(Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
“It’s supposed to be over for me…but here I am. I’m a late bloomer, and I’m okay with that. Know why? Late bloomers last looong,” the Academy Award-winning Taraji P. Henson, now at the golden age of 50, told W Magazine when reflecting on her age and career.
The gorgeous, hilarious, bold, confident, and motivated Henson will never claim that any of her success was achieved without hard work and commitment to her dream.
Henson was absolutely killing it in the days of Empire, her groundbreaking role in Hidden Figures and she continues to headline in movies like What Men Want, Proud Mary, The Best of Enemies,and Coffeee and Kareem.
She keeps it 100 about her decision to continue to pursue acting even when she had a child at a relatively young age. “People thought I was crazy, but being a mom early enhanced my talent. It opened up a side of me that I didn’t know I had, that sense of duty and protection, and it kept me grounded in Hollywood. I’m still that young, vivacious girl, but I have the wisdom of a woman. Now I can go to the clubs and know my limit. I’m not throwing up…I’m not going home with some fool,” she said.
Born into a family located in the dark and dangerous parts of Washington, D.C., Henson stepped up and created a name and legacy for herself.
Her story has the potential to light a fire of inspiration inside of every underprivileged female following in her footsteps.
From the beginning, Henson faced setback after setback. In her teen years, Henson auditioned for a performing arts school but was denied.
After completing school at Oxon Hill High School, she continued her journey to becoming an educated woman at a college in North Carolina.
Henson then faced another trial as she failed out of pre-calculus and transferred to Howard University to study theatre on her own dime.
While working two jobs to pay for her classes, Henson juggled jobs, her dreams, and her then newborn son.
(Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Global Citizen)
At this point in her career, Henson was majoring in theatre and was working a second job as a performer on a cruise ship, all while completing her regular college courses as a junior.
Although the life she was pursuing for herself was already physically, mentally, and financially demanding, she insists on keeping the baby and persevered through her last year of college.
By earning her college diploma in 1995, Henson became a role model to a variety of young girls that will one day learn about her selfless act of bravery.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 23: Taraji P. Henson poses in the press room at the 2019 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Liliane Lathan/Getty Images for BET)
Now, Henson is on the “Who’s Who” of Hollywood. She’s also engaged and living her best life both in front and behind the camera. So when she thinks about being 50, the beautiful Henson is all smiles.
“It’s been great for me! I own six properties, I’m out of the hood, and my son don’t know the hood.” She let out an infectious cackle before changing to a serious tone. “Now, have they put all the zeroes on my check that I deserve?” she asked, noting that ever since Tyler Perry flew her to a meeting on his private jet, she’s been hankering for one of her own. “That’s the question, but not even for me because I don’t write the checks. I just keep working hard, knowing it will come.”
“Most successful young people don’t look inside and then plan a life. They look outside and find a problem, which summons their life.” Henson’s “problem” found her.
The bravery she showed to her unborn child is an inspiration within itself. The success she earned despite her major setback, is now known as a legacy.
Henson’s pregnancy could be considered to be the abyss of her life. This situation had the potential to take her all the way back to her starting point in her home in D.C.
Instead, Henson found the determination, power, and capability within herself and conquered her own world, while creating a new world for someone else.
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