Beninese-American actor Djimon Hounsou has revealed ongoing financial struggles despite a celebrated two-decade-long career in Hollywood.
In an interview on CNN’s African Voices Changemakers, Hounsou admitted that he is underpaid, even with an impressive portfolio that includes two Academy Award nominations for his roles in Blood Diamond and In America.
“I’m still struggling to make a living. I’ve been in the filmmaking business for over two decades with two Oscar nominations and many blockbuster films, and yet, I’m still struggling financially. I’m definitely underpaid,” he said.
Hounsou also discussed his experiences with racism in Hollywood, recounting being overlooked for an Oscar nomination despite earning a Golden Globe nod for the same role.
“I was nominated for the Golden Globe, but they ignored me for the Oscars because they thought that I had just come off the boat and the streets. Even though I successfully did that, they just didn’t feel like I was an actor to whom they should pay any respect,” he said.
The actor highlighted the persistent challenges surrounding diversity and systemic racism in the film industry. “So, this conceptual idea of diversity still has a long way to go. Systemic racism won’t change like that anytime soon,” Hounsou added.
