Taraji P Henson, in a recent interview, brought up one of the issues that characterized the behind-the-scenes environment of The Color Purple, the 2023 coming-of-age musical period drama helmed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders, and Quincy Jones. Besides fighting for a better negotiation to be paid her worth, the 53-year-old actress revealed that the film’s production made the cast drive themselves in rental cars to the set.
Related: The Color Purple Review–A Rushed and Messy Musical
The Oscar-nominated veteran realized she couldn’t drive herself to the set as it could be risky or an insurance liability. That’s when she requested the presence of a driver or security to have her transported to Atlanta instead of driving herself. The response she received in return made her realize that she had to fight for things she shouldn’t be fighting for.
She went on to say that experiences like these may wear a person’s soul down, even after they struggled and put in the effort to earn a reputation in the industry.
Taraji P Henson Was Worried About Driving A Rental Car To The Color Purple Set
Talking to The New York Times, Henson showcased her candidness by speaking honestly on the battles she continues to undertake in the industry despite having made a name for herself through sheer hard work. One such struggle was witnessed when she had to negotiate her salary for The Color Purple. The Empire alum even emphasized that she nearly walked out on the project.
This isn’t the first time the actress has underscored the pay disparities, especially for black women, that continue to—shockingly and sadly—persist in Hollywood.
In addition to addressing these topics, the celebrity said that during The Color Purple‘s production, she was fighting for several things for herself and her co-stars. She prefaced, “I didn’t tell them [co-stars Fantasia Barrino and Danielle Brooks], but a lot of the stuff on that set, they got because I fought.”
Read more: Oprah Winfrey Reveals Why She Didn’t Want to Return in The Color Purple Remake!
When asked what Taraji P Henson had to grapple with, she disclosed that the musical period drama’s ensemble was provided rental vehicles for self-transportation. She quickly realized the dangers that could occur if she drove herself to the set in Atlanta. Following was her recollection of the incident:
“They gave us rental cars, and I was like, “I can’t drive myself to set in Atlanta.” This is insurance liability. It’s dangerous. […] So I was like, “Can I get a driver or security to take me?” I’m not asking for the moon. They’re like, “Well if we do it for you, we got to do it for everybody.” Well, do it for everybody!”
Continuing, she affirmed:
“It’s stuff like that, stuff I shouldn’t have to fight for. I was on the set of “Empire” fighting for trailers that wasn’t infested with bugs. […] It wears on your soul because you fight … hard to establish a name for yourself and be respected in this town to no avail.”
The Hidden Figures actress has reiterated her struggles on various other occasions. In a separate interview, Taraji P Henson tackled the issues surrounding pay disparities and inclusivity in Hollywood. Here, it was mentioned that the lack of an Oscar nomination for the actress’s performance in the 2016 biographical drama film continues to upset the star.
Taraji P Henson’s Oscar Snub Remains A Sore Point For The Actress
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Henson underscored the lack of inclusivity in the business and the obstacles black actresses face in obtaining respect, recognition, and accolades besides experiencing salary discrepancies. Although talents like Taraji P Henson put in a great deal of time and effort and deliver outstanding performances, they seldom are offered the same recognition and possibilities as others in comparable positions who have built a reputation for themselves by doing the same work, if not less.
She pointed out how most Black women’s accolades and triumphs, even those performing as the leads, are limited to nomination nods for only supporting roles. The only exception has been and continues to be Halle Berry‘s 2002 Best Actress Oscar win. It was then alluded that Henson remains disappointed over the lack of an Oscar nod for her mind-blowing performance in Hidden Figures (2016).
The actress starred in a leading role as late NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson in the biographical drama, which also featured Octavia Spencer, Kevin Costner, Janelle Monáe, and many more well-known actors. It saddened and stunned critics and viewers when Taraji P. Henson’s performance went unacknowledged in the 2017 Oscar nominations.
The snub was bound to hurt, remaining a sore topic for the actress to address.
Despite mentioning her frustrations and growing tired of constantly fighting to be seen, heard, paid her worth, and appreciated in Hollywood, Henson affirmed that she only does so not for herself but for the up-and-coming talents treading her footsteps.
We can only hope that Henson, alongside the Black actresses whose efforts continue to go unacknowledged, could be paid their dues in the foreseeable future.
