Amy Schumer Goes Topless to Dispel Netflix Pay Dispute Rumors

The Pay Dispute Rumors

The original issue stems from a Variety report on equal pay for minorities and women in the entertainment industry.

The enterprise piece cites the fact that Schumer was set to receive an estimated $11 million for her Netflix special, The Leather Special. Shortly after, Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle each signed $20 million deals with the streaming giant.

Schumer's camp then went to Netflix and demanded a bigger pay check more in-line with her male peers. The report doesn't list a specific amount, only that she received "significantly more compensation."

This vagueness caused some to interpret the report as Schumer demanding the same amounts as Rock and Chappelle, who each have decades of comedy success behind them.

After fans started to attack Schumer for the demand, she used the nearly-nude Insagram shot to set the record straight.

Schumer's Response

Schumer used the caption of the photo to clap back at her critics and clarify the high regard she holds Rock and Chappelle in.

"Thanks for chiming in on what you feel I deserve to be paid," she wrote. "I believe women deserve equal pay. However I don't believe I deserve equal pay to Chris and Dave. They are legends and two of the greatest comics of all time."

"I would like to say that I have been selling out arenas these last couple years. Something a female comic has never done. That's a big deal to me, especially because I know I do my best every night on stage for the audience and they have a good time."

She then plainly clears up the muddy reports, saying that while she did ask for a pay bump, she didn't ask for a $20 million payday to match Rock and Chappelle.

"I didn't ask for the same as my friends. I did ask for more than the initial offer," she wrote. "I will continue to work my ass off and be the best performer I can be. The reports of me 'demanding' or 'insisting' on equal pay to them aren't a true."

Despite her clarification, the damage might have already been done. Many comedy fans were irritated at the Schumer's pay increase and took to social media to complain.

Fan Response

Numerous comedy fans (as well as just trolls who really don't like Schumer) started to protest on Twitter, saying that Schumer is far below the caliber of Rock and Chappelle.

"I'm truly cackling at the audacity of Amy Schumer thinking she deserved the same pay as Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle like GIRL WHUT???!!!" wrote ReBecca Theordore.

"Amy Schumer comparing herself with Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle is the funniest joke of her career," wrote Twitter user @MrFilmkritik.

Most of Schumer's fans were supportive of her, but some did drw a line between Schumer's paygrade and that of her peers.

"I'm happy you stand up (with your hot dog) for what you deserve!"wrote Lily Hayman. "You are seriously an inspiration!"

"Sis if you want equal pay, more power to you," wrote one Instagram user. "Do you deserve the same pay as Chris Rock and Dave Chapelle? Absolutely not."

Schumer's Past Equal Pay Advocation

This isn't the first time the Trainwreck star has gone to bat for equal pay.

She starred along Seth Rogen in a series of Bud Light commercials that championed the company's equal wages for men and women.

She also supported the "#20PercentCounts" campaign from Funny Or Die, Hulu, and LeanIn.Org that aimed to show how much women making an average of 20 percent less than their male counterparts.

Her high-earnings have also been championed by some as a possible sign that women in stand-up will be able to achieve the same level of success as their male counterparts.