Award-winning actress Taraji P. Henson brought honesty and inspiration to her recent appearance on The Breakfast Club, where she discussed her latest project and the deeper themes that drive her work.
The Empire star is currently promoting her new Netflix film, STRAW. During the interview, Taraji P. Henson opened up about her personal journey, emphasizing the importance of protecting Black women, fostering mental wellness, and ensuring authentic representation in film.
Taraji P. Henson reflected on the core message of STRAW, highlighting how the film centers Black women’s stories and explores emotional resilience.
“Representation matters,” Henson said. “It’s not just about being seen; it’s about being understood, about telling stories that reflect the real lives of Black women.”
In her usual candid style, the Oscar-nominated actress also touched on her growth, both personally and professionally, as well as the broader need for healing and community within the entertainment industry.
When speaking on her role as a single mother, Janiyah, in the new movie, she said:
“I am drawn to characters who are voiceless and need a voice because I am such a big personality, I like to breath life into those characters, I feel like those characters are real.”
Beyond her professional endeavors, Henson shared insights into her sobriety journey, revealing:
“For five months, I had stopped drinking because I felt like I needed clarity, I needed to get rid of some negative energy that was in my life that I couldn’t see.”
With a new movie and continued success in her career, Taraji P. Henson told The Breakfast Club hosts that she is happy:
“I am at peace, the peace I have been fighting for, I have it and it has nothing to do with anybody, no other human, it’s all in me.”
Catch the full interview below:
