Taraji P. Henson may quit acting over low pay: ‘The math ain’t mathing’

Actress Taraji P. Henson expressed frustration over her salary in a new interview, stating that she is only paid a “fraction of the cost.”

The actress, known for roles on the television show Empire and films such as Hidden Figures, was promoting her new film The Color Purple when she was asked about recent comments she made about leaving the acting industry. Henson explained that she is feeling fatigued by her workload and that she consistently makes less than her co-stars.

SPIDERHACK: WHAT WE LEARNED FROM THE SONY INSOMNIAC LEAK

“I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do, getting paid a fraction of the cost,” she said through tears in an interview on Gayle King’s SiriusXM show. “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 mathing.”

(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

The actress, whose net worth is believed to be about $12 million, went on to state that actors are not paid nearly as much as people will believe because “Uncle Sam” receives 50% of an actor’s pay and that the actor’s team will then receive 30% of their pay. She also expressed frustration over how actors of color such as herself are told that their stories “don’t translate overseas.”

“That’s why I have other things. I have my TPH plan. I have my mental wellness. I have other things because this industry, if you let it, it will steal your soul, but I refuse to let that happen,” Henson said, eliciting applause from the show’s audience.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Beyond the television series Empire, Henson is perhaps best known for her role in the 2008 film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which was nominated for 13 awards at the 2009 Academy Awards, including her performance in a supporting role.

Her next film, a remake of The Color Purple, releases on Christmas Day.