Djimon Hounsou is talking candidly concerning the challenges of creating it in Hollywood as an individual of coloration, even with a powerful profession spanning over 20 years.
Appearing on CNN’s African Voices Changemakers, the two-time Oscar nominee revealed that he’s nonetheless not incomes what he deserves, regardless of starring in blockbuster hits like Gladiator and Blood Diamond.
“I’m nonetheless struggling to make a dwelling,” Hounsou admitted through the interview. “I’ve been within the filmmaking enterprise for over 20 years with two Oscar nominations and lots of blockbuster movies, and but, I’m positively underpaid.”
The 60-year-old actor additionally mirrored on being neglected by the Academy for his breakout position as Cinqué in Steven Spielberg’s Amistad (1997). Although the efficiency earned him a Golden Globe nomination, Hounsou believes his background influenced the Oscars’ choice to exclude him.
“They ignored me for the Oscars as a result of they thought that I had simply come off the boat and the streets,” he stated. “Even although I efficiently did that, they only didn’t really feel like I used to be an actor to whom they need to pay any respect.”
Hounsou, who was born in Benin, additionally identified that Hollywood nonetheless has an extended option to go in addressing systemic racism and embracing true range. “This conceptual thought of range nonetheless has an extended option to go,” he defined. “Systemic racism gained’t change like that anytime quickly.”
Despite the obstacles, Hounsou continues to make use of his platform to push for change within the trade.
