Djimon Hounsou Shares Frustrations with Hollywood Industry: “Still Struggling to Make a Dollar”

Djimon Hounsou, the Academy Award-nominated actor known for his powerful performances in movies like “Blood Diamond” and “In America,” has spoken out about his ongoing struggles in Hollywood. Despite his impressive filmography and critical acclaim, the Benin-born actor says he’s still “struggling to make a dollar” in the industry.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Hounsou expressed his frustration with the limited opportunities for Black actors in Hollywood and the pay disparity between them and their white counterparts. “I don’t think Hollywood is black and white,” he said. “We are in the middle. We’re always struggling to make a dollar out of 15 cents.”

Hounsou, who has been in the industry for over two decades, also opened up about feeling “tremendously cheated” in terms of pay and workload. “I feel like I’ve been short-changed in terms of the work I’ve done and the pay I’ve received,” he said. “I feel like I’m still struggling to make a dollar, and that’s something that doesn’t sit well with me.”

Despite his struggles, Hounsou remains optimistic and determined to keep fighting for better opportunities and representation in the industry. “I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot in terms of the work I’ve done, but there’s still so much more to be done,” he said. “I want to continue to be a voice for change and for the underrepresented in Hollywood.”

Hounsou’s candid remarks come at a time when the entertainment industry is facing renewed scrutiny over issues of diversity and inclusion. With the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement and ongoing conversations around systemic racism, many actors and creators are speaking out about their experiences of discrimination and the need for greater representation on and off-screen.

While Hollywood still has a long way to go in terms of achieving true equality, Hounsou’s honesty and determination to keep pushing for change is a hopeful sign for the future.