The Oscar-nominated star Djimon Hounsou reveals he’s still facing money troubles in Hollywood.
In a raw conversation with ‘CNN Africa,’ he got real about his industry battles, from daily struggles to dealing with racism. “I’m still struggling to make a living,” he admitted. “I’ve got two Oscar nods and plenty of blockbusters under my belt over 20-plus years in film, but I’m still broke. They’re definitely not paying me what I’m worth.”
“They skipped me for the Oscars even though I got a Golden Globe nod – they thought I just hopped off a boat from the streets,” Hounsou revealed. “Even after proving myself, they still wouldn’t give me the respect I deserved as an actor.
The whole diversity thing’s got a long road ahead,” he added. “This kind of systemic racism isn’t going anywhere fast.”
This isn’t new – back in 2023, Hounsou told the ‘Guardian’ about being sidelined in Hollywood and what it’s done to his wallet. “I’m still hustling to make a dollar!” he shared. “Some folks I came up with are loaded now with way less acclaim than me. I feel straight-up cheated – both in pay and the work I get.”
“I’ve had studio meetings where they’re like: ‘Wow, we thought you just got off the boat and disappeared. We didn’t know you were a real actor here,'” he continued. “Hearing stuff like that shows how some people put you in this tiny box. But it is what it is. I gotta flip their perspective myself.”
When asked later if things got better after speaking out, Hounsou kept it real: “I’ve managed to keep working, and that’s worth noting,” he said. “Even with all the things I feel are missing.”
