Tracee Ellis Ross is commenting for the first time since news of her pay disparity issues with her hit show Black-ish became public—and she is glad it is prompting conversation on the subject.
The award-winning actress took to Twitter on Saturday to address The Hollywood Reporter article that reported she was making significantly less money than her co-star Anthony Anderson, and that she would appear in less episodes if her salary did not match his.
“There has been a lot of conversation and speculation the last few days regarding by Black-ish salary. I was in renegotiation, like many actors find themselves in during the fourth season of a successful show,” she wrote. “I wanted to be compensated in a way that matches my contribution to a show that I love for many reasons, including the opportunity it allows me to reshape what it is to be a fully realized black woman on TV.”
She also pushed back on some of the reporting in the article, but was ultimately happy that it was prompting further conversation about gender pay disparity.
“The words and thoughts that were in the original article that started this public conversation were not mine; there were never any threats. I wish I would have been called by the reporter to confirm that,” she added. “Having had my renegotiation become a public conversation was awkward, but I’m grateful for the outpouring of support. I’m truly thankful that important conversations are taking place about fighting for women’s worth and equality, and tightening the pay gap in every industry.”
Ross won a Golden Globe for best actress in a comedy or musical TV series in 2017, making her the first black woman to do so in 35 years.