It’s Taraji season on M-Net channel 101. This December, acclaimed actress Taraji P Henson is gracing our screens in two incredible stories. On Wednesday nights, you can watch her as Vivian Thomas, the business partner and love interest of Gordon “Chicken Man” Williams (played by Kevin Hart), in Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist.
On 22 December, she stars in your Sunday night movie, The Color Purple. It’s the second film adaptation of the book by Alice Walker and this version is directed by Ghanaian filmmaker Blitz Bazawule. Henson plays the role of jazz singer Shug Avery, and she did all her own singing for the part.
Many fans probably know Henson best as Cookie Lyon on Empire, but she’s also renowned for her roles in films like Hidden Figures, Proud Mary, and Acrimony. But did you know that she’s also made several TV appearances, has major award kudos, and wrote a book? Check it out!
She worked at the Pentagon
Having grown up in Washington DC, many of Henson’s family worked in government. Henson went down the same route for a while, working as a receptionist at the Pentagon.
She thought she was going to be a sitcom star
When she moved to Los Angeles, she had every intention of becoming a sitcom star. Although her path ultimately let her elsewhere, she did land parts in hit comedy and drama shows including The Parent 'Hood, Sister, Sister, ER, Felicity, House, CSI, and Boston Legal.
She’s an Oscar nominee
In 2009, she was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Queenie, alongside Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
She’s a style star
Have you seen her on Instagram?!? She slays every time she walks the red carpet, attends an event, or shoots a magazine cover. Get a glimpse:
She wrote a children’s book
This year, Henson released a children’s book called You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!). Having been a substitute teacher, and as a mother, Henson has a soft spot for children … plus she has a little girl inside that served as inspiration for her book’s main character, Lil TJ. The book focuses on back-to-school jitters, making friends, and being proud of who you are.
Her grandmother is her rock
After her parents’ tumultuous marriage broke up, Henson’s grandmother played a great role in raising her. She’ll often speak of her grandmother (who’s now 100!) during interviews. When she was nominated for the Oscars in 2008, Henson took her grandmother as her date to the ceremony.
Watch Taraji P Henson in Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist on Wednesdays at 20:00 on M-Net channel 101 or catch up on DStv Stream here. Watch her in The Color Purple on Sunday 22 December at 20:05 on M-Net.