Nationwide — Djimon Hounsou, the 60-year-old actor recognized for Blood Diamond and Gladiator, is talking out concerning the challenges he continues to face in Hollywood, together with struggles with pay and racial inequality, regardless of his prolonged profession and notable accomplishments. He has been in over 40 motion pictures throughout a profession spanning virtually three many years.
Talking on CNN’s African Voices Changemakers, the Benin-born actor revealed that he nonetheless faces monetary challenges. He mentioned, “I’m nonetheless struggling to make a dwelling. I’ve been within the filmmaking enterprise for over 20 years with two Oscar nominations and lots of blockbuster movies, and but, I’m nonetheless struggling financially. I’m positively underpaid,” in accordance with Folks.
Hounsou additionally recalled being missed by the Academy for his position as Cinqué in Steven Spielberg’s Amistad. Though he acquired a Golden Globe nomination, he was snubbed for an Oscar. He believes the Academy dismissed him as a result of his background, saying, “Despite the fact that I efficiently did that, they only didn’t really feel like I used to be an actor to whom they need to pay any respect.”
In terms of variety in Hollywood, Hounsou expressed that true progress remains to be a good distance off. He famous, “This conceptual concept of variety nonetheless has a protracted technique to go. Systemic racism received’t change like that anytime quickly.”
Hounsou’s struggles with honest pay in Hollywood usually are not new. In a 2023 interview with The Guardian, Hounsou shared that no movie has paid him pretty. He described fixed low affords from studios, saying, “I nonetheless should show why I must receives a commission. They all the time come at me with a whole low ball: ‘We solely have this a lot for the position, however we love you a lot and we actually assume you may carry a lot.’”
He additionally referenced Viola Davis, who has spoken out about wage discrimination regardless of her intensive accolades.
Furthermore, Hounsou’s Hollywood journey impressed him to ascertain the Djimon Hounsou Basis, aiming to reconnect the African diaspora with their roots. He emphasised the significance of understanding one’s heritage and therapeutic the cultural disconnect brought on by slavery.
“As a result of if you don’t know the place you got here from, you don’t know who you might be,” he mentioned.
