‘I feel naked': Taraji P. Henson ditches the wigs and poses with her natural hair for stunning photo shoot.
The 45-year-old Empire star looks stunning in the latest issue of CR Fashion Book, but admitted she was worried she would feel ‘naked’ after ditching the wigs for the images.The performer – who graduated with a degree in theater arts from Howard University- discussed her dedication to the art in the November issue of Essence Magazine. Speaking about how photographer Bruce Weber encouraged her to embrace her natural side, Taraji said: ‘So I’m trying on the clothes and the silk scarf I have on my head slips off, and I say, “Hey, look at my cornrows, aren’t they beautiful?” ‘Bruce Weber is standing there and he goes, “We’ll shoot that.” And I go, “What?
The latter is certainly true for Taraji, who plays the Cookie with ferocity, determination, and emotion that has fans of the hit series – which brought in 22.5 million viewers for its season 2 finale according to Variety – rallying for her. Henson appeared on Tuesday night’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and recounted a story in which the president and the first lady showed their love for Empire. We’ll shoot what?” And he says, “We’ll shoot your hair just like that, it’s beautiful.”‘ ‘Part of me was like, “No, no, no, NO!” This is the hair no one is supposed to see.
Per Daniels, the president discussed an episode of the show in which he had supposedly called Lucious Lyon (“Now you know Lee, I would never call Lucious. She was also a bit shocked over one fan in particular – FLOTUS Michelle Obama – who said to Empire co-creator Lee Daniels at a state dinner: ‘Where is Taraji P. I was like, “I’m not getting anything.” And he said, “You asked for LONGEVITY!” and I was like, “Uh, yeah Dad, I didn’t think it would take this long.” ‘After my first big role, I said, “Oh my God, Daddy, this is it.” He was like, “Do you understand that is nothing compared to what is coming for you? You have no idea how much I love Cookie.’ Everything seems to be falling into place for the star, who told Essence: ‘I’m just gonna keep amassing an audience. I want to see what you see.”‘ Taraji added that she likes playing roles that take her far out of her comfort zone, explaining: ‘I’m drawn to characters that scare the s*** out of me because I know they are going to unearth something in me.’
This is what all my efforts are for.’ Her breakthrough performance later came in 2001’s Baby Boy, with the actress subsequently gaining acclaim for 2005’s Hustle & Flow (with Empire co-star Terrence Howard), and 2008’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which earned her an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress. Thank you @essencemag WE DID THAT @ashuntasheriff @cesar4styles @jasonrembert I MEAN the spread is soooooooo #BossB****h #Bossy I’m just saying!!!! #FlexZone #COPDAT.’
