Taraji P. Henson
Taraji P. Henson has been putting work in Hollywood for decades before finally getting her flowers after she landed her most beloved role as Loretha “Cookie” Lyon on Fox’s Empire. Before Empire, however, she starred in the cult classic Baby Boy in 2001, the 2005 film Hustle & Flow, and the 2008 film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button where she claimed she only made $40,000 and starred in many other roles. She has also released her own natural hair care line TPH by Taraji in 2020.
The actress is a businesswoman but now, at 51 Taraji is focused on her mental health and what makes her happy. The mother of one launched her Facebook Watch show Peace of Mind with Taraji and founded Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation which is named after her father who dealt with mental health struggles. And with the ongoing racial injustices and unrest happening in the U.S. right now, Taraji is considering living elsewhere to find her peace of mind.
The Hidden Figures star made the revelation during an interview with PEOPLE Every Day Podcast. "I'm really considering getting up out of here, leaving and living in another country," she confessed. "That's something that comes with 50, you get tired of fighting. I'm tired."
She added, "I just don't want to have to do another hashtag … I fought, I chanted, I marched. I'm tired."
Taraji didn’t specify where she wants to move to exactly but wherever she goes she wants to be loved on and not be judged by the color of her skin. "I want to go where there's neutral ground," she said. "I want to just be. And be happy. I want to be called 'Bella' every day, drink wine, and swat flies on the porch. Stress-free."
At 51, The Color Purple musical movie actress is no longer worried about satisfying others and is putting herself first. Something she says comes with age. "There's something that happens when you turn 50, where all of your f---s are behind you,” she shared. “I've accomplished a lot and I'm going to do what I want to do. I'm at the point now where if I say, 'I quit, I'm going to go travel the world,' I can. It's so freeing."
While she may not be moving anytime soon, she is planning a getaway with her bestie Mary J. Blige. "Me and Mary have been trying to do this trip for so long but our schedules just keep getting crazy. I just told her 'Look, enough is enough, I need a vacation!'" she exclaimed.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Arturo Holmes/MG21/Getty Images
ALSO ON XONECOLE