Latest news with #WhatMenWant
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.
Perth Now
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Taraji P. Henson's Met Gala outfit represented the personal 'transformation' she has gone through
Taraji P. Henson's Met Gala outfit represented the personal "transformation" she has gone through. The 54-year-old actress opted for an off-white custom Monse x Post-Imperial dress that consisted of a cropped blazer over the top of a minidress for the biggest night in fashion on Monday (05.05.25) and made sure to "pay homage" to women from the ethnic group based across parts of West Africa. She told 'Entertainment Tonight': "This is paying homage to the Yoruba culture and the women who paid honours to a deity. They wore white because it represented transformation and spirituality. I think that's where I am right now, because I'm at peace. " The 'What Men Want' star noted that she has "fought hard" for the type of life she has now and struggles to explain it in any great detail, but just has an "overwhelming feeling of peace" at the moment. "I have fought for the peace that I've found now, I feel like I'm in a transformation from the old me to the new me. I can't explain it. It's just an overwhelming feeling of peace." Meanwhile, Taraji sported braces across her teeth to attend the event and noted that she has "got used" to the feeling of them but couldn't wait to take them ut so she could go home and enjoy some pizza. She added: "You get used to it, you have to take them out to eat though! As soon as I leave here, I'm gonna get a pizza!" Last year, the Hollywood star noted whilst attending the BET Awards that "representation and recognition is vital" in the fashion world and she wanted to celebrate her heritage in a way that today's designers "deserve". She said: "Representation and recognition is vital. The BET Awards is our night, and talented black designers deserve the opportunity to have the visibility and platform they deserve. It's all about celebrating our heritage, our creativity and our unique perspectives through the art of fashion"
