Stepping out on a Hollywood penthouse balcony with Taraji P. Henson, it seems she knows just how high she's come up in the world. "When I go speak to inner city children, I'm always like, 'Just get out of your zip code,'" she said. "'Cause you go to some of these towns, they've never left their zip code. They've never been downtown in their own city. So, how can they dream?"
Henson definitely got out of her zip code. Truth is, she's entered the stratosphere.
In the musical film version of the classic "The Color Purple," opening Christmas Day, she stars as Shug, a woman who sings, dances, and generally breaks the rules. Henson says she actually turned down the chance to play the role on Broadway. "Broadway is tough!" she said. "I don't know if you know, that's eight shows a week. It's a lot. And because I was trained in theater and I've done musical theater before, I just knew I wasn't ready. I was like, 'I don't have it.'"
But she has it here – just another showcase for an actor with talent to burn.
Taraji Penda Henson (the name means "hope love" in Swahili) grew up in inner city Washington, D.C., and studied electrical engineering before switching to drama.
During her junior year she got pregnant, but that didn't mean her acting dream was over: "No, no. If anything, I became fierce in going after my dreams. Because there was no time to waste now. I have a kid. And now it's not just me anymore. So, I don't have time for the BS."
After she graduated Howard University (with her son in her arms), her father, Boris, told her to go west to pursue her acting dream. And so, with a new baby and only $700 to her name, she came to L.A., and started making the rounds, doing guest shots on shows like "ER."
Her first real breakout role came opposite Terrence Howard in the 2005 hit "Hustle and Flow," as a first-time backup singer on a song about the challenges of a certain line of work:
She still reminisces about her time working on "Hustle and Flow" as one of the most memorable experiences of her life. She would stay on set all night, even if she wasn't in a scene, because of the sheer joy and happiness she felt. However, she admits that she hasn't had that same level of excitement since then. Now, she's more likely to say her goodbyes and leave the set.
Although Henson's roles have become bigger, her paychecks haven't always reflected that. For example, she once asked for $500,000 for a major role opposite Brad Pitt in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." She believed that her fan base alone could generate that amount of revenue. However, she was only offered $75,000 initially. After a long battle, she managed to negotiate it up to $150,000.
Her performance in "Button" earned her an Oscar nomination, which she considers to be priceless. Similarly, her role in the 2016 film "Hidden Figures," where she played mathematician Katherine Johnson, was also invaluable. The film tells the true story of the Black women who played a crucial role in the space program but were treated as second-class citizens.
During the SAG Awards, when the cast of "Hidden Figures" won, Henson delivered a powerful speech. She emphasized that the film's message was one of unity and the power of coming together as a human race. She concluded by saying, "We win. Love wins. Every time."
Taraji P. Henson Finds Strength in Every Role
On TV, Henson was reunited with Terrence Howard in the primetime soap "Empire," as his vengeful ex-wife, Cookie. But she needed some convincing – she says she didn't want to do "Empire" at first. "I did not. Because I didn't read it, to be quite honest. I heard about it and I was like, 'That's sounds stupid!'"
But she went on to win a Golden Globe for the role, and helped make the show a smash. And now, in "The Color Purple," her character helps other women to see how strong they can be. You could say Taraji P. Henson does that with every role she takes on.
Smith asked, "This brings us very nicely back to 'The Color Purple.' What do you hope people take from this film?"
"Time is up when the heart stops," Henson replied. "As long as you got a beat in your heart, there's time to make your wildest dreams come true."
"What did you take from it?"
"It just reminds me of how powerful we are as women when we stick together. And that just doesn't mean that we're comin' after you, men!" Henson laughed. "If we stick together, you're taken care of. Relax! You know, men get nervous. The women and girls are stickin' together! You will benefit, trust me."
To watch a trailer for "The Color Purple," click on the video player below:
For more info:
- "The Color Purple" will be released in theaters on December 25.
- The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation is involved in the production.
- TPH by Taraji is also part of the project.
Story produced by John D'Amelio. Editor: Mike Levine.
