In an intriguing Instagram video shared on Christmas Day, actress and producer Gabrielle Union shed light on the struggles faced by Black women in Hollywood, particularly in terms of pay disparity.
The 51-year-old star’s video comes in the wake of fellow actress Taraji P. Henson’s emotional interview about the underpayment of Black women in the entertainment industry.
Union’s video, captioned “Merry Christmas from A Black Actress/Producer In Hollywood,” humorously captures her challenges throughout her career.
Walking across her picturesque property, Union sarcastically remarks about being mistaken for various other Black actresses, highlighting the stereotyping that often occurs in the industry.
Addressing the pay disparity, Union stated the lack of recognition for Black actresses’ box office successes and the necessity of including her glam team in her contracts. The video humorously touches on Union portraying younger roles and the perpetual need to work due to insufficient earnings.
The poignant video concludes with Union addressing the unspoken challenges faced by Black actresses in Hollywood and the importance of protecting one’s financial interests.
“I’m a Black actress and producer in Hollywood, and, of course, I have mastered the art of communicating without communicating when we are around,” she said before adding, “I’m a Black actress and producer in Hollywood, and, of course, my favorite phrase is ‘don’t f—k with my money.’”
This insightful video comes shortly after Taraji P. Henson’s emotional interview, where she expressed exhaustion from being underpaid despite her hard work and success.
Henson’s sentiments struck a chord within the industry, prompting discussions about the unequal treatment of Black women in Hollywood.
Gabrielle Union’s candid and humorous take on these issues adds to the ongoing conversation about diversity, equality, and fair compensation within the entertainment industry.
As both Union and Henson use their platforms to shed light on these challenges, whether their efforts will bring about positive changes for Black actresses in Hollywood remains to be seen.
