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Emmy Rossum: Equal Pay Leak Left Me Shook
10 Jul
Summary
- Rossum sought equal pay for her work on Shameless.
- Contract negotiations became public, surprising Rossum.
- Public support shifted the tide, leading to a swift resolution.
Emmy Rossum expressed shock when her private contract negotiations for pay parity with "Shameless" co-star William H. Macy were leaked publicly. Speaking on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, she stated her primary goal was fair compensation for equal work, a request initially made around Season 3 and denied.
By Season 8, Rossum had become a significant force on the series, directing episodes and starring as Fiona Gallagher. She described the negotiation process as difficult, with her request for equal pay being initially shut down. The leak to the public and cast, while filming approached, left her stunned.
However, the public attention ultimately favored her. Media coverage and public commentary expressed surprise that Rossum wasn't already earning equal pay. This shifted the business perspective, and the contract dispute was resolved within a single day. William H. Macy publicly supported Rossum, stating she deserved equal compensation due to her hard work.
Rossum acknowledged that when she joined "Shameless," it was understandable that Macy, being more established, earned more. However, as her role and contributions grew, she felt a re-evaluation was warranted. She remained with the series until Season 9 before her departure.
