Taraji P. Henson Almost Said No to ‘Empire’

Jan 29, 2019 · 10 comments
GibsonGirl99 (Austin, TX)
Huzzah for this lovely interview with one of the best actresses working! We love you, Taraji P. Henson!!
Victor (UKRAINE)
She is amazing, by any standard.
Georgia (Traveling)
I really like Taraji. Especially since her role in Person of Interest. When her character was killed off, I was disappointed. But she came back strong. Nice Q&A.
Zane Zaminsky (Nutley, NJ)
I will always believe that my all time favorite TV series, "Person of Interest", began its downward spiral after Taraji left the show. She is a terrific actress.
voltairesmistress (San Francisco)
Person of Interest was a very interesting, compelling show from start to finish. I loved Sergeant/Detective(?) Carter whom Henderson played. She was the compassionate heart of the show the first few seasons, and really pulled a John out of his shell. But after her departure, I thought the show did a great job humanizing other characters too, especially a Root, Shaw, and Finch. It did change from a weekly procedural to a longer arc, heavily science fiction narrative, but I think it had to do this to remain interesting.
David (California)
Perhaps she should've said NO to Empire. When is Hollywood going to allow a primarily black casted show be about something other than sports, music, gang/prison life or pimping? Black actors, men and women both, need to demand better roles that inspire excellence, not one's that reinforce negative stereotypes.
ERT (New York)
You mean like Black-ish, which is about none of those things?
Daisy Clampit (Stockholm)
@David Demand, demand, demand. Change is too slow. Reminds Daisy Mae Clampit of Stockholm of Hattie McDaniels' quip that she'd rather play a maid than be one.
David (California)
@Daisy Clampit Though I'd never speak badly of Hattie McDaniels, I would prefer the first Oscar awarded to a black not be for playing a mammie; however, fast-forward 7 decades and we get "The Help/Viola Davis" and "The Butler/Forest Whitaker"??? I do not call that progress.
Brandon P (Atlanta)
I've joyously watched Taraji's career bloom over the years. She's a true talent, but what I like best is how down to earth and humble she remains.