MovieChat Forums > Viola Davis Discussion > She's complaining she doesn't get paid a...

She's complaining she doesn't get paid as much as Meryl Streep because she's black.

posted 4 years ago by samoanjoes (51816)
27 replies | jump to latest

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She specifically brings up Streep, Julianne Moore and Sigourney Weaver getting paid more, which I really don't believe is accurate. Maybe Meryl Streep, but she's got 3 Oscars and has been in the game since the 70s. Christopher Plummer, Vanessa Redgrave, Maggie Smith and Frances McDormand are all Triple Crown winners (Oscar, Emmy, Tony) and it's not like they're taking in large amounts of money. I mean Vin Diesel is a black actor as is pretty horrible, but be gets paid a pretty penny.

I like Viola Davis and look forward to stuff that she's in, but I feel she is off base here.

[–] Stratego (29359) 4 years ago

Not exactly a fan of Streep, but how does Davis' career even compare to hers???

[–] samoanjoes (51816) 4 years ago

Putting Streep aside, why is she even comparing herself to Julianne Moore and Sigourney Weaver? Moore starting acting in the mid 80s and Weaver has been acting since the 70s. Viola's first acting credit came in 1996. And it's not like actors are paid by talent. Mark Wahlberg is pretty bad but gets paid an insane amount of money compared to Streep.

[–] Stratego (29359) 4 years ago

Exactly. She knows fully well how Hollywood works, she's just jumping on the bandwagon to further her own career.

[–] Otter (24464) 4 years ago

Yes, well, Meryl is the star of every film she makes, and that's not true of Davis.

[–] samoanjoes (51816) 4 years ago

And all of the actresses she named have been in the game longer.

[–] Otter (24464) 4 years ago

To be fair, it's slightly easier for white actors to get into the game.

Not that it's easy for anyone.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Knish (1721) 4 years ago

Vin Diesel is black? Lol!

[–] samoanjoes (51816) 4 years ago

Apparently.

[–] Stratego (29359) 4 years ago

It's funny how his twin brother doesn't look black at all!

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Never even heard of her.

[–] Kowalski (60714) 4 years ago

I GUESS SHE IS KIND OF THE BLACK STREEP...SHE DOESNT HAVE TO EXTENSIVE RESUME AND CLOUT THOUGH.

[–] emori (3128) 2 years ago

Will Smith is black, Kevin Hart is black. And they are payed millions. You know why Viola? Because they bring people to theaters on their movies. On their fame because people like them.
You dont bring people to theaters on your fame. You are just an actress that Hollywood and awards people push into peoples throats.

You are not Meryl Streep honey. You just picked a lottery ticket in diversity division. Awards are forced to nominate amount on non-white actors for "diversity reasons" so they go and pick random black actors every year. They decided that you are good enough and out of laziness just nominate you every year if you release something not awful. You and that Mahershala guy. That made you think that you are now Meryl Streep level and deserve her money. You are not.

Meryl Streep is versatile and often plays lead roles in a movies that make big money in theaters. On her own shoulders and fame. Thats why she is payed big money.

Same Julianne Moore and Sigourney Weaver. Those women are big superstars. Sigourney has Ripley fame. Julianne Moore made so much big roles. You are not their level Viola.

Many actors have wrong assumption what Oscar nominations/wins are. They automatically think that that elevates stakes and not they will be payed more money for movies. Bish, why? Why on earth producers would do that? No one watches awards and will start running to theater to see some actor that got awards. And "awards movies" are usually some low budget crap. So you cant be payed millions on a budget of 10 millions. They barely have money for hiring crew.

Hillary Swank has 2 Oscars and no career. She cant find a role. They tried to capitilize on her "Oscar fame" and gave her few lead roles in decent budget movies. She didnt deliver and one cared to see her.

[–] samoanjoes (51816) 2 years ago

You just picked a lottery ticket in diversity division.

I disagree. She's talented and deserves her success, but she's no Meryl.

[–] MartyDeniro (4062) 2 years ago

You get paid if you're a draw. It's as simple as that.

[–] SandyR (7467) 2 years ago

Of course. This is what America is all about now. Complaining you don't have what someone else has, whether you've earned it or not.

[–] TerraFirma69 (1936) 2 years ago

And if you're not a straight white male, you get to complain harder. The further removed you are from that standard, the more you get to whine and bitch about how you deserve more. Regardless of your actual merit or value.

[–] ProFromDover (272) 2 years ago

These actors are independent contractors. Their agents get what the market will pay. If someone else gets more that's the way it goes this isn't a union shop where the pay-scale is standardized. It doesn't matter how many Oscars you have.

Viola likes to complain. No doubt she had a tough upbringing but she's not the first and given her great success it's hard to feel sorry for her.

[–] TerraFirma69 (1936) 2 years ago

Yep. If you think you're worth more than they offer, walk away. If they call you back and offer more, then that's what you're worth.