Taraji P. Henson Talks About Being Diana Ross

Taraji’s “trending”… Why? Apart from Ms. Henson’s “Empire” success, she’ll soon grace the cover of W magazine, and she’s giving the flavor of “The Boss.”  The Inquisiter, People, US Weekly, Extra, Yahoo and Facebook, are all talking about her look.

Taraji’s “Dream Role” is to portray Diana Ross in a story based on her life.  Back in 2007, I spoke to Henson about her upcoming film “Talk To Me,” in which she acted opposite fellow Oscar nominee Don Cheadle.  She didn’t know exactly how she would pursue depicting the legend, that is Ross, but she knew that she needed to develop the brand that is Taraji P. Henson first.

She had just landed the role in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” for which she scored her Academy Award nod, portraying the mother of the title character played by Brad Pitt.  We also talked about her life and why she chose the road of becoming an actress — “I’ve always been a ham” she said.  Henson recalled that she became serious about acting, when she was a student at Howard University, realizing her antics could actually make her a living.  It’s clear for anyone that knows black culture, is a music fan or more specifically an admirer of “The Boss,” that Henson is channeling the pop icon, former Supreme and fellow Oscar nominee in the photo.  When I first saw a post on a friends FB page, I “Like(d)” it, and proceeded to render my thoughts as to the motivation behind Taraji’s choice.  This morning when logging on to my e-mail, I was hit with the myriad of outlets, all pointing out the same thing — I had to elaborate with this piece.

One could say I’m letting the cat out of the proverbial bag, but as it’s now been pointed out, Henson herself to a degree already has.  Ideally, her photos of emulating Ross, will lend to her landing the opportunity.  Her character “Cookie Lyon” in the hit television show “Empire,” made for “Must See TV” across the country, enhancing her star status to becoming a “Household Name.”

I expressed to her that Ross had done a book with David Ritz, who has also done a book and a song, with and about another Motown legend.  Ritz co-wrote Marvin Gaye’s last hit “Sexual Healing”; his book “Divided Soul : The Life of Marvin Gaye”; and most recently the book “After the Dance: My Life with Marvin Gaye,” with Gaye’s ex-wife, Jan Gaye.

I LOVE TARAJI AND DIANA!  I believe with every fiber of my being that Ms. Henson could TOTALLY honor Ms. Ross.  Henson’s next role for the silver screen will be in the Lee Daniels’ biopic “Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said.”  It stars Mike Epps as Pryor, in addition to Oprah Winfrey, Eddie Murphy, and Kate Hudson.  Season two of “Empire” will have Winfrey, Chris Rock, Lenny Kravitz and Alicia Keys on board, it’s set to return on September 23rd.  Taraji’s W cover hits newsstands in August… http://www.wmagazine.com/people/celebrities/2015/06/taraji-p-henson-cookie-empire/

Erykah Badu gives props to “The Boss” at BET’s tribute…

Diana sings her Ashford & Simpson hit “The Boss”…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HnnWhANLjk

for the love of Taraji https://twitter.com/therealtaraji and “The Boss” https://twitter.com/dianaross

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