In a recent interview on Sirius XM, actress Taraji P. Henson, expressed sentiments about the persistent issue of pay inequality in the entertainment industry, a topic Taraji has spoken publicly about for years.

While promoting her role in the 2023 remake of ‘The Color Purple,’ she shed light on the challenges she faces, despite her illustrious career spanning two decades. “I’m just tired of working, so hard, being gracious at what I do, getting paid a fraction of the cost,” she says.

“I’m tired of hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over… I hear people go, ‘you work a lot!’ I have to, the math ain’t mathin’,” she continues.

The internet is abuzz with comparisons to Mo’Nique, who took a stand and filed a lawsuit against Netflix over racial and gender discrimination in 2019, receiving unexpected backlash for her public remarks.

Taraji’s candid remarks add more fuel to the ongoing conversation around equity and fairness in the entertainment business. Her experience echoes the struggles faced by many artists in an industry where pay disparities have long been a contentious issue.

And the issue of pay inequality is not limited to performers, it extends to other figures behind the scenes. The Writers Guild of America’s strike earlier this year, involving over 11,000 screenwriters, highlighted the industry’s deep-rooted labor disputes. The unresolved challenges in compensation further underscore the need for systemic change in how talent is valued and rewarded.

Despite Taraji’s undeniable talent and contribution to numerous successful films and TV shows, she emphasized feeling undervalued and underpaid. The key takeaway: multiple streams of income.

The entertainment landscape is evolving and established figures like Taraji are recognizing the importance of not relying solely on being in front of the camera. Inspired to create products that reflect her own needs, Taraji launched a hair care line, TPH, in 2020 for this very reason.

As we move into 2024, the creator economy is becoming increasingly prominent. However, being a content creator alone may not be sufficient for sustained financial success. The call for multiple streams of income is resonating across the content creation space, emphasizing the importance of exploring business ventures, investments, and product offerings.