Hounsou also revisited a long-held grievance regarding his performance as Cinqué in Steven Spielberg’s 1997 historical drama “Amistad”. Despite earning a Golden Globe nomination for this breakout role, he felt unjustly overlooked by the Academy Awards. “I received a nod from the Golden Globe, but the Oscars turned a blind eye. It seemed as if they believed I was some inexperienced newcomer off the boat and the streets,” he asserted. “Despite my successful portrayal, they failed to accord me the respect I deserved as an actor.”
Moreover, Hounsou emphasized that the path to true diversity in the entertainment industry remains arduous and littered with obstacles. “The concept of diversity, as we understand it, has a considerable distance to travel. Systemic racism is deeply entrenched and won’t dissipate overnight,” he lamented.
This isn’t an isolated instance of Hounsou vocalizing his battle for fair compensation. In a March 2023 interview with The Guardian, he had previously expressed his exasperation, stating that he had “yet to encounter a film that remunerated me fairly.” He elaborated, “I am constantly compelled to justify my worth and why I should be paid adequately. Producers often approach me with meager offers, citing their limited budget for the role while professing their admiration and belief in my capabilities.”