Nationwide — Djimon Hounsou, the 60-year-old actor recognized for Blood Diamond and Gladiator, is talking out in regards to 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 nearly three a long time.
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 twenty years with two Oscar nominations and lots of blockbuster movies, and but, I’m nonetheless struggling financially. I’m positively underpaid,” in line with Individuals.
Hounsou additionally recalled being missed by the Academy for his position as Cinqué in Steven Spielberg’s Amistad. Though he obtained a Golden Globe nomination, he was snubbed for an Oscar. He believes the Academy dismissed him as a result of his background, saying, “Though I efficiently did that, they simply didn’t really feel like I used to be an actor to whom they need to pay any respect.”
In relation to 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 solution to go. Systemic racism received’t change like that anytime quickly.”
Hounsou’s struggles with truthful 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 presents from studios, saying, “I nonetheless need to show why I have to receives a commission. They at all times 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 suppose you possibly can 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 determine 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 attributable to slavery.
“As a result of once you don’t know the place you got here from, you don’t know who you might be,” he mentioned.
