Debra Messing Calls Out E! For Pay Disparity On Live TV

Celebrity

Debra Messing Calls Out E! For Pay Disparity On Live TV

The 2018 Golden Globes are a hot topic right now, and it has nothing to do with the actual awards. This year, a movement was started by Reese Witherspoon, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Aniston, and Shonda Rimes, called "Time's Up."

"Time's Up Legal Defense Fund will provide subsidized legal support to women and men who have experienced sexual harassment, assault, or abuse in the workplace and while in pursuit of their careers," according to a statement on the movement's website.

As a way to get their message across, celebrities all wore black to the red carpet, some of them wearing "Time's Up" pins.

Salma Hayek and Ashley Judd at the 2018 Golden Globes awards. NOLA

Women were extremely outspoken on the red carpet, explaining why conversations about fair treatment and safe work environments were important in any industry, not just Hollywood.

Perhaps the most outspoken of them all was Will and Grace star Debra Messing, who didn't hold back when she publicly called out the E! Network for their treatment of former host, Catt Sadler. Sadlet revealed recently that she was leaving the network, after finding out her co-star made double the amount of money she was.

"When E reached out to renew and extend my deal, I learned that he wasn't just making a little more than I was. In fact, he was making close to double my salary for the past several years," she posted. "The gender pay gap is shrinking, although admittedly we have a long way to go. And well, I learned this first hand. My team and I asked for what I know I deserve and were denied repeatedly."

Messing clearly found this completely unfair, and didn't hold back when she hit the E! section of the red carpet.

E! was notably harsh when it came to Sadler's departure, saying the network "compensates employees fairly and appropriately based on their roles, regardless of gender." Having been on the network for a year more than her co-host, Jason Kennedy, no one really bought the excuse.

That's why when Messing was approached by E! host, Giuliana Rancic for an interview, she made it clear that the network was in the wrong.

"We're not asking who are you wearing, we're asking why are you wearing black tonight?" Rancic started out.

"Time is up. We want diversity. We want intersectional gender parity, we want equal pay," Messing told Rancic. "I was so shocked to hear that E! doesn't believe in paying their female co-hosts the same as their male co-hosts. I miss Catt Sadler, and so we stand with her. And that's something that can change tomorrow. We want people to start having this conversation that women are just as valuable as men."

Sarah Jessica Parker echoed Messing's statements when speaking with Ryan Seacrest later in the evening.

"I know it's affected your network," said Parker. "I know that there have been conversations that have been challenging for all of us, but I think it's incredibly timely. It's exciting. And parity and equality and safe work environments, they shouldn't be controversial."

Eva Longoria also stood up for the former E! host.

"We support gender equity and equal pay, and we hope that E! follows that lead with Cat as well. We stand with you, Cat."

Ryan Seacrest replied, saying "We love Cat, we love her."

Julianne Moore also stood up for Sadler on Twitter.

What do you think of Messing, Parker, and Longoria's comments on the red carpet?

Meagan has an intense love for Netflix, napping, and carbs.