Taraji P. Henson Breaks Silence on Hollywood’s Biggest Lie

For decades, Taraji P. Henson was told her star power had limits, especially overseas.

However, the award-winning actress is now shattering myths, speaking out against pay inequality, and reclaiming her power.

At the Cannes Film Festival, Henson delivered one of the most honest reflections on being a Black woman in Hollywood and why she’s done staying silent.

Henson recently took a life-changing break from Hollywood, stepping away from work to spend a month in Bali.

Burnt out and discouraged, the actress felt a growing bitterness she didn’t recognize in herself.

During the Cannes Film Festival, she spoke to Stacy L. Smith, founder of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, for a Kering Women in Motion Talk and shared details of her trip to Bali and why she left Hollywood.

“I was just frustrated and it was making me bitter, and I’m not a bitter person,” she admitted per Variety. “I made a promise to myself if I ever got there then it’s time to walk away. I’m not serving myself or the audience or the characters I play. Thank God I did that. I came back refreshed and with a new perspective.”

For years, Henson was told that films and television shows centered on Black characters, especially international ones, don’t resonate globally.

That myth was shattered during the press tour for “Empire,” the show that made her character Cookie a global sensation.

“When I did the international press for ‘Empire,’ up until then I was told Black doesn’t translate overseas,” she said. “Really? We went to Paris. Lee Daniels kept me a secret to the audience at a Q&A. The fans started asking the Cookie questions and he said, ‘Why don’t you ask her.’ Before he could finish saying my name, the entire room erupted in applause and was screaming. For me? I got up on the stage and I ugly-faced cried.”

She added, “The myth was busting. You lied to me my entire career. I leave the stage and there are fans outside who know my name. That changed the game.”

While Hollywood often emphasizes awards and accolades, Henson has decided to realign her goals with the reasons she became an actress in the first place.

“Sometimes in the industry you make it about the trophies and the awards and that’s never why I got into it,” she explained. “I came into this to change lives. The arts saved me. I was a little Black girl in the hood in D.C. during the crack epidemic. I’m supposed to be a statistic. I wasn’t supposed to make it out but I did.”

Hence, Henson no longer wants to chase external validation.

Instead, she’s diving into projects that align with her spirit and give her purpose.

Henson also spoke candidly about pay inequality, revealing she’s spent years accepting less than she deserved but won’t do so anymore.

“I had spent years being graceful in getting paid less than. Not anymore though!” she declared.

After her return from Bali, she started investing more in her beauty brand, TPH, and other ventures. “Instead of relying on that check from Hollywood,” she added, “I dove head first into business.”

She emphasized the importance of self-worth and encouraged women in the industry to recognize their own power.

“I urge you all to speak up for yourself,” she said. “I have worked my butt off to garner the following I have. My following rides for me. That’s an audience I procured through my hard work and the characters I play.”