Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Jennifer Lawrence discusses gender pay gap after earning ‘$5m less’ than Leonardo DiCaprio for Don’t Look Up

‘I’m still not going to get paid as much as that guy, because of my vagina?’ Lawrence quipped

Nicole Vassell
Wednesday 07 September 2022 09:07 BST
Comments
Don't Look Up trailer

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Jennifer Lawrence has expressed her frustration with the gender pay gap in Hollywood following reports that she earned $5m less than Leonardo DiCaprio for Don’t Look Up.

The actors starred together in Adam McKay’s satirical comedy, released in late 2021. The film focused on a pair of scientists trying to warn the world about an approaching comet with the potential to destroy all humankind.

Previously, Lawrence had spoken out about pushing for her name to be top billed in the promotion of the film, to reflect being the first person named on the call sheet on set.

However, it was also reported that she earned $25m (£21.6m) for the film, compared to DiCaprio’s $30m (£26m) – the equivalent of making 83 cents to his dollar.

In a new interview with Vogue, Lawrence is said to be aware that all actors of her level of fame and accomplishment are “overpaid” while acknowledging that the difference is still “bothersome”.

“It doesn’t matter how much I do. I’m still not going to get paid as much as that guy, because of my vagina?” she said of the common discrepancy.

This is not the first time that Lawrence has experienced a gender pay gap in the entertainment industry.

When Sony Pictures computers were hacked in 2014, it emerged that she had been paid substantially less than her male co-stars for the film American Hustle.

Elsewhere in the interview, published on Tuesday (6 September), Lawrence revealed her infant son’s name for the first time and spoke about intending to get an abortion in her twenties before suffering a miscarriage.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in