Taraji P. Henson

Danielle Brooks, from left, Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson and Blitz Bazawule pose for a portrait to promote the film "The Color Purple" on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)

Finding new dimensions, sisterhood, and healing in ‘The Color Purple’

It’s not a secret that Fantasia Barrino did not want to play Celie again. The “American Idol” winner hadn’t had the best time doing “The Color Purple” on Broadway.

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, left, and Halle Bailey in a scene from "The Color Purple." (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

Movie Review: ‘The Color Purple’ is a stirring big-screen musical powered by its spectacular cast

FILE - Taraji P. Henson arrives at the BET Awards on Sunday, June 26, 2022, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Alabama State University is partnering on a new project to make free mental health resources more widely available to students at historically Black colleges and universities. The “She Care Wellness Pods" will give students access to therapy sessions, workshops, yoga and quiet spaces. Actress Taraji P. Henson's Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation is partnering with the Kate Spade Foundation to place the pods on HBCU campuses. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

Taraji P. Henson partners with HBCUs on mental wellness

This combination photo of celebrities with birthdays from Sept. 11-17 shows Virginia Madsen, from left, Jennifer Hudson, Jean Smart, Tyler Perry, Tom Hardy, Amy Poehler and Elvira Mistress of the Dark. (AP Photo)

Celebrity birthdays for the week of Sept. 11-17

Doja Cat appears at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in Las Vegas on April 3, 2022, from left, Drake appears at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on May 1, 2019, and Ari Lennox appears at the 2021 Soul Train Awards in New York on Nov. 20, 2021. Doja Cat scored six nominations for the BET Awards. Drake and Lennox are the second-most nominated acts, scoring four nods each. The BET Awards will be held on June 26 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo)

Doja Cat, Drake, Ari Lennox lead BET Awards nominations

Usher, Idris Elba and Kerry Washington attend the 2024 NAACP Image Awards

Usher, Idris Elba, Kerry Washington, Fantasia Barrino, and more walk the red carpet at the 2024 NAACP Image Awards. (March 17)

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Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia Barrino and Danielle Brooks on establishing a sisterhood on the set of ‘The Color Purple’

Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia Barrino and Danielle Brooks formed a strong sisterhood while working on the set of Blitz Bazawule’s ‘The Color Purple.’ (Dec. 20)

BET stars on Roe v. Wade reversal: ‘It’s a dark day in America’

ShowBiz Minute: Combs, Henson, U.S. Box Office

FILE - Taraji P. Henson arrives at the fourth annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel on Dec. 6, 2021, in Los Angeles. President Joe Biden is naming Henson to the President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the White House announced Thursday, March 31, 2022. Henson is among nine men and nine women being named to the board that exists to support the mission of these institutions. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

Taraji P. Henson, Chris Paul named to Black colleges board

President Joe Biden is appointing actor Taraji P. Henson and the NBA’s Chris Paul to a presidential advisory board on historically Black colleges and universities.

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a media briefing at the Pentagon, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, in Washington. Six Black members of President Joe Biden's Cabinet will be meeting for a Black History Month event Thursday highlighting their roles in the administration, some of which are historic firsts. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Black members of Biden’s Cabinet mark Black History Month

Black members of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet came together Thursday for a Black History Month event highlighting their roles in the administration, some of which are historic firsts.

This image released by NBC shows the cast of "Annie Live!," from left, Taraji P. Henson as Miss Hannigan, Tituss Burgess as Rooster Hannigan, Nicole Scherzinger as Grace Farrell, Celina Smith as Annie, and Harry Connick, Jr. as Daddy Warbucks. The tale of the spunky young orphan with her dog Sandy set during the Depression airs Dec. 2 on NBC. (Paul Gilmore/NBC via AP)

NBC hopes the sun will come out as it mounts ‘Annie Live!’

NEW YORK (AP) — There’s a famous saying in showbiz: “Never work with children or animals.” NBC is wisely ignoring that as it mounts a live version of the hit Broadway musical “Annie.”

Taraji P. Henson tells New Jack Swing backstory in podcast

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Taraji P. Henson remembered wearing her favorite outfit to a music festival where some of the biggest New Jack Swing tunes were being performed from Bell Biv Devoe’s “Poison” to Tony!

Taraji P. Henson to host ‘New Jack Swing’ podcast series

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Taraji P. Henson will host a new podcast series focused on the story behind the New Jack Swing music era.

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2019, file photo, Taraji P. Henson arrives at the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Henson, who has spoken publicly about her struggles with anxiety and depression, was named Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, as the latest recipient of the Boston-based Ruderman Family Foundation's Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion for her work to end the stigma around mental illness. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

‘Empire’ star Taraji P. Henson hailed for mental health work

“Empire” star Taraji P. Henson has enjoyed wealth, celebrity, a Golden Globe win and an Academy Award nomination.

‘WHATS POPPIN’ remakes by 2 Georgia teachers go viral

ATLANTA (AP) — Two teachers were recently looking for ways to motivate their students for a new school year amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has hit their south Georgia community especially hard.

This combination of photos shows, director Lee Daniels, from left, actress Taraji P. Henson and filmmaker Lulu Wang, who are among the talent participating in a series of virtual panels about inclusion and equity in Hollywood hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The organization that puts on the Oscars said Thursday that the panels rolling out through September and October will be available to the public. (AP Photo)

Film academy to host virtual panels about inclusion, equity

Lee Daniels, Lulu Wang and Taraji P. Henson are among the talent participating in a series of virtual panels about inclusion and equity in Hollywood hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

This image released by Netflix shows Terrence Little Gardenhigh, left, and Ed Helms in a scene from "Coffee & Kareem." (Justina Mintz/Netflix via AP)

Review: A lewd buddy cop comedy in ‘Coffee & Kareem’

Your enjoyment of the new Netflix comedy “ Coffee & Kareem ” may depend on whether or not you find insanely vulgar middle schoolers funny. It’s not just cursing either.

Correction: TV-Black Ink Crew-Compton story

COMPTON, Calif. (AP) — In a story Sept. 25 about the docu-series “Black Ink Crew: Compton,” The Associated Press reported erroneously that the eighth season of “Black Ink Crew: New York” airs on Sundays.

Marisa Tomei arrives at the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Dual-tone gowns of pink and red ruled the Emmys carpet

NEW YORK (AP) — Did someone send a memo? Taraji P. Henson, Zoe Kazan, Susan Kelechi Watson, Mandy Moore and Marisa Tomei all showed up to the Emmys in two-tone looks of pink and red that stood out on the awards’ purple carpet.

George Mason names building for ‘Hidden Figures’ scientist

MANASSAS, Va. (AP) — George Mason University is naming a science and technology building in honor of the one of the NASA mathematicians whose story was told in the motion picture “Hidden Figures.”

A hearse carrying the casket of film director John Singleton leaves Angelus Funeral Home, Monday, May 6, 2019, after a memorial service in Los Angeles. Singleton died on April 29 following a stroke. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Ice Cube, others mourn director Singleton at private funeral

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Family, friends and dignitaries including Ice Cube, Stevie Wonder and Congresswoman Maxine Waters were among those mourning director John Singleton at his Los Angeles funeral on Monday.

This combination photo shows Erykah Badu performing at a tribute to Prince at the BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 26, 2016, left, and Taraji P. Henson posing for a portrait in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Nov. 3, 2018. Badu and Henson star together in the upcoming comedy “What Men Want.” They say comments online and, in Badu’s case, also in concert regarding R. Kelly haven been taken totally out of context. (AP Photo)

Henson and Badu say comments on R. Kelly misrepresented

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Taraji P. Henson and Erykah Badu want to clear the air.

The pair, who star together in the upcoming comedy “What Men Want,” say their comments regarding R.

NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson being honored in bronze

INSTITUTE, W.Va. (AP) — Katherine Johnson, the NASA mathematician whose calculations helped astronauts return to Earth, is being honored at her alma mater with a bronze statue and a scholarship in her name.

Taraji P. Henson finally gets her ‘Fatal Attraction’ role

NEW YORK (AP) — Tyler Perry says he knew if he was going to have Taraji P. Henson star in his latest film, he would have to work fast.

Coco Rocha attends the Fashion Week amfAR Gala in New York on Wednesday. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

2018 Fashion Week amfAR Gala New York

Ava DuVernay arrives at the 49th annual NAACP Image Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Pasadena, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Winners of the 49th NAACP Image Awards

FILM

‘Hidden figure’ studied effects of space travel; still too excited to retire at 80

MIDWAY, Ky. -- Sara Day Evans compares her mother Joyce to the “hidden figures” NASA computational whizzes profiled in 2016’s hit movie starring Taraji P. Henson.

Taraji P. Henson confirms Kelvin Hayden relationship

Taraji P. Henson has confirmed she is dating Kelvin Hayden.

The ‘Empire’ actress has opened up about being in a long-term relationship with the former NFL player, two years after the couple sparked speculation they were dating after being pictured holding hands together while on holiday.

‘Empire’ star has North Carolina roots

Award-winning actress and star of Fox’s hit drama “Empire” Taraji P. Henson has fond memories of visiting North Carolina every summer.

At SAG Awards, protest of immigration ban takes spotlight

Oscar season is looking more and more like one very well-dressed protest against President Donald Trump.

‘Hidden Figures’ keeps orbit at top; Affleck, Scorsese flop

NEW YORK (AP) — Labors of love, one from Martin Scorsese, the other from Ben Affleck, proved costly at a casualty strewn weekend box office where the uplifting NASA drama “Hidden Figures” stayed on top for the second straight week.