“Amistad.” “Blood Diamond.” “In America.” All major blockbuster films starring Djimon Hounsou, which earned him numerous awards and critical acclaim. But in a recent interview, the actor revealed that he is still struggling to make ends meet as a working artist.
Hounsou recently sat down with CNN Africa and discussed his experiences in Hollywood and how the industry still has a long way to go when it comes to systemic racism. “I’m still struggling to make a living,” he revealed in the clip. “I have been in the film business for over two decades and have won two Oscar nominations and many blockbuster films, and yet I still have financial problems. I’m definitely underpaid.”
Speaking about his previous career in Hollywood, he revealed that he felt he was “ignored” for the Oscars when he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his breakthrough role in Amistad. He explained: “I was nominated for a Golden Globe, but they ignored me for the Oscars because they thought I had just come off the boat and off the streets… even though I had done that successfully, they just weren't in the mood. “I was an actor to whom they should give every respect.”
He added that he believes the “conceptual idea of diversity” still has “a long way to go” and stated, “Systemic racism is not going to change anytime soon.”
Like us reportedThis isn't the first time the actor has opened up about his struggles in entertainment. Just last September, he said in an interview: “I've gotten into business with some people who are doing absolutely well and who have very little from my accolades, so I feel cheated, hugely cheated, both financially and in terms of “the things.” also the workload.”
This revelation is certainly shocking since, as previously mentioned, the actor has appeared in some of the biggest and critically acclaimed films over the last 30 years. He has also appeared in various Marvel films such as “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Captain Marvel”, two films of “A Quiet Place” series, “Shazam”, “Aquaman”, etc. The man even appeared in Janet's iconic music video “Love Will Never Do (Without You)” in 1990!
You'd think an actor with two Oscar nominations, one for “In America” and another for “Blood Diamond,” multiple NAACP Image Awards, numerous SAG Award nominations and more, would have no trouble in Hollywood yet here. Making a living Hounsou speaks vulnerably about the lack of opportunities for black actors in this industry to date. In our opinion, Hounsou is an A-list professional and shouldn't have too much trouble with a resume like this The.
This story originally published on The Root, our sister site, on January 11th.
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