Gabrielle Union is making a statement with a recent Instagram post where she acts out a now-viral TikTok trend, “I’mma …”
In the video skit, Union flips the script and runs down a plethora of instances on the compromise and consequences she runs up against as a Black Hollywood actress. Things such as erasure are mentioned, disregard, and being addressed as other notable and distinctive looking, Black actresses in Tinsel Town, a signifying the stereotypical notion that all Black people look alike.
“I’mma Black actress and producer in Hollywood,” the Being Mary Jane star joked. “Of course, I’ve been mistaken for Garcelle, Brandy, Ashanti, Sanaa, Nia, both Halles and both Reginas.”
Union continued, “I’mma Black actress and producer in Hollywood. Of course, our box office successes never matter.”
While sitting in a makeup chair, the “Bring On Actress” and wife of NBA champion Dwyane Wade, highlighted the disregard for Black actresses’ beauty needs while working on set: “I’mma Black actress and producer in Hollywood. Of course, I have to put my glam team in my contract because …” Union wrapped that comment up with several guffaws and a camera pan showing an agreeable makeup artist and hairstylist.
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Union’s humorous video comes after fellow actress Taraji P. Henson revealed she is sorely underpaid in the entertainment field despite the accolades she’s received. In the viral interview with Gayle King, Henson became emotional and teary-eyed when King asked about rumors around the actress quitting acting for good.
“I’m just tired of working—so hard,” Henson said. “Being gracious at what I do at a fraction of the cost,”
“I’m tired of my sisters saying the same thing over and over,”
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Union and Henson’s grievance is not lost on the community of Black Hollywood actresses across age. Keke Palmer was swift in validating Henson’s comments about the industry wage gap Black women experience.
“The entertainment industry is just like any other industry,” the Baby, It’s Keke, Palmer star said.
“We run businesses to keep our brands afloat, us being the brand/business. And it’s that team of company members that decrease any assumed large lump sum. This includes monthly expenses just like everyone else. In the words of biggie more money more problems.
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— Mo'Nique Worldwide (@moworldwide) January 19, 2018
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