Olivia Colman Blasts Hollywood Pay Inequality: “If I Was Oliver Colman, I’d Be Earning A F*** Of A Lot More”

While some strides have been made in recent years, pay inequity in Hollywood remains a hot-topic issue for actresses. Despite efforts to align pay in the studio system, pay still tends to be based on gender and hew in favor of male actors. And so, Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman (“The Favourite”) isn’t holding back. In a recent interview with CNN’s “The Amanpour Hour,” Colman was quick to point out that even with forward advancements in the industry, she’d still be making a lot more money if she was a man. 

“Don’t get me started on the pay disparity, but male actors get paid more because they used to say [men] drew in the audiences,” Colman told CNN in a recent interview (via EW) with veteran journalist/host Christine Amanpour. “And, that hasn’t been true for decades, but they still like to use that as a reason to not pay women as much as their male counterparts.”

“I’m very aware that if I was Oliver Colman, I’d be earning a f— of a lot more than I am,” the Oscar-winner continued. “I know of one pay disparity, which is a 12,000 percent difference. Do the maths, I know.”

READ MORE: ‘Wicked Little Letters’ Review: Olivia Colman And Jessie Buckley Spar In Diverting Little Triffle [TIFF]

It’s worth noting that despite Colman’s A-list status, she’s been willing to take on some cameo television work, including appearing on the second season of “The Bear” as a guest star. Of course, the award-winning Colman is simply advocating for herself and other actresses to get paid what they’re worth. This sentiment shouldn’t be all that controversial; plenty of audiences turn out for female-driven films, and actors like Jennifer Lawrence, Emma Stone, and Scarlett Johansson can attest to that fact.

Colman was recently seen alongside Timothee Chalament in “Wonka” and will soon appear opposite Irish actress Jessie Buckley in the foul-mouthed comedy “Wicked Little Letters.” The latter film, the project Colman was promoting on CNN, debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023, and you can read The Playlist’s review here. 

Sony Pictures Classics will open “Wicked Little Letters” in limited release in North American theaters at the end of the month before going wide on April 5. The actress’s upcoming screen appearances include “Paddington In Peru,” “Wicker,” and “Girl From The North Country” alongside Woody Harrelson.