Taraji P. Henson has never been one to hold back when it comes to speaking her truth. And her recent appearance during the press run for Tyler Perry’s Straw proved exactly that. While the Oscar-nominated actress has carved out an incredible career for herself over the years, the journey wasn’t always met with open doors.
Even after a high-profile role in a $335 million blockbuster alongside Brad Pitt, she felt slighted. Henson recently got candid about how Hollywood responded to her after her Oscar nomination for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. What should’ve been a moment that propelled her into A-list stardom quickly turned into a harsh reality check. But when everyone else went silent, one man, now a billionaire, stepped up in a way no one else did.
Tyler Perry was the only one who called Taraji P. Henson
In a powerful town hall conversation hosted by Bevy Smith for SiriusXM, Taraji P. Henson recalled the whirlwind of the 2009 awards season. Henson shared just how quickly the spotlight dimmed after her big night at the Oscars. She said, “The Oscar run is crazy.” She was getting calls, invitations to be at several places at once, and then suddenly, it was all gone.
Henson received a Best Supporting Actress nomination for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which grossed over $335 million worldwide. While an Oscar nomination is typically expected to usher in a wave of high-profile offers, Henson experienced quite the opposite. The silence that followed was deafening, no calls, no offers, no opportunities for leading roles. That is, until Tyler Perry reached out.
Like, it’s weird ’cause it’s like, you don’t, your senses, your nervous system is shocked because you’re so used to going and all of a sudden nothing…No phone calls. You know who called me? This man right here (Perry). For, a leading role. Not supporting, a leading role. And it was, ‘I Can Do Bad All By Myself,‘
What made the gesture even more significant was the way Perry empowered her beyond just the role. At the time, and unfortunately even today, Henson doesn’t get paid what she rightfully deserves. Perry told her what to ask for, gave her a quote, which she surprisingly didn’t have until then. So, it’s not surprising that she has starred in yet another Tyler Perry movie, Straw, which was recently released on Netflix.
Perry’s generosity extends beyond just offering people roles in his movies. His commitment toward strengthening people for the future and sharing his invaluable wisdom is what makes him a special person in an otherwise hollow industry. For that, Henson has vowed to always be loyal to him.
Taraji P. Henson’s team was not onboard
As the conversation deepened, Henson revealed that even members of her own team were skeptical about the move. Some asked why she would pivot to a Tyler Perry film so soon after receiving an Oscar nomination. Her response to them was sharp as she knew something no one else did.
You know, people started asking me on my team, ‘Why you gonna do a Tyler Perry…’ I said, ‘Nobody called, no one called to offer me a number one position in the film. He did…And so, to this day, I’m going to, I don’t care how big I got, I don’t care how many awards I win. Whenever he calls, I’m there.
Perry, who is now a billionaire with his own sprawling studio compound in Atlanta, has long been known for giving Black actors opportunities when Hollywood looks the other way. Henson’s story is just one of many, but it’s a striking reminder of how even critical acclaim can’t always break down systemic barriers.
Henson’s raw honesty adds yet another layer to the ongoing conversation about equity in Hollywood. For every red carpet moment and awards speech, there are countless behind-the-scenes struggles that don’t make the headlines.
Straw is streaming now on Netflix (USA).
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