Black actresses have been talking a lot about pay inequality lately, and we’re definitely here for it. Terrence Howard added to the discussion when he alleged that he was unfairly compensated for “Hustle & Flow.” Now, “America’s Got Talent” host Terry Crews is explaining his opinion on the subject of actors’ pay, and to the surprise of no one, it’s somewhat controversial.
During an appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast, Crews revealed, “I didn’t get nothing for ‘Training Day’…But it changed my life forever.” Though the “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” actor acknowledged Howard’s feelings, he takes a different view of his work.
“I have never ever ever looked at whatever money I got as a horror story,” Crews said. “If I did it, I loved it. There’s a saying I have to say. ‘You can’t nod yes and mean no.’”
As a former NFL player, Crews has an alternate take on working his way up through the ranks. For him, starting his acting career out from the bottom and making no money for walk-on roles felt like a natural way to get his big break.
“Name somebody that played football for money when they start. You don’t get no money! You play football for free,” he said. “Then you get all the way to the pros and you get the millions. Ain’t no other way, bruh. There’s nothing else. There’s no way to hop, skip, and jump this thing. But that’s the thing. People are trying to invent ways to get right to the money.”
He went on to discuss the origins of his on screen career and how he transitioned from security guard to actor. What was lost in this conversation is that Terrence Howard was not a young upstart when he made “Hustle & Flow.” Even though it was a small budget indie film, the studio still found ways to make money, which means the artists who made the film a success should have also made money.
While Terry Crews’ “gratitude” for his success is admirable, it would be nice to see him occasionally back up other Black artists when they express their frustrations. Positivity is great, but we know it’s not unicorns and rainbows all the time, and Terry can’t pretend that it is.