Lena Waithe Shares Unreleased Taraji P. Henson Clip About Hidden Figures Role

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An excerpt from the archives of the Lena Waithe’s Legacy Talk show that included Taraji P. Henson’s visit has been released recently, where the actress discusses the giant load she had to bear while acting the part of NASA’s black mathematician Katherine Johnson in the 2016 movie ‘Hidden Figures’. The clip consists of Henson’s emotional preparation for the role, her real-life meeting with Johnson which enabled her deep understanding for the praised performance she has in that.

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Legacy Talk archives have just seen Lena Waithe releasing a precious realization. A new video of Taraji P. Henson talking candidly about the role of Katherine Johnson has come out, and it is a complete vibe.

In the video, Henson tells the story of how she got the script from director Ted Melfi. Her first reaction was pure disbelief. “I thought, is this real? Is this fiction?” She absolutely needed to know what the status of the women was as to their lives. When she found out that Katherine Johnson was alive, her immediate response was, “I have to meet her. I have to meet her.”

Of course, she did. Henson tells how she was totally blown away by Johnson’s charisma and the way she talked. Henson calls it sophistication, yet it was more than that. “To me, she was a queen,” Henson asserts with respect. It was in Johnson’s composure, a quiet strength, and an invincible presence. One small thing that really stuck with Henson was the way Johnson spoke about her work. She would always acknowledge others. It was never “I” but always “we.” The lightness in her speaking about imparting maths to kids was so strong that even the kids who were being taught decades ago felt her joy and that was like thier age back.

Family played a part too. Henson recounts how Johnson’s family took her in and their acceptance helped her a lot. They wanted her to be Katherine. That was the whole thing. So she just sat there and looked. Watched her ways. You can almost see the wheels turning the way Henson puts it, “boop, boop, boop, boop.”

In her original post, Waithe points out Henson’s performance as a “masterclass in quiet power.” Henson took over the very image of a black woman who throughout history was such a woman that “bent the numbers, timelines, and ceilings at the same time.” A woman, who became a powerful personality by doing something as ostensibly demanding as being a baby witch, indeed, a powerful description for a powerful performance.

The area below with the comments by people who then expressed their love and respect for the performance was rapidly filled. One user proclaimed, “#tarajihenson ⭐️should have won an Oscar for her role in #hiddenfigures 🎯🤞🏾 at least a nomination 👌🏾.” And this is a sentiment that most people will share even years after the movie has been released.

Another comment summed up the delight of Henson’s watching from the very beginning and unfurling the full range of powerful emotions as the plot developed. “The kind of dignity that comes from being tested and refined by fire… it cannot be manufactured or faked.” This remark is very accurate. Henson did not just appear dignified; she earned that quality through the very real hardship of the past black community.

It is apparent that the role had a positive impact on the audience. One viewer mentioned, “More than one role made me a diehard fan. I will see @tarajiphenson in any role. The courage, the dignity, the geniality, the humanity of Katherine are unforgettable.” Such is the power of a performance that is beyond mere entertainment—it creates a lifelong appreciator.

There were other comments revealing Henson’s total dedication. “Really I admire her constantly working on her skills. It is so visible in all these video clips,” one user observed. Very true indeed! The video shows a passionate artist who is committed to maintaining the legacy of a once very important person, and not just acting in the role.

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The release serves as a very powerful reminder of the importance of these stories. One of the commenters made a very good point, “So grateful for legacy oh legacy! Please keep telling our stories.” By making that uncut footage public, Lena Waithe is not just bringing to light a long-ago interview, but she also underscores the timeless potency of a well-wrought tale and a great performance. It is a tribute to art, history, and the quiet power of a woman who calculated the path to the stars. The event was reminiscent of Lela Rochon‘s celebratory night. Waithe recently made headlines at the Wicked premiere and also hosted an Artworth event. Her recent Thanksgiving post also sparked conversation among fans.