Michelle Williams Goes to Washington to Demand Equal Pay

Michelle Williams went to Washington, D.C., demanding equal pay for women.

The four-time Oscar nominee is drawing on her own experiences to help pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.

“In late 2017, the news broke that I’d been paid less than $1,000 compared to the $1.5 million that my male counterpart had received for the exact same amount of work. And guess what, no one cared,” she said Tuesday. 

“This came as no surprise to me; it simply reinforced my life-learned belief that equality is not an inalienable right and that women would always be working just as hard for less money while shouldering more responsibility at home.”

Williams added that she felt “paralyzed” after she learned that while filming "All the Money in the World,” co-star Mark Wahlberg made $1.5 million for reshoots, while she made less than $1,000. 

Reshoots were necessary after actor Kevin Spacey was accused of sexual misconduct and his part was replaced by actor Christopher Plummer. Spacey has denied the allegations.

Williams said that the controversy only seemed to gather public attention after she said fellow actress Jessica Chastain tweeted about it. 

“Jessica’s audience was much wider than mine and she wasn’t afraid to pick up a megaphone and be heard,” Williams said.

Wahlberg donated his salary for the reshoots to the Times Up Legal Defense Fund, which helps those who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. He made the donation in Williams' name.

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