Olivia Colman spoke candidly about gender pay disparity in Hollywood during a recent interview on CNN’s “The Amanpour Hour.”
“Don’t get me started on the pay disparity, but male actors get paid more because they used to say they attract audiences,” Coleman said. “And actually, that hasn’t been true for decades, but they still like to use that as a reason why women aren’t paid as much as their male counterparts.”
Host Christiane Amanpour then asked Coleman if she had experienced pay disparity herself, despite being an Oscar winner.
“The Crown” star said in response: “I fully realize that if I were Oliver Colman, I would earn a lot more than I do now.” “I know of one pay difference, and it’s a 12,000% difference. Do the math, I know.
Coleman and Wicked Little Letters director Thea Sharrock appeared on The Amanpour Hour to promote the upcoming film.
Colman won an Academy Award for her performance as Anne, Queen of Great Britain, in the 2018 black comedy The Favourite. She also received an Emmy Award for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix series The Crown. Coleman’s other notable film and television credits include “Fleabag,” “The Father,” “The Lost Daughter,” “The Night Manager,” “The Lobster,” and “Broadchurch.”
Coleman is one of many actors who have spoken out against pay disparity in Hollywood. Last December, while promoting the movie The Color Purple, Taraji P. collapsed. Henson broke down in tears when she expressed her frustration with the racial pay gap in the industry.
“I’m tired of working hard, being generous with what I do (and) getting paid a fraction of the cost,” Henson said. “I’m tired of hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over again. You’re tired. I hear people say, ‘You’re working too much.’ Well, I have to. Math isn’t math.”
Henson added: “Every time I do something I break another glass ceiling, and when it’s time to renegotiate, I find myself at the bottom again like I didn’t do what I just did, and I’m tired. I’m tired. It wears on you. What does that mean? What does it say? Lee?If I can’t fight for their backs behind me, what the hell am I going to do?