett1910]

Hidden Figures: Kevin Costner, Janelle Manoe , the other black lady, and Tarji. You call that an ensemble cast, of which Kevin is the biggest name, most time those movies pay the actors less to glimpse profitability. Robert Downey negotiated a percentage of the Iron Man because they could not or did not want to give him that star money. After all they can't predict if a movie of that nature will bomb.

[@garyvanliew2689]

But she gave us the dumpster fire that was Tyler Perry's Acrimony.

[@bqb9591]

Don't forget about The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

[@mr.mr.4772]

She wasn’t the main character in Hidden Figures or Karate Kid.

[@LanceG007]

Look how you moved the goalposts for her.Her last five in theater films grossed nothing

[@mdjiles]

How anyone can hear what Taraji said & how she said it and hit back w/ questions and denials is beyond insane like she ain’t lived it for over a decade. The “60% of America is white” was such a gross cop-out.

[@msbrandimsmith]

I agree.

[@charlenerowley6358]

Dr. Umar had made me question all of Ish's takes

[@truefact844]

The problem is parts of Europe and Asia are not looking for films with black leads. I am not saying there is not a large black population around the world but Africa has their own film industry. If it was just America you could say this is true.

[@charlenerowley6358]

@truefact844 says who??? Our culture and music is all over Asia and Europe

[@Catchthiswaver]

@@truefact844if that were the case the little mermaid and black panther wouldn’t have done the numbers they did

[@imani6938]

Mel needs to work on better articulating her points. Taraji MAIN gripe is that her longevity, her awards, and her acting next to "famous White actors," should benefit her MORE money than a newcomer White girl who has never acted a day in her life. PERIOD.

[@dimiggs12]

I feel like she was refering to a Margot Robbie who went from a shitty CBS pilot to damn near A-lister overnight. What happens if you pair a Taraji with a Will Smith in Focus?

[@MH-et4bo]

She’s horrible at this. I just don’t get it.

[@sieraclayton1503]

Mel? That guy is the one that I hope no studio exec sees. Through his ignorance of the # 1 HIT movies Taraji's starred in like HIDDEN FIGURES and KARATE KID, and his yik-yakking about "60% white audience" as if Black Panther hadn't made the BILLION DOLLARS that it DID make, he left things worse for actors if anyone gives any credence to his out-of-the-loop self. Why is he flapping his jaws when We know more than he does? Mel does need to bring her points home with specific examples, though. If she's going to say that black people in films can translate internationally, mention Black Panther, Karate Kid, Hidden Figures. Not that hard and any studio exec listening would HAVE to recognize that she's right. An they all made a good point when they said we should support movies (particularly wholesome) ones that feature black characters, if we want to see them more onscreen. What panels like theirs could do is spread the word when a black director, like the one for The Marvels, has a film soon to be released. It also has a black star. It could have made a lot more money than it did if it had been publicized. And the little black girl starring in WONKA in theaters now is Brilliant! They can use their platform much more effectively by being proactive rather than reactionary only and they could potentially really spread awareness of and help build anticipation for great films. Of course, it would be nice to hear about all good films with upcoming releases, regardless of the color of cast members, too. But since we still need to see some nice, lighthearted RomComs with black protagonists as well as other genres with Normal black people in them, we particularly need to support wholesome black films so we can get more of them.

[@JustJeff777]

That's not how that industry works

[@kjk607]

​@@JustJeff777duh! That's what people are complaining about.

[@mrsjxsn]

Ish knows he will argue you down when it comes to supporting black women issues.

[@magnusallmighty5000]

You aren't looking for the truth, you pick and choose an issue not because you were convinced by it, but because it feels good to hold it, that's why you hate argumentation

[@muman1]

Not just black women issues, but black people issues period!

[@wisethabrain1100]

It’s not a black woman issue a woman wants to be paid more than what her movies bring in

[@MH-et4bo]

He hates BW and this was before this Whyte BM. Very typical of his type.

[@deciuswtasby]

How dare ish be logical and look at a business from a business perspective….the nerve

[@whoodenfoottv]

A smart sensible woman on this show. These men literally said “idk the details but” and then said some of the most ignant shit

[@Msboddie1]

So if you support all industries based off Ish explanation, Hip Hop would not be the monster it is today. 50-20 years ago ppl undervalued the lifestyle/genre but today it transcends any place its introduced. The industry does not support black entertainers with resources properly owed.

[@leroyhill7117]

Exactly

[@MrKanyeZ]

Denzel Washington is one of the highest paid actors of all time.

[@RP.123]

@@MrKanyeZ We know this and we also know that the studios have devoted all resources to make sure his films do well. That is what Melissa was saying. BTW, Denzel doesn't cancel out every other black person's experience.

[@deciuswtasby]

@@RP.123that’s true. His success along with many other well paid black actors and actresses does not cancel out other peoples experiences…..but it also doesn’t make their experience the “norm.”

[@mr.blackman5702]

They don't do their research for their subject matter. Monique never sued Tyler or Oprah

[@devhonshelton5580]

This includes music too, TLC was the 1st group I've seen put this in the forefront. They won a grammy and still was broke in the 90's!!!!

[@terrencegrandpre9]

They label which was black screwed them. Nothing to do with race.

[@angelab9171]

TLC was broke because they didn’t read their contract and signed a horrible deal.

[@Mook05]

They sold 10 million albums!

[@angelab9171]

@@Mook05 we know. But, we also know they signed a bad deal so when you you’re making a tiny percentage of your sales and have to pay the label back for all the studio time, music videos etc. and you have to split the money 3 ways there’s not much left. TLC broke it down in an interview back in the day where they even put the numbers on the screen. They spent $1 million on the Waterfalls video and apparently didn’t realize they had to pay the label back that with their profits. It’s a shame that people take advantage of people trying to pursue their dream but TLC were adults who did not read what they were signing.

[@9Aether]

Having these conversations on pay disparity without acknowledging the imbalance and deliberate oppression of black ppl. These topics aren’t handled well by the men on this podcast. So weird that Ish is refusing to believe any of the obvious nuances when it comes to black and white actors and earning potential.

[@ugouchendu581]

this!!

[@kendalhoward]

Idk. I agree with Ish & Ice. Not saying race doesn’t play a factor. But it seems more business than racism. Logically speaking. I like how Ice ended it. WE as a collective group gotta show up & not seek help from white Jesus

[@nishashawn2021]

​@kendalhoward unfortunately the decisions in that business is heavily related to race, sex, and desirability..

[@theonlykingA]

@@kendalhoward Everything plays a part and none of it really equals out. Black actors get paid less than white actors, men get paid more than women, but if your star power is high enough no matter what color you are you're gonna get that money. The whole subject is just a complicated mess

[@deciuswtasby]

You have to understand Ish is a business man so he’s going to give you a business man’s perspective. Ice is not the emotional type and will tell you what he sees from the data that’s available. Melissa is very knowledgeable but also get very emotional at times. That’s the beauty of this podcast. You get various perspectives from different walks of life. There are waaaaayyyy too many factors affecting pay to just be lazy and label it about race.

[@janayejackson2922]

It’s sad, Ish is gonna advocate for everybody but his people for sure

[@susanrobinson3745]

ALL THE TIME

[@tinamarie8061]

OPRAH talked about it! She said she was working as a news anchor & asked her boss why she was being paid HALF her white male counterpart doing the exact same job. He told her she’s not married, she don’t have kids, she is not the head of a household.

[@lexiimoreina9541]

So what’s the excuse for viola davis then who is an EGOT winner

[@LanceG007]

I’m gonna shock you and shut down your argument about Viola.She’s only done 13 movies.Most of which she plays supporting roles.She doesn’t have a long enough history as a main attraction in films

[@OfficialTapeMag]

An institution that is scared to death of a glass ceiling being broken.

[@wintersantiago2274]

@@LanceG007Her white counterparts have less years and a bigger salary so come with something different

[@sdmac1339]

Hidden Figures was a hit

[@HelloKit-nc9gj]

Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer

[@amnrob101]

This is the NBA vs WNBA convo by another name. It's about the number of people willing to pay to see you. Taraji ain't selling out theaters. And her salary reflects that.

[@andraealexander364]

exactly. Mel taking the stance on taraji and cant name the latest movie she did.

[@andraealexander364]

Women dont even watch WNBA and expect to thave the same pay as the NBA.

[@charlieswagga]

Telling the person that underpaid you that you are underpaid is crazy!! She ain’t wrong tho😂

[@foye93]

Who else you gonna tell

[@briandortelus8030]

​@nigelmcgiver2275word??

[@moneypro85]

Who else should you tell?

[@charlieswagga]

@@foye93 like she gives a fuck!

[@charlieswagga]

@nigelmcgiver2275 so wtf she crying about?!?!

[@ericmclean4291]

Taraji's biggest issue is that Empire jumped the shark way too fast. The show went from super popular to absolutely terrible so fast that she didn't get a chance to capitalize on the show's success. On the other hand, Viola Davis is eating good because HTGAWM stayed good enough. She's getting consistent DC and Warner Bros checks. She's in the new Hunger Games and Kung Fu panda.

[@prettypri1740]

Viola Davis complained about being underpaid as well

[@angelab9171]

But, if we’re honest Viola’s acting is on a whole other level from Taraji’s acting. Viola should be paid more. No one is calling Taraji the Black Meryl Streep. The problem with Taraji is that her initial claim to fame was from hood movies like Baby Boy and Hustle and Flow. That’s not mainstream fame. I agree that Empire should have been better for Taraji but Lee Daniels’s writing just got so bad people stopped watching and no one would have cared about a Cookie spin off. The Color Purple is probably the movie that would have taken Taraji to a higher level in Hollywood so she’s a little premature in some of these complaints IMO.

[@wintersantiago2274]

Hustle and Flow won an Oscar

[@Zock711]

​@@angelab9171 I actually thought Hidden Figures would be that breakout film for her.

[@angelab9171]

@@Zock711 Taraji was great in Hidden Figures but the Color Purple has a much bigger draw. The original was iconic from the time they started working on it because Steven Spielberg directed it and it was based on a poplar book. The Broadway play being such a big hit and Oprah promoting it also helps. So it’s just on a different level than anything Taraji had ever done.

[@dubcity2345]

Glad to see Mel still on the show. Despite all the controversy Joe has a good group & nothing should get in the way of it. The addition of Emanny is dope as well. I wish the Pod much success this year 💯

[@Mook05]

Not even falsely accusing a man of alleged pedophilia

[@Kimmy0100]

She should of been gone

[@Realeyezkt1]

​@@Kimmy0100but here u are WATCHING so continue to do that n stfu

[@GDSprodify]

She’s a 304.

[@kellyanna6610]

Ish is very YT identified…

[@PhillyGirlLivefromthe215]

Just curious, is he bi/multi-racial?

[@edmondcofie]

She can blame her reps; when you’re on an upward swing in this industry THATS WHEN you negotiate your deals. You can’t expect that universal or fox is simply going to pay you what you believe your rate is. You have to negotiate along with your team. If you don’t push your team, they aren’t going to fight for it.

[@janayejackson2922]

She did blame them that’s why she fired them all. But the blame is still on how black actors are viewed and how their scale isn’t even set the same as whites

[@bball933]

This comment should be way bigger instead of the virtue signaling I keep seeing loool it’s no one fault but her reps fault

[@ianmullins4387]

This is it. The issue is we aren't doing what, we're supposed to on the business side. There is definitely a pay gap in that industry, however when Taraji was super hot her team didn't lock in and negotiate and push her brand. Also, as Mel mentioned Proud Mary didn't do anything because the target audience "Us" didn't go out and support her. Ish is speaking exactly what the real issue is. These actors and actresses are against part of the entertainment ecosystem but not the part that they have a better chance to influence and that's us the consumer.

[@brandnew9834]

What if you’re already under contract when you are in a film that does well. You’re still legally bound.

[@brandnew9834]

@@ianmullins4387 What are y’all talking about? This is not the NBA or NFL. The more I listen to us, the more I realize that we are really some of the least informed people on earth. A lot of the stereotypes about our people are not really false. We know so little about, but have the loudest opinions in the room…pointe black, Taraji is a superstar to black peoples…in America she is a character actor that people are familiar with. Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, these are stars who headline real hits.

[@kurtbertrand1333]

I like how Joe asked Mel for her opinion and all the guys just answered. Like bruv

[@ladielynn008]

I love Melissa Ford! She carries herself so classy and grown!! I love how she holds it down for the woman in this podcast, while surrounded by Men! Has to be hard lol but she does it so well 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@kevthepoet]

Word, I don't agree with her all the time but she's always ten toes and smart with it.

[@bigreactions1984]

yes very classy talking about camron when she didnt have a clue of what she was talking about lol

[@BristolBerg]

Like why do you even watch, you are not even the demographic they want watching.

[@kevthepoet]

wtf are you to tell someone what they can or cant enjoy? @@BristolBerg

[@sieraclayton1503]

I like that she was accurate too, but her points were weak without specific examples. If she's going to say it's a lie that black films don't translate overseas, then reference BLACK PANTHER making a Billion Dollars. A brilliant little black girl actress stars in a wholesome role opposite Timothee' Chalamet in WONKA in theaters right Now. The panel could have been promoting that/disseminating that information as well as that about the black lady director of THE MARVELS. We need all the help we can get!

[@fisayofalana5425]

Ish swears he’s an elite businessman lol

[@willpower3317]

And Mel swears she never drove a Honda accord

[@atunstall30]

Mel! Thank you for sharing some knowledge of Taraji P. Career

[@whatevercomestomind2835]

ISH is sounding so much like a white man since Dr. Umar.

[@user-ls9od4bt9m]

Its sad to see black men do this even if it is just a devils advocate.

[@livingoodtv2136]

I notice a lot of black men NOT ALL, tend to take a white patriarchal stance in Alot of things.

[@user-ls9od4bt9m]

@@livingoodtv2136 they believe they are bonded in brotherhood with their oppressor and treat they ladies exactly how they oppressor treat them out of internal hate and homophobia

[@JB-uf3sx]

I know a lot of people supported monique, just because the narrative presents one way, doesn't mean it is the actual reality.

[@WorldFamousChamp]

I think the word flip was looking for was “castigate” and not “castrate” lmao I’m weak

[@PaulDiaz730]

There is always gonna be "inequality" in all areas because everyone values themselves differently using the metrics that suit their lives. While there are many instances of race-related pay gaps, it doesn't always have to be attributed to race. Society is so divided because the default arguement is discrimination. A majority of actors sign these deals (and complain about them after), but ultimately made the choice to do so. Those same actors also have representation. It's no different from the music game. At some point, it has to fall on the individual, agents, attorneys, etc..

[@monumental_tv]

finally a logical understanding of this situation and situations like it.

[@PewPewShootEmUp]

Yeah I never understand all th3 complaining from entertainers. They sign these contracts then cry about it. Rappers I get more only because a lot of them are uneducated and inexperienced with paperwork. Taraji is like 3 decades in this shit

[@Lil08103]

​@PewPewShootEmUp regular ppl join picket lines then report to work. my teachers used to do this at school. i don't see the practice of accepting a contract but raising awareness about the issue as a problem. they also don't accept some contracts. my main issue is that entertainment often leads the pay equity conversation when in general they are privileged compared to us regardless of the wage disparity (perceived or real). i'd rather focus on other industries.

[@PhillyGirlLivefromthe215]

I agree with Melissa on this 💯

[@wisethabrain1100]

Ofcourse u do because she’s allergic to facts

[@CaesarToland]

She’s bold and she should be it’s true

[@wisethabrain1100]

It’s not true tho

[@thee_theoivory]

Melyssa is such a breath of fresh air! You can tell she does the research and reviews everything before these talks so she can have an informed discussion

[@bheepeey]

It would have been nice to have specific stats on this discussion otherwise it comes off just like a number of opinions without any grounding.

[@9Aether]

Ish especially be talking out his ass

[@mznaturallyfit]

Stats are merely opinions (with an attempt to validate)

[@Flare6]

“What has Taraji been in since ‘Proud Mary’?” Like she didn’t just have a movie drop Christmas Day 2023 😂 If she got paid for that like she felt she deserved, she wouldn’t have said anything

[@FiDi-kb4xu]

The way Flip used the word castrate on the Monique topic was hilarious 😂😂🤣

[@km.7416]

I think he meant “ostracize”. 😂

[@visualsofthestorm]

Mel told no lies ! The other guy just wanted to purposely go out his way to disagree

[@AlexTheDiamond]

SUPPORT BLACK WOMEN. There is no argument, stop making excuses for racists. Thank you Mel. Jeezus

[@Lord_Bryson]

You can never count on ISh to be for women or black people

[@susanrobinson3745]

EVER

[@Mike-xh1qy]

The point is that black actors have to constantly prove themselves have their projects turn a profit for studios to turn around and tell them well we don’t think you can crossover thus justification to underpay, it’s a never ending cycle

[@dougedoug2105]

9:56 I think Ish has a point but he didn’t listen to Melyssa. Drakes numbers or star power is partially what it is because he has visibility. And one of the reasons he has the visibility that he does is because he had a greater initial marketing investment from “jump”, like Melyssa elaborated. This is nothing more than another instance of the playing field between black and white contemporaries, irrespective of industry, was never leveled to begin with. It’s like hypothetical scenario where: 2 two identical carbon copied & equally talented versions of the rapper Drake; Drake #1 & Drake #2. Both rappers have “bars”, both are supported by the same people, both rappers are signed to Birdman & CashMoney from the get go, and both are backed and cosigned from the jump by Rapper Lil’ Wayne. That said both men have equivalent and unlimited potential to reach the career status and success level of the real life rapper Drake. However, only rapper Drake #1 achieves superstar status with the salary to match because from the “jump” Drake #2 never received the same marketing support & budget. And as a result even though all talent & things constant, both men could’ve become wealthy rappers, Drake #2 was doomed to command a lower salary despite putting forth equal effort from the very beginning of his career because the record company never invested the same amount of money into him being as visible as his contemporary. White actors are Drake #1 & black actors are Drake #2. So you may have a point about analytics if you were comparing apples to apples or two white actors, however, because the salary threshold systematically differs between the two races, you can’t argue analytics and ROI when the playing field was unleveled to begin with, therefore you’re arguing apples to oranges. The fact that Taraji is broke speaks less to her talent and more to the fact that despite being equally talented, black actors are still relatively underpaid and don’t necessarily “translate” because the goal post was moved from the outset of their careers indicating the pay inequality and racist system of inequity is actually working. You have no argument Ish 👎🏽

[@Finnola]

Taraji's point is that everytime another project comes up she gets into negotiation room like she's a newbie and a project like The Color Purple doesn't make studio heads believe she should be paid accordingly. I wouldn't have seen the movie b.c its a remake and if it doesn't have well known people. So with Taraji in it I was excited and she's the main draw, not even halle bailey or danielle brooks. I dont think Taraji mentioned she would bring in audience the same way as brad pitt or denzel washington but she does add to the movie. For that she has proved it over the years to get paid what her worth is. Doesn't mean Taraji is demanding more.

[@realmontana6838]

Viola davis is saying the same thing..

[@LanceG007]

Viola has done 13 movies in which most of the time she plays a supporting character

[@mscstapleton]

Ish's final point was actually what Mel was saying - the studios don't think the black actresses will translate so they don't put the money in. However, that itself is the cop out! They used to say the same thing about black actors too! Will Smith was told the exact same thing at the beginning of his career and had to push for the respect that he now gets. Its gonna take for the white counterparts on certain films to push back but its also gonna take more diverse thinking in the studios. Or more of us doing our own products and selling them to the studios once the buzz grows.

[@chu2ks2dfutur]

Did Will push for the respect or did he have fans that subscribed to him - real followers? White movie fans loved Will Smith, so his work translated. Movie making is a business, and you're only as good as your last movie. You look at the Indian Bollywood movies and the Nigerian Nollywood movies, they have their captive audience who pay, so they're thriving. The translation thing is huge, I don't think it's a cop-out, we're even seeing it in music. Who buys the most movie tickets, the most concert tickets, especially the ones that count in terms of box office?

[@antonyware]

There is a scale that actor pay is based on but it is also true the scale is ignored at times when it comes to black actors.

[@kh7688]

Pure cap.

[@antonyware]

@@kh7688 isn’t it great that people can articulate points so well? 👍🏽

[@symonelove2499]

Taraji spoke about it wayyyyy before Monique, Monique just did it a little bit louder…. Both ladies deserve support and fair wages despite who bought it up first

[@DjSkyy17]

Taraji does deserve more.. BUT I ain’t rushing to the theaters for her movies. Her draw to these projects ain’t something I’m ever excited over. Great actress for the ones she does work on. Not great enough to have me waiting towards the weekend to watch her movie outside the house

[@juliomorais6096]

Last year denzel put out a movie almost by himself and it made 200mil if Taraji was on a movie by herself u think that she would do numbers like that?

[@talklesslistenmore5578]

Thank you

[@missesmandarin9990]

No one compares to Denzel, not a good example, his salary is not like the other black men, he is the exception

[@discodrip3097]

First weekend sales in the box office are like first week sales for albums. If it’s good it’s gonna go platinum either way.

[@micheledaly5823]

Sorry but not crying for no millionaire when half the country is deciding whether they should buy food or pay bills. No time for rich people problems. Work 40 hrs a week and can't afford to buy nothing for myself on payday if I still want to eat and have a home. Read the room . Nobody cares. We out here busting our a*s for breadcrumbs and still can't even afford to go on vacation so who cares.

[@wintersantiago2274]

Cut the crap. Half the country isn’t struggling like you pretend. Folks are paying several hundred dollars for weaves and wigs. Where’s the struggle?

[@MrCarrell88]

Yall realize contracts are signed before movies blow-up or take off they dont get paid after the movie makes money

[@homestretchtv]

Y'all have to understand that systematic oppression impacts the entertainment industry as well. The population variable was completely misplaced. Compare the networth of Meryl Streep, Jennifer Annistan (spell check), julia roberts, ect to Viola Davis, Angela Bassett, Taraji or any of our Black greats and the disparity will be a no brainer. Hell, Compare the least popular white actress Salaries to any of our top tier actress salaries and you will still find the difference to be problematic. Our movies have often proven to be blockbusters, running similar numbers to white movies and the powers that be funnel that money into their pockets, not into appropriately paying black talent. We can't be so quick to dismiss our talent especially if we want to add to the possibility of future generations getting what they deserve.

[@petewilliams7332]

We all under paid...

[@Piqueblinders11]

White people get paid less for the same job as black people so the stats don’t back that up

[@charlenerowley6358]

Ish is starting to work my nerves

[@artconsultantinparis]

What Men Want grossed $54.6 million in the United States and Canada and $17.6 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $72.2 million, against a production budget of $20 million. i do not believe they brought this movie to France which was a shame - I love her

[@missesmandarin9990]

Most black actresses have talked about pay disparity

[@Lane.Kiffin]

Mel be cracking me up like she’s on family feud or some game show when she does that

[@jemmajammingem]

How is it always a male black male at that not giving flowers to black women when credit is due. How about the way black people are treated in work period is bs especially when they as in companies want us to run and almost build there companies. These movies will forever make money while she may make a portion. They can literally re premiere a movie if they want. Just said to see our own people not go 10 toes now for supporting Taraji. Melissa was the only one for real because she knows because she lives and sees for herself as a black woman. Forget the devil's advocate. Taraji is a well-known seasoned actress who deserves her flowers and pay. Sgtfoh with the Aww, maybe smh

[@ladielynn008]

Getting underpaid for a Movie that goes down in Black HISTORY is CRAZY SMH while being directed and produced by the richest black woman in America SMH Oprah could have paid everyone more! Also, Taraji has been in a lot of movies, y’all should have named them all 💯

[@melvinbarnett1910]

She should complain to Oprah.

[@kh7688]

Even Oprah doesn't deem her as a box office star. There's no point crying about the white man not paying her enough when her own sister is paying her peanuts. Maybe that's what she's actually worth. Oprah seems to think so.

[@OfficialTapeMag]

The director is Blitz Bazawule. The producer is Steven Spielberg.

[@wisethabrain1100]

😂 y’all just don’t get it! U paid by what u bring in at the box office

[@HCOKIng101]

I like how this clip ends when Ice gets to the crux of the conversation lol

[@GDSprodify]

People saying Famous and Celebrities have a misunderstanding of Film industry and think all “Famous” people are rich which is not true. The Box Office receipts and her team help her secure these salaries so they got fired because they didn’t fight hard enough for her higher salary to reflect her BO record.

[@jermainelambert4817]

You have to command what you think you are worth . If the studio doesn’t wanna pay your asking price they will be finding a diff actor / actress for the role .

[@user-es4br8zv7h]

You don’t get paid what you deserve, you get paid what you negotiate.

[@jman1562001]

And unfortunately most supporting actresses in big budget films don't have leverage to command a higher pay cut. A List starts can but they elite and are seen different. Henson has been put in lead roles in Tyler Perry films and the returns didn't warrant a higher salary cut. White contemporaries have a bigger market to pull from hence bigger payout. If your joint don't pop in our world, then them white folks probably ain't willing to break bread either. Just the way it is.

[@MichelleNgome]

Yeah but when you are already getting lowballed for an offer how much negotiation can you do. If I want my rate to be 10M and you offer me 2M is it worth the negotion? That's a big jump. If you offer me 7M then we can negotiate.

[@jman1562001]

@@MichelleNgome that depends on if you have leverage.....say if the studio can find someone else to do your role for half of what they offer. You decline the offer and then they give it to someone else. I think only the lead or A List actors and actress get that type of leverage.

[@nishashawn2021]

Negotiations require leverage. It's a large pool of blk actresses. So what leverage would she have over studios to win Negotiations????

[@MichelleNgome]

@@jman1562001 You're right and Terrance Howard and Don Cheadle Ironman is a perfect example of this.

[@alonnamonroe5232]

I stand with melissa on this

[@delvesdg]

My take, I'm attempting to be as generic as possible because this can be applied to almost everything. There are four factors: Price: The dollar amount being asked. Should be worth plus a premium, but can be whatever one suggests. Worth: The dollar amount based on resources needed, efforts applied, and past positive examples of function. Think parts, labor, and quality. Value: An honest assessment of what being presented. It is certain guarantees or perks applied to worth. Value should bridge the gap between worth and price. Market Value: Mass appeal. What is the public desirability, want, or need? This can be based trends, seasons, market saturation, market stagnation, and a myriad of other things. This is probably the hardest to gauge accurately. Hopefully all of these things can equate numerically without much deviation. But, when you do have deviation the Price factor is what takes the short and leads to people not getting paid their "price". This is just my take.

[@TheAlkebulanTrust]

Snake-rah already knows remember Mo'Nique had something to say and then Snake-rah got her blackballed. It took Fif to get Mo'Nique back on the screens. And he seems to be reaching out to Taraji as well.

[@LanceG007]

And Monique has done nothing worth mentioning since he did that

[@jtt1928]

The problem is lack of Black capital (because it’s all white) , studio ownership, production, & everything across the table. We can’t just have Tyler & an anti-Black Oprah being the only gatekeepers for us. 😢

[@talonkarrde2578]

The segment was weak. Watch her interview with Jemele Hill (Unbothered). She lays out the facts there.

[@qs718]

Taraji is a "good" actress, but she is no Viola Davis, Meryl Streep or Octavia Spencer. Her career is storied but she is a draw for black audiences only unlike like Viola Davis or Octavia Spencer who draw the greater population. The brother that is speaking of the analytics which drives a return on studio investments is a valid and substantial point. The pretty and articulate lady in this discussion is quite well uninformed. She states Taraji is an accomplished actress true...but only in a certain segment. The fact is Taraji does not have a mass appeal like Denzel W. Mel Gibson and others she used as examples. I enjoyed her as Cookie Lyons, but a spinoff singularly about Cookie Lyons is DOA (Dead on Arrival).

[@jamesjack7074]

This is the time when they need to delve into the numbers and not just do the podcast estimate. There suggestion that black people need to support doesn't make a difference if the actresses aren't paid residuals.

[@morningcoffee1266]

Ppl assume they are asking for top pay. It’s insane for any blk person to agree that a lead actor should be paid $10,000,000 and in that same movie the costar is paid $150,000. Ish is like a Candice Owens especially when it comes to blk women. Maybe ppl with no HR or Salary Compensation experience should reframe from speaking on conversations about pay equity. Ish and Ice have no experience to make such strong statements.

[@marcgil256]

I thought Cate Blanchett was the co-star? I would bet that even she didn't get paid nearly as much as Brad Pitt did either.

[@morningcoffee1266]

@@marcgil256 supporting actress that earned her an academy nomination. Still the pay difference is grossly different and the average person cry about a $5.00 pay difference in their jobs yet tell someone else they can’t want more.

[@marcgil256]

@@morningcoffee1266 I don’t understand why people compare themselves to the top 0.01% It doesn’t matter if they shared the screen together, that’s Brad Pitt bruh. There’s only a handful of actors that are making what he’s making. I like Tariji, but let’s be real she’s like a C tier actor, not in regard to skill, but in regard to her draw. Meaning, what level is she in her ability to sale tickets? Brad Pitt is obviously a A tier actor in that sense. A better comparison would be to compare her to a C tier white male actor on her level, to really check if there’s a real pay discrepancy.

[@morningcoffee1266]

@@marcgil256 you are not even trying us logic. No one is saying she should be paid Brad Pitt pay BUT to be pays roughly 2% of his rate to do similar jobs is crazy. Again someone who knows nothing about pay equity trying to use their feelings to process how compensation is handled.

[@TheBreadTalkInvestors]

This was a great subject! I believe Ish had a valid point...Taraji needs more budget roe moves like "Hidden Figures" or "The Curious Case of benjamin Button" for example. The has too many B-rated or lower budgeted movies under her belt. Her talent is emaculant. Movies like "Proud Mary" or "What Men Want" (Remake) went good scripted movies for her (im my opinion). There is a major pay disparity and marketing disparity between blacks and whites

[@missesmandarin9990]

That's not the issue she's not just talking about herself. She was not paid well on benjamin buttons and Hidden Figures movie either

[@bruxolabs-thedefitribunal]

I agree with Ish, analytics over emotions. If I'm an investor, return comes first always. They are betting who has the biggest draw, it's on the actor to prove it. People don't know how it feels to lose a bunch of money, if they want to make a fire movie you gotta make it yourself.

[@lilpimp994]

Same thing I said, should have stood with Monique when she was trying to stand on business.

[@madisonanderson3678]

Thank You Goddess!!!❤❤❤

[@rickrubin8049]

Flip using the word castrate wrongly is crazy 🤣

[@OfficialTapeMag]

The demographic argument was used to justify why Michael Jackson's videos shouldn't have been given airtime on MTV. America wanted their guitars, not some kid from Gary, Indiana gliding next to pop-locking zombies.

[@BigChrisENT]

I need to know who she's comparing herself to? Scarlett Johansson OR Zoe Saldana, Lupito, Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira? Do Kerry Washington & Angela Bassett count? Zendaya, Tracee Ellis Rose, Halle Bailey or Halle Berry? Too light skinned? Then what about Mary J. Blige, Regina King, Gabrielle Union? I felt Viola & Monique it when they said it but Taraji, I just wanna know, what is she negotiating? A piece of the box office?

[@NightmareUnleashed93]

Part of it too, the people who's going to see her movies in theaters is small. The older demographic go to movies and her fanbase is small. The young folks aint seeing going to her movies

[@onikaminaj8865]

I don’t value Taraji the way I do Viola Davis,Angela Bassett or Alfred Woodard in movies. I find her more cringe to watch in anything because to me she’s a softer version of Tiffany Haddish.

[@carolynswan1171]

That part

[@chaitea4701]

Mannnnn ish lovesssss his WHITE SIDE PERIODT 😂😂😂😂

[@9Aether]

You peep this too!!!! He will fight tooth and nail to not acknowledge systemic racism put in place to oppress black people

[@skinnyminnieog]

what’s funny about being underpaid?

[@kh7688]

Taraji is being paid relative to what she brings in. She ain't a star like Zendaya. Zendaya could go to Mongolia and they will know who she is. Taraji would go unnoticed in Milwaukee.

[@user-rv2cf3cg4g]

You smoking reddy rock ​@@kh7688

[@janeli4616]

@@kh7688hate to break it to to you but Zendaya aint no star either

[@ShannonChelsea242]

No literally they let Monique SINK with no paddle! .. they should be paid more YES but that was the time to say something or at least allude to it

[@lesliewashington8333]

I hate when a panel of hosts talk over everybody and doesn’t say on topic.

[@queenelizabeth8020]

Joe let your cohosts assert their examples without rudely controlling their commentary. I’ve seen you do this to Melissa when talking about Jonathan Majors. She tried to address the Marvel situation and you rudely redirected her comments to focus on the case itself. However, the marvel comment was not irrelevant to the discussion. You did it again with the light skin brother talking about Monique’s argument mentioning Amy and other’s pay. His comment was not irrelevant here. The tone you use to redirect the conversation is belittling. Respect your cohosts expanding the discussion with their own knowledge and perspectives.

[@brandnew9834]

Halle Berry wasn’t underpaid, because people paid to see her. Taraji is not an actress that carries films. She’s a character actor but she doesn’t carry films.

[@theomishow]

Any industry that’s wedged on bets will be inequitable. The industry is more a casino than anything.

[@kimtillery1948]

Can we not forget about Diddy going to jail!!!! Let’s not get off the subject

[@dawns505]

Right, Right!!!

[@mellodykingofficial3150]

Are these guys crazy. I can’t stand them honestly Taraji is not being paid her worth. The end PERIOD!!!!! Thank you to Melissa !!! These buffoons ain’t got no love nor empathy for black women. Some things are not up for debate. !!!!!

[@kholomajazztic2334]

The argument that black actors don’t transcend into other certain audiences outside of the US is ridiculous. Just go look at Black Panther numbers and revenue outside of the US and come back to me. I’m a South African and I will support any Hollywood movie with a black lead actor. Black people may be a minority in the US but we are a majority on this planet earth and the world has become so small that we are able to consume American content in real time. Black actors have to be given equal pay to their white counterparts.

[@Kai_Mx]

I get the point you are trying to make but we are not the majority in the world. 1. Black Panther is Marvel... if you know anything about Marvel fans they are the definition of fanatics. People were excited for black panther because it was a NEW story line and it's superheros and action. Adventure/sci-fi and Action are the highest grossing genres. 2. I am also South Africa and I can tell you Africa only contributed about $14.5M of the gross revenue that's VERY small given it Made $1.3B in total. Hell even China made four times ($66M ) what Africa ( a whole continent) made. 3. Sadly we as Africa do not contribute a lot when it comes to box office sales etc which is the reason our favourite artists ( Beyonce) does not even have a single African country in her tours. She tours in Europe and North America. 3. Just to show that race does have influence, the little mermaid with Halle Bailey was a flop and we all know the reason, people were not happy about the the fact that their childhood story of a white mermaid with red hair was not black.... the movie Barbie was a success, do you think if Barbie was black it would've been as successful? Woman King was Action and all black cast and it was a flop only making $97M they didn't even come close to breaking even. Unfortunately race has a huge influence

[@jovaniconstantine1655]

Thank God the lady on the panel see it

[@Dolomite2050]

Hm did black panther make lmaooooo

[@msweet1993]

Woman always think school and accolades equal money and it doesn’t. So of the best paid actors are not the best actors

[@OSHENS1991]

Stop letting ish dominate these type of talks. It never leads to anything good. Please, someone else start talking over him nd drown the bullshit out. He ruins so many convos.

[@user-ii7sr6dy8r]

Monique been trying to warn everyone ,an now everyone wants to listen because Taraji said something that's were don't think it can't happen to you the tables have turned

[@Bullshita]

I wonder what the "analytics" said about Black Panther.

[@AntonOgb]

When you guys aren't playing around , you talk sense.

[@jackb1969]

She was in "Little". It was GREAT

[@mznaturallyfit]

Who?Taraji, no she wasn't...but yes it was a good movie

[@mrsrich3259]

That was Regina Hall

[@Kimmie777love]

Is Whoopi Goldberg, Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Queen Latifa, Phylicia Rashad, Kerry washington, Regina King, Thandie Newton, and, and underpaid as well if Not what's the difference?

[@Eribradshaw]

Forgive me if I’m being ignorant but this is not an essential job. The fact that she’s asking for a salary that a nurse at entry level doesn’t make it beyond me 😂

[@ShenryRNBSN]

Thank you. Nursing is rough right now. I totally agree with you.

[@siralphey]

Well I'd say you are being ignorant. I don't know what you mean about not an "essential job," but acting and everything else related to the arts and filmmaking is a skill, and people go to school for that, work hard for that, so they can one day entertain the people around them and tell human stories, that help us feel alone. You might find it trivial, but it puts food on people's tables just like the nurse at the hospital nearby's hardwork does. You'd be wise and fair, not to diminish that. Did you know that ONE film or tv production can get people off the market for even six months? Did you know that these people work sometimes for up to 18 hours a day? I don't know why people treat acting as though if it's not like any other profession. The celebrities you see only make up 0.3% of actors in the US, the 99+% are just regular people doing a 9 to 5+ and doing what they love for a living. Actors just spent 3 months striking because for more than ten years the studios were screwing them up with deals that left them with crumbs and the inability to earn a living and have health insurance, while Netflix, Disney etc were making billions of dollars on their backs. Moreover, as it specifically pertains to Taraji, why should she accept to be disrespected and underpaid in her workplace while she's working hard and gaining the results needed? Whataboutism is truly becoming the death of common sense and intellectualism, and nothing but a mean to deflect and shame, cause why are you trying to undermine somebody else's struggle by pointing out somebody else's? Cause if anything, Taraji, who is visible personality and also an advocate at that, speaking up about how the system unfairly treats her can motivate people in other professions to speak up for themselves as well. You wouldn't like being lowballed at your workplace and seeing people from your community being unfairly treated as well, don't expect Taraji to allow that, just because she isn't a nurse or from any profession you think as worthy and "essential." Peace!

[@velvetblue2285]

She wasn’t asking that low that’s movie companies low balling her especially when she has a name already.

[@neergcorp6320]

​@@siralpheywhat school did she go to?

[@PhillyGirlLivefromthe215]

@@neergcorp6320she graduated from Howard University!

[@user-eb6kq7pe6z]

Listen. Forget the film industry for a moment. I'm a accountancy student. Next year i'll start with my thesis, which means i need to find myself a accountant workspace etc etc. Do y'all know what they told me ??? They said we can't hire u because you are black & most people here aren't black so it will look some kind of way for you to be the only black person between us. Another one said, we can try, but you'll have to start at the minimum & after you show us how good u are we will negotiate if u deserve a raise..... With all of us this what i mean to say is that it bothers me to the core when people question what people like Monique & Taraji are saying. Most of the "conversations" are not really "conversations". They turned into the discussion and its mostly black people flipping everything these beautiful women said. This is not something of today, yesterday or last year. It been this way for decades. We get paid the bare minimum & not only in the film industry but basically everywhere. Please do some research instead of coming on here to turn this conversation into a discussion. Because i feel like if you still question what they are saying while they have receipts & all, that means you have not done ur research. Have yall heard any white person come out to question what Taraji said ????? Its only black people....& Its sad‼️

[@Michael-sf9ym]

Finally someone has spoken the truth about this situation.