Robin Wright, the acclaimed actress known for her role in the Netflix series House of Cards, recently opened up about her experiences with pay parity during a press conference at the Monte-Carlo TV Festival. Wright shared her journey toward achieving equal pay with her co-star Kevin Spacey and the lengths she had to go to in order to secure a fair compensation for her work.
During her remarks, Wright revealed that she faced significant obstacles when advocating for equal pay as an actor. She recounted a conversation where she was informed that she could not receive the same salary as Spacey. Instead, the solution presented to her involved receiving multiple paychecks by taking on additional roles. “They literally said: ‘Well, we can’t pay you the same as an actor, so we’re going to divvy it up to make it equal and make you executive producer, and then you can direct, and then we’ll give you three different paychecks,’” Wright explained. Despite her frustration, she pressed the issue, asking, “Why can’t you pay me the same as an actor?” The response she received was disheartening: “Because you didn’t win an Academy Award.”
Wright also reflected on the foresight of David Fincher, who directed the first season of House of Cards. She recalled his prediction about the future of the entertainment industry, noting, “He said: ‘You know, this is going to be our future. We’re going to launch streaming… and I think it’ll be revolutionary.’ And look at where we are today.” This statement highlights how streaming platforms have transformed the landscape of television and film, making it more accessible to audiences around the world.
Wright also addressed her concerns regarding the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the entertainment industry. In response to a question from Deadline, she expressed her fears about job loss due to technological advancements. “It frightens me for our industry and it’s such a dichotomy,” she stated. “It’s tough, because I know it’s going to help in the medical world tremendously. But everywhere else, people are going to lose jobs.”
While acknowledging the potential risks, Wright was optimistic about the future of acting, asserting, “People say: ’Well, don’t you think that it’ll take over acting?’ I don’t think it ever can because I don’t think it will ever get the emotion in the eyes. You’ll never feel the resonance coming from that actor.” This perspective underscores the unique human element that actors bring to their performances, which cannot be replicated by AI.
In addition to her reflections on pay equality and industry challenges, Wright talked about her current projects, including her role in The Girlfriend, a show produced for Prime Video. In this project, she not only stars but also serves as a director and executive producer. During her appearance at the festival, she shared an exclusive clip of the show, featuring a poignant scene between her character and her on-screen son in a sauna, where she gently probes him about his new romantic interest.
As Robin Wright continues to break barriers and navigate the complexities of the entertainment industry, her insights on pay parity, the future of streaming, and the impact of AI provide a thought-provoking view of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
