Entertainment

Taraji P. Henson details the harsh realities of being a single mother

ROLLINGOUT.COM — Taraji P. Henson wouldn’t wish being a single mother on her “worst enemy.”

Published

6 years ago

January 19, 2019

Oakland Post

By Rollingout.com

Taraji P. Henson wouldn’t wish being a single mother on her “worst enemy.”

The 48-year-old actress has raised her son Marcell, 24, on her own since his father, William Johnson was murdered in 2003, and she admitted it’s been a huge challenge for her.

She told NET-A-PORTER’s weekly digital magazine PorterEdit: It’s hard. I dreamed he would go stay with his dad in his teens or my dad. I didn’t date. I wondered: ‘Does he have enough confidence in himself as a Black man?’

“I wouldn’t wish being a single mother on my worst enemy. You need both parents.”

Henson attends therapy every week, and the actress said that in spite of the success she’s enjoyed during her career, she still feels vulnerable to everyday pressures and worries.

She shared: “I go every Saturday to therapy. Just because you see me on television doesn’t make those voices in my head go away.”

Henson is now engaged to former NFL player Kelvin Hayden after he proposed to her in May 2018.

And the actress feels relieved that she took her time and waited for the perfect man to come into her life.

She explained: “I didn’t wanna settle. I just waited.

“[When he proposed] his hand was all clammy. [I was like] ‘Dude, you have been quizzing me for a year about getting married. Do you think I’m gonna say no?’”

Meanwhile, she previously revealed she has ambitions to “work smarter, not harder” in Hollywood.

The “Empire” star said: “I want every walk of life [in my films]. If I could put an alien in, I would.

“I want their money, too. Come on, it’s what the world looks like. That’s what people want to see, representation. That’s all. You can make money doing it. It’s a no-brainer.

“The older I get, I want to work smarter, not harder. DC, Marvel, you all can call me!”

This article originally appeared in the Rollingout.com.

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Related Topics:Black Man DC Empire family Hollywood Kelvin Hayden Marvel NET-A-PORTER NFL parenthood PorterEdit RollingOut.com single mother Taraji P. Henson

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Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024, 2024

Published

4 days ago

November 30, 2024

Oakland Post

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Richmond Seniors Still Having a Ball After 25 Years

The Senior Winter Ball is a symbol of the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them. “Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Myrtle Braxton (l-r), Byran H. Harris, and Michelle Hayes. Photo by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

For a quarter century, seniors in the local community have had a prime location in the heart of the city to gather and celebrate the holidays.

That is courtesy of the annual Senior Winter Ball, which will mark a milestone this year when it takes place for the 25^th time. The gala will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Richmond Memorial Auditorium.

The holiday tradition was started by the City of Richmond’s Commission on Aging in 1999 to entertain and celebrate seniors. The event also raises funds for local senior causes. Attendees wear their finest attire and enjoy dinner and dancing.

“It’s so exciting to see all of the gala attendees all dressed up and seeing their lifetime friends and making new friends as well,” said Bryan M. Harris, secretary for the Commission on Aging. “They will reminisce about old Winter Ball memories and at the same time create new ones.”

Richmond’s very own Chef Josephine Orozco of El Sol Catering will serve at this year’s anniversary dinner. The gala will also feature the band Top Shelf Classics, which plays hits from the 50s through the 80s and has been the gala’s annual performer for the last decade.

The Senior Winter Ball symbolizes the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them.

“Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Myrtle Braxton, 97, has served on the commission for 17 years and is its current vice president. She says her goal is to increase the quality of life for seniors through safe social events.

“So many seniors are isolated and are sometimes forgotten by society,” Braxton said. “So, our commission is their advocate and makes sure they are not left behind.”

Tickets to the 25th Silver Anniversary Annual Senior Winter Ball are $45 per person or $360 for a table of eight. They are available in person via the Main Recreation office at 3230 Macdonald Ave., via email at csdregistration@ci.richmond.ca.us or by phone at 510-620-6793.