Terrence Howard Unveils Plans to File Lawsuit Against CAA for Unfair Compensation
At a news conference on Friday, Terrence Howard revealed his intention to sue CAA, a major talent agency, alleging that the company misled him into accepting a low salary for his role in the hit series, Empire, due to a conflict of interest. Howard, accompanied by his partner Mira Pak and legal team, announced the lawsuit at The Cochran Firm’s office, stressing the need for “accountability” in the entertainment industry. He claimed that he was paid a maximum of $325,000 per episode for his portrayal of Lucious Lyon on Empire, spanning six seasons, and expressed dissatisfaction with the compensation.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Howard contends that his earnings were significantly below what he should have received. His attorney, James Bryant, asserted that the agency provided misleading information about salaries, emphasizing that Howard, as the lead actor in a major series, deserved a compensation comparable to other prominent actors in similar shows.
Furthermore, Howard highlighted the decline in viewership of Empire after its peak in season 1, when it drew in a remarkable 17 million viewers. Despite the decrease in viewers, the series maintained its status as a significant success in the industry.
In addition to the payment dispute, Howard’s legal team indicated that there were racial implications in the situation. Carlos Moore, one of Howard’s lawyers, suggested that racism may have played a role in Howard’s treatment by the agency and producers, underscoring that a white actor with similar accolades would not have been subjected to the same treatment.
Moreover, Howard accused CAA of prioritizing its own interests and those of the show’s producers over his own, leading him to accept an inadequate salary. Following the news conference, Howard elaborated on his decision to pursue legal action against CAA in an interview with Rolling Stone, expressing frustration with the lack of proper compensation and the pressure placed on him to accept the terms presented to him by the agency and the network.
The decision to file a lawsuit against CAA marks a significant confrontation between a high-profile actor and a powerhouse talent agency within the entertainment industry. As the legal proceedings unfold, Howard’s case could potentially shed light on the complexities and challenges faced by actors and artists in negotiating fair compensation and treatment by industry entities.
In response to Howard’s announcement, CAA has yet to issue a comment on the impending lawsuit. The high-profile nature of the case is likely to draw significant attention from industry professionals and the public, prompting discussions on the treatment of artists and the pursuit of equitable compensation within the entertainment sector.
