EMPIRE’S DIVA JUST AN EASYGOING GAL
Taraji P. Henson recalls trek to fame in new book
Around the Way Girl Taraji P. Henson Simon & Schuster
She may play uberdiva Cookie Lyon in Fox’s musical drama Empire, but in real life Taraji P. Henson is as down-toearth as they come. She hasn’t forgotten her D.C. roots or the people who aided the 46-yearold actress’s climb to fame. So, of course, she gave a shout-out and blew kisses to her college acting professor, Vera J. Katz, who was in the audience at the Smithsonian Associates’ talk for Henson’s new memoir, Around the Way Girl.
But just before taking the stage at the National Museum of Natural History, Henson chatted about her inspiration, career and hometown, with a big bowl of her go-to snack of gummy bears in hand.
Q Were you politically active in college (at Howard University)?
A I was very militant. It’s a historically black university, so I started learning some things that I didn’t know, that I wasn’t learning in history classes in high school, or grade school, for that matter, so it did make me a bit militant. I think I did a sit-in or two.
Q Would you consider yourself political now?
A Not political like that, but I vote. I definitely use my voice, but I’m not going to get into the red tape and politics, because I know right from wrong.
Q But you’re a Hillary (Clinton) supporter.
A Oh, absolutely. Girl, I have to be.
Q The cast of Empire did a video to generate support for her.
A Yes, because I think people are losing faith, and this is not the time.
Q Speaking of Empire, the third season is airing right now. How were you able to balance writing and filming the show?
A It’s just like anything else; you just have to divide your time appropriately. You know, when I had time to I would (write), and if I couldn’t think of anything I would step away. If you want it, you make time for it.
Q When did you decide to write a memoir?
A I really never saw myself as an author. When social media became a big thing and I found myself on Twitter, that was the first time I was able to be that connected directly to my fans. And they were reading, or seeing me in interviews, and they were able to see I had $700 in my pocket, moved to California as a single mom, so they were like, “You inspire me. How did you do it? You need to write a book.”
So after several years of that, I decided, well, God put me on the stage and gave me the mic, so what am I going to do? If my story can inspire someone, then that’s my calling. I mean, I can’t tell you how many stories have inspired me and got me to where I am.
(Henson then grabs a tissue to wipe her eye.)
I’m sorry, I poked myself in the eye. I know you’re looking at me like, why am I crying, but I have very sensitive eyes, and I’m such a klutz. (She laughs.)
Q Was this book, which is deeply personal, difficult for you to write?
A Humans are very judgmental, but when you have a purpose, you have to block that out because humans are going to be humans. I’m no fool. I know everybody doesn’t love me. I know certain people are going to pull out whatever they feel they need to from the book and publicize that and make that grander than the overall picture of the book — I get all of that. That’s what writing a book is for — it’s supposed to be uncomfortable. Art is uncomfortable; if it’s not uncomfortable it’s not doing the job. The readers will grow from it, as will I. I’m healing in those places that I never really wanted to deal with.
Q Did writing in the present give you a different view on any experiences from the past?
A I guess it would have to be when I met (Mary J. Blige), (whom she recalls was rude to her during their first encounter and dismissed her). You know, when I met her no one knew who I was. The movie Baby Boy wasn’t even out — we had just finished filming it. My celebrity has certainly risen since then, so I know that feeling when a fan comes up to you and you’re just not in the mood and you’re just trying to be you. At the time, I was so hurt, but now I know some little girl is out there saying, “She was mean to me!” (about Henson). I can laugh at it now, but at the time I was like “Oh, my God.” But I totally get it now because the shoe is on the other foot.