Latest news with #TarajiPHenson
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Taraji P. Henson Shares How Being a Parent to Son Marcell Impacts Her Career: 'I'm a Mother First'
For Taraji P. Henson, motherhood is always at the forefront of everything she does. On Monday, June 16, the Straw actress, 54, sat down with her co-stars, Sherri Shepherd and Teyana Taylor, to discuss their roles in Tyler Perry's new thriller Straw. During the conversation, the leading ladies opened up about the importance of Black women in entertainment and how motherhood impacts their career. 'I'm a mom first like before you see me on camera, before I hit my mark, i'm a mother first, so that comes with everything I do,' she began. 'There were roles that I didn't take because I'm a mom, certain scenes I wouldn't shoot because I'm a mom,' she said, before jokingly adding, 'It's changed now 'cause he grown.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Henson, who got pregnant with her son during her junior year at Howard University, added that being a mom at the start of her career helped her create separation between her job and private life. 'When I started my career, Marcell was really young, so I couldn't come home and talk about Hollywood 'cause he had to eat, we had homework and so that's what trained me to turn that switch on and off," she said. "Like as soon as I got home, Hollywood was back there." Henson moved to L.A. when her son was young to pursue her dream of becoming an actress. In her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony speech, Henson recalled moving with $700 when Marcell was only 1 year old. "I'm a mom. I have a son. When I set out on this journey, I said, 'I'll never give up because if I give up what am I teaching my son,' " she said. "I just made a promise to him, and I just said, 'I'm never gonna give up. Things are gonna be hard," she added. "He don't even remember the hard days, he remembers the house with the pool, but I just made a promise to him and when you love that deep and you make promises, you have to keep them." is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Over the years, Marcell has attended events with his famous mother. In 2014, he accompanied Henson to a screening of From The Rough in Hollywood, and joined his mom at the 2015 Emmy Awards. During an installment of The Jess Cagle Interview, Henson opened up about the fear she carries as a mother. "He has a really good heart," she said of her son. "It's just hard to know that the world can pick him out and turn him into a monster at any given moment." She continued, "That's what I fear, that's something that I carry — I think every Black mother does. All parents worry about their kids, but then when you see the news and you see people getting off for killing innocent children with no weapon it's like, that doesn't exempt my son." Read the original article on People
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Netflix's latest number one movie worldwide is a thriller with a low Rotten Tomatoes score, but viewers have nothing but praise for it
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Netflix's latest number one movie globally is a thriller titled Straw, and while viewers are loving it, critics haven't been as kind. The film, which stars Taraji P. Henson and is directed by Tyler Perry, follows a struggling single mother named Janiyah living in poverty with her chronically ill daughter. Things quickly spiral out of control, and Janiyah ends up involved in a bank robbery. Straw holds a critics score on Rotten Tomatoes of just 47% from 17 reviews, but audiences are sharing the love for the movie on Twitter. "Tyler and Taraji better win their Oscars for this... Movies don't make you cry like this these days!" says one person. "The way STRAW raises awareness on psychosis , and the different stages of grief! Beautifully done!" says someone else. "Taraji P. Henson is one of THE BEST actress ever. #StrawNetflix was simply incredible and she deserves an Oscar. The emotion I felt watching this was insane. I cried from start to finish," shares someone else. "Single moms. We are incredibly strong." "The storytelling, the raw emotion, the quiet moments in between – it felt so personal, so real. It reminded me of the weight we all carry, the love we lose or fight for, and the small gestures that can mean everything. This one brought me to tears," reads another reaction. Netflix's current number one show, meanwhile, is Ginny & Georgia, which tops the weekly top 10 worldwide. Straw is streaming on Netflix now. For more, check out our guides to the best Netflix movies and best Netflix shows to fill out your watchlist.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Straw Tyler Perry movie wey dey draw emotions from Nigerians
Straw, one new psychological crime thriller movie wey ogbonge American filmmaker Tyler Perry just release on Netflix currently dey totori feem lovers all ova di world. Di feem wey dey rank number one on Netflix globally na movie wey get plenty emotional turmoil and e full of suspense. Di Netflix thriller, wey dem release on 6 June, star Taraji P. Henson as Janiyah Wiltkinson, one single mother wey dey struggle to provide for her sick daughter, Aria (Gabby Jackson). As di movie hit number one for di world on Netflix, Madam Henson for one post on Instagram tok say, "Dis one take me on a journey—deep, raw, real—and I dey so grateful say e dey land wit you, di way e land wit me." "To everibody wey cry, reflect, and feel sometin… I see you. I feel you. Dat na why we do dis," Henson add. Many pipo hail and relate to di feem as e capture di struggles of ordinary pipo we trap for these kind of situations. Wetin Straw dey all about? Di official synopsis for Straw show how one single mother world turn upside down one day, as her day bin go from bad to worse to catastrophic as she struggle to care for her sick daughter. As di situation push am to di edge by di world wey no care about her existence, she dey forced to confront impossible choices for inside society wey no guarantee safety net. As her day bin go out of control, na so she no fit do wetin dey right, wetin dey legal, and wetin even dey real. Di tori wey start from woman wey dey try to hold evritin togeda quickly take unexpected turns and leave pipo wey dey watch to kwesion evritin. Oga Perry tear di tori down to raw moments of desperation, e explore wetin fit happun wen dem push pesin beyond dia limits. Why Janaiyah hold bank hostage? Wetin be di real tori behind her daughter? And wetin e mean wen pesin finally reach dia last straw. Straw, na very heart-breaking, emotional story wey reveal di harsh reality of di world. As e dey tok to Entertainment Weekly, di Oscar nominee say wetin draw her to di tori na how Straw highlight "how easy e dey for pipo wey dey for vulnerable position to dey disregarded or disenfranchised by di system wey suppose protect dem." Straw focus on di financial struggles of single mother Janiyah, wey come across multiple setbacks throughout her day. Di movie also feature two strong women Nicole (Sherri Shepherd) di bank manager and Detective Raymond (Teyana Taylor), wey show di lead character real support for di first time. Dem listen to her struggles and try to de-escalate di situation. Di feem also get one shocking twist for di end, as e dey normal wit Tyler Perry feems, wey go leave fans wit plenty confusions and questions. Casts of Straw Oga Perry feature plenty ogbonge actors for dis movie and dem deliver dia role well. Part of dem na three women wey carry di movie, give di feem life and essence. Taraji P Henson as Janiyah Janiyah Wilkinson na di lead cast member of di movie. She be di helpless mother wey struggle to take care of her sick daughter, Aria. To provide for her basic needs, Janiyah bin work for one grocery store under one unsympathetic boss wey no dey miss opportunity to ridicule her. One day, wen authorities take her daughter, she make one decision wey make her life even more difficult. Taraji P. Henson play di role of Janiyah Witkinson for Straw. She be famous American actress and she don feature for ogbonge movie like Hustle & Flow, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Karate Kid, and Streetwise, among odas. She also don win plenty awards. Sherri Shepherd as Nicole Afta dem fire her from work, Janiyah bin try to cash her cheque for bank, but di cashier tell her say she must provide official ID and she no get. As she no get oda option, Janiyah take out gun to threaten di cashier. Nicole, na di bank manager, wey call di police and alert dem say Janiyah get gun and she carry bomb, she later become support system to Janiyah. Afta Janiyah allow all di hostages to leave di bank, Nicole bin stay back to ensure say she safely surrender herself to di police. Sherri Shepherd na award-winning actress wey don feature for many movies like 30 Rock, The Sex Life of College Girls, and more. Teyana Taylor as Detective Kay Raymond Det. Key Raymond na one former negotiator for di army. She bin work as a detective for di main storyline. Even though she hear say Janiyah allegedly rob bank, Raymond still dey sympathetic towards her and also punish di officer threaten Janiyah earlier. Kay Raymond play incredible role for di feem, and her acting dey highly impactful Teyana Taylor na multitalented public figure. She be actor, dancer, singer, and music video editor wey don show for plenty music videos.
Mail & Guardian
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
Held hostage by grief: What Straw gets right (and wrong)
Straw. Taraji P. Henson as Janiyah Wiltkinson in Straw. Cr. Chip Bergmann/Perry Well Films 2/Courtesy Netflix ©2025 Tyler Perry's latest film Straw , which premiered on 6 June on Netflix, has many viewers divided. Some who have followed Perry's work find the black woman's struggle angle a bit tired, while some find the film compelling, albeit painful to watch. As with the latter view, I had my heartstrings tugged and twisted on a random Monday morning. It is definitely not a great way to start a week but, fortunately, Mondays are my days off when I am free to be 'human' and 'feel'. Love or hate Perry, the illustrious writer-director knows how to tell a persuasive story about those on the margins of society. A roller-coaster ride of sweat, tears and screams, Straw follows hard-working single mother Janiyah Wiltkinson, played by Taraji P. Henson, on a devastatingly bad day that leads her into a shocking act of desperation. As a film about a person's breaking point leading to a hostage situation, Straw borrows heavily from Denzel Washington's John Q and John Boyega's Breaking . On the local front, I was also reminded of Kagiso Modupe's Losing Lerato 2 , the sequel to the 2019 drama film Losing Lerato. One of the similarities between these films is that they are about how despair can lead a person, particularly someone from a disadvantaged community, to hold people hostage in a bid to get their pressing needs met. Apart from the female lead, the differences with Straw are the troubling themes of struggling single mothers and the mental health issues related to the loss of a child. Single mothers and grief Regardless of where you are in the world, the film could be highly triggering to those who have experienced the struggles of single mothers. Particularly for households in low-income areas, these include financial strain, fatigue, stigma and lack of access to essential resources. In South Africa, for instance, only one-third of children (33.8%) lived with both parents according to a 2022 General Household Survey by Statistics South Africa. Of them, 43.4% lived only with their mothers, while a much smaller percentage (4%) lived only with their fathers, according to the survey. Added to these challenges for single mothers are the mental health issues related to losing a child. Sure, Perry could do better in stretching his filmmaking catalogue beyond sad black female stories. But the invisible wars women fight due to the often ignored mental health issues that come with grieving over a child's death were prominent in Straw. In South Africa, the infant mortality rate for 2021 was estimated at 24.1 per 1 000 live births, according to StatsSA. Some contributing factors include HIV/Aids, inequality, poor maternal nutrition and inadequate access to quality healthcare. Due to capitalism, and life's daily demands, many women are simply expected to carry on like nothing happened. As such, the effect on a single mother's mental health is often unnoticed by family members, employers and even the grieving mother herself. Misunderstood and support networks But who will believe a woman, let alone a single mother, if she opens up about her mental health struggles in an antagonistic patriarchal society? In her book Invisible Women , British author Caroline Criado-Perez argues that instead of believing women when they say they're in pain, society tends to label them as mad, irrational or over emotional. Male theorists such as Stephen Hawking and Sigmund Freud, the author further argues, supported this skewed view of the women in their earlier work. As society evolves, we would expect thoughts on women and their mental health to change but, sadly, that's not the case. In the film, Janiyah is extremely frustrated when people, including some male characters, do not understand her situation. We witness narcissistic and shallow men disregard Janiyah's emotions without compassion or understanding. Her employer Richard (Glynn Turman), for instance, doesn't miss a beat in throwing accusations and insults at her. FBI Agent Bryce (Derek Phillips) and Officer Oliver's (Tilky Jones) dismissal of Janiyah's reasons, highlight the white supremacy that often tramples women's needs. The absence of the father also rang loudly throughout the film. Where was the child's dad to support Janiyah emotionally and financially? The solidarity and understanding among the female characters was commendable but expected as Perry's signature. Along with the group of supporters outside the bank — Kay Raymond, the detective (Teyana Taylor), and the bank manager Nicole (Sherri Shepherd) — were empathy and understanding personified. Though many studies have attempted to explain how people react to grief, it must be said that different people experience grief differently, particularly when it comes to the loss of a child. Dissociation, depression and anxiety could be some of the effects. Due to economic inequalities, social stigma and lack of knowledge of mental wellness some, unfortunately, get stuck in an unending loop. Interventions such as positive community support, therapy and even medication are what most healthcare practitioners would typically advise. At the end, however, it is up to the person, man or woman, to ask for help when drowning in the mind's abyss. The pain from mental health struggles is not a gender issue but a human topic. The film reminds us to be more kind to one another, to check up on that family member, colleague or neighbour who has gone through an overwhelming traumatic experience. Straw has to be Perry's most heartbreaking film on the painful struggles of black women I've seen since For Coloured Girls in 2010. Overall, the contemporary themes and Henson's award-worthy performance in tapping into a wide spectrum of emotions saves the film from mediocrity.
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BET Awards 2025 WORST dressed list: Taraji P. Henson, GloRilla, and MGK hit red carpet in bizarre looks
Taraji P. Henson lead the worst dressed at the 2025 BET Awards by donning an outlandish, 50ft tall caped gown onstage the Peacock Theater in downtown LA Monday amid violent ICE protests. The 54-year-old Oscar nominee clutched a burning bouquet of roses as she delivered a pretentious poem about divorce during Teyana Taylor 's performance at the awards ceremony honoring black excellence. 'It started as a spark and we fed it with promises. Eyes locked, "I do." Until one day, anger and rage, love shouldn't burn everything it touches,' Taraji - who relies on styling duo Wayman + Micah - stated. 'So, I walked away from the wreckage. Not because I stopped loving you, no, but because I finally understood even love is something you must escape.' Teyana - who relies on stylist Edith Donaldson-Wheeler - transformed into a bulky-looking robot in what appeared to be a direct homage to Katy Perry 's Lifetimes Tour 'K3P143' costume crafted by designer Zaldy. At first glance, GloRilla appeared to be wearing an ordinary white three-piece suit selected by stylist EJ King for her onstage rendition of Let Her Cook. But the 25-year-old rapper (born Gloria Hallelujah Woods) turned around to reveal the trousers' thonged back with corset detailing up both exposed legs. Machine Gun Kelly - rocking Napoleon Dynamite curls - looked ready to take someone's order in his preppy pastel yellow shirt, matching necktie, and black trousers. Kendrick Lamar channeled Grey Gardens' Little Edie by wearing a baby-blue knit scarf, tied in festive knots, atop the head while accepting five of his 10 nominations including album of the year. Tisha Campbell coordinated her burgundy mane with an oxblood-leather Anthony Lattimore gown covered in belts selected by stylist J. Bolin. The 56-year-old Little Shop of Horrors alum was attempting to recreate the late Gianni Versace's iconic black-leather belt dress he made for his sister Donatella back in 1993. Gospel singer Lucinda Moore turned heads in a black-hooded blazer draped with white fringe, embroidered skinny pants, and platform peep-toe heels which she styled herself. NFL quarterback-turned-podcaster Cam Newton took a big swing with his snug brocade vest and trousers, but was ultimately swallowed by the busy print. Rapper Kash Doll and former Detroit Lion Za'Darius Smith's brown leather ensembles were clearly inspired by Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake's denim explosion on the AMAs red carpet in 2001. Rapper Dej Loaf pulled a Jayden Smith move by rocking an eccentric spiked face mask with her white pantsuit and loafers. Machine Gun Kelly - rocking Napoleon Dynamite curls - looked ready to take someone's order in his preppy pastel yellow shirt, matching necktie, and black trousers Rapper Kash Doll and former Detroit Lion Za'Darius Smith's brown leather ensembles were clearly inspired by Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake's denim explosion on the AMAs red carpet in 2001 Divorced Sistas actress Khadeen Ellis' black mini-dress and RHOA star Drew Sidora's silver Le Thanh Hoa mini-dress both overwhelmed their petite frames with architectural flare Free Marie Wright - who was the first host of BET's 106 & Park - looked caged in a grey-and-green corseted creation, belted with a shabby corset, which was selected by stylist J. Bolin. Rapper Da Brat looked far too casual in a custom Anthony Lattimore duster over bleach-stained sweats. Divorced Sistas actress Khadeen Ellis' black mini-dress and RHOA star Drew Sidora's silver Le Thanh Hoa mini-dress both overwhelmed their petite frames with architectural flare. BMF actress Michole Briana White attempted pattern-clashing in a snug pantsuit selected by stylisy Tiffany Scott-Clemente. Non-binary queer singer Kehlani's tattooed body was washed out by the archival Dior by Galliano brocade dress selected by stylist Quran Smith. Three gents at the BET Awards wearing awkward and ill-fitting suits included Lady in the Lake actor Tyrik Johnson, rapper Foggieraw, and comedian Druski. 2025 BET Awards Winners Album of the Year $Ome $Exy $Ongs 4 U - Drake & PartyNextDoor 11:11 Deluxe - Chris Brown Alligator Bites Never Heal - Doechii Cowboy Carter - Beyoncé Glorious - GloRilla GNX - Kendrick Lamar - WINNER Hurry Up Tomorrow - The Weeknd We Don't Trust You - Future & Metro Boomin Best Female R&B/Pop Artist Ari Lennox Ayra Starr Coco Jones Kehlani Muni Long Summer Walker SZA - WINNER Victoria Monét Best Male R&B/Pop Artist Bruno Mars Chris Brown - WINNER Drake Fridayy Leon Thomas Teddy Swims The Weeknd Usher Best Group 41 Common & Pete Rock Drake & PartyNextDoor FLO Future & Metro Boomin - WINNER Jacquees & Dej Loaf Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist Maverick City Music Best Collaboration '30 For 30' - SZA Feat. Kendrick Lamar 'Alter Ego' - Doechii Feat. JT 'Are You Even Real' - Teddy Swims Feat. Givēon 'Beckham' - Dee Billz Feat. Kyle Richh, Kai Swervo, Kj Swervo 'Bless' - Lil Wayne, Wheezy & Young Thug 'Like That' - Future & Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar 'Luther' - Kendrick Lamar & SZA - WINNER 'Sticky' - Tyler, the Creator Feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne 'Timeless' - The Weeknd Feat. Playboi Carti Best Female Hip Hop Artist Cardi B Doechii - WINNER Doja Cat GloRilla Latto Megan Thee Stallion Nicki Minaj Rapsody Sexyy Red Best Male Hip Hop Artist BigXthaPlug Bossman Dlow Burna Boy Drake Future Kendrick Lamar - WINNER Key Glock Lil Wayne Tyler, the Creator Video of the Year '3AM in ToKEYo' - Key Glock 'A Bar Song (Tipsy)' - Shaboozey 'After Hours' - Kehlani 'Denial Is A River' - Doechii 'Family Matters' - Drake 'Not Like Us' - Kendrick Lamar - WINNER 'Timeless' - The Weeknd Feat. Playboi Carti 'Type Shit' - Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti Video Director of the Year Anderson .Paak B Pace Productions & Jacquees Benny Boom Cactus Jack Cole Bennett Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar - WINNER Dave Meyers Foggieraw Tyler, the Creator Best New Artist 41 Ayra Starr BigXthaPlug Bossman Dlow Dee Billz Leon Thomas - WINNER October London Shaboozey Teddy Swims Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award 'A God (There Is)' - Common & Pete Rock Feat. Jennifer Hudson 'Amen' - Pastor Mike Jr. 'Better Days' - Fridayy 'Church Doors (Terry Hunter Remix)' - Yolanda Adams Feat. Sir The Baptist & Donald Lawrence 'Constant' - Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore & Anthony Gargiula 'Deserve To Win' - Tamela Mann 'Faith' - Rapsody 'Rain Down on Me' - GloRilla Feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music - WINNER Viewer's Choice Award 'Residuals' - Chris Brown - WINNER 'Denial Is A River' - Doechii 'Nokia' - Drake 'Like That' - Future & Metro Boomin Feat. Kendrick Lamar 'TGIF' - GloRilla 'Not Like Us' - Kendrick Lamar 'Luther' - Kendrick Lamar & SZA 'Brokey' - Latto Best International Act Any Gabrielly (Brazil) Ayra Starr (Nigeria) Bashy (United Kingdom) Black Sherif (Ghana) Ezra Collective (United Kingdom) Joé Dwèt Filé (France) Mc Luanna (Brazil) Rema (Nigeria) Sdm (France) Tyla (South Africa) Uncle Waffles (Swaziland) Best New International Act Abigail Chams (Tanzania) Ajuliacosta (Brazil) Amabbi (Brazil) Dlala Thukzin (South Africa) Dr Yaro (France) kwn (United Kingdom) Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa) Merveille (France) Odeal (United Kingdom) Shallipopi (Nigeria) TxC (South Africa) BET Her 'Beautiful People' - Mary J. Blige 'Blackbiird' - Beyoncé Feat. Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy & Reyna Roberts 'Bloom' - Doechii 'Burning' - Tems 'Defying Gravity' - Cynthia Erivo Feat. Ariana Grande 'Heart of a Woman' - Summer Walker - WINNER 'Hold On' - Tems 'In My Bag' FLO & GloRilla Best Movie Bad Boys: Ride Or Die Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F Luther: Never Too Much - WINNER Mufasa: The Lion King One Of Them Days Rebel Ridge The Piano Lesson The Six Triple Eight Best Actor Aaron Pierre Aldis Hodge Anthony Mackie Colman Domingo Denzel Washington - WINNER Jamie Foxx Joey Bada$ Kevin Hart Sterling K. Brown Will Smith Best Actress Andra Day Angela Bassett Coco Jones Cynthia Erivo - WINNER Keke Palmer Kerry Washington Quinta Brunson Viola Davis Zendaya YoungStars Award Akira Akbar Blue Ivy Carter - WINNER Graceyn 'Gracie' Hollingsworth Heiress Harris Melody Hurd Thaddeus J. Mixson Tyrik Johnson Vanvan Sportswoman of the Year Award A'ja Wilson Angel Reese - WINNER Claressa Shields Coco Gauff Dawn Staley Flau'jae Johnson Juju Watkins Sha'Carri Richardson Simone Biles Sportsman of the Year Award Aaron Judge Anthony Edwards Deion Sanders Jalen Hurts - WINNER Jayson Tatum LeBron James Saquon Barkley Stephen Curry
