Janet Mock Calls Out Hollywood in ‘Pose’ Season 3 Premiere Speech
Janet Mock, executive producer, writer, and director of the hit FX series Pose, let the world know exactly what she thought of the state of Hollywood during the premiere of the third and final season. During her passionate 15-minute long speech, Mock was not afraid to be totally honest about topics ranging from her own salary to the treatment of the trans community within the industry.
Mock was an integral part of getting Pose off of the ground. As a transgender woman herself, she was able to put her own experiences and perspectives into the show, which has made many members of the LGBTQ+ community feel seen and understood.
so excited and also emotional about this 3rd season of Pose. haven’t loved a show like this in such a long time. excited to watch this final season but it’s so bittersweet 😫
— Kehlani (@Kehlani) May 3, 2021
Once she took the stage, Mock’s opening line was, “F*ck Hollywood”, which rendered the room, filled with fellow produces, stars of the show, and journalists, almost completely silent. Mock stated that she was frustrated by the treatment of BIPOC and trans people in Hollywood. She candidly exposed her salary by stating, “Why am I only getting paid $40,000 an episode?” and “I am angry. This is the truth.”
if janet mock was making only $40k per episode as an executive producer and director on pose, how much was the cast earning???? pic.twitter.com/pAyTF8Wzm6
— merlot malume (@AbutiDlazof) May 1, 2021
Mock was not only advocating on behalf of herself but on behalf of fellow trans people working in Hollywood. She stated, “I’m hurting, y’all. I see injustice and it hurts me inside.” Mock stated that she no longer wanted to speak in terms that made people feel comfortable. Mock wanted to scare everyone listening into “facing the f*ucking truth” and to see that “you all have stomped on us”. She had support from the cast of “Pose” who shouted “You are safe” and “We love you Janet” when she seemed to falter in her speech.
My sister @janetmock left nothing unsaid. I love you girl ❤️ thank you for advocating for yourself and for #girlslikeus https://t.co/in4AFiefPD
— Angelica Defund The Police Ross (@angelicaross) April 30, 2021
Mock called out those who worked on the show such as Ryan Murphy, for capitalizing off of the Trans BIPOC experience, without paying those in the community what they were worth. Mock also revealed that she had cheated on her boyfriend, one of the stars of the show, Angel Curiel, with a “Pose” crew member. She praised love and stated she could not lose him.
Mock feared she would never work again after exposing the inequality within the industry, but stated, “I forgot who the f*ck I was. They want me to come up here and pretend. I don’t need Hollywood, honey. You know why? ’Cause I’m f*cking free.” Mock used her platform as a black trans woman to take on powerful people and the inequality that they perpetuate.
