Taraji P Henson has made her Broadway debut in August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone, a role she says found her. The Oscar-nominated actor stars as Bertha Holly, the matriarch of a boarding house in 1911 Pittsburgh, in a revival directed by Debbie Allen.
Speaking ahead of opening night, Henson reflected on the exhaustion of fighting for her worth in Hollywood. 'It's exhausting to have to fight for my worth,' she said, referencing the broader challenges faced by Black actors in the industry.
The play, which premiered in 1988, explores themes of displacement and Black spirituality. Henson noted its continued relevance, saying: 'Families are being pulled apart right now as we speak. Somebody who is being detained by ICE right now just disappeared.'
Henson, who trained at Howard University, said she was made for the stage. The production also stars Cedric The Entertainer, Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Joshua Boone.
