Sharon Stone Says Hollywood Pay Gap Is Stuck in the Past—Reveals Shocking Role She Turned Down

Sharon Stone asserts that the gender pay disparity in Hollywood remains largely unchanged since her prominent role in "Basic Instinct." During a November 2023 interview with Deadline at the Red Sea Studio in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Stone disclosed her recent decision to decline a leading part due to an offered payment of $500,000, while a male co-star was set to earn between $8 million and $9 million.Reflecting on her experiences, she noted, “Thirty years ago, Michael Douglas earned $14 million while I made $500,000. I was offered the same amount for a recent project.” Stone highlighted the irony of women regaining rights in Saudi Arabia as American women face declining rights, further emphasizing, “I was once laughed at for wanting to direct in America. The landscape is perplexing.” Stone currently boasts an estimated net worth of $25 million and continues her acting career.