Djimon Hounsou Says He’s Financially Struggling, Blames Racism in Hollywood

Djimon Hounsou is getting candid about his struggles in Hollywood.

Sitting down with CNN Africa, the actor opened up about struggling financially despite decades in the spotlight.

Speaking with Larry Madawo, the 60-year-old cited systemic racism, being underpaid for the length and breadth of his career, and the broader struggle for genuine diversity in Hollywood as the cause.

Full story below…

Hounsu said of his journey:

“I’m still struggling to make a living. I’ve been in the filmmaking business for over two decades with two Oscar nominations and many blockbuster films, and yet, I’m still struggling financially. I’m definitely underpaid.”

Continuing, he said:

“I was nominated for the Golden Globe, but they ignored me for the Oscars because they thought that I had just come off the boat and the streets. Even though I successfully did that, they just didn’t feel like I was an actor to whom they should pay any respect.

So, this conceptual idea of diversity still has a long way to go. Systemic racism won’t change like that anytime soon.”

Watch the clip:

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