During a recent discussion moderated by Variety’s Angelique Jackson within the SAG-AFTRA framework, Taraji P. Henson candidly shared a pivotal moment in her career when she made the tough decision to part ways with members of her team. This decision came on the heels of her acclaimed portrayal of Cookie Lyon in the globally successful Fox musical drama series, “Empire,” which spanned six seasons from 2015 to 2020. Henson’s dynamic performance as the outspoken and fierce character earned her a Golden Globe and secured two Emmy nominations.
Despite the prospect of a spinoff centered around Cookie Lyon, Henson found herself at a career crossroads when the project faced a setback. The proposed spinoff failed to materialize after Fox declined, and attempts to shop it around proved unsuccessful. Reflecting on this period, Henson revealed that she took decisive action by dismissing her entire team.
Henson, in response to a question about her best business decision, remarked, “Firing everybody after Cookie. Everybody had to go. Where is my deal? Where’s my commercial? Cookie was at the top of the fashion game. Where is my endorsement? What did you have set up for after this? That’s why you all haven’t seen me in so long. They had nothing set up. All they wanted was another Cookie show.”
The crux of the matter, as per Henson, was her team’s singular focus on the potential Cookie spinoff. She expressed her willingness to pursue the project, provided it was executed in the right manner. Henson emphasized, “All they wanted was another Cookie show, and I said, ‘I’ll do it, but it has to be right. The people deserve…she’s too beloved for y’all to mess it up.’ And so, when they didn’t get it right, I was like, ‘Well, that’s it,’ and they had nothing else. ‘You’re all fired.’”
Despite the subsequent challenges and the hiatus from the spotlight, Henson stayed resolute, underscoring a valuable lesson: “It took me years to get there…you are the prize. Don’t you ever forget that. You are the talent. You are their check. Don’t ever forget that. They work for you. If they are not…somebody else will do it. I stayed with the same team for years.”
In her current role in “The Color Purple,” Henson is garnering acclaim, with the film grossing an impressive $18 million on Christmas Day. However, her journey in the entertainment industry has not been without its hardships. In a recent emotional SiriusXM interview, Henson shed light on the persistent issue of pay disparity in Hollywood, despite her success on “Empire” and an Oscar nomination.
Expressing frustration with the existing system, Henson stated, “I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do [and] getting paid a fraction of the cost. I’m tired of hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over. You get tired. I hear people go, ‘You work a lot.’ Well, I have to. The math ain’t math-ing. When you start working a lot, you have a team. Big bills come with what we do. We don’t do this alone. It’s a whole team behind us. They have to get paid.”
Henson delved into the financial intricacies of the industry, highlighting the challenges faced by artists in terms of taxes and team expenses. Despite her significant achievements, she continues to encounter hurdles, including dismissive attitudes toward Black actors and stories not supposedly translating well overseas. Henson boldly asserted her refusal to let the industry compromise her integrity, emphasizing the importance of fighting for equitable compensation.
In a powerful statement, she declared, “Enough is enough! That’s why I have other [brands] because this industry, if you let it, it will steal your soul. I refuse to let that happen.”
As “The Color Purple” enjoys a theatrical run nationwide from Warner Bros., Taraji P. Henson’s journey serves as both a testament to her resilience and a call for transformative change within the entertainment industry.
