14 DAY TRIAL // Jennifer Lawrence has gained another major ally in her fight for equal pay in Hollywood. Earlier this month, the actress finally discussed the revelations in last year’s Sony Hack that she and Amy Adams were paid considerably less than their male co-stars in “American Hustle,” Christian Grey, Bradley Cooper and Jeremy Renner.
She explained why she’d been afraid to ask for more money and said that she had learned her lesson. Cooper was the first to voice his support for her, with Renner saying last week that, while he supported the idea of equal pay, it was “not his job” to make sure it became a reality.
David O. Russell publicly supports Lawrence
It’s now director David O. Russell’s turn to publicly discuss Lawrence’s essay, which was considered a step further towards making the pay gap go away, at least in the film industry.
Russell has worked with Lawrence on 3 movies so far: “Silver Linings Playbook,” “American Hustle” and the upcoming “Joy.” If there’s someone who knows how hard she works and whether she’s entitled to equal pay to her male co-stars, he would be that person.
“I always support all my actors and all their opinions, and I want them all to get what they need. I don’t really talk about the minutia of what goes on in my movies, but I believe the spirit of what Jennifer is saying is truthful to her heart,” the director tells THR. “I support her and all women in that. […] I also respect that Jennifer is finding her voice, and I think it’s in service of something very important.”
In an obvious plug for “Joy,” which is already getting some Oscar buzz, Russell compares Lawrence to the character she plays in the film, in that she’s learning the hard lessons in life while becoming more mature, more responsible and ultimately stronger.
Equal pay for equal work
Lawrence isn’t the only high-profile actress to speak out after finding out that they were paid less than the men they shared the screen with though she is probably one of the most popular.
Charlize Theron, Sienna Miller, Olivia Wilde, Gwyneth Paltrow, Helen Mirren, and many others have discussed the pay gap in film with the media, revealing that they were always forced by circumstances to agree to less than favorable conditions or else risk losing that job and possibly many others.
In Lawrence’s case, she says she wouldn’t negotiate more for her salary for “American Hustle” out of fear that she would be billed “difficult” or bratty, a reputation that would ultimately end up costing her future gigs.