Actress Taraji P. Henson makes an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show on Wednesday, May 13 and shares why she had to pay homage to Janet Jackson with her iconic Halloween look, and what it was like finally spending time with the ICON herself. Then she takes us back to a surreal moment with Prince… including the once-in-a-lifetime invite she still wishes she could redo.
Taraji also opens up about stepping into a brand new chapter and making her Broadway debut in “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” and calling it a full-circle moment rooted in the legacy of August Wilson. She opens up about getting the call from Debbie Allen, and what it means to be part of a production backed by Denzel Washington. Plus, Taraji shares the wild story of how she almost missed a life-changing opportunity – all because she was busy hosting a garage sale – until a last-minute call to meet David Fincher changed everything.
Taraji P. Henson revealed she nearly missed out on one of the biggest opportunities of her career — a role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button directed by David Fincher.
The actress hilariously recalled being far more focused on preparing for a glamorous garage sale than stressing over the audition itself. At the time, Taraji said she had already convinced herself Hollywood would ultimately cast a bigger name, so after giving the audition her all, she mentally moved on and started planning a fundraiser for her upcoming trip to Italy.
“I had turned my garage into a boutique store,” she laughed. “My kickboxing bag became a mannequin, I had hats, glasses, price tags on everything honey, it was going to be a blowout sale!”
Then came the unexpected phone call. Her agent informed her that David Fincher wanted to meet with her immediately. Taraji initially tried to push the meeting to Monday, stunned that anyone was working on a Saturday. “I said, ‘People are coming! I’ve got cupcakes and champagne waiting!’” she joked.
Thankfully, her agent convinced her to shut the garage door and head to the callback. When she arrived, she realized this wasn’t a typical audition packed with actresses competing for the same role. The parking lot was nearly empty just her car, the director’s, and the casting director’s.
Inside, Fincher reportedly looked at her and said, “She says you’re special.” He then revealed he had seen her performance in Hustle & Flow and immediately understood why casting director Laray Mayfield believed in her talent.
Taraji admitted she almost let the life-changing opportunity slip away.
The conversation also turned to her Broadway debut in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, which came together thanks to legendary choreographer and producer Debbie Allen. Taraji shared how deeply connected she feels to the work of playwright August Wilson, whose plays she studied extensively while attending Howard University.
She also praised Denzel Washington for continuing Wilson’s legacy by bringing his iconic American Century Cycle plays to new audiences through film and theater adaptations, calling the experience a true full-circle moment in her career.
Taraji was wearing a Zimmermann Rebellion belted linen jacket in a sky blue color featuring gold buttons and functional chest flap pockets with matching slacks, cute!
Photo credit: Chris Haston/WBTV
