Taraji P. Henson shares the personal reason for which he took his last role of action

When life mimics art, playing a role can cause echoes of the past, a Taraji P. Henson lesson revised in its latest film.

Henson, a native of Washington, DC and a proud graduate from Howard University, recently portrayed Janiyahto Fighting single mother in the new Tyler Perry “Straw” movie. It is a narrative that Henson knows intimately, having been a single mother, a connection on which she spoke frankly during an “The View” Wednesday episode.

“She is a single mother. He can’t get ahead to save her life, and I’ve been in that situation before,” Henson said. “But the difference between me is that I had an incredible support group.”

Jamie McCarthy through Getty Images

The “Empire” actor continued to reflect more on his own trip, proving the presence of a strong “family” and a “great brother circle” that helped clarify his load. Janiyah’s character, on the contrary, is isolated, and Henson acknowledged that too many women live in that reality every day.

“I want you to feel seen,” he said.

Previously in the interview, Henson explained why she felt forced to assume the role.

“I love the roles in which I can give a voice to the voiceless, because the people who feel invisible need to know that they are not alone and that people see you,” Henson explained.

He added that he is attracted to the roles that “will force the audience to lead with more grace and understanding, because you can never really judge a book on its cover.”