Emma Stone Defends Austin Butler Over Viral Bee Attack

by

Emma Stone is addressing the buzz about her bee moment at the Cannes Film Festival.

Recently, Emma and her co-stars from the Eddington project, namely Austin Butler and Pedro Pascal, found themselves in a lighthearted moment while posing for a photo on the red carpet in France. A bee unexpectedly joined their group photograph, causing Austin to attempt to wave it off. This playful incident was captured and shared by Variety on May 16.

Yet, it appeared some individuals were worried he had pointed it towards Emma, but Emma clarified that wasn’t true.

She remarked during the June 26th broadcast of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, “He was attempting to move it away from me!” she said, indicating her guest was trying to keep the bee away from her. Indeed, he’s such a wonderful person; there’s no chance he intended for that bee to come near my face.

When Diego Luna, the temporary host, playfully commented that Austin was present, Emma humorously suggested that if not Austin, it would probably have been her fellow co-star in the picture instead.

She stated, “It’s highly likely, if a bee was present, it was Pedro who introduced it. He might have let the bee out.

However, she noted that they’re all pals, adding that Pedro is “so wonderful.”

Yes, it’s true that Emma has discussed her strong bonds with her male co-stars in the past. Interestingly, she revealed back in 2017 that some of these colleagues reduced their salaries so she could receive equal pay. She had pointed out that women often earn only about 80% compared to men, using the phrase “women, generally speaking, are paid four-fifths at best.

In her professional journey, she shared with Out Magazine (as reported by CNBC), there have been instances where her male colleagues have willingly reduced their pay to ensure equality with her. They do this because they believe it’s the right and fair thing to do.

She commented, “Another point often overlooked is that achieving equal pay might necessitate individuals sacrificially acknowledging, ‘That’s just what’s fair.’

For more stars who have gotten candid about their paychecks, read on.

Jenna Johnson, winner of Dancing With the Stars’ season 33, revealed that although there isn’t a cash prize for winning the mirrorball trophy, contestants who reach the finale are paid until then. Moreover, they receive an additional bonus as well.

If you manage to emerge victorious in this dance competition, Johnson pointed out that it doesn’t mean a seven-figure payday. Instead, you’ll be taking home an attractive trophy. For those who exit the ballroom prematurely, Johnson clarified that they are still assured of a certain number of weeks’ pay.

(In other words, winning doesn’t guarantee a million dollars; instead, it means receiving a nice trophy. And for those who leave early, they will still receive payment up to a specific number of weeks.)

Jennifer Lawrence, a renowned Oscar winner, pocketed approximately $25 million to appear in Adam McKay’s ensemble disaster comedy titled “Don’t Look Up”. However, her costar and fellow Oscar recipient, Leonardo DiCaprio, received a reported sum of $30 million for the same project.

Speaking with Vanity Fair for their December 2020/January 2021 issue, Lawrence stated, “Leo earns more at the box office than I do.” She continued, “I’m very content with my contract, but I’ve noticed—and I know many other working women have as well—that it can be quite awkward to ask for equal pay. If you dare to question something that seems unequal, you’re often told it’s not due to gender differences, but they can’t explain what else could be the reason.

Her optimistic outlook was earned through struggle: When it became public knowledge in 2014 (during the Sony email hack) that there was a significant difference between Lawrence’s salary and her male co-stars’ for the film American Hustle in 2013, it sparked a broad discussion about the pay disparity between genders within the Hollywood industry.

In 2017, Lawrence expressed to Channel 4 News in the U.K., “I feel incredibly blessed with my job. However, it’s not about money for me,” she said. “What upset me wasn’t the amount of money I received for a movie, that’s preposterous. What made me angry was the unfairness and inequality.

Compared to Leonardo DiCaprio’s salary, Jonah Hill earned just $60,000 (pre-commissions and taxes) for his role in “The Wolf of Wall Street” in 2013, while the film’s main character received a whopping $10 million.

Hill reminisced on The Howard Stern Show in 2014, stating that they were given the least amount of money imaginable. However, the opportunity to work with Martin Scorsese in a movie was too appealing to pass up, so he aimed to finalize the agreement before anyone could second-guess it.

Hill stated that he’d be willing to sell his house and empty his bank account just to work with Scorsese,” explained Hill, who received his second Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role as a nervous, drug-addled stockbroker. “Money isn’t the motivation here. I could have taken on roles in films like ’22 Jump Street’ or others to cover my living expenses, but this isn’t about financial gain. I would do anything, and I’d gladly do it again. It’s not about money; it’s about doing what matters.

Oprah Winfrey happily accepted only a little bit of green to star in 1985’s The Color Purple.

In a conversation with Essence in 2023, the media tycoon shared that they were offered $35,000 for a role in a film, an amount he considered the most valuable $35,000 he had ever made. He expressed that it transformed his life and taught him numerous lessons.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but reflect on the moment when Jennifer Lopez stepped into the shoes of the iconic Tejana singer, Selena Quintanilla, in the 1997 biopic “Selena.” Little did we know then that she was about to make history. Being the first Latina actress to secure a million-dollar paycheck for a film was an achievement she claimed with this role.

In 2019, Lopez shared with Variety that she was too inexperienced to fully grasp the situation during her breakout film. She expressed it as, “Everything was moving so fast and I wasn’t quite sure what was happening,” but added, “It was fantastic they offered a million dollars. It felt like everyone was making a bold statement.

Her success opened up opportunities for her to earn even more, with some instances where her contribution didn’t require any initial investment.

Lopez shared with GQ in 2019 that he does things out of passion, not primarily for financial gain. For instance, he didn’t earn much for Hustlers; instead, he did it free of charge and even produced it himself. Essentially, he relies on his own abilities, much like how Jennifer Lopez represents in ‘Jenny From the Block’, by doing what he loves.

Adrien Brody didn’t star in “The Brutalist” for financial reasons. Instead, he portrayed a Hungarian architect struggling with his art post-WWII America for $250,000, ultimately earning his second Oscar for Best Actor.

Brody commented to Variety, ‘I require a film studio project right away, as I’ve invested everything into it,’ referring to the castle-like barn he’s been restoring in upstate New York.

Pete Davidson jokingly commented to New York magazine about his pay when asked ahead of Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary special, saying, “I remember when I first joined in 2014, I was getting around $3,000 per episode. So, I guess I treated myself to a fancy dinner.

Remarkably consistent, the starting salaries for SNL newbies have maintained a similar ratio. The original cast members from season one – John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, and Chevy Chase – were reportedly paid $750 per episode in 1975. This translates to approximately $3,300 in 2014, as determined by the Consumer Price Index Inflation calculator. (However, it’s worth noting that $750 in 1975 would be equivalent to about $4,428 in 2025.)

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share some insights on the journey of success, using Kenan Thompson from SNL as an example. Though he now earns significantly more than $3,000 per episode in his historic 22nd season, it’s essential to remember that every star had humble beginnings. Before gracing our screens on Saturday Night Live, the exuberant talent who once shone brightly on Nickelodeon started from the ground up, proving that determination and passion can lead to remarkable achievements.

In Demi Lovato’s 2024 documentary, “Child Star”, the former All That star disclosed that when they received their first commercial paycheck, it amounted to $800. At the age of 12, this felt equivalent to a fortune of a million dollars for them.

It turns out Gilmore Girls’ status as a beloved rewatchable classic is literally priceless.

Lauren Graham, who portrayed Lorelai Gilmore for seven seasons and subsequently returned to the character in 2016’s “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life”, stated during an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” in March 2025 that there are no residuals on Netflix. However, she explained that instead of monetary compensation, she has been rewarded with love and appreciation.

Tommy Dorfman openly discussed her earnings from “13 Reasons Why” during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, an event that was partly inspired (similar to the WGA strike) by streaming platforms like Netflix failing to provide extra compensation to actors and crew once a show gained popularity.

In his post on Threads on July 24th, Dorfman shared that before taxes, agency fees (which amounted to 20%), and manager fees were deducted, he earned a total of $29,953.24 from the first season of 13 Reasons Why. This was for 8 episodes spanning over a period of six months. He also mentioned that he did promotional work and had key art for the show, traveled round trip from New York City to San Francisco for each episode shoot, and spent extended periods without pay during production. Despite this, his earnings barely qualified him for insurance.

Furthermore, Dorfman stated, “During its initial 28-day broadcast, our show’s first season accumulated a grand total of 476 million watch hours. This impressive figure is the reason behind our strong stance.

On his podcast, Dax Shepard, a former cast member of ‘Parenthood’, shared with fellow alumnus Lauren Graham that he was aware he earned one of the lowest salaries among all the actors in the show during its six-season run on NBC.

But, the Armchair Expert host stressed that he did not mind.

As a lifestyle guide, I’ve always been curious about earnings across various roles in my professional journey before embracing parenthood. I made it a point to discreetly discover what my colleagues and even agents were earning. Sometimes, it was a casual chat that revealed the information, while at other times, I relied on trusted sources for this intel.

He deliberately avoided acquiring details about his family’s lineage related to parenthood, thereby enhancing his enjoyment of the experience, as he discovered his place within the company hierarchy.

In 2005, George Clooney shared with the Los Angeles Times that he personally invested a dollar to ensure his movie, “Good Night, and Good Luck,” was produced. He had to personally endorse the check for directing and hand over his acting earnings. Similarly, Grant Heslov, who co-wrote, co-produced, and acted in the film, also earned a dollar for his contributions.

The passion project centered around CBS News journalist Edward R. Murrow standing up against authority in the 1950s has proven to be quite successful: Clooney is set to make his Broadway debut by portraying Murrow in a stage adaptation of the movie. Remarkably, during its preview week before the official opening on April 3, the play managed to rake in an impressive $3.3 million (a record for a non-musical), suggesting that Clooney is earning significantly more than $1.00 from this endeavor.

In 2000’s “American Psycho”, Christian Bale portrayed Patrick Bateman. Surprisingly, he was paid the least possible amount, as according to him, shared with GQ in 2022, most of the production team didn’t want to hire him except for director Mary Harron.

In his own words, Bale stated that his earnings were extremely small, leading him to recall a moment when the makeup artists would chuckle at him as they noticed he was receiving a lower salary compared to all of them while sitting in the makeup trailer.

Although it’s possible his uncle might have been named Rico, Jon Heder clarified in 2010 that he was initially given just $1,000 for the movie “Napoleon Dynamite” at first.

Following the unexpected success of my off-the-wall comedy, I managed to secure a portion of the earnings in fresh negotiations. Sharing this with the New Zealand Herald, I simply said, “They bumped it up a notch.

As a seasoned observer of the entertainment industry, I must admit that, despite my extensive resume boasting acclaimed projects like “Amistad” and “Blood Diamond,” I’ve undeniably been undercompensated in Hollywood.

Speaking with Larry Madowo from CNN back in January 2025, this Beninese actor shared that he’s been involved in the film industry for more than two decades. Despite having received two Oscar nominations and appearing in several large-scale movies, he admitted that he continues to grapple financially to sustain his livelihood.

In her 2024 memoir titled “Rebel Rising”, Rebel Wilson revealed that she was initially compensated $3,500 for her role in Bridesmaids. However, this amount had to be used to join the Screen Actors Guild. Essentially, she received no actual payment from the film.

Still, she wrote, the experience was “everything!”

The Australian actress saw a significant increase in her fame, with her earnings soaring from the SAG minimum wage of $65,000 for her role in 2012’s “Pitch Perfect” to a whopping $10 million for “Pitch Perfect 3” in 2017. According to Wilson, she earned a total of $20 million from the third installment, “Isn’t It Romantic,” and “The Hustle.” However, it’s important to note that she lost approximately half of this amount to taxes, 10% to her agents, and 5% to her lawyer. Even after fulfilling her financial obligations, such as paying her publicist, business manager, and assistant, Wilson was left with a substantial sum that she considered a massive fortune.

Toward the end of 2017, Ellen Pompeo successfully renegotiated her contract for the hit series “Grey’s Anatomy,” securing a paycheck of approximately $575,000 per episode, an impressive signing bonus in the seven-figure range, and two points of backend equity estimated to be worth between $6 million and $7 million.

2018 saw Pompeo expressing that at age 48, she’s confident enough to demand what she rightfully deserves. She made this realization over time, a development she attributes to the passing of years. In the entertainment industry, she is often considered less ‘relevant’ due to her long-standing role spanning 14 years. However, Pompeo points out that while anyone can be competent in the initial seasons, sustaining that level of performance for 14 years is a true skill that not everyone possesses.

Recently, Ellen Pompeo, who played Grey, pondered over the fact that Patrick Dempsey earned more than her despite her being the title character. However, she stated clearly that she had no resentment towards him for earning his money.

In a March 2025 episode of Call Her Daddy, she expressed, “Since I’m the namesake of this show, I felt I deserved equal treatment. It was tougher to achieve that. I wasn’t resentful about what he received. I was resentful because they didn’t appreciate me as much as they appreciated him, and they never will.

In 1978, Jamie Lee Curtis reminisced about earning $2,000 per week, which amounted to a total of $8,000, for her first movie role in “Halloween”. She stated to Rotten Tomatoes in 2018 that “honestly, no one was paid anything for it.

Even though the “scream queen” garnered four-figure earnings, John Carpenter’s friend Nick Castle felt like royalty, earning just $25 per day to co-play the role of Michael Myers. (It was Anthony Moran whose face you briefly see when the killer’s mask is removed for a chilling moment, and editor Tommy Lee Wallace also recorded screen time as Michael.)

At that moment, it was quite a bit, as Castle shared with Vanity Fair in 2018. You need to understand: My motivation for being part of the film was to gain on-set experience, so I could unravel the enigma of filmmaking and directing. I thought I’d just be hanging around without pay. But guess what? They paid me $25 a day, and all I needed to do was wear a rubber mask.

As a devoted admirer looking back on my journey, I can’t help but remain passionate about the $150,000 I received for my role in the 2008 film, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Initially, I had proposed a fee of $500,000, but unfortunately, the producers opted against it. Despite earning an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, this amount remains significant to me as a testament to my persistence and determination in the industry.

Regarding the main characters of the movie, Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, Henson remarked on the Ladies First With Laura Brown podcast in 2021 that “It’s rare to hear $20 million salaries these days, but during that period, such payments were taking place. And it was justified, I’m not suggesting they didn’t deserve what they earned.

However, she added, “I was also contributing a specific amount for the seat, and at that stage in my career, I believed what I was asking was reasonable, considering the ticket sales this big film would generate. I wouldn’t agree to it.” Henson was disappointed when they initially offered $100,000, she reminisced. “In the end, I received $150,000, but I had to put my pride aside.

Henson clarified, “People often say, ‘Wow, $150,000 is a huge amount!’ However, I don’t want to come across as ungrateful because that’s not my character. After considering the taxes, Uncle Sam will take half of it, leaving you with approximately $75,000. Before Uncle Sam takes his share, I need to pay my team before taxes, about 30%. So after Uncle Sam has his 50%, and I’ve paid my team their 30% from the remaining amount, I might be left with around $40,000?

Although Cate Blanchett has earned a substantial amount throughout her career, not all of it came from portraying the royal elf Galadriel in the “Lord of the Rings” series, despite its impressive global box office earnings totaling approximately $2.9 billion.

Did you really just say that? Not at all,” she countered on ‘Watch What Happens Live’ in August 2024 when Andy Cohen suggested LOTR was her biggest paycheck. “Nobody received any payment for that movie…I’m saying, I essentially got free sandwiches, and I got to keep my ears.

Instead of saying “They weren’t paid a precious amount,” you could say “They didn’t receive a significant sum of money.”

Regarding your quote, In 2023, Orlando Bloom, who portrayed the elven warrior Legolas, revealed on The Howard Stern Show that he earned only $175,000 for the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Hopefully he also got to keep his ears.

Read More

2025-06-28 03:20