In her newly released memoir, titled Leslie F*cking Jones: A Memoir, comedian Leslie Jones sheds light on the racial abuse she endured following her role in the 2016 Ghostbusters movie and the stark pay disparity among the cast. The memoir, which has already garnered significant attention, provides a candid account of the challenges she faced during and after the film’s release.
Jones, a former Saturday Night Live star, joined a star-studded, all-female cast for the reboot of the iconic 1984 film. In the book, she reflects on the intense backlash she received, both online and offline. The comedian expressed her disbelief at the vitriol directed towards her, emphasising that it was not about her but a reflection of the world’s darker side.
Amidst a barrage of online hate, Leslie Jones highlighted that she became a primary target, largely due to her identity as a Black woman in a leading role. The internet trolls, driven by sexist and racist motivations, subjected her to vile comments and even death threats. Twitter’s former CEO, Jack Dorsey, intervened by assigning extra personnel to monitor her account due to incessant hacking and racial slurs.
Jones also disclosed the significant pay disparity she faced in comparison to her co-stars, Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig. Initially offered a mere $67,000, she successfully negotiated her fee to $150,000, which still fell short of her fellow actresses’ earnings.
Furthermore, Jones criticised the 2021 release of Ghostbusters: Afterlife directed by Jason Reitman, labelling it “insulting” for disregarding the all-female reboot. She expressed her frustration on Twitter, likening the decision to something former President Trump might do, emphasising that it undermined the contribution of the female-led Ghostbusters cast.
Jones’ memoir, not short of shocking revelations, provides a deeper insight into the challenges she faced during and after the Ghostbusters experience. Her story sheds light on the persistence of racism and inequality in the entertainment industry, prompting important conversations about representation and fair compensation.
Leslie Jones’ candid narrative is available for readers seeking a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Hollywood’s complexities.
