Why Jessica Chastain Is My New Favorite Feminist Ally

"We're going to get you paid on this film Octavia" - Jessica Chastain

While on the Women Breaking Barriers panel for Sundance Film Festival, Octavia Spencer told her story about how good friend, Jessica Chastain [is] "walking the walk and actually talking the talk" on pay equity in Hollywood. Jessica Chastain helped Octavia Spencer increase her salary by 500%; it all started when Jessica approached Octavia to do a holiday comedy starring the two of them. Chastain and Spencer began to talk and "let it all out there." Octavia told her that women of color need to be brought to the table when the conversing about pay equity in Hollywood. After explaining to Jessica that women of color make far less than their fellow white actresses, Jessica went to Universal Studios and negotiated a deal with the two of them together. This resulted in them making more money as a unit.

Jada Pincket Smith says "It's nice to go out and march, we can do that, it's nice to wear black to the Golden Globes, you can do that, but what are we doing behind closed doors?" Jessica took to twitter once news surfaced to explain her motivation behind the power move.

"She had been underpaid for so long, when I discovered that, I had realized that I could tie her deal to mine to bring up her quote." She then ends her statement by suggesting that "Men should start doing this with their female costars." Actions are so much more powerful than words. This makes me so much more hopeful for the future of black actresses. Imagine if all actors and actresses stuck together like this. I believe this is a huge part of feminism. Standing up for our sisters when they are in need. Using your privilege to boost a friend rather than ignoring said privilege because it makes you uncomfortable. Owning up to the fact that you can make a difference.

In You Wore Black to the Golden Globes...Now What? Hypocrisy was the topic of conversation because yes, the Golden Globes was riddled with hypocrisy. Jessica Chastain attended the event and wore all black, but aside from wearing all black and without parading around an activist of color, she did something about what is going on in Hollywood. Bravo Jessica, I hope others follow as well.