Latest news with #AnnenbergInclusionInitiative
Black America Web
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Taraji P. Henson Calls Out Hollywood's Lies About Black Projects
Source: Courtesy / Warner Bros. Pictures Taraji P. Henson is done playing nice with Hollywood. At the Cannes Film Festival's Kering Women in Motion Talk, the Oscar-nominated actress opened up about the emotional and professional toll of navigating an industry that has long undervalued women of color. Read more of what she had to say inside. Variety shared that in Taraji's conversation with Annenberg Inclusion Initiative founder Stacy L. Smith, she reflected on a recent decision to take a month-long sabbatical in Bali after feeling bitter and frustrated with Hollywood's inequities. 'I made a promise to myself — if I ever got to a point where I'm not serving myself or the characters I play, it's time to walk away,' Henson said. 'I came back refreshed and with a new perspective.' For Henson, that new perspective meant confronting long-standing industry myths, like the one claiming Black-led projects don't sell overseas. That narrative was shattered during the international press tour for Empire , the hit Fox drama that catapulted her character Cookie Lyon into global stardom. 'We went to Paris, and Lee Daniels kept me a secret from the audience during a Q&A. When he said, 'Why don't you ask her?' the room erupted before he could even say my name,' Henson recalled. 'I ugly-faced cried. The myth was busting. You lied to me my entire career.' Henson emphasized how data backs her frustration: while 54 percent of top films in 2023 featured women, only 13 percent featured women of color — and just 1 percent included women of color over 45. Despite decades of hard work, she's had to be 'graceful in getting paid less,' but added pointedly, 'Not anymore though!' Now, Henson is focused on building her empire outside the system, including her beauty brand, TPH by Taraji. 'I urge you all to speak up for yourself,' she told attendees. 'My following rides for me. Studios need me because of the audience I bring — that's my power.' With her eyes set on creative freedom and purpose-driven work, Henson returns to the screen in Netflix's Straw , debuting June 6. She's no longer chasing Hollywood's trophies. Instead, she's reclaiming her worth and rewriting the rules. Go Taraji! SEE ALSO Taraji P. Henson Calls Out Hollywood's Lies About Black Projects was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Taraji P. Henson Says Hollywood ‘Lied to Me' About Black Movies and TV Not Selling Overseas, Spent Years Being ‘Graceful in Getting Paid Less … Not Anymore Though!'
Taraji P. Henson joined Stacy L. Smith, founder of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, at the Cannes Film Festival for a Kering Women in Motion Talk in which the Oscar nominee spoke honestly about course-correcting her priorities in Hollywood. Henson recently took a month off from work and relocated to Bali after feeling 'discouraged' by the film and TV industry machine. 'I was just frustrated and it was making me bitter, and I'm not a bitter person,' Henson said, nodding to continued struggles in Hollywood over the lack of prominent roles, pay and awards recognition for women of color. 'I made a promise to myself if I ever got there then it's time to walk away. I'm not serving myself or the audience or the characters I play. Thank god I did that. I came back refreshed and with a new perspective. More from Variety Spike Lee Says Denzel Washington Deserved Oscar for 'Malcolm X' Over Al Pacino: 'It's Like Basketball, Where the Ref Blows a Call' Palestine Film Institute Calls for Decision-Makers to Amplify Palestinian Filmmakers' Voices at Cannes Docs Showcase Spike Lee Shades Trump at Cannes: 'I Don't Know How Much We Can Talk About American Values Considering Who Is President' 'Sometimes in the industry you make it about the trophies and the awards and that's never why i got into it,' Henson added. 'I came into this to change lives. The arts saved me. I was a little Black girl in the hood in D.C. during the crack epidemic. I'm supposed to be a statistic. I wasn't supposed to make it out but I did.' Smith brought data to the conversation that supported Smith's frustration with Hollywood. Smith noted that while 54% of the top 200 movies of last year prominently featured girls and women, only 13% were women of color and only 1% featured a woman of color 45 years old or older. 'There are few women of color being given the opportunity,' Smith said about her takeaway from the numbers. Henson said it was important for her to 'stop chasing the things I never came into the industry for' like awards and 'refocus.' She also noted that she had spent years being 'graceful in getting paid less than. Not anymore though!' When she returned from her month break in Bali, she dove head first into non-acting business opportunities like her beauty brand TPH 'instead of relying on that check from Hollywood.' 'I urge you all to speak up for yourself,' Henson told the women in attendance at the conversation. 'I have worked my butt off to garner the following I have. My following rides for me. That's an audience I procured through my hard work and the characters I play. I know a studio, when they call on me, they are calling on me because they know all these people are going to come and show up. That's my power. You need me because you need my following. Thank you, social media. Once I figured that out, I just started speaking up for myself.' Henson said one of the defining moments in realizing she had power in Hollywood was when she discovered the industry's claim that Black projects don't sell oversees is just a myth. It happened during the international press tour for Fox's music drama series 'Empire,' which turned Henson into an international star as her character, the outspoken Cookie, became the series' most iconic role. 'When I did the international press for 'Empire,' up until then I was told Black doesn't translate overseas,' she said. 'Really? We went to Paris. Lee Daniels kept me a secret to the audience at a Q&A. The fans started asking the Cookie questions and he said, 'Why don't you ask her.' Before he could finish saying my name, the entire room erupted in applause and was screaming. For me? I got up on the stage and I ugly-faced cried. The myth was busting. You lied to me my entire career. I leave the stage and there are fans outside who know my name. That changed the game.' As Henson re-enters Hollywood with new perspective, she said she is embracing 'the freedom of doing what I want to do and not being controlled by the industry or the machine.' She next stars in the Netflix drama film 'Straw,' streaming June 6. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Pink Villa
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Taraji P. Henson Expresses Frustration Over Hollywood's Gender Pay Gap, Busts Myth That Black Projects Don't Sell Overseas
Taraji P. Henson expressed her frustration over gender pay disparity in the Hollywood industry. The actress marked her presence at the Cannes Film Festival alongside Lacey L. Smith, the founder of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. While in conversation with the media portal at the event held in the French Riviera, Henson revealed that she felt 'discouraged' by the TV and film industry and went on to relocate to Bali. The Color Purple star shed light on the constant struggles she has faced due to her being a woman of color. In talks with the media portal, the actress shared that due to a lack of prominent roles, she could not serve herself, the audience, or even the characters she played onscreen. The What Men Want star revealed, 'I was just frustrated and it was making me bitter, and I'm not a bitter person.' She continued to state, 'I made a promise to myself if I ever got there, then it's time to walk away. I'm not serving myself or the audience or the characters I play. Thank god I did that. I came back refreshed and with a new perspective.' The actress went on to state that sometimes the industry is all about trophies and awards, but she never wanted to get into all of it. She claimed that she stepped into the world of acting to change lives and with the art and skill she had, she was saved. Further in her talks with the outlet, the Empire star shared, 'I was a little Black girl in the hood in D.C. during the crack epidemic. I'm supposed to be a statistic. I wasn't supposed to make it out but I did.' Her fellow, Smith, also added to the conversation. She noted that 54% of the films made in the industry were women-centric, and yet only 13% of them were women of color. Henson confirmed that she has spent years being graceful while getting paid less in Hollywood.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Simone Ashley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Stacy L. Smith to Headline Women in Film Conference (EXCLUSIVE)
'Bridgerton' breakout Simon Ashley, Apple TV+'s 'Surface' lead star Gugu Mbatha-Raw and the USC's Annenberg Inclusion Initiative founder Dr. Stacy L. Smith are set to lead the lineup at the upcoming Women in Film Conference, to be held at Oxford University. The day-long event at the university's Sheldonian Theater will, according to organizers, celebrate change and urge further progress. More from Variety 'Picture This' Review: Prime Video's Charming Rom-Com Remake Follows an Enterprising Photographer Speed Dating to Save Her Business 'Barbie,' 'A Thousand and One' and 'Joy Ride' Rank Among the Inclusion List's 150 Most Inclusive Films Gugu Mbatha-Raw Leads Cast of Sky's Jamaica-Set Limited Thriller Series 'Inheritance,' Tackling Enduring Legacy of Colonialism Ashley, recently seen in Amazon Prime's 'Picture This,' will be interviewed on stage by Smith, whose Annenberg Inclusion Initiative is co-sponsoring the event alongside Oxford University's Cultural Programme and the Ghetto Film School. 'Simone is a multi-hyphenate who is clearly the future of the entertainment industry,' said Smith. 'As we celebrate women's work across entertainment, Simone's voice represents the newest and next generation of leaders. Giving her the stage to talk about her career, her ambitions, and her vision of success will undoubtedly inspire our audience and elevate the conversation on women in film.' Ashley is set to appear on stage after the BIFA Award-winning Mbatha-Raw, who rose to prominence across film with roles in 'Belle,' 'Concussion,' 'A Wrinkle in Time,' 'Fast Color,' and 'Motherless Brooklyn.' 'Gugu brings a wealth of experience and wisdom to her work and conversations like these,' added Smith. 'She has embodied film and television roles across the U.S. and U.K., and worked with incredible talent on screen and behind the camera. By joining us at Oxford, Gugu can share her unique knowledge of the entertainment ecosystem by discussing her career journey, how she has navigated the industry, and provide our audience with insights on what it is like to be an artist in the film and television business today.' The event will also feature a panel conversation from industry names including Oriane Pick ('The Date'), two-time Oscar-nominee and BAFTA-winning producer Finola Dwyer ('Brooklyn,' 'An Education'), and casting director Lucy Bevan ('Barbie,' 'The Batman'). Additionally, the day will feature a screening of shorts by Ghetto Film School students and an evening screening of the BAFTA-winning documentary 'For Sama' with a Q&A with director Waad Al-Kateab. Smith, meanwhile. will be presenting new research on the status of women in global film. 'There has been significant progress for women in cinema and for content focused on women,' she said. 'Through research and data, we can see where there is more to do, particularly for women of color in entertainment.' The Women in Film Conference will take place on May 12. 'As we build our programme towards the opening of the new Schwarzman Centre at Oxford University we passionately believe in bringing together incredible artists, creatives and thinkers to help address some of the biggest issues facing the world at this time,' said Josie Bamford, executive producer, Oxford University Cultural Programme. 'It is an honour to welcome Simone Ashley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Dr. Stacy L. Smith and many others to Oxford's iconic Sheldonian Theatre for a day that celebrates how women are shaping change and progress in the film and television industry.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jessica Hausner and Annemarie Jacir Films Among Projects Pitched by Up-and-Coming European Producers in Cannes (EXCLUSIVE)
European Film Promotion is playing host at the Cannes Film Festival to 20 up-and-coming European producers, selected for its Producers on the Move program. Variety invited the producers to share details of their upcoming projects, which we list below, including films to be directed by Jessica Hausner and Annemarie Jacir. Blerina Hankollari, AlbaniaProject: 'Beyond the Blue Mountains Is the Sea'Director: Eneos Çarka'Beyond the Blue Mountains Is the Sea' is a meditative docufiction about a diver, suspended in oxygen therapy, who slips into a reverie that connects him with his mysterious double travelling Europe's last wild river in southern Albania, where water dissolves the boundaries between memory, nature, and identity. More from Variety Damson Idris, Anamaria Vartolomei to Star as Miles Davis and Juliette Greco in Mick Jagger-Produced 'Miles & Juliette' Women Direct Only 11% of Top-Grossing Films Globally, According to New Study From Annenberg Inclusion Initiative 'Monte Cristo' Actor Pierre Niney on Starring as a Toxic Superstar Coach in 'Guru,' Studiocanal's Thriller Directed by Yann Gozlan (EXCLUSIVE) Andi G. Hess, AustriaProject: 'Toxic'Director: Jessica HausnerAcross four chapters, 'Toxic' examines different aspects of the modern working world. Through contemporary parables, it follows employees and employers within a capitalist system on the verge of outpacing itself. At times, the tone is more realistic, at others more absurd, but what ties it all together is the human element that acts as the sand in the gears of a profit-driven world. Geraldine Sprimont, BelgiumProject: 'The Judges'Director: César DiazThe portrait of the precariousness of Guatemala City's suburbs, caused by the abandonment of social, political and police institutions. Here, the 'law of the strongest' has been reinstated. Through two female characters, the film tells the story of a community of neighbors who decide to kill a rapist as an act of self-proclaimed justice. Magdelena Ilieva, BulgariaProject: 'Voices'Directors: Magdelena Ilieva, Yana MarinovaA crisis PR expert in Bulgaria's make-believe democracy saves her daughter from prison by fronting a women's rights campaign that masks the very abuses her daughter exposed. The fakeness that erodes society slowly rots their relationship in this twisted, darkly funny tale. Tamara Babun Zovko, CroatiaProject: 'First Week of August'Director: Filip MojzešAn idyllic island vacation takes a tumultuous turn when a mother's sudden physical outburst towards her 10-year-old son exposes hidden tensions and lingering conflicts within the family. A picturesque Mediterranean setting becomes a backdrop for the family to confront long-standing personal issues. Daniel Mühlenthorp, DenmarkProject: 'Medicated'Director: Las Dyhrcrone'Medicated' follows Ivan, 17, a ruthless young opioid-addict known as the Crocodile, who must confront his humanity when a stranger challenges his position on The Seagull Farm ruled by 87-year-old Angel Girl seeking her successor among her disciples. Lionel Massol, FranceProject: 'Sousan'Director: Marie Le Floc'hThis is the story of a man who fights to find a woman who may never come back. This is the story of a woman who has never given up and who may have already paid too much to give up. This is the story of their impossible love. Fred Burle, GermanyProject: 'The Oblivion Theory'Director: Annemarie JacirIn Gaza in 1987 a reclusive New Yorker hides in a rooftop apartment amid an uprising. Isolated yet watchful, she unexpectedly becomes a quiet force of change – for herself and those around her. 'The Oblivion Theory' is a new feature by renowned director Annemarie Jacir. Claudia Sümeghy, HungaryProject: 'DVNA'Director: Tamas Yvan Topolánszky'DVNA' is a haunting eco-thriller where a tech mogul's quest to expose a Danube pollution scandal ripples across time — entwining with a mother's search for her missing child in a deserted Budapest, and forcing us to face the consequences of our environmental choices. Deirdre Levins, IrelandProject: 'Meat'Director: Rioghnach Ní GhrioghairPresented at Cinemart and the Berlinale Co-Production Market in 2025, 'Meat,' a cannibal folk horror by Rioghnach Ní Ghrioghair, follows a young girl in 1800s famine-stricken Ireland who finds refuge with a sisterhood, only to discover their survival depends on more than nature's bounty. Francesca Andreoli, ItalyProject: 'Me, If You Want'Director: Leonardo Guerra SeràgnoliAn unexpected email draws a lonely Italian man into the life of a young London DJ — and into a fragile dance between truth, forgiveness, and the family we choose. Co-written by Leonardo Guerra Seràgnoli and Blaise Peters, this cross-cultural drama blends emotional depth with a fresh, contemporary edge — set between southern Italy and London's vibrant music scene. Kristele Pudane, LatviaProject: 'Dancing Void'Director: Madara DišlereA poetic and intimate documentary following a young medical clown on a transformative journey — revealing how profound healing can emerge even in the darkest places through reflection, empathy, and freedom, using a wordless art form that connects people across cultures and boundaries. Klementina Remeikaitė, LithuaniaProject: 'Liberations'Director: Laurynas Bareiša'Liberations' is the third feature film by Laurynas Bareiša, an award-winning director recognized at both the Venice and Locarno film festivals. The film tells the story of a family fleeing an unseen war, only to confront the profound psychological aftermath of a conflict that leaves no physical traces, yet shatters everything they once knew. Bojana Radulović, MontenegroProject: 'Fires'Director: Bojana RadulovićBojana Radulović's 'Fires' is a female-led Balkan psychodrama where patriarchy, wildfires, and adolescent desire collide. With Cannes alumna Eleonora Veninova directing and newcomer Anja Vujković starring, it's a bold, festival-ready vision for global arthouse and platform audiences. Vincent Quénault, LuxembourgProject: 'The Cupboard'Director: Laura SchroederDirector Laura Schroeder ('Barrage,' 2017) is developing her fourth feature, 'The Cupboard.' This social drama, based on a true story from Luxembourg, follows a woman who appears to be the prime suspect in a tragic accident at a children's day-care center. Janne Hjeltnes, NorwayProject: 'First Aid for Killers'Director: Bobbie Peers'First Aid for Killers' is an off-beat dark comedy by Palme d'Or winner Bobbie Peers ('Sniffer,' 2006) where a lost man's search for escape leads to mistaken identity, a heist, and quiet chaos beneath the surface of a tourist paradise. Agnieszka Wasiak, PolandProject: 'Black Water'Director: Aga WoszczyńskaSet against eerie Nordic landscapes, 'Black Water' is a suspenseful slow-burner about two women who form an unexpected bond after their partners mysteriously vanish amid an ecological disaster. Their connection guides them through loss toward embracing uncertainty and healing in a world falling apart. Carla Fotea, RomaniaProject: 'Expelled'Director: Tudor Platon'Expelled' is the third documentary from Tudor Platon (DOP of 'The New Year That Never Came' by Bogdan Mureșanu). The project was pitched at IDFA Forum last year and is currently in financing. It's a gripping exploration of the Romanian educational system, triggered by the scandal surrounding Tudor's expulsion from high school in the middle of the political crisis of 2010/2011. Eliza Jones, SwedenProject: 'My Best Friend's Baby'Director: Sophie Vukovic'My Best Friend's Baby' is a film about the greatest love of all – friendship. After Damir donates his sperm for Sara's solo parenting journey, the two best friends travel from Sweden to his family's wedding in Croatia, where the strain on their secret arrangement challenges their friendship and forces them to reassess their own notions on family. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
