Taraji P. Henson Calls Out Hollywood’s Lies About Black Projects

Taraji P. Henson is done playing nice with Hollywood. At the Cannes Film Festival’s Kering Women in Motion Talk, the Oscar-nominated actress opened up about the emotional and professional toll of navigating an industry that has long undervalued women of color. Read more of what she had to say inside.

Variety shared that in Taraji’s conversation with Annenberg Inclusion Initiative founder Stacy L. Smith, she reflected on a recent decision to take a month-long sabbatical in Bali after feeling bitter and frustrated with Hollywood’s inequities.

“I made a promise to myself — if I ever got to a point where I’m not serving myself or the characters I play, it’s time to walk away,” Henson said. “I came back refreshed and with a new perspective.”

For Henson, that new perspective meant confronting long-standing industry myths, like the one claiming Black-led projects don’t sell overseas. That narrative was shattered during the international press tour for Empire, the hit Fox drama that catapulted her character Cookie Lyon into global stardom.

“We went to Paris, and Lee Daniels kept me a secret from the audience during a Q&A. When he said, ‘Why don’t you ask her?’ the room erupted before he could even say my name,” Henson recalled. “I ugly-faced cried. The myth was busting. You lied to me my entire career.”

Henson emphasized how data backs her frustration: while 54 percent of top films in 2023 featured women, only 13 percent featured women of color — and just 1 percent included women of color over 45. Despite decades of hard work, she’s had to be “graceful in getting paid less,” but added pointedly, “Not anymore though!”

Now, Henson is focused on building her empire outside the system, including her beauty brand, TPH by Taraji. “I urge you all to speak up for yourself,” she told attendees. “My following rides for me. Studios need me because of the audience I bring — that’s my power.”

With her eyes set on creative freedom and purpose-driven work, Henson returns to the screen in Netflix’s Straw, debuting June 6. She’s no longer chasing Hollywood’s trophies. Instead, she’s reclaiming her worth and rewriting the rules.

Go Taraji!

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