Cate Blanchett, the diaphanous incarnation of Galadriel in Peter Jackson's glorious film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, took everyone off guard recently by divulging how much she really banked on this iconic role. With billions minted at the box office by the trilogy, the starlet confessed that her and other cast members took home very little or even nothing from it.

You know, that is a big misconception," the Oscar-winning actress told Andy Cohen during a candid conversation on Watch What Happens Live. When Cohen tossed out The Lord of the Rings as maybe being her most profitable film, Blanchett jokingly replied, "Are you kidding me? No, no one got paid anything to do that movie."

The news shocked many people considering how well the film performed at the box office. However, Blanchett explained that the reason for her joining the project was the prospect of working alongside the great director Peter Jackson, which was not based on its lucrative offer. She pointed out that she knows that male actors are paid better than their female counterparts, and that her compensation was too low compared to what it should be.

For many, it is Blanchett as Galadriel that has been truly defining in her career. Her ethereal appearance, equal swagger to the role, and minute performance really created a character with whom the world's audiences could identify. Though there was no fee, one can tell by every frame that she was all in.

Although the news about Blanchett's modest earnings might come as a surprise to many, it gives insight into the intricate dynamics of the entertainment industry in regard to pay equity between genders. It also underlines the passion and commitment of actors who very often put artistic fulfillment above financial rewards.

The latest effort, Borderlands, from Cate Blanchett has been dragged through the media for its bad directing and overall poor execution—a far cry from the enduring legacy left by The Lord of the Rings, a testament to the power of storytelling and iconic performances.

Despite what happened with Borderlands, Blanchett's career never skipped a beat. Her enormous talent, versatility, and dedication to the craft supported her status as one of the most respected and admired actresses in Hollywood.