Nia Long reflected on the wages of women in the film industry. The actress spoke with the Associated Press about the gender pay gap and if Hollywood is making a concerted effort to change the way things are set up for women in the wake of the Me Too and Times Up movements.
“I have watched a lot of men get rich off of the films that I’ve done, and I was being paid peanuts,” Long said.
The Love Jones star said that in the past when she spoke up about being paid fairly, she was shut down by men in the business.
“When I requested or wanted more, I was considered difficult, outspoken, entitled, and all of the things that should not be used to describe a woman who has earned her space, her place and delivers,” Long stated. “And that just doesn’t apply to me, that’s for everyone.”
Thanks to women rallying together and men including NBA star Steph Curry being vocal about gender equality, the 47-year-old said that she’d witnessed a shift in how society is valuing the work of women.
