Vivica A. Fox weighed in on Taraji P. Henson’s viral comments about pay disparity in Hollywood.
Fox says it is not a shared experience.
While out in New York City, a TMZ reporter asked Fox if now was “the perfect time” to have an open discussion about Hollywood’s mistreatment of Black actresses.
“To each [their] own. I am very happy, very blessed. To each [their] own,” Fox responded. “I didn’t have that experience, so…you know. But to get your piece out is important. I totally understand that. And I love my girls for looking out for each other. But… I’m good.”
In an emotional sit-down with Gayle King, Henson revealed that she cannot afford to take a break from Hollywood because she cannot afford to.
“I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do [and] getting paid a fraction of the cost,” Henson shared with King. “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.’ Well, I have to. The math ain’t math-ing. When you start working a lot, you have a team. Big bills come with what we do. We don’t do this alone. It’s a whole team behind us. They have to get paid.”
Fox might be “good,” but her remarks have raised criticism, stating that even if it was not her experience, she should have stood in solidarity with Black actresses who are having to fight for equal pay in Hollywood.
Oprah Winfrey, who starred in the 1985 version of the film, responded to the recent dissensions regarding the working conditions on the set of The Color Purple. Winfrey also serves as executive producer of the flick.
“People are saying that I was not supporting Taraji. Taraji will tell you herself that I’ve been the greatest champion of this film. Championing not only the behind the scenes projection but also everything that everybody needed. So whenever I heard that there was something that someone needed … I’m not in charge of the budget because that’s Warner Bros. That’s the way the studio system works,” said Winfrey to Entertainment Tonight.
“We as producers, everybody gets their salary and everybody is negotiated by your team. And so, whenever I heard there was an issue or there was a problem, there was a problem with cars or the problem with their food, I would step in and do whatever I could to make it right. And I believe that [Taraji] would even vouch for that and say that is true.”
On a lighter note, The Color Purple picked up two acting nominations at the Golden Globes for stars Fantasia Barrino (Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical) and Danielle Brooks (Best Supporting Actress.)
