Taraji P. Henson | Entertainment News, Photos, and Videos

Taraji P. Henson is opening up about her past thoughts of suicide during her Facebook Watch series, Peace of Mind with Taraji.

The 50-year-old Empire actress talked about her dark moment where she didn’t get out of bed for days during the earlier days of the pandemic.

“For a couple of days, I couldn’t get out of the bed, I didn’t care. That’s not me,” Taraji said while talking with Tracie Jade and licensed psychologist Dr. LaShonda Green. “Then, I started having thoughts about ending it. ‘I could go in there right now, and just end it all.’”

“I felt myself withdrawing. People were calling me, I wasn’t responding. I just didn’t care. Finally, I’m talking to one of my girlfriends and I knew, I was smart enough to say, ‘I have to say it,’” Taraji went on, before admitting that she did feel ashamed for thinking of it. “I was like, I don’t want them to think I’m crazy. I don’t want them to, you know, obsess over me or think they gotta come and sit on me.”

“So one day I just blurted it out, to my girlfriend. She called me in the morning and I was like, ‘You know I thought about killing myself last night,’” she continued. “‘Oh my god, I feel so much better. I’m not gonna do it now.’”

Taraji said that opening up to someone helped her let go of those feelings.

“For me, I’m no professional, but I felt like, if I don’t say it, it becomes a plan,” she said. “And what scared me, is that I did it two nights in a row. And the thoughts kept coming. Now I started think about how. At first, it was like, I don’t want to be here. And then I started thinking about going and getting the gun. And that’s why when I woke up the next morning, and I blurted it out. Because I felt like after a while it was going to take over me and it was going to become a plan because that’s how strong my brain is.”

Last month, Taraji showed off just how good she was feeling now as she twerked on stage as host for the 2020 American Music Awards.

Fox has announced that they are not moving forward with the planned Empire spinoff focused on Taraji P. Henson‘s character, Cookie.

Deadline reports that the series is going to be shopped to other networks like Hulu and ABC.

Announced in July, Fox had planned the series to center on Cookie Lyon, the wife of Terrence Howard‘s Lucious Lyon, and the mom of Andre, Jamal, and Hakeem Lyon.

The plot was pretty much unknown at the time of the announcement, but Fox did revealed that it might have followed “Cookie as she moves to L.A. and potentially feature some of her other family members.”

The flagship series, Empire, just wrapped up a six season run earlier this year and centered on Lucious, a hip-hop mogul who battles to choose a successor among his three sons who are battling for control over his multi-million dollar company.

Find out what’s next for Taraji here…

Taraji P. Henson is set to make her feature film directorial debut with the upcoming movie Two-Faced!

The Oscar-nominated actress will also produce and star in the movie, which is being made at Bron Studios.

Deadline reports that the movie “follows Joy, a Black high school senior whose chances to attend the college of her dreams are threatened by her wildly popular and charismatic school principal, Jerald, after she confronts him with evidence of his racist past. With the help of her friends, Joy sets out to expose Jerald for who he truly is but quickly learns that he is not above waging all-out-war against the students trying to take him down.”

Taraji will play the role of Joy’s mother Gina Robinson.

She said in a statement, “After two decades spent in front of the camera, I’m thrilled to finally jump behind it for my feature directorial debut! What first attracted me to this project was Joy – she is the character I needed to see in films growing up, but never had. It’s important that stories be told from a woman’s point of view and partnering with Bron Studios and the amazingly talented Tim Story – both who use their platforms to help elevate women and people of color – feels like the perfect match. I can’t wait to bring this hilariously heartfelt script by Cat Wilkins to life!”

A couple weeks ago, Taraji showed off her dance moves while hosting an awards show!

Taraji P. Henson nailed her opening number for the 2020 American Music Awards!

The 50-year-old actress, as host, came out with a bang as she showed off her skills on stage to a medley of popular songs, including Prince, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion and so many more, from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

“Taraji is the real deal. I just love her and her energy! Alllllll day! #AMAs2020,” one fan wrote about her performance, while another added, “I love that Taraji Henson’s opening of the #AMAs2020 is basically all of us dancing in the kitchen when we are cooking.”

After her performance, Taraji opened up the show with a funny monologue, saying she was just happy to be off the couch!

Check out her full speech below:

If you missed it, see what Taraji wore on the red carpet here!

FYI: Taraji is wearing Roberto Coin For Mayors jewelry.

15+ pictures inside of Taraji P. Henson dancing at the AMAs 2020…

Taraji P. Henson has arrived!

The 50-year-old Empire actress arrived for hosting duties at the 2020 American Music Awards, which is airing on Sunday (November 22) and taking place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Taraji P. Henson

For her red carpet arrival, Taraji stayed safe carrying a face shield, while donning a sparkling dress and coordinating bedazzled turban while dripping in diamonds.

The 2020 American Music Awards will be airing TONIGHT starting at 8pm ET on ABC – find out how you can watch the awards show here.

FYI: Taraji is wearing an Armani Privé dress, Tom Ford shoes, and Tiffany & Co. and Roberto Coin For Mayors jewelry.

15+ pictures inside of Taraji P. Henson arriving at the awards show…More Here! »

Megan Thee Stallion‘s got that “Body” – and so do a bunch of her celebrity friends.

The 25-year-old rapper, who just dropped her debut album Good News (listen here) on Friday (November 20), released a visual for one of the album’s hot new tracks at the same time.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Megan Thee Stallion

The body-positive anthem for women everywhere is described as “a celebration of women taking ownership of and proudly enjoying their bodies, in all sizes, shapes and heights,” and features some voguing runway-inspired moves. If you didn’t know, Megan is also a judge on vogue competition series, Legendary.

The video also includes a bunch of celebrity appearances from stars including Taraji P Henson, Blac Chyna, Daren Kyle, Asian Doll, Jordyn Woods, Bernice Burgos and Maliibu Miitch.

Megan Thee Stallion has also released a new song about being shot by Tory Lanez in her album – read the very candid lyrics.

Watch the video and read the lyrics inside…More Here! »

Taraji P. Henson is hosting the show!

The Golden Globe-winning Empire star will host the 2020 American Music Awards on Sunday, November 22 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, the network announced on Monday (November 2).

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Taraji P. Henson

“The AMAs brings together the music community to celebrate what really drives all artists – the fans. I’m proud to take the stage as this year’s host – and also a fan – for what promises to be an electrifying night of music,” she said in a statement.

The show will be broadcasted live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. First-time nominee Megan Thee Stallion earned five nominations, becoming the most nominated female artist this year. Check out this year’s full list of nominees!