Djimon Hounsou Says 'Not Much Has Changed' Since His Complaints Abou

Beninese-American actor Djimon Hounsou continues to stand by his 2023 comments about being financially "cheated" in Hollywood.

In a new OkayAfrica cover story, the 60-year-old was asked about the remark, which he told the Guardian in an article published last March. At the time, Hounsou, whom currently has 69 acting credits, told the publication that he was "still struggling to try to make a dollar."

"I've come up in the business with some people who are absolutely well off and have very little of my accolades," he continued. "So I feel cheated, tremendously cheated, in terms of finances and in terms of the workload as well."

But one year later, Hounsou told OKA that his feelings weren't too different than before.

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“Not much has changed since then, so I still feel that way. I stay with the same quote that I said," he told the outlet.

"I've been able to sustain a career, and I think that's something to highlight and acknowledge," he continued. "Even with whatever I feel is lacking."

Instead, Hounsou has a new outlook on the production studios that kept him busy with acting projects, his most recent film being A Quiet Place: Day One.

"I just keep it vague in terms of the [un]fair treatment of the industry because at the end of the day, I can't blame the studios. The studios have been quite supportive of me and have embraced me a great deal."

"I feel a sense of great pride to have lived on three different continents and to have survived in the film industry. It’s like swimming in shark-infested waters — you may make it, you may not," he said.

Elsewhere in the story, Hounsou, who's well over three decades in entertainment shared that he's learned to "navigate the water as it becomes rough."

"Trying to keep a legacy intact is very hard in this industry. I have to oftentimes watch my back. It is treacherous. But nothing comes easy," he said.

However, what could appease him–a part for better pay–is finally winning an Academy Award. "It would be nice to win an Oscar," he said. "It was nice to be nominated twice [for In America and Blood Diamond]. The third time — it seems like they forgot about me."