Michelle Williams says speaking out against gender pay gap in Hollywood is her ‘proudest moment’

Michelle Williams says speaking out against the ‘enormous’ gender pay gap in Hollywood is the ‘proudest moment’ of her life. 

The actress, 42, joins Graham Norton on the couch in Friday’s upcoming episode to talk about The Fabelmans, a day after she failed to pick up a BAFTAs nomination. 

During the interview, Michelle talks about how she found the courage to address the huge disparity in salaries between men and women in the workplace. 

‘I found my voice’: Michelle Williams says speaking out against the ‘enormous’ gender pay gap in Hollywood is the ‘proudest moment’ of her life

Back in 2017, Michelle made just over 10 percent of what co-star Mark Wahlberg made for their film All the Money in the World.

The actor was paid $1.5m for the reshoot of Ridley Scott’s film while Michelle was paid $80 a day – he later donated it to the Time’s Up Fund. 

She tells Graham: ‘It is amazing when you find yourself in the middle of something like that and realise everyone is looking to you. 

Snubbed: The actress, 42, joins Graham Norton on the couch in Friday’s upcoming episode to talk about The Fabelmans, a day after she failed to pick up a BAFTAs nomination 

Pay gap: During the interview, Michelle talks about how she found the courage to address the huge disparity in salaries after her 2017 film with Mark Wahlberg All the Money in the World

‘It wound up being an incredible teaching moment because the disparity was so enormous it really shone a light on women being underpaid in the workplace. 

‘I found myself as the person most able to talk about it and I think when I look back on my life that will be the moment, I am most proud of. I am very shy but found my voice to stand up and speak out.’  

Michelle’s BAFTAs snub is the second blow for the actress, who plays Steven Spielberg’s mother in the semi-autobiographical drama, as she also was missed from the Screen Actors Guild just days ago. 

Tough: Back in 2017, Michelle made just more than 10 percent of what co-star Mark Wahlberg made for their film All the Money in the World

Proudest moment: ‘I found myself as the person most able to talk about it and I think when I look back on my life that will be the moment, I am most proud of’, she says 

The film also failed to make the shortlist for Best Director. 

Talking about being cast as Spielberg’s mother, she says: ‘I got a text saying Steven wanted to talk to me and I thought I was reading it wrong. 

‘I was jumping up and down with excitement as only middle-aged people do and then we are on a Zoom, and he is telling me he wants me to play his mom, someone he loved and adored in a film that honours his parents. 

Sweet: On Thursday Michelle was pictured signing autographs for fans waiting outside her hotel as she promotes the film 

‘It was a good day – one glorious day before the terror of playing the role set in!’

Asked what it was like to watch Steven directing his own story, she says, ‘It was beautiful. 

‘It was emotional to watch him in such a tender place. He invited us to come into this vulnerable time in his life which was very generous and brave on his part.’

The Graham Norton Show, BBC One, Friday 20th January 10.40pm. Also available on BBC iPlayer.

Stylish: The actress looked effortlessly chic in a brown trench coat and a chunky black polo knit