Tracee Ellis Ross responds to rumors over salary disparity on hit TV show 'Black-ish'

In light of the Time’s Up movement and gender pay gap becoming an important topic of the equality conversation, many Hollywood stars’ salaries have been in the spotlight as examples of the vast discrepancy in pay between male and female stars.

In a recent Hollywood Reporter article that highlighted how women in Hollywood are now discussing the existing wage gap between themselves and their male costars, actor Tracee Ellis Ross was lumped into the conversation. However, the Black-ish star wants out and in a recent statement, she said that reported threats of leaving the show or cutting airtime if she did not receive more compensation are just rumors.

Ellis Ross released a statement on Saturday night about the speculations on social media. She writes that she, like any actor would, is negotiating her salary for the new season of a successful show. And that public conversation about her renegotiation was awkward, but ultimately she is grateful to be part of the bigger conversation.

A conversation that has included salaries of stars such as Mark Wahlberg’s, whose All The Money movie salary was almost 10 times more than Michelle Williams‘. And Today show anchors Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie earn $18 million less than Matt Lauer for the same job.

“There has been a lot of conversation and speculation the last few days regarding my Black-ish salary,” Ellis Ross stated on Twitter. “I was in a renegotiation, like many actors find themselves in during the fourth season of a successful show. I wanted to be compensated in a way that matches my contribution to a show that I love for many reasons, including the opportunity it allows me to reshape what it is to be a fully realized black woman on TV.

“The words and thoughts that were in the original article that started this public conversation were not mine; there were never any threats. I wish I would have been called by the reporter to confirm that. Having had my renegotiation become a public conversation was awkward, but I’m grateful for the outpouring of support,” she continued.

The 45-year-old is an outspoken supporter of the Time’s Up initiative, so her statement came as a surprise to many. Perhaps it’s because Ellis Ross is aware that if there is a substantial pay gap between her and her male co-star Anthony Anderson is because, on top of acting, he also is a producer in the show. This doesn’t mean she is not in her right of renegotiation for her role in the hit show.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

• Tracee Ellis Ross Has a Pre-Flight Facial Routine That Will Inspire You

• #CopyThat: Tracee Ellis Ross’s ’70s Glam

• Tracee Ellis Ross Is Already Sick of Winter Beauty

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.