Taraji P. Henson Opens Up About Her Deeply Moving Role in Straw
If you’ve already watched Straw on Netflix, chances are you were holding back tears—or just letting them fall. The film, directed by Tyler Perry, doesn’t just tug at the heartstrings—it pulls them. And at the center of all that emotion is Taraji P. Henson, delivering a raw and unforgettable performance.
In a recent sit-down, Taraji peeled back the layers of what it took to fully embody her character—especially during that intense scene where she walks into a bank, desperate and determined. She recalled how she could tell the moment was hitting hard when even the camera operator had to pause and wipe his eyes.
That particular monologue? Half written, half from the heart. Taraji brought her own truth into the lines, breathing life into every word, whether it was on the page or not. It’s that blend of instinct and intention that makes her performances resonate so deeply.
She shared a piece of advice she often gives to other actors: “Don’t get stuck on the words. They’ll come. What matters is knowing the soul of the person you’re playing—what they want, why they’re speaking, and where they are in their journey.”
Looking back on her experience, Taraji wrote: “Straw asked everything of me—emotionally and spiritually. I had to go all the way in. When a role demands that kind of truth from me, I take it seriously. And this one? This one took me there.”
Catch her full interview below—it’s just as powerful as the film itself.
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