It’s easy to think people like Whoopi Goldberg “have it all,” but the actress and host says she can’t afford to stop working. On Tuesday’s episode of the ABC talk show The View, she opened up about her financial struggles.
Her words received mixed reactions — especially since she’s someone we usually don’t think of as having such normal struggles.
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“I appreciate that people are having a hard time. Me, too.”
During the discussion, Whoopi showed empathy for everyone on the grind. “I appreciate that people are having a hard time. Me, too — I work for a living!” she said, highlighting that even with all the fame, she’s not immune to the everyday hustle.
Even with a big paycheck, Whoopi still has financial obligations
While Whoopi’s salary isn’t publicly known, back in 2016, Variety estimated that it’s around $5 to $6 million. With that kind of payday, it’s hard to believe she still needs to keep working and cannot afford to slow down.
Whoopi’s career spans more than The View
Outside of working on The View, Whoopi has had a long career in acting and producing. In 2002, she achieved the rare EGOT status, having won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award. Right now, she’s working on a third Sister Act movie.
But that doesn’t mean she has total financial freedom. She’s just like the rest of us.
She gave us a reality check, saying “If I had all the money in the world, I would not be here, OK?”
Just like everyone else trying to make ends meet, Whoopi is on the grind despite being a star with numerous awards.
Whoopi’s thoughts on her finances came up during a chat about last week’s voting results
During their talk, co-host Sara Haines commented that she couldn’t understand why working-class people were voting for the right-wing candidate, thinking he would improve their conditions. Haines had voted left. Whoopi then brought up her own financial situation.
Whoopi works to support her family, not just herself
She explained why she still works: it’s to help support her family. “My kid has to feed her family. My great-granddaughter has to be fed by her family,” she shared. Like many people, her sense of responsibility to her loved ones keeps her going.
The panel discussed the economic divide in the country
During their chat, they also touched on the growing economic gap. Whoopi spoke frankly, saying, “We talk to people all the time who say: ‘This is what’s bothering me.’ But, the thing that’s bothering everybody should not be the thing that puts 85% of other people in danger.”
Her comment showed just how serious financial inequality has become.
Back in April, former co-host Meghan McCain shared her thoughts on income disparities at The View
On her podcast Citizen McCain, Meghan talked about how important it was to have a better understanding of people who live paycheck to paycheck, saying, “I had an experience while I was working at ABC News [on The View].” “I was in a particularly heated Hot Topics meeting.”
“I remember yelling at the meeting that: ‘Some of you, or all of you, are going to have to start interacting with people who don’t make $100,000 a year or more,’” she recalled. “’You have to interact with someone who makes minimum wage, on some level or another.’”
Whoopi’s recent comments seem to echo what Meghan said about the disconnect between the show’s panel and the everyday viewers watching from home.
Whoopi wants everyone to know that financial pressure is real, for all. “I work for a living!” she said, reminding viewers that no matter how much money you make, the financial pressures and the need to keep working just don’t go away.
Her comments reflect the economic struggles many Americans face
Though she seems to belong to the privileged class, the stark and honest talk about her financial circumstances reminds us that money issues are universal. It’s a struggle that doesn’t fade just because you’re on TV.
