Djimon Hounsou Opens Up About Hollywood Struggles: Financial Hardships and Racism Persistence

 

Beninese-American actor Djimon Hounsou, renowned for his two-decade-long career in Hollywood, has revealed that despite his impressive achievements, he is still facing significant financial difficulties. In a candid interview on CNN's African Voices Changemakers, Hounsou admitted that he is "still struggling to make a living," despite having starred in several blockbuster films and receiving two Oscar nominations for his performances in Blood Diamond and In America.

The actor expressed his frustration, stating: "I’ve been in the filmmaking business for over two decades with two Oscar nominations and many blockbuster films, and yet, I’m still struggling financially. I’m definitely underpaid." This shocking revelation comes as a surprise to many, given his high-profile roles and critical acclaim.

In addition to discussing his financial struggles, Hounsou also shared his experiences with racism in Hollywood. He recounted an instance where, despite being nominated for a Golden Globe for his role, he was overlooked for an Oscar nomination. He believes this was due to the industry's stereotypical view of him and others from marginalized backgrounds.

He reflected on the industry's bias, saying, "I was nominated for the Golden Globe, but they ignored me for the Oscars because they thought that I had just come off the boat and the streets. Even though I successfully did that, they just didn’t feel like I was an actor to whom they should pay any respect."

Hounsou emphasized that systemic racism remains deeply entrenched in Hollywood and that diversity initiatives still have much progress to make. "So, this conceptual idea of diversity still has a long way to go. Systemic racism won’t change like that anytime soon," he said.

The actor's revelations shed light on the ongoing struggles faced by many in the entertainment industry, particularly those from underrepresented groups. Watch the full interview for more insights.