Taraji P. Henson Criticizes ‘The Color Purple’ Production for Making Cast Drive Themselves to Set in Rental Cars
In a New York Times interview, Taraji P. Henson expressed her displeasure with the way Black performers are treated, admitting that she and the cast of The Color Purple had to hire automobiles in order to get to work. She asked for a driver or security because she was worried about driving alone in Atlanta and was informed it would set a precedent, but she was met with opposition.
Henson underlined the importance of treating everyone equally and related her experiences fighting for bug-free trailers on the Empire production.
“I was like, ‘I can’t drive myself to set in Atlanta.’ This is insurance liability, it’s dangerous,” she said. “What do I look like, taking myself to work by myself in a rental car? So I was like, ‘Can I get a driver or security to take me?’ I’m not asking for the moon.”
She continued, “They’re like, ‘Well, if we do it for you, we got to do it for everybody.’ Well, do it for everybody! It’s stuff like that, stuff I shouldn’t have to fight for. I was on the set of Empire fighting for trailers that wasn’t infested with bugs.”
“It wears on your soul because you fight so hard to establish a name for yourself and be respected in this town to no avail,”
“With Black films, they just don’t want to take us overseas and I don’t understand that. Black translates all over the world, so why wouldn’t the movies? I have a following in China of all places. Y’all not going to capitalize on that? Don’t everybody want to make money here? I’m not the person that pulls the race card every time, but what else is it, then? Tell me. I’d rather it not be race, please give me something else.”
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Taraji P. Henson continues to discuss the difficulties Black actresses experience after her December SAG-AFTRA Foundation interview, highlighting her choice to split from her team after portraying Cookie on Empire.
She voiced her unhappiness in the interview over the dearth of opportunities and suitable arrangements, particularly in light of her renowned character’s popularity. Henson emphasized the significance of making sure the proper strategy is followed for any future projects including Cookie and stated that she was prepared to leave when things weren’t working out as planned.
Taraji P. Henson Criticizes ‘The Color Purple’ Production for Making Cast Drive Themselves to Set in Rental Cars first appeared on complex
