News of Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer’s on-screen reunion just got that much sweeter. “The Help” co-stars are re-teaming for a holiday comedy, and thanks to Jada Pinkett Smith, we now know the pair joined forces during the negotiation process.
Participating in a panel discussion at Sundance, Pinkett Smith celebrated Chastain’s commitment to ensuring her co-star was properly compensated for her work on the upcoming feature. “Jessica said to Octavia, ‘I got you. I’m going to go to Universal and we’re going to make a favored nations deal,” she revealed. “Jessica stood up for Octavia — and I want you to know that, because they stood together, they got three times what they were asking for as a unit.”
Prime example of sister solidarity between @jes_chastain and @octaviaspencer 📽: @MzSpectacular4u https://t.co/amAl1njQFP
In general, a favored nations clause is used to make sure that all parties are paid the same.
Chastain has been speaking out about inequality in Hollywood for years. Conversations about equal pay, workplace harassment, and the underrepresentation of women on-screen and behind the scenes have been gaining incredible momentum in recent months, but the the two-time Oscar nominee has been using her platform to speak out about these issues long before the Harvey Weinstein fallout and the launch of #TimesUp — despite receiving career advice to quiet down about these subjects.
In Pinkett Smith’s words, “It’s nice to go out and march — we can do that. It’s nice to wear black at the Golden Globes — it’s nice to do that. But what are we doing behind closed doors? And I gotta give our sister Jessica Chastain her props because she stood up for Octavia and put it down, and that’s how we all need to do it for each other.”
As we — and many others — have observed, the playing field is far from equal for women in Hollywood, but women of color have it much, much worse.
Women and Hollywood Founder and Publisher Melissa Silverstein tweeted the clip of Pinkett Smith, and Chastain responded. The “Molly’s Game” actress explained how she used her clout to support her Oscar-winning co-star, who just landed her third nomination for “The Shape of Water.” She also suggested men follow suit, which is vitally important, because in general, men have higher quotes and get paid more. Men can also put an equity clause in their contracts that ensures gender-balanced casting in minor roles as well as in all below the line positions.
@melsil @octaviaspencer She had been underpaid for so long. When I discovered that , I realized that I could tie her deal to mine to bring up her quote. Men should start doing this with their female costars.
Amen.
UPDATE: Spencer offered more details about the deal during a Sundance panel. The pair are in fact making five times what they originally asked for.
