Did Taraji P Henson Sing In The Color Purple? How Much Did Taraji Make for the Color Purple?
by Priyanka P | Updated Dec 26, 2023
Who is Taraji P Henson?
Taraji P. Henson is an accomplished American actress born on September 11, 1970. Known for her versatility, she has received notable awards, including a Golden Globe, and nominations for an Academy Award and Primetime Emmy Awards. Henson's acting career began with her film debut in "Streetwise" (1998), but she gained widespread recognition for roles in "Hustle & Flow" (2005) and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (2008).
Her portrayal of Katherine Johnson in "Hidden Figures" (2016) showcased her talent in diverse roles. Henson also made a mark in television, starring in "Person of Interest" and earning a Golden Globe for her role as Cookie Lyon in "Empire" (2015-2020). Beyond acting, she has engaged in singing, philanthropy, and advocacy for causes like PETA and mental health awareness.
Born
September 11, 1970
Birthplace
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Age
53
Education
North Carolina A&T State University, Howard University (BFA)
Occupation
Actress
Years Active
1992–present
Children
1 (Son - Marcell, born in 1994)
Did Taraji P Henson Sing in the Color Purple?
Yes, Taraji P. Henson sang in "The Color Purple." In the 2023 movie adaptation of Alice Walker's novel, Henson takes on the role of Shug Avery, a jazz singer. Shug is a pivotal character in the story, and her musical performances are integral to the film. Despite initially declining the role during the Broadway run due to concerns about her vocal endurance, fate brought Henson back to portray Shug in the movie.
In the film, Henson showcases her singing talent, delivering memorable musical moments that contribute to the overall success of the movie. Her performance as Shug not only involves acting but also includes displaying her vocal abilities, adding depth to the character and enriching the musical aspect of "The Color Purple."
Taraji P Henson Early Life
Taraji P. Henson was born on September 11, 1970, in Washington, D.C. She grew up with her mother, Bernice, who worked as a corporate manager, and her father, Boris Lawrence Henson, a janitor and metal fabricator. Henson often speaks about her maternal grandmother's influence, especially during the Academy Awards when her grandmother accompanied her.
Her first and middle names, Taraji ("hope") and Penda ("love"), are of Swahili origin. Henson graduated from Oxon Hill High School in 1988 and initially pursued electrical engineering at North Carolina A&T State University before transferring to Howard University for drama.
To support her studies, she worked as a secretary at The Pentagon in the mornings and as a singing-dancing waitress on a dinner-cruise ship in the evenings. Henson's journey into acting began with background roles, and her breakout came with the 2001 film "Baby Boy."
How Much Did Taraji Make for the Color Purple?
Taraji P. Henson did not disclose the specific amount she was offered or earned for her role in "The Color Purple." However, she candidly discussed the challenging landscape for Black women in Hollywood, expressing her frustration with the recurring issue of pay disparity.
Henson highlighted her reluctance to accept the role if it meant perpetuating inequities for fellow Black actresses like Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Halle Bailey, and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi. She mentioned the lack of a raise since her 2018 film "Proud Mary" and the ongoing struggle for fair compensation.
While the exact figure for her salary in "The Color Purple" remains undisclosed, Henson's remarks underscore the broader industry challenges related to pay equality for Black women.
Taraji P Henson Career
Taraji P. Henson is an accomplished American actress with a career spanning several decades. Born on September 11, 1970, in Washington, D.C., she studied drama at Howard University after starting at North Carolina A&T State University.
Henson gained recognition with her film debut in "Streetwise" (1998) and garnered acclaim for her roles in "Hustle & Flow" (2005) and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (2008), earning an Academy Award nomination. She further showcased her versatility in movies like "Hidden Figures" (2016) and "What Men Want" (2019).
Notably, Henson achieved widespread fame as Cookie Lyon in the TV series "Empire" (2015–2020), winning a Golden Globe. Throughout her career, she has been an advocate for equal pay and has received numerous awards for her outstanding contributions to film and television.
Taraji P Henson Filmography
Year
Title
Role
1998
Streetwise
Tammy
2000
The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle
Left-Wing Student
2001
All or Nothing
Kiko
2001
Baby Boy
Yvette
2002
Book of Love
Date #4/Ghetto Girl
2004
Hair Show
Tiffany
2005
Hustle & Flow
Shug
2005
Four Brothers
Camille Mercer
2005
Animal
Ramona
2006
Something New
Nedra
2006
Smokin' Aces
Sharice Watters
2007
Talk to Me
Vernell Watson
2008
The Family That Preys
Pam Evans
2008
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Queenie
Television
Year
Title
Role
1997
The Parent 'Hood
Aida
1997
Sister, Sister
Briana
1997-98
Smart Guy
Monique/Leslie
1998
ER
Patrice Robbins/Elan
1998-99
Felicity
R.A. #2/Art Student
1999
Pacific Blue
Rhonda
2000
Strong Medicine
Crystal
2001
Murder She Wrote: The Last Free Man
Bess Pinckney
2002-04
The Division
Inspector Raina Washington
Taraji P Henson Age
Taraji P. Henson was born on September 11, 1970, which makes her 53 years old as of 2023. The accomplished actress, born in Washington, D.C., has had a successful career spanning several decades. Henson gained widespread recognition for her roles in both film and television, earning acclaim and numerous awards for her performances.
Beyond acting, she has also ventured into singing and has been involved in various charitable and advocacy initiatives. Known for her talent, resilience, and advocacy for equal pay in the entertainment industry, Taraji P. Henson continues to be a prominent figure in the world of entertainment and a role model for aspiring actors, particularly women and people of color.
Taraji P Henson Net Worth
As of December 2023, Taraji P. Henson's net worth is estimated to be $12 million. Born on September 11, 1970, in Washington, D.C., Henson is an accomplished American actress and singer. She gained recognition for her roles in films such as "Hustle & Flow" (2005) and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (2008), earning an Academy Award nomination.
Henson also achieved widespread fame for her portrayal of Cookie Lyon in the television series "Empire" (2015–2020). Beyond acting, she has been an advocate for pay equity in Hollywood. Despite facing challenges and disparities, Henson's career has been marked by versatility and talent, earning her numerous accolades. Her net worth reflects her success in the entertainment industry.
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Did Taraji P Henson Sing In The Color Purple? - FAQs
Yes, Taraji P. Henson sang in "The Color Purple," displaying her vocal talents as she portrayed the character Shug Avery in the 2023 movie adaptation.
Taraji P. Henson is an American actress born on September 11, 1970, known for her versatile roles in films like "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and the TV series "Empire."
Taraji considered leaving "The Color Purple" due to pay disparity, expressing concerns about the unequal treatment of Black women in the industry and advocating for fair compensation.
The specific amount Taraji earned for "The Color Purple" is not disclosed, but she has been vocal about salary challenges in Hollywood throughout her career.
As of 2023, Taraji P. Henson's net worth is estimated to be $12 million, earned through her successful acting and singing career.