Taraji P. Henson’s career trajectory has continued to rise throughout the years, and recently, she has starred in the musical version of The Color Purple. Look at how her career has reached this point, from her star-making role in John Singleton’s Baby Boy to earning an Oscar nomination for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
RELATED STORIES: Taraji P. Henson Wants To Put The ‘Focus Back’ On ‘The Color Purple’ Following Her Comments About Unequal Pay
Breaking Barriers and Embracing Genre Diversity:
Henson’s career started in the early 90s after joining the Screen Actors Guild, and she appeared in various roles as a background character in different movies and television series. Her official film debut was in the crime drama “Streetwise,” this was her official credited acting role in her filmography. She continued to build her film experience by making guest star appearances in television shows before starring in “Baby Boy”(2001) and “Hustle & Flow”(2005). However, Henson continued to search for more diverse roles to avoid being typecast.
“I just knew [I’d be typecast]. They are going to think this is all I can do. So I was like, ‘Never again a ghetto role. I’m not saying I can’t do it later, but right now, I have something to prove. My mission became showing that I’m a character actress. I can give them as many different performances as Meryl Streep — who is the one they look up to? Meryl Streep. Watch this. You think black women can’t do it? I’m trained just like she is.”
In 2009, Taraji P. Henson’s acting journey reached a prestigious milestone with her nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her captivating performance as Queenie in David Fincher’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008) showcased a depth and power previously unseen in her screen roles.
From Supporting Star to Cultural Icon:
Taraji P. Henson became a cultural icon after her breakout role as Cookie Lyon in “Empire”, starring alongside fellow “Hustle & Flow” actor Terrance Howard. The character’s fierceness, vulnerability, and unapologetic embrace of black female identity resonated with audiences. Her role also earned the actress two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2015 and 2016.
Beyond Acting: A Multifaceted Powerhouse:
Taraji P. Henson has used her acting career to seek other ventures, such as becoming an advocate for mental health. She used her personal experiences to launch the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation. The foundation was founded in 2018 in honor of Henson’s late father, who faced mental health challenges after returning from the Vietnam War. Its goal is to break away from the stigma of mental health in the Black community.
While speaking with PEOPLE, the Oscar-nominated actress explained how she unplugs when it’s time to focus on her mental health:
“Being real with myself and not being so damn strong all the time. Folding my arms like a kid in the corner saying, ‘I don’t want to be strong today. I need help.’ ‘I don’t feel good.’ ‘No, I’m not going to do this job. I don’t feel good today.’ Speaking up for myself. And my mental wellness.”
As she continues to make strides in the film industry, Taraji P. Henson continues to make her mark with her acting roles.