Hollywood: Djimon Hounsou reveals his financial struggles in industries

Actor from Benin and the United States has revealed that he continues to face financial struggles despite having spent over two decades in the film industry. On African Voices Changemakers, CNN’s widely viewed magazine program, the Gladiator star expressed his displeasure with being insufficiently paid.

“I continue to struggle to earn a living. With a career spanning more than two decades, two Oscar nominations, and multiple blockbuster films, I’m still financially constrained. It’s evident I’m underpaid,” Hounsou shared.

Touching on the issue of racism in Hollywood, the actor emphasized the challenges he has navigated in his career.

“Though I earned a Golden Globe nomination, they snubbed me for the Oscars, believing I was fresh off the boat and unworthy of acknowledgment. Even after demonstrating my abilities, they didn’t consider me deserving of respect,” he remarked.

Hounsou observed, “This broader concept of diversity still has a long way to evolve. Systemic racism isn’t something that can be fixed quickly.”