Taraji P. Henson Reveals Untold Hustle & Flow Audition Story With Terrence Howard

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Taraji P. Henson is currently unveiling a new story that has never been heard before, which is about her legendary portrayal of ‘Hustle & Flow’ and the immediate rapport with Terrence Howard, her onscreen partner. In a still not released video from ‘Legacy Talk’ by Lena Waithe Henson narrates the tough and realistic auditioning procedure that makes her the one for the leading part of her life. The interactions of the two artists reveal the exceptional connection between them as well as Henson’s unwavering commitment to truth in storytelling.

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The striking video was posted by Lena Waithe who has called it a lesson in vulnerability. The actress comparing the duo that formed the Henson and Howard characters pointed out that it was such a good rapport that it reminded her of other couples like Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne who have become legendary. Waithe also mentioned Henson’s power to hold the audience’s attention with her “quiet storms and unspoken strength of womanhood,” and she continued to say that her performance was the very spirit of the movie and one of the reasons it got the Oscar for Best Original Song.

In the video, Henson is recalling the first scene she did with Howard. The actress transports the audience to the audition which took place at the same location where ‘Baby Boy’ was cast, in John Singleton’s office. Henson seems to ask in disbelief, “Isn’t that crazy?” and she describes the scene for the unforgettable episode of Hollywood history. She narrates how Singleton had sent her the script with a very precise direction. “He said, ‘You choose which of the two characters I don’t care which one you pick. But I want to see your eyes.’”

Henson became Shug the character very quickly. “Shug just came to my heart because she was the hidden gem,” she explains. “She was the one that I knew. And I wanted the audience to feel sorry for her and want to do something. Help her, save her, hug her, anything. And she was the shy one who had found her voice. And I thought, that’s who I want.” Singleton recognized her instinct, and told her, “Good, because that’s the character I wanted you to play.”

The actress then narrates very elaborately her total commitment to the character during the audition. She calls the day a day of ‘poor Memphis hot summer.’ “My face was all sweaty. My hair was all over my head. I put a pillow under my shirt. You know, I did the whole deal.” She claims she “got the better of the audition,” while Terrence Howard was gazing at her thinking, “Who is she?” Later on, director John Singleton called her with his feedback. “He said, ‘Yo, you killed that shit. But you can’t be looking that hardcore.’”

Henson did not give in, bringing forward her artistic issues. “Oh my John, come on,” she seems to have said. “They lived like, they were poor. It’s hot. She’s eating crackers. She ain’t got no money. That’s not a glamorous role.” She admitted that she had to fight with the production not to be made up. “That’s just my nature as an artist. I’m going to go there. I don’t care if it is too close. I am blacking my teeth out. I don’t do it for glamour. I do it for the people who need to see themselves. And I know that girl needed to see herself.”

The clip resonated with the audience, who reacted by filling the comment section with compliments for Henson’s commitment and talent. One user captured the common sentiment perfectly when he wrote, “You are committed to the craft, I adore you… whenever I watch your work I am inspired. Thank you for understanding that every character is a real woman somewhere, living a similar if not the exact story. Thank you for your compassion.” This comment shows how the audience is tightly linked with Henson’s truthfulness through the actress’s artistic impersonation.

Another user focused on Henson’s craft in his comment saying, “SHE IS AN INCREDIBLE ACTOR … ONE OF THE G.W.O.A.Ts … HOW HAS SHE NOT WON AN OSCAR YET … THAT’S CRAZY TO ME.” Many others shared the same opinion as they were both expressing their amazement at her legendary status and at the same time, they were convinced that her trophy case should contain the highest honor of Hollywood. The mention of director John Singleton brought back sweet memories and one of the users said it all in one word, “John was a sensei,” giving credit to Singleton for his crucial role in the development of these remarkable performances.

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Henson’s tale is more than an isolated glamorous Hollywood gossip. It is about a creative person who prefers to be unglamorous rather than dishonest, who perseveres through diverse storytelling to the underrepresented in the cinema.