Michelle Williamsis one of Hollywood’s most respected actress so it’s hard to imagine the four-time Oscar nominee’s salary wouldn’t reflect her talent.
The 38-year-old actress opened up about the shock of learning herAll the Money in the WorldcostarMark Wahlberghad made 1,000 times more than her on reshoots for the film during a speech on Capitol Hill on Tuesday for Equal Pay Day.
Of learning Wahlberg had made $1.5 million to her less than $1,000 on the reshoots, Williams said it came as“no surprise to me.”
“No one cared. It simply reinforced my life-learned belief that equality is not an inalienable right and that women would always be working just as hard for less money while shouldering more responsibility at home,” she said.
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The actress added she was “paralyzed in feelings of futility” after learning of the pay disparity.
She added, “Jessica’s audience was much wider than mine and she wasn’t afraid to pick up a megaphone and be heard. Heard she was, there was an uproar and a public shaming within my industry that resulted in a $2 million donation to the Time’s Up Defense Fund.”
Since she shared her story publicly, Williams said there was a definite shift on the sets of her films.
“I could tell my workplace was shifting. Rather than being grasped too tightly or hugged for too long as a morning greeting, my hand was shaken and I was looked squarely in the eye and I was welcomed to my Monday morning,” she said.
Williams added, “On the job I just completed two weeks ago, I have to tell you, I was paid equally with my male costar.”
Wahlbergdonated his $1.5 millionto the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund in Williams’ name.
After the news broke, Williams weighed in on the personal sacrifices she made for the reshoots, admittingshe missed Thanksgiving with her daughter in order to work.
“I had to break the news to my family and tell them I wasn’t going be home [for the holidays] and make alternate arrangements for them,” she toldVulturein 2018. “But everyone was so supportive, no one more than my 12-year-old daughter, who said, ‘You worked so hard on this. Don’t let it be ruined because of one bad man.’”
In a statement to PEOPLE in January 2018, Williams thanked Hollywood actresses, Wahlberg and the “powerful men in charge” for taking charge after the news was made public.
“If we truly envision an equal world, it takes equal effort and sacrifice, ” she continued. “Today is one of the most indelible days of my life because of Mark Wahlberg, WME and a community of women and men who share in this accomplishment. Anthony Rapp, for all the shoulders you stood on, now we stand on yours.”
source: people.com
