Nina Dobrev Advocates for Equal Pay on ‘The Vampire Diaries’
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In a recent revelation, Nina Dobrev, known for her role as Elena Gilbert in ‘The Vampire Diaries’, spoke out about her fight for pay equality with her male co-stars on the show, Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley. According to Entertainment Weekly editor Samantha Highfill’s book, ‘I Was Feeling Epic: An Oral History of The Vampire Diaries’, Dobrev discusses her efforts to achieve parity in pay.
During the renegotiation of contracts in season 3 of the show, Dobrev, Somerhalder, and Wesley found themselves at a crossroads. Dobrev, along with co-stars Candice King and Kat Graham, were reportedly the lowest-paid series regulars in the first two seasons. Dobrev, who not only played Elena but also took on the roles of multiple characters including the devilish Katherine Pierce, felt she deserved fair compensation for her increased workload.
Dobrev shed light on the challenges she faced, revealing that she had to be on set for double the amount of time, memorize double the amount of lines, and yet was not being paid equally to her male counterparts. The actress expressed her desire to be treated as an equal and advocated for fair compensation for her contributions to the show.
Despite facing resistance from the studio, Dobrev remained steadfast in her quest for equal pay. She recalled instances where the writers were instructed to stop writing for her additional characters to avoid increased costs. However, Dobrev’s persistence eventually paid off, leading to a successful renegotiation of her contract, albeit without achieving full parity with Somerhalder and Wesley.
Reflecting on her decision to leave the show at the end of season 6, Dobrev highlighted the importance of being valued and compensated equally. She emphasized that the issue was not solely about money but about the principle of being treated fairly and recognized for her dedication and hard work.
As negotiations continued for her return in the final season of the series, Dobrev once again found herself advocating for equal pay. Despite initial offers that fell short of her expectations, she stood firm in her demand for parity with her male co-stars. Dobrev’s unwavering stance eventually led to a resolution where she returned for the series finale at a rate that she deemed fair and equitable.
In conclusion, Nina Dobrev’s courageous stand for equal pay on ‘The Vampire Diaries’ serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by women in the entertainment industry. Her story of perseverance and determination underscores the importance of advocating for gender equality and fair treatment in all aspects of the workplace.