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 I’m tired black actress taji P Hensen is leading the charge against Oprah Winfrey’s company for allegedly engaging in systematic unfair wage practices the accusations are a result of Henson’s recent involvement in Winfrey’s 2023 production The Color Purple Hensen received significantly less money than her skill and commitment to the part
warranted according to Insider information Henson’s distress with the way the industry treats black women was made clear by her emotional collapse during an interview on Gail King’s Serious XM radio program Taraji P Hensen has also been forthcoming in her discussions with the SAG FD Foundation Illuminating the widespread problem of pay inequality in the entertainment sector especially with regard to Black actors she recalls being unhappy with the $ 150,000 she was paid for her Oscar nominated performance in The Curious
Case of Benjamin Button despite the fact that Brad Pit and Kate Blanchett who starred with her were reputedly paid Millions for the same movie fans and Industry insiders alike recognize the irony of this circumstance because Winfrey has long been linked to equality empowerment and the honoring of black. achievement the entertainment business has been rocked by Winfrey’s charges which have left many wondering how someone who has experienced discrimination herself could have been involved in the undervaluing and
underpayment of black actresses there have also been rumors of underpayment for the work of fellow performer Danielle Brooks Hal Bailey and another gifted black actress Fantasia burino this pattern of abuse and poor working conditions points to a broader more systemic problem that extends Beyond a particular movie or person speaking out against powerful people can have disastrous results particularly in the case of Oprah Winfrey whose influence and reach go well beyond the entertainment sector the gifted actress
Monique has been vocally advocating for her experiences yet she has unofficially been placed on Hollywood’s Blacklist this has cemented her position as an outcast in a field that prizes compliance and uniformity many celebrities have stayed silent preferring to save their own careers above the possibility of negative publicity Including those who claim to have been mistreated or underpaid by the media magnate the Stillness says a lot about the power struggles taking on in Hollywood as the surrounding scandal.
Oprah Winfrey and her alleged abuse of black actors continue to unravel awkward conversations and strained relationships have emerged between the media Mogul and those who have come out against her a notable instance of this tension was caught on camera during a picture session for the impending movie The Color Purple there have been rumors that other cast members such as Danielle Brooks and Fantasia burino seemed anxious or uncomfortable around Oprah the academy award-winning actor Denzel Washington has come to light as a prime
example of what it means to be a genuine supporter of black artists in Hollywood Denzel has been an outspoken supporter of black musicians in the business for many years speaking out against systematic racism and discrimination with his platform and power he has continuously demonstrated his commitment to his words by leveraging his personal connections and resources to open doors for black performers both in front of and behind the camera Denzel’s advocacy has become even more important in the light of the Oprah Winfrey Scandal as
reports of underpayment and maltreatment of African-American actresses persist Denzel has been among the few prominent Personalities in the business to publicly defend those who have harmed he has consistently stood with actresses like taji P Hensen and Monique denouncing the hypocrisy and double standards that permeate the business and promoting Equitable treatment and compensation for all performers regardless of gender or race Denzel Denzel support of racial equality in Hollywood is a sharp contrast to thebehavior of his contemporaries rapper 50 Cent and Oprah Winfrey Denzel’s 1986 choice to decline a contentious role in the film they couldn’t kill was a watershed in his career because it made a strong statement about how black artists would no longer accept being marginalized and typ cast 50 Cent has taken to vocally criticizing Oprah Winfrey’s behavior and standing by individuals who have been harmed by her but he has also charged her of ignoring the predatory actions of powerful white males in Hollywood while simultaneously
demonizing black guys in a clear jab at Oprah he has extended an invitation to taji P Hensen to join gunit film and television his own production firm Beyond only endorsing to Raji 50cent criticizes Oprah saying that his music is a representation of his actual life experiences and the realities of living on the streets he asserted that Oprah’s efforts to suppress or ignore his music were an attempt at cultural gatekeeping meant to marginalize and repress black voices although many have questioned Oprah Winfrey’s dedication to these
goals in light of recent charges of her mistreating black actresses and her part in racial inequity perpetuation she was formerly hailed as a Trailblazer and Champion for racial equality and justice still unanswered is how someone who has experienced such a great deal of prejudice and discrimination might end up taking part in the same mechanisms that support these injustices in summary
Institutional racism in the business family members of Oprah Winfrey have questioned her position on racial inequity claiming that she has fabricated events in the ped to increase her viewership and solidify her place in popular culture Katherine carsters Oprah’s cousin asserts that Oprah was pampered as a child and that her Tales of poverty and adversity are mostly made up Oprah’s honesty and her meticulously constructed public Persona are seriously called into question by these accusations if accurate they imply that
she used lies and partial truths to create her Empire while taking advantage of her audience’s compassion and feelings for personal benefit Oprah’s reaction to these charges is startling since it appears that she views her followers as merely pawns to be used and controlled for her personal benefit Oprah has not yet responded to these accusations in public but considering her enormous power and almost Untouchable reputation in the entertainment business these accusations are significant so viewers for the next
