Leslie Jones' Pay Disparity in 'Ghostbusters' Revealed

2023-09-21 15:25:03

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Leslie Jones Reveals Pay Disparity in 'Ghostbusters'

Actress Leslie Jones has opened up about the pay disparity she faced while starring in the 2016 film "Ghostbusters." In her memoir titled "Leslie F*cking Jones," Jones disclosed that she made significantly less money than her co-stars Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, and Kate McKinnon. Despite enduring racist backlash, Jones fought for a higher salary and ultimately received £150,000 for the role.

Racial Backlash and Pay Gap

Jones shared in her memoir that she was made to feel lucky to be a part of the film and was initially offered only £67,000. However, she stood her ground and negotiated for a higher paycheck, emphasizing that she already had a successful career prior to "Ghostbusters." The pay disparity became evident, with McCarthy reportedly earning £14 million from the film, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Online Attacks and Controversy

During the release of "Ghostbusters," Jones faced relentless online harassment and had to temporarily delete her Twitter account due to the severity of the hate messages and hacking attempts she experienced. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey personally reached out to Jones to offer assistance in protecting her account, as he was aware of the racial slurs she was enduring. The actress expressed her disbelief that working in a movie would attract such vicious attacks.

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Franchise Reboot and Controversial Remarks

Jones also addressed comments made by Jason Reitman, son of original "Ghostbusters" director Ivan Reitman, regarding his 2021 reboot film "Ghostbusters: Afterlife." Reitman stated in a podcast that his film aimed to return to the original style and cater to the fans. Jones considered this statement a dig at the 2016 all-female version of the film and found it "unforgivable." She believed it perpetuated the backlash and negativity surrounding their collaboration.

Despite the impact of the controversy, Jones has been open about her experience and continues to advocate for fair treatment and equal pay in the entertainment industry.

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