The well-known Beninese-American actor Djimon Hounsou has talked candidly about his battles with racism and unstable finances in the entertainment industry.
Hounsou admitted to being underpaid and having financial difficulties despite having an amazing two-decade career that included two Oscar nominations and other successful films.
During an appearance on CNN’s African Voices Changemakers, Hounsou made an open disclosure, highlighting the difficult circumstances that many entertainment business workers must deal with.
“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.
On racism in Hollywood, Hounsou said, “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.
“So, this conceptual idea of diversity still has a long way to go. Systemic racism won’t change like that anytime soon.”
