Taraji P. Henson Reveals Her Hollywood Exit Strategy—And It’s Not What You Think
Taraji P. Henson is getting candid about the next steps in her decades-long Hollywood career—and the exit strategy she plans on implementing soon. But before you panic, know she won’t be saying goodbye to the industry in the way you think.
Henson, recently honored with the Artist of Distinction Award at this year’s Newport Beach Film Festival, opened up about it in a new interview with “Entertainment Tonight,” where she shared how tired she was of having to still prove her worth in the industry after all these years.
As a way to bypass that, the Oscar-nominated actress shared that she’s now looking to expand her influence and reach so that she’s not so dependent on being in front of the camera and doing projects all the time.
Explaining how she doesn’t want to be “doing this” five years from now, Henson said: “I do [have a date]. My team is absolutely clear. And it’s not that I’m walking away from anything. What I mean by that—or retiring! I’m never turning my back; that’s not what I mean. What I mean is I don’t want acting to be the sole breadwinner. I don’t want to have to rely on acting.”
She continued: “I’m pretty much there, like I don’t do everything anymore. I pick and choose. But I still do have to get that call sheet to pay those bills.”
Henson does have a point as she’s diversified her portfolio in the last few decades to include things like her natural haircare line TPH by Taraji, and her creative collaboration and partnership with Seven Daughters Wine.
Elsewhere in the interview, she talked about why she’s so outspoken about the not-so glamorous parts of the business and stressed the importance of using your voice to advocate for the change you want to see. If you’ll remember, in the last few years alone, Henson drew praise and criticism for speaking out about pay inequities and the struggles Black actors have to deal with in Hollywood.
But it looks like none of the negativity phased her, as she’s still encouraging others to do the same. “You have to speak up for yourself. Because if you don’t, you spend time being mad. And you’re mad at what? No one can read your brain. So, speak up for yourself. There’s nothing wrong with that,” she said. “That’s your right. You can speak up for yourself. You don’t have to be a jerk about it. But that’s your birthright.”
