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* *
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She's an Academy Award-nominated
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and a Golden Globe-winning
actress. (whoops)
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A producer, an entrepreneur
and a mental health advocate.
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She's hilarious, and guess what,
she's my friend.
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I think the last credit is
probably the best one.
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She's my friend.
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I'm talking about
Taraji P. Henson.
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-Hey.
-Oh, look at this.
10
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-Hey. Oh.
-Hi. Let me go down here.
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Stop doing that.
Why do you do that?
12
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-I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
-Why do you do that?
13
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You always got to go low.
Stay high.
14
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Well, these chairs are
pretty low.
15
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-Yes, well, I'm...
-For you, huh?
16
00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:52,720
-I'm a small...
-So your feet don't dangle like that?
17
00:00:52,761 --> 00:00:54,721
-It's to make me
a taller guest. -Well, I need a real chair.
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00:00:54,763 --> 00:00:56,563
-Sit back in the chair, Taraji.
-Um, okay.
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I haven't seen you
in a long time, Kevin.
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It's been a minute.
You look amazing.
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-Thank you.
-Really, really amazing.
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-This whole thing.
-Thank you. So do you. So do you. So do you.
23
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It's actually been a while. When
was the last time I seen you?
24
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"Think Like a Man"?
25
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-No!
-No. No.
26
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Puffy's party. Puffy's party.
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Okay. Before we start,
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get the lay of the land and
then I got to talk to my sister.
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-Okay.
-First and foremost, I miss you.
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You don't realize
how much you miss a person
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till you see 'em, like,
in person, face-to-face.
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I haven't seen you, T.
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It's just made me miss you more.
Dead serious.
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Oh, you're a horrible actor.
Stick to comedy.
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-What do you mean?
-(clears throat)
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-What do you mean?
-(laughs)
37
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I just gave you, like,
a heartfelt "I miss you."
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00:01:28,546 --> 00:01:29,956
-That was serious.
-Oh...
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-You're in my wine cellar,
right? -I am?
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I know you love wine.
That's where we are.
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-We're in my wine cellar
right now. -But is this just...?
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Yes, well, here's
what I'm about to tell you...
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-I thought I was gonna walk up
on it. I'm sorry. -No.
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Am I too anxious?
It's a pandemic.
45
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-My nerves. My anxiety.
-No. Well, don't-- Well, calm down.
46
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-Okay.
-You don't have to have nerves and anxiety right now.
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-'Cause I'm heart-to-heart?
-We have a heart-to-heart.
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-Heart-to-heart.
-But we have it over a glass of wine.
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-Yes, wine. Bring it in. Hello.
-Okay. My somm.
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-This is my somm. My...
-Good evening.
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00:01:54,781 --> 00:01:56,321
-Good evening. Good evening.
-Ms. Henson. Mr. Hart.
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-Good evening.
-What are we drinking today?
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2018 Vin Rouge No 1.
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00:02:00,286 --> 00:02:01,616
We're drinking
a Vin Rouge No 1.
55
00:02:01,663 --> 00:02:03,673
But that's not what I asked for
56
00:02:03,707 --> 00:02:05,207
-when your people called me
last night. -What did you want?
57
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-What did you want?
-I said Caymus.
58
00:02:06,751 --> 00:02:08,381
-You wanted Caymus?
-Yeah.
59
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I don't have Caymus,
but I have a cabernet.
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00:02:09,879 --> 00:02:11,379
-Oh, God.
-Mm. -This is a Syrah blend.
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I don't drink
every cabernet, though.
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-Okay.
-Okay, I'll try it. I'm-I'm... I'm down for any.
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-Well, just try the...
-I want to see... I'll try it.
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-Try the damn wine.
-Mr. Hart, I got a D.
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-I'm-a try it.
-I'm pouring her first.
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Pour her first, man.
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-Thank you.
-You're very welcome.
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I don't know
why you have to do this.
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You don't even know
what this is.
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-I'm-a try it, but...
-Try it.
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You know how when you have
your taste buds set
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-on something?
-Okay?
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Okay, so,
if I called you and said,
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-"Kevin,
let's go out to dinner." -Yeah?
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"My treat.
Where do you want to eat?"
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-Okay.
-"Pick a place."
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-I mean, if it's up to me?
-Pick a place.
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I'm real big on, uh...
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I don't know.
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I'd probably...
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00:02:42,746 --> 00:02:44,656
I'd probably ask for, like,
a nice little chicken spot.
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Chicken spot.
So if I take you to Crustaceans,
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and you ask for chicken...
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Do they have chicken
at Crustaceans?
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Um, no.
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I'm not, I'm not you.
I'm not that picky.
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-(laughs)
-Okay? I'm not that picky, T.
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I know, but you asked me.
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-I didn't ask you nothing.
-Okay, cheers.
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You know how I know
I didn't ask you nothing?
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00:03:02,349 --> 00:03:04,429
Because I don't talk to people
before they come on the show.
92
00:03:04,476 --> 00:03:06,846
Your ego is very big,
like your glass.
93
00:03:06,895 --> 00:03:08,765
Do you know why I don't talk
to people that come
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-on the show, or before
they come on the show? -Why?
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Because I want the conversation
to be just raw, real.
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-You want this glass
instead of mine? -(chuckles)
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I have a, I have a Napoleon
complex. Give it back.
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Okay. I won't,
I won't mess with you.
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-(laughs) I just love it.
-(chuckles) Just-just give it... just give it back.
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I... I miss you, Kevin.
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First and foremost,
let's start here.
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-Congrats, okay.
-On...?
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Congrats on life, on success,
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on a continuing climb
in this business,
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on maintaining a...
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straight, dope body of work...
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-Thank you.
-...over the course of, I mean, what can I say now...
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-(scoffs) Don't age me,
motherfucker. -How many years now?
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-I'm not gonna age you,
but when was "Baby Boy?" -No, I'm good.
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It was literally, like,
20-something years.
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-"Baby Boy."
-"Baby Boy" was what? 90...? (mutters)
112
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-No. No, no.
-I was 29.
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KEVIN:
So you're talking...
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TARAJI: I was 29
and Tyreese was 19.
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KEVIN: (chuckles)
"Baby Boy" was in 2...
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It was early 2000s,
though, right?
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-Yeah. Yeah.
-I think when it came out.
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00:04:01,908 --> 00:04:04,578
We filmed it, like,
the end of 90...
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I think I was 29,
so that's 1999, right?
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How many years, how many years
in the business now for you?
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Little over 20.
I stopped counting.
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-20 years in the business.
Strong. -Yeah. Mm-hmm.
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And "Baby Boy," the first thing.
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-That's the first thing
that Taraji P. Henson did. -"Baby Boy" was the first thing.
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00:04:18,299 --> 00:04:19,679
-Yeah. Uh, no.
-That was your arrival to the scene.
126
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That was the first feature.
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00:04:21,386 --> 00:04:23,426
I came out here
to do sitcom, you know?
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To-- You came out to L.A.?
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I came to L.A. to book a sitcom.
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Well, you're from,
you're where it's real
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-and where it's thug at.
-Well, you know, D.C.
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00:04:29,686 --> 00:04:31,596
-You're from D.C., right?
-(chuckles)
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-Mmm.
-So in D.C., uh,
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I already know how--
Now, now-now apologize.
135
00:04:36,568 --> 00:04:38,028
-I'm sorry.
-Apologize.
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00:04:38,069 --> 00:04:39,489
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
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00:04:39,529 --> 00:04:41,569
-Drinking the Rouge 2018.
-(laughs): I'm so sorry.
138
00:04:41,614 --> 00:04:42,954
Can I have some when I leave?
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00:04:42,991 --> 00:04:44,621
Huh? Yes, we can give you
whatever you want.
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00:04:44,659 --> 00:04:46,449
-We gonna go through this.
Like... -(gasps)
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00:04:46,494 --> 00:04:48,464
-I know you like to drink,
so we're gonna drink. -This is amazing.
142
00:04:48,496 --> 00:04:50,666
-It's good!
-What if I was recovering?
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00:04:50,707 --> 00:04:53,587
-Well, you're not.
-(laughs)
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And if you were,
then I would be...
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-I would've just been like,
"All right." -You'd feel... (laughs)
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-(chuckles)
"Well, get the, uh..." -"Get the grape juice."
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"Get the, get the grape juice.
Goddamn it, guys.
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We made a mistake."
149
00:05:03,887 --> 00:05:05,467
-Um...
-This is really good, Kevin.
150
00:05:05,513 --> 00:05:07,223
But D.C. though,
I'm saying, like,
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00:05:07,265 --> 00:05:11,305
what-what is it that sparked
the-the exit from D.C. to L.A.?
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00:05:11,353 --> 00:05:13,653
I graduated
from Howard University.
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00:05:13,688 --> 00:05:16,398
-I was a mother already.
-Mm-hmm.
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00:05:16,441 --> 00:05:17,731
And that baby was
looking at me like,
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-"What we gonna do now?"
-Mm-hmm.
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00:05:19,402 --> 00:05:22,362
And I was like, "Well, I got
to go make this degree pop."
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So, my dad actually asked me,
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00:05:25,492 --> 00:05:27,162
"How do you catch fish
on dry land?"
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00:05:27,202 --> 00:05:28,952
He used to speak in metaphors,
and he was really brilliant--
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00:05:28,995 --> 00:05:30,825
may he rest in peace--
but I was like,
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00:05:30,872 --> 00:05:32,332
"what-what the hell
do you mean, Dad?
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00:05:32,374 --> 00:05:33,714
Just, like,
speak plain English?"
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00:05:33,750 --> 00:05:35,710
And he was like,
"You have a degree in acting.
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-You have to go
to where the fish are." -Mm-hmm.
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"This is dry land,
There's no acting jobs here."
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So he raised, him-him
and my family pulled together
167
00:05:44,761 --> 00:05:48,931
and raised $700
and sent me out to L.A.
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00:05:48,973 --> 00:05:51,483
And I asked a friend who was
working for Delta at the time
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00:05:51,518 --> 00:05:52,768
for a buddy pass.
170
00:05:52,811 --> 00:05:54,811
I knew I wasn't coming back.
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00:05:54,854 --> 00:05:57,324
-One way? One way ticket.
-One way. One way ticket.
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00:05:57,357 --> 00:05:59,567
-You and your son
or just you at the time? -Me and my son.
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00:05:59,609 --> 00:06:01,859
-Wow.
-My dad tried to keep my son.
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00:06:01,903 --> 00:06:04,163
He was like... I'm like--
I was like, "You can't keep,
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00:06:04,197 --> 00:06:07,077
that's my child." Like, I--
He's my responsibility.
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00:06:07,117 --> 00:06:09,987
I'm not leaving my son
with his grandparents.
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00:06:10,036 --> 00:06:11,706
Just-- I'm not
that type of parent.
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00:06:11,746 --> 00:06:13,076
Like,
we're gonna make it together.
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00:06:13,123 --> 00:06:14,793
And then I got out to L.A.
and freaked out.
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00:06:14,833 --> 00:06:16,083
Like, "Dad, no,
I need to send him back."
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00:06:16,126 --> 00:06:17,456
And he was like,
"No, you were right.
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00:06:17,502 --> 00:06:19,212
He's gonna be your blessing."
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00:06:19,254 --> 00:06:21,094
And-and, he's-he's alw...
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00:06:21,131 --> 00:06:22,971
-You know a child is
a blessing. Period. -You'll be so blessed.
185
00:06:23,008 --> 00:06:26,048
But coming out here single
and trying to tackle Hollywood,
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00:06:26,094 --> 00:06:27,264
he kept me focused.
187
00:06:27,303 --> 00:06:28,813
'Cause I couldn't club.
I couldn't go out.
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00:06:28,847 --> 00:06:31,057
Like, I was about that business.
189
00:06:31,099 --> 00:06:32,769
And people be like,
"You need to go to the clubs."
190
00:06:32,809 --> 00:06:34,979
And I'm like, "Well,
I'm smart enough to know that,
191
00:06:35,020 --> 00:06:37,150
-hmm, business ain't happening
at a club." -Mm-hmm.
192
00:06:37,188 --> 00:06:39,188
It's too loud,
people are drunk. (chuckles)
193
00:06:39,232 --> 00:06:40,902
-They're trying to do
something else. -Yeah.
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00:06:40,942 --> 00:06:43,032
Handle some other kind of...
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00:06:43,069 --> 00:06:44,739
Back in my heyday.
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00:06:44,779 --> 00:06:46,949
We not gonna talk about that.
197
00:06:46,990 --> 00:06:49,240
(laughing)
198
00:06:49,284 --> 00:06:51,834
You say TV. That was
the beginning stages of it.
199
00:06:51,870 --> 00:06:55,170
What was the road of finding out
the audition process?
200
00:06:55,206 --> 00:06:58,416
How did Taraji get seen,
or start to get seen
201
00:06:58,460 --> 00:07:01,670
or try to figure out how to get
into the, uh, the revolving...
202
00:07:01,713 --> 00:07:04,723
-The business?
The business side of acting. -Yeah. The-the business of it.
203
00:07:04,758 --> 00:07:08,258
I had a agent,
a local manager in D--
204
00:07:08,303 --> 00:07:10,143
in Maryland at the time.
205
00:07:10,180 --> 00:07:12,890
And she had a couple
connects out here.
206
00:07:12,932 --> 00:07:15,562
She hooked me up
with this small-time agency.
207
00:07:15,602 --> 00:07:17,772
The first audition they sent me,
208
00:07:17,812 --> 00:07:20,902
-it was for a...
a Norman Lear project. -Okay.
209
00:07:20,940 --> 00:07:23,360
They sent me out.
So, this is the first...
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00:07:23,401 --> 00:07:25,321
audition they sent me on.
211
00:07:25,362 --> 00:07:29,452
The same day, I get called back
to go to network and studio.
212
00:07:29,491 --> 00:07:31,911
-Off the first audition?
-First audition.
213
00:07:31,951 --> 00:07:33,791
-Um...
-I mean, this is big for the morale.
214
00:07:33,828 --> 00:07:35,288
-(sputters) Come on.
-This is huge,
215
00:07:35,330 --> 00:07:36,960
-huge for the morale.
-I'm like, "I made it."
216
00:07:36,998 --> 00:07:38,788
-(laughs)
-Yeah, huge for-- And the first thing,
217
00:07:38,833 --> 00:07:40,383
the first thing is always
the biggest thing in your eyes.
218
00:07:40,418 --> 00:07:43,798
-Yeah.
-Right. But this when I knew there was, uh...
219
00:07:43,838 --> 00:07:46,168
politics, or whatever.
I don't know.
220
00:07:46,216 --> 00:07:47,756
Naming, pecking order.
221
00:07:47,801 --> 00:07:50,301
-Like, I had to work my way up
to a name. -Mm-hmm.
222
00:07:50,345 --> 00:07:53,175
Because Rain, um, Pryor is
223
00:07:53,223 --> 00:07:55,483
who actually ended up
getting it, as she should.
224
00:07:55,517 --> 00:07:56,847
People know her,
they don't know me.
225
00:07:56,893 --> 00:07:58,523
-I'm new to the game.
-Mm-hmm.
226
00:07:58,561 --> 00:08:01,021
So, that's when I was like,
"Oh, okay, I see what it is."
227
00:08:01,064 --> 00:08:04,324
That agency never sent me out
on another audition.
228
00:08:04,359 --> 00:08:07,199
But I was smart enough to know
y'all got to go.
229
00:08:07,237 --> 00:08:10,697
(scoffs) So I dumped them,
and I got another agency.
230
00:08:10,740 --> 00:08:12,620
And that was literally
what was going on.
231
00:08:12,659 --> 00:08:14,829
They just didn't get me,
you know.
232
00:08:14,869 --> 00:08:17,909
Um, I wasn't "the norm"
at the time.
233
00:08:17,956 --> 00:08:20,496
You know, back then,
it was like,
234
00:08:20,542 --> 00:08:22,502
-you had to look a certain way.
-Mm-hmm.
235
00:08:22,544 --> 00:08:25,094
You know, nowadays...
236
00:08:25,130 --> 00:08:27,300
-I'm glad to be a Black woman.
-Yeah.
237
00:08:27,340 --> 00:08:29,380
I've always been glad to be
a Black woman, but it's, like,
238
00:08:29,426 --> 00:08:32,346
in Hollywood right now,
you can wear your natural.
239
00:08:32,387 --> 00:08:35,177
you can... You know, back then
you had to wear straight hair.
240
00:08:35,223 --> 00:08:36,893
You couldn't, you know,
be your authentic s...
241
00:08:36,933 --> 00:08:38,353
You were trying to compete,
you were trying
242
00:08:38,393 --> 00:08:40,103
-to compete with the...
-Well, you had to fit in.
243
00:08:40,145 --> 00:08:42,435
Well, yeah. I mean, and,
uh, it was... it was very far
244
00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:44,230
or few and in-between
with the opportunities
245
00:08:44,274 --> 00:08:45,944
-for the Black woman.
-Absolutely.
246
00:08:45,984 --> 00:08:47,614
They were only telling,
like, a couple stories.
247
00:08:47,652 --> 00:08:49,532
A couple of our diverse stories,
you know.
248
00:08:49,571 --> 00:08:51,531
-So I was...
-What-- and you were mindful of that
249
00:08:51,573 --> 00:08:53,533
-at that point in time
in your career? -Uh, well, I knew...
250
00:08:53,575 --> 00:08:56,285
Well, because what
I kept getting from my agents
251
00:08:56,327 --> 00:08:58,957
at the time is they kept saying
I was "too edgy."
252
00:08:58,997 --> 00:09:00,997
And I'm like,
"Too edgy? What?"
253
00:09:01,041 --> 00:09:02,501
That's 'cause you're just thug.
254
00:09:02,542 --> 00:09:04,042
-Well, I am a thug.
-Yeah. That's what that is.
255
00:09:04,085 --> 00:09:06,205
-But I'm a trained actress.
-Very true.
256
00:09:06,254 --> 00:09:08,054
But you can't judge me
on who I am,
257
00:09:08,089 --> 00:09:09,669
-'cause that's
never gonna change. -Yeah.
258
00:09:09,716 --> 00:09:11,046
I don't judge you on it.
I'm saying, I know...
259
00:09:11,092 --> 00:09:12,432
No, not you.
260
00:09:12,469 --> 00:09:14,049
-I-I'm just saying,
I want you to know -(laughs)
261
00:09:14,095 --> 00:09:15,885
-that I know what's in there.
-I know you know.
262
00:09:15,930 --> 00:09:17,520
-I know.
Yeah, I know you do. -Like... Yeah, like this.
263
00:09:17,557 --> 00:09:18,887
-Like...
-You don't, you'll never let me forget.
264
00:09:18,933 --> 00:09:19,853
Like, this, this.
You got this thing.
265
00:09:19,893 --> 00:09:21,023
I got all of that.
266
00:09:21,061 --> 00:09:22,561
-Like, what you...? What?
-What?
267
00:09:22,604 --> 00:09:23,864
-Yeah. Who you?
-What?
268
00:09:23,897 --> 00:09:25,317
-Who you? What?
-What?
269
00:09:25,357 --> 00:09:26,977
-Like, that's in there.
-Grabbing the bottle.
270
00:09:27,025 --> 00:09:28,525
-Looking for the weapon. Yeah.
-Yes. Yes. Yes.
271
00:09:28,568 --> 00:09:30,528
Oh, it's okay. I'm working...
I have a therapist.
272
00:09:30,570 --> 00:09:32,410
-Okay. Okay. (laughs)
-It's called rage. I'm working on it.
273
00:09:32,447 --> 00:09:34,117
And there are reasons for it.
That's why therapy is good.
274
00:09:34,157 --> 00:09:36,027
Okay. Okay, we'll get there.
We'll get down there.
275
00:09:36,076 --> 00:09:37,406
-(laughs)
-We'll get down there.
276
00:09:37,452 --> 00:09:39,502
I can't, I can't wait
to get down there.
277
00:09:39,537 --> 00:09:40,907
No, therapy is great.
278
00:09:40,955 --> 00:09:44,455
But, um, yeah, so it was just
a lot of noes,
279
00:09:44,501 --> 00:09:45,921
a lot of knowing, um...
280
00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:48,590
You know, I knew
that I had what it took.
281
00:09:48,630 --> 00:09:50,090
I knew that there was a lane
282
00:09:50,131 --> 00:09:51,931
that I had to carve out,
like everybody.
283
00:09:51,966 --> 00:09:54,676
I don't think there's anybody
that's like someone else.
284
00:09:54,719 --> 00:09:56,259
So whenever you come out here
285
00:09:56,304 --> 00:09:57,894
-you always have to carve out
your lane. -Mm-hmm.
286
00:09:57,931 --> 00:09:59,311
Not unless you're saying,
287
00:09:59,349 --> 00:10:01,479
"I want to do exactly
what this person did.
288
00:10:01,518 --> 00:10:03,138
-Let's do..."
-Unless you want to pattern after an exact individual.
289
00:10:03,186 --> 00:10:04,686
-Yeah, well,
who wants to do that? -Mm-hmm.
290
00:10:04,729 --> 00:10:05,939
You know? And that's okay,
I'm not judging,
291
00:10:05,980 --> 00:10:08,110
but I wanted to create
my own path.
292
00:10:08,149 --> 00:10:09,939
I wanted the naysayers
to go like,
293
00:10:09,984 --> 00:10:11,534
"Damn, I'm sorry
I second-guessed her."
294
00:10:11,569 --> 00:10:14,109
You know? You should always bet
on TPH, baby.
295
00:10:14,155 --> 00:10:15,485
-I like that.
-Don't bet against me.
296
00:10:15,532 --> 00:10:17,162
TPH, by the way,
is what Taraji,
297
00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:18,950
that's her abbreviation
for herself.
298
00:10:18,993 --> 00:10:21,503
That's Taraji P. Henson,
just as you're watching...
299
00:10:21,538 --> 00:10:23,748
-(chuckles)
-I know you probably thought it was a highway.
300
00:10:23,790 --> 00:10:25,130
-It's not.
-(laughs)
301
00:10:25,166 --> 00:10:27,836
That's-that's Taraji.
TPH is what she goes by.
302
00:10:27,877 --> 00:10:30,127
* *
303
00:10:39,723 --> 00:10:41,933
* *
304
00:10:44,310 --> 00:10:46,310
So, you know, you're out here.
You're in it.
305
00:10:46,354 --> 00:10:48,194
Now you're in the flow
of things.
306
00:10:48,231 --> 00:10:50,531
Things are going well.
You booked a big role.
307
00:10:50,567 --> 00:10:52,857
-"Baby Boy" pops. Right?
-Mm-hmm.
308
00:10:52,902 --> 00:10:55,702
Becomes a major success.
RIP to John Singleton.
309
00:10:55,739 --> 00:10:56,989
-Yes.
-I had, uh...
310
00:10:57,032 --> 00:10:58,622
I had Cube,
and me and Cube talked.
311
00:10:58,658 --> 00:11:00,908
We talked about John Singleton
for a minute.
312
00:11:00,952 --> 00:11:03,502
And now you being here,
it's amazing
313
00:11:03,538 --> 00:11:05,458
just understanding and realizing
314
00:11:05,498 --> 00:11:08,208
how many careers
John Singleton has touched.
315
00:11:08,251 --> 00:11:10,501
How many, you know,
platforms he's given
316
00:11:10,545 --> 00:11:13,415
-to birth the stars
that we're looking at today. -Mm-hmm.
317
00:11:13,465 --> 00:11:16,835
Is this surreal, after the
success of "Baby Boy," for you?
318
00:11:16,885 --> 00:11:18,795
Um, no. I knew it was coming,
319
00:11:18,845 --> 00:11:20,175
but I knew it would be
a slow burn.
320
00:11:20,221 --> 00:11:21,971
-Okay.
-'Cause by that point
321
00:11:22,015 --> 00:11:23,925
I was really understanding
the business,
322
00:11:23,975 --> 00:11:25,555
-and you know
what I mean by that. -Mm-hmm.
323
00:11:25,602 --> 00:11:28,692
Um, I knew that Tyreese would
pop before I did.
324
00:11:28,730 --> 00:11:31,480
Think about it.
After "Baby Boy," he got, um,
325
00:11:31,524 --> 00:11:35,784
-"Transformers"
and "Fast and Furious." -(imitates whooshing)
326
00:11:35,820 --> 00:11:37,910
What did I get?
327
00:11:37,947 --> 00:11:40,367
I was on Lifetime
328
00:11:40,408 --> 00:11:43,788
playing a rookie cop on
this show called "The Division."
329
00:11:43,828 --> 00:11:45,578
But see, I knew
I had to do that.
330
00:11:45,622 --> 00:11:47,002
-That was by choice.
-Mm-hmm.
331
00:11:47,040 --> 00:11:48,420
Because you can't keep--
Don't keep--
332
00:11:48,458 --> 00:11:50,168
'Cause I knew
I was always getting,
333
00:11:50,210 --> 00:11:51,840
"She's edgy. She's edgy."
334
00:11:51,878 --> 00:11:54,048
-Now I play a edgy role...
-Mm-hmm.
335
00:11:54,089 --> 00:11:55,799
...and-and I started--
People were like,
336
00:11:55,840 --> 00:11:57,260
"They-- Where did they find
this girl?
337
00:11:57,300 --> 00:11:59,090
She ain't even acting."
So I took that as a--
338
00:11:59,135 --> 00:12:01,255
"Okay, you just don't even know
what I really can do."
339
00:12:01,304 --> 00:12:03,144
I do Shakespeare in the Park,
Chekhov.
340
00:12:03,181 --> 00:12:04,561
I'm a trained actress, right?
341
00:12:04,599 --> 00:12:06,059
Put a chip on your shoulder
a little bit?
342
00:12:06,101 --> 00:12:07,691
-Not really. It just...
-Okay.
343
00:12:07,727 --> 00:12:09,097
I love when people doubt me.
344
00:12:09,145 --> 00:12:11,105
-I'm sure you understand that.
-Absolutely.
345
00:12:11,147 --> 00:12:13,897
-'Cause, uh, you're laughing at
a lot of people right now. -Absolutely.
346
00:12:13,942 --> 00:12:15,902
Oh, my God. Not even laughing,
watching--
347
00:12:15,944 --> 00:12:17,574
Did you send them
their menu of crow,
348
00:12:17,612 --> 00:12:19,112
-and how they would like it?
-It's just... I mean, you-you,
349
00:12:19,155 --> 00:12:21,315
you do understand
there is a restaurant
350
00:12:21,366 --> 00:12:23,276
-that I'm familiar with.
-Serves crow?
351
00:12:23,326 --> 00:12:26,656
-And it serves crow
and humble pie. Right? -Whew.
352
00:12:26,705 --> 00:12:28,115
-Humble pie. So...
-Yes.
353
00:12:28,164 --> 00:12:30,384
so I think there's
nothing better than a, uh,
354
00:12:30,417 --> 00:12:32,917
a best served dish
of humble pie,
355
00:12:32,961 --> 00:12:34,341
depending on how you like it.
356
00:12:34,379 --> 00:12:36,169
Some people like it cold,
some people like it warm.
357
00:12:36,214 --> 00:12:38,384
-But it's not for me to give.
-Yeah.
358
00:12:38,425 --> 00:12:40,255
-It's for you to understand.
-To choose. I'm-a give you the menu.
359
00:12:40,301 --> 00:12:42,101
-Yes. You--
-You-you pick how you want that crow.
360
00:12:42,137 --> 00:12:43,467
-Absolutely.
-Roasted. How you want it?
361
00:12:43,513 --> 00:12:45,063
-Absolutely.
-Fried? (chuckles)
362
00:12:45,098 --> 00:12:47,478
But-- so that, then--
that just fuels me.
363
00:12:47,517 --> 00:12:49,227
And I think it's
when you come from nothing,
364
00:12:49,269 --> 00:12:51,859
-you already have a chip
on your shoulder. -Mm-hmm.
365
00:12:51,896 --> 00:12:54,016
You already have
a lot to prove, right?
366
00:12:54,065 --> 00:12:55,815
That's how I came to Hollywood.
367
00:12:55,859 --> 00:12:58,319
And so everybody's telling me,
"Oh, she's too this,
368
00:12:58,361 --> 00:13:00,241
she's too that.
She's too this, she's too that."
369
00:13:00,280 --> 00:13:02,410
-I've been hearing that
my entire career. -Mm-hmm.
370
00:13:02,449 --> 00:13:04,989
You know? That's why I almost
didn't take Cookie.
371
00:13:05,035 --> 00:13:06,535
-Really?
-I said no.
372
00:13:06,578 --> 00:13:09,658
I was in a-- I literally left
"Person of Interest"
373
00:13:09,706 --> 00:13:12,326
because I didn't like how I
was being handled on that show.
374
00:13:12,375 --> 00:13:15,545
I felt like my talent was
being marginalized.
375
00:13:15,587 --> 00:13:18,417
And so I...
376
00:13:18,465 --> 00:13:20,795
I remember asking--
they might get mad--
377
00:13:20,842 --> 00:13:22,182
I remember asking Chris Rock...
378
00:13:22,218 --> 00:13:23,928
and who else was in town
at the time?
379
00:13:23,970 --> 00:13:25,720
It was Chris Rock and...
380
00:13:25,764 --> 00:13:27,144
-Jamie Foxx...
-Okay.
381
00:13:27,182 --> 00:13:28,732
...their opinion--
was it Jamie Foxx?
382
00:13:28,767 --> 00:13:30,727
I don't want to get anybody
wrong, but it was somebo--
383
00:13:30,769 --> 00:13:33,149
It was, like, high up
that I really respect,
384
00:13:33,188 --> 00:13:35,518
and they just happened to be
in New York at the time.
385
00:13:35,565 --> 00:13:37,105
And I bumped into them
and I was like,
386
00:13:37,150 --> 00:13:39,530
"You know,
I'm really having this issue.
387
00:13:39,569 --> 00:13:43,199
"I-I feel stifled. I can't go
on work and do other things.
388
00:13:43,239 --> 00:13:45,449
"And I don't feel like I'm being
used enough on this show.
389
00:13:45,492 --> 00:13:47,702
"And I'm a creative,
and I'm sitting around
390
00:13:47,744 --> 00:13:49,374
"and I'm rotting in New York.
391
00:13:49,412 --> 00:13:50,712
And I want out."
392
00:13:50,747 --> 00:13:53,707
And they were like,
"Oh, no! Don't you do that.
393
00:13:53,750 --> 00:13:55,250
"Don't you leave that show.
394
00:13:55,293 --> 00:13:57,553
"That's gonna be the end
of your career. Don't leave."
395
00:13:57,587 --> 00:13:59,837
So then I'm-I'm like...
396
00:13:59,881 --> 00:14:02,051
Don't-- That-that, to me,
397
00:14:02,092 --> 00:14:03,682
was like,
I got to prove them wrong
398
00:14:03,718 --> 00:14:06,348
because I felt like I was being
marginalized, my talent.
399
00:14:06,388 --> 00:14:07,928
-Mm-hmm.
-I didn't...
400
00:14:07,972 --> 00:14:11,272
-I wanted to shine
and-and be a creative. -Okay.
401
00:14:11,309 --> 00:14:13,769
And it would be, like, weeks
and weeks I wasn't working.
402
00:14:13,812 --> 00:14:15,482
I would work two days here.
403
00:14:15,522 --> 00:14:17,982
-I just-- It wasn't enough
for me as a creative. -Mm-hmm.
404
00:14:18,024 --> 00:14:19,324
Thank God, you know,
405
00:14:19,359 --> 00:14:21,069
the producers
and the network and I--
406
00:14:21,111 --> 00:14:23,911
They-- You know, what network
wants a actor that's not happy?
407
00:14:23,947 --> 00:14:26,737
Like, I would release that actor
in a minute if you're not happy.
408
00:14:26,783 --> 00:14:28,163
I literally had to reset,
409
00:14:28,201 --> 00:14:29,741
'cause I-I didn't like acting
anymore.
410
00:14:29,786 --> 00:14:31,406
-I really didn't like...
-Damn.
411
00:14:31,454 --> 00:14:34,374
Because it was po-- It was
too much, uh, "minursha" in it,
412
00:14:34,416 --> 00:14:36,246
-you know what I mean?
-What does "minursha" mean?
413
00:14:36,292 --> 00:14:37,922
M-- Am I saying that right?
414
00:14:37,961 --> 00:14:39,341
I said it right.
415
00:14:39,379 --> 00:14:41,299
-Minutiae! (laughs)
-Minutiae!
416
00:14:41,339 --> 00:14:43,799
(imitates hiccup) Hiccup.
Um, minutiae.
417
00:14:43,842 --> 00:14:46,182
(both laughing)
418
00:14:46,219 --> 00:14:47,509
-Minutiae.
-Minutiae.
419
00:14:47,554 --> 00:14:48,974
-Um, you know what that...
-(laughs)
420
00:14:49,014 --> 00:14:50,314
Were you trying to be smart,
you...
421
00:14:50,348 --> 00:14:51,768
No. I really don't know
what it means.
422
00:14:51,808 --> 00:14:53,438
-Do you know
what "minutiae" means? -No!
423
00:14:53,476 --> 00:14:55,096
Okay. The mess. The muddle.
424
00:14:55,145 --> 00:14:56,685
-The-the all the red tape.
-Okay.
425
00:14:56,730 --> 00:14:58,570
-The details.
-Okay.
426
00:14:58,606 --> 00:15:00,476
Yeah. I was just like,
I just want to be talented.
427
00:15:00,525 --> 00:15:02,605
I just want to do
what I came out here to do.
428
00:15:02,652 --> 00:15:05,572
So I literally was like,
let me do a reset.
429
00:15:05,613 --> 00:15:07,623
Let me see how I really feel
about this craft
430
00:15:07,657 --> 00:15:09,367
that I thought I loved
all my life.
431
00:15:09,409 --> 00:15:11,619
I went to do a play
in Pasadena.
432
00:15:11,661 --> 00:15:12,951
Wow.
433
00:15:12,996 --> 00:15:14,786
And... 'Cause that's
where I come from-- theater.
434
00:15:14,831 --> 00:15:17,791
To find that-- To just simply
spark, spark your love back.
435
00:15:17,834 --> 00:15:19,884
-Absolutely. I had...
-I need to fall back in love with this thing.
436
00:15:19,919 --> 00:15:21,249
-You got it.
-Got you.
437
00:15:21,296 --> 00:15:22,796
And so I'm in Pasadena.
438
00:15:22,839 --> 00:15:24,719
I didn't care if anybody came
to see it.
439
00:15:24,758 --> 00:15:26,798
I didn't care.
I was there for my own reason.
440
00:15:26,843 --> 00:15:30,603
It wasn't for casting directors
or producers or...
441
00:15:30,638 --> 00:15:32,308
I didn't care,
442
00:15:32,349 --> 00:15:36,229
because I didn't care that
that thing sold out.
443
00:15:36,269 --> 00:15:39,149
The first two nights
of preview--
444
00:15:39,189 --> 00:15:42,279
not opening night, preview--
they made all their money back.
445
00:15:42,317 --> 00:15:46,357
And from the preview on,
that place sold out every night.
446
00:15:46,404 --> 00:15:48,074
How long,
how long did the play go?
447
00:15:48,114 --> 00:15:50,244
Six weeks, that's all.
Six weeks.
448
00:15:50,283 --> 00:15:52,163
And people were driving--
449
00:15:52,202 --> 00:15:54,832
-Um, you know Pas--
This is not a theater town. -Mm-mmm.
450
00:15:54,871 --> 00:15:56,501
This is not like New York,
people go to the theater.
451
00:15:56,539 --> 00:15:58,169
Here, they don't really go
to the theater.
452
00:15:58,208 --> 00:15:59,918
So you mean people are traveling
to Pasadena.
453
00:15:59,959 --> 00:16:02,499
Pasadena, for anybody
that's not from L.A.,
454
00:16:02,545 --> 00:16:05,255
-it's not close. It's out.
-It's a distance.
455
00:16:05,298 --> 00:16:06,628
-It's a distance.
-Yeah.
456
00:16:06,675 --> 00:16:08,715
And people were coming
from miles around.
457
00:16:08,760 --> 00:16:11,970
Crenshaw, Compton.
My audience found me.
458
00:16:12,013 --> 00:16:15,313
They saw my name above the title
on that play, and they found me.
459
00:16:15,350 --> 00:16:18,650
Not only did they find me,
Fox found me,
460
00:16:18,687 --> 00:16:20,267
and they were coming to me
every night.
461
00:16:20,313 --> 00:16:21,403
And my manager at the time
was like,
462
00:16:21,439 --> 00:16:23,109
"Yeah, go outside and meet Fox.
463
00:16:23,149 --> 00:16:24,529
They're-they're gonna be there
after the show." And I'm like,
464
00:16:24,567 --> 00:16:26,187
"For what?"
"They got a script."
465
00:16:26,236 --> 00:16:27,526
I said, "Didn't I
tell you I don't want to do TV?
466
00:16:27,570 --> 00:16:30,030
-I'm done with TV. I'm done."
-Wow.
467
00:16:30,073 --> 00:16:32,333
* *
468
00:16:43,628 --> 00:16:45,668
* *
469
00:16:48,174 --> 00:16:49,434
-Have you ever done theater?
-No.
470
00:16:49,467 --> 00:16:51,217
-(exhales) You did,
-No.
471
00:16:51,261 --> 00:16:52,851
-uh, "Saturday Night Live,"
right? -I keep hearing it's...
472
00:16:52,887 --> 00:16:54,257
-Yes.
-It's like that.
473
00:16:54,305 --> 00:16:56,265
I keep hearing
it's-it's a different monster,
474
00:16:56,307 --> 00:16:57,847
-but it's a rush like no other.
-It's a di-- The closest I can get--
475
00:16:57,892 --> 00:16:59,852
Uh, did you get a rush on NB--
on, um...
476
00:16:59,894 --> 00:17:01,774
-"Saturday Night?"
-"SNL"? Absolutely.
477
00:17:01,813 --> 00:17:03,273
-Absolutely. Yeah.
-'Cause it's-it's boom, boom, boom.
478
00:17:03,314 --> 00:17:04,734
You practice and then you go,
right?
479
00:17:04,774 --> 00:17:06,444
-It's live. You're live.
-Even... that's
480
00:17:06,484 --> 00:17:08,284
even more fast-paced,
but that's what theatre is.
481
00:17:08,319 --> 00:17:09,779
It's live.
So if you flub a line,
482
00:17:09,821 --> 00:17:11,161
you better figure out
how to make it work.
483
00:17:11,197 --> 00:17:12,447
If the set falls on your head,
484
00:17:12,490 --> 00:17:14,120
you don't have the luxury
of take two.
485
00:17:14,159 --> 00:17:16,829
So that's why I feel like
a lot of the stronger actors
486
00:17:16,870 --> 00:17:19,750
are comedians 'cause y'all
have to do that all the time
487
00:17:19,789 --> 00:17:21,329
with hecklers
and stuff like that,
488
00:17:21,374 --> 00:17:23,004
-and people
who come from theater. -Mm-hmm.
489
00:17:23,043 --> 00:17:25,633
Because it's live.
It's in the moment all the time.
490
00:17:25,670 --> 00:17:27,920
You can't-- Like I said,
you don't have the luxury of,
491
00:17:27,964 --> 00:17:30,134
"Take, oh, I messed up.
Can I do it again?
492
00:17:30,175 --> 00:17:31,545
-Cut! And reset. Yeah.
-(laughs) Right?
493
00:17:31,593 --> 00:17:34,303
No, no, the c--
The audience is already in.
494
00:17:34,346 --> 00:17:35,846
They suspended their disbelief.
495
00:17:35,889 --> 00:17:37,679
They got-- You got to
take them with you, you know.
496
00:17:37,724 --> 00:17:39,734
This wine is really good,
and I forgot where I was going.
497
00:17:39,768 --> 00:17:41,558
-I could give you.
I'm right here with you. -Tell me, what is it?
498
00:17:41,603 --> 00:17:43,773
So, theater. After that,
Fox wants to talk to you.
499
00:17:43,813 --> 00:17:45,653
-Fox is outside.
-And I finally, um, read the script...
500
00:17:45,690 --> 00:17:47,820
-I'm one of
the best listeners ever. -You are incredible.
501
00:17:47,859 --> 00:17:49,569
A listener.
Uh, 'cause I'm engaged.
502
00:17:49,611 --> 00:17:51,201
-Your story is that good.
-Wow.
503
00:17:51,237 --> 00:17:52,607
If it wasn't, then I'd be lost.
504
00:17:52,655 --> 00:17:54,065
I'd be like,
"I don't know where you are,"
505
00:17:54,115 --> 00:17:55,825
and I would find something else
to talk about,
506
00:17:55,867 --> 00:17:57,367
-but I want to know, like...
-Wow, you're amazing.
507
00:17:57,410 --> 00:17:59,250
-Yes. So, now Fox is there.
-(chuckles)
508
00:17:59,287 --> 00:18:00,867
-Fox wants to what?
They want to sign you? -So, they send me--
509
00:18:00,914 --> 00:18:03,254
So, I finally read the script,
'cause now Fox is
510
00:18:03,291 --> 00:18:05,171
meeting me backstage
every night.
511
00:18:05,210 --> 00:18:07,670
And I'm like, "I guess
I better read this script."
512
00:18:07,712 --> 00:18:10,262
So, I start reading the script.
I was so scared.
513
00:18:10,298 --> 00:18:11,928
I was like, no, she's horrible.
514
00:18:11,966 --> 00:18:13,676
She calls her gay son
the f-bomb.
515
00:18:13,718 --> 00:18:15,928
She beats one with a broom,
even though, huh,
516
00:18:15,970 --> 00:18:18,140
you know I'm that kind of mom
if you push me.
517
00:18:18,181 --> 00:18:20,481
Um... (laughs) But...
518
00:18:20,517 --> 00:18:22,187
but I was like,
I can't do this on TV.
519
00:18:22,227 --> 00:18:24,437
The white people-- oh, my God--
they're gonna be like, "Oh, no."
520
00:18:24,479 --> 00:18:28,319
But, um, once I am scared,
521
00:18:28,358 --> 00:18:29,978
that's when I know
I have to do it.
522
00:18:30,026 --> 00:18:32,526
So if I don't feel challenged,
I won't...
523
00:18:32,570 --> 00:18:34,700
What was you and-and Lee's
conversation
524
00:18:34,739 --> 00:18:36,779
in the beginning stages
of-of that?
525
00:18:36,825 --> 00:18:41,365
Lee... So, Lee, um,
was overseas
526
00:18:41,413 --> 00:18:44,423
promoting "The Butler"
at the time.
527
00:18:44,457 --> 00:18:46,787
And they set up a Skype for us.
528
00:18:46,835 --> 00:18:49,875
And I finally read the script,
and I really liked it.
529
00:18:49,921 --> 00:18:51,511
And, like, when I read it,
I was like,
530
00:18:51,548 --> 00:18:52,758
"Oh, this is me
and Terrence Howard."
531
00:18:52,799 --> 00:18:54,549
-Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
-Hands down. This is--
532
00:18:54,592 --> 00:18:56,222
Terrence will kill this role.
533
00:18:56,261 --> 00:18:58,051
And we have that dyna--
Like, I was like, "Oh, my God."
534
00:18:58,096 --> 00:18:59,556
Was Terrence already...
was he already the guy?
535
00:18:59,597 --> 00:19:00,927
-No, he was not.
-Okay.
536
00:19:00,974 --> 00:19:03,274
I don't know who they had
gone out to, but they...
537
00:19:03,309 --> 00:19:04,559
(belches quietly)
538
00:19:04,602 --> 00:19:05,852
(chuckles):
Excuse me. I was a lady.
539
00:19:05,895 --> 00:19:07,225
I didn't go...
(imitates loud belch)
540
00:19:07,272 --> 00:19:10,112
-But, um... (laughs)
-(laughs)
541
00:19:10,150 --> 00:19:11,900
But, um...
542
00:19:11,943 --> 00:19:14,493
But, um, so, they had already
gone out to someone.
543
00:19:14,529 --> 00:19:16,449
And so by the time I talk
to Lee, I was like,
544
00:19:16,489 --> 00:19:18,739
"Lee, look. I love this project.
I think it's great,
545
00:19:18,783 --> 00:19:20,453
but I'm not doing it
unless it's Terrence."
546
00:19:20,493 --> 00:19:23,253
-Wow. Wow.
-So... Bye-bye. Click, ooh.
547
00:19:23,288 --> 00:19:26,418
Closed him.
And next thing you know,
548
00:19:26,458 --> 00:19:28,538
I'm going in to read
with Terrence.
549
00:19:28,585 --> 00:19:30,415
-Just like that?
-Just like that.
550
00:19:30,462 --> 00:19:32,212
And based off of you
and Terrence's history--
551
00:19:32,255 --> 00:19:35,085
Now, before this, just
to connect some tissue here,
552
00:19:35,133 --> 00:19:37,593
you know, "Hustle and Flow,"
you and Terrence did--
553
00:19:37,635 --> 00:19:39,255
amazing movie,
amazing project.
554
00:19:39,304 --> 00:19:41,264
-Mm-hmm. Thank you.
-Another John Singleton piece.
555
00:19:41,306 --> 00:19:43,886
So, I just want to tag on
these relationships real quick.
556
00:19:43,933 --> 00:19:47,983
Um, you and John. What was
that relationship for you,
557
00:19:48,021 --> 00:19:51,021
uh, with you in the business
in those younger stages?
558
00:19:51,066 --> 00:19:53,106
Because "Hustle and Flow"
came after "Baby Boy."
559
00:19:53,151 --> 00:19:54,321
-Yes.
-Yes.
560
00:19:54,361 --> 00:19:55,701
So that was a call to you?
561
00:19:55,737 --> 00:19:56,947
-Was that an audition?
-No.
562
00:19:56,988 --> 00:19:58,528
Was that you from the gate,
or what?
563
00:19:58,573 --> 00:20:00,033
John called me and said,
"I have this script,
564
00:20:00,075 --> 00:20:01,525
"'Hustle and Flow.'
I want you to read it.
565
00:20:01,576 --> 00:20:03,196
"This dope new director,
Craig Brewer.
566
00:20:03,244 --> 00:20:04,624
-He bop, bop, bop."
-Okay.
567
00:20:04,662 --> 00:20:05,792
And he was like,
"I'm sending you this script.
568
00:20:05,830 --> 00:20:07,620
-You pick the role."
-Okay.
569
00:20:07,665 --> 00:20:09,745
"Boo, I need your eyes."
That's what he said.
570
00:20:09,793 --> 00:20:11,593
He always talked about my eyes.
571
00:20:11,628 --> 00:20:13,758
Actually, his mother, to
this day, calls me Betty Davis--
572
00:20:13,797 --> 00:20:15,587
-Betty Davis eyes.
-Wow. Wow.
573
00:20:15,632 --> 00:20:19,142
But, um... So--
And he called me Lucy.
574
00:20:19,177 --> 00:20:21,047
Lucille Ball. (chuckles)
575
00:20:21,096 --> 00:20:23,346
But anyway, so, um,
576
00:20:23,390 --> 00:20:26,730
he called and said, "I need you
to-to be in this movie.
577
00:20:26,768 --> 00:20:28,598
It's a independent."
Blah, blah, blah.
578
00:20:28,645 --> 00:20:30,805
"I just need your eyes.
Read the script."
579
00:20:30,855 --> 00:20:33,525
And, you know,
of course Lexus jumped out,
580
00:20:33,566 --> 00:20:35,066
but I was like, no,
because remember,
581
00:20:35,110 --> 00:20:36,990
I'm fighting against
what Hollywood is telling me.
582
00:20:37,028 --> 00:20:38,528
-You didn't want to be
that character. Yeah. -Right.
583
00:20:38,571 --> 00:20:39,821
So I was like,
"Nah, I can do that
584
00:20:39,864 --> 00:20:41,414
with my hands behind my back."
585
00:20:41,449 --> 00:20:43,539
I was like,
"But this Shug is a quiet...
586
00:20:43,576 --> 00:20:45,826
She's a quiet storm."
587
00:20:45,870 --> 00:20:48,370
-And then I was just drawn...
-I was gonna say, you were very, you were very...
588
00:20:48,415 --> 00:20:49,995
-you were very much different.
-Oh, God.
589
00:20:50,041 --> 00:20:52,631
Like, she was, she was subdued
a little bit, you know.
590
00:20:52,669 --> 00:20:53,919
-She was very...
-She was a diamond in the rough.
591
00:20:53,962 --> 00:20:56,672
Very, very, uh...
what-what's it--
592
00:20:56,715 --> 00:20:58,545
Like a introvert
to a certain degree.
593
00:20:58,591 --> 00:21:01,341
And, you know, when-when
she got on the microphone,
594
00:21:01,386 --> 00:21:05,346
she had came out a little bit,
but it was very much laid back.
595
00:21:05,390 --> 00:21:07,520
-You weren't as--
You weren't aggressive... -No.
596
00:21:07,559 --> 00:21:09,099
...in-in "Hustle and Flow"
at all.
597
00:21:09,144 --> 00:21:10,774
-She was
a very different character. -Absolutely.
598
00:21:10,812 --> 00:21:12,652
Her voice-- She had never heard
her voice before.
599
00:21:12,689 --> 00:21:15,189
-Absolutely.
-Because people had always taken advantage of her,
600
00:21:15,233 --> 00:21:18,193
so she didn't feel important
enough to speak up for herself.
601
00:21:18,236 --> 00:21:20,196
-It was a discovery. Mm-hmm.
-You know, that's the research I did.
602
00:21:20,238 --> 00:21:22,698
But it was in there, you know.
I just went a little further.
603
00:21:22,741 --> 00:21:24,871
I just remember
when I read it, I was like,
604
00:21:24,909 --> 00:21:26,199
I want the audience to want
605
00:21:26,244 --> 00:21:27,874
to reach through the screen
and hug her,
606
00:21:27,912 --> 00:21:30,372
and get her and take care
of her. I just--
607
00:21:30,415 --> 00:21:33,455
Because that's what I felt like
when I saw her, when I read her.
608
00:21:33,501 --> 00:21:36,381
And you and Terrence, at the
time you guys did this movie,
609
00:21:36,421 --> 00:21:38,051
from the gate,
you guys hit it off?
610
00:21:38,089 --> 00:21:40,089
-From the gate?
-Terrence didn't want me for Shug.
611
00:21:40,133 --> 00:21:42,473
-Really?
-Yeah. You have him on the show and ask him about that.
612
00:21:42,510 --> 00:21:43,720
-Really?
-Mm-hmm.
613
00:21:43,762 --> 00:21:44,932
He didn't want you
to play the part?
614
00:21:44,971 --> 00:21:46,511
-No, he... (mumbles)
-And so, what...
615
00:21:46,556 --> 00:21:47,806
Not until I auditioned.
616
00:21:47,849 --> 00:21:49,889
Then when I auditioned
and I came in,
617
00:21:49,934 --> 00:21:52,904
and he was like...
(imitates barking)
618
00:21:52,937 --> 00:21:55,317
-(laughs)
-Okay. And from that,
619
00:21:55,357 --> 00:21:58,567
-did you guys maintain
a relationship? Were you cool? -Yeah. Mm-hmm.
620
00:21:58,610 --> 00:22:00,490
So that way, by the time
you got to "Empire,"
621
00:22:00,528 --> 00:22:01,908
and it-- And, you know, you go,
622
00:22:01,946 --> 00:22:03,616
-"Yo, this is Terrence all day."
-Yeah.
623
00:22:03,656 --> 00:22:06,326
Terrence finds out.
"Oh, my God.
624
00:22:06,368 --> 00:22:08,078
"Taraji, she's on.
625
00:22:08,119 --> 00:22:11,409
My girl relationship,
chemistry, energy."
626
00:22:11,456 --> 00:22:13,666
We get here.
Lee gets there.
627
00:22:13,708 --> 00:22:15,288
You put this piece
to the puzzle together.
628
00:22:15,335 --> 00:22:17,705
From the beginning stages--
here's my biggest question--
629
00:22:17,754 --> 00:22:19,924
did you know
this was a success?
630
00:22:19,964 --> 00:22:23,344
Did you expect "Empire" to be
what it was?
631
00:22:23,385 --> 00:22:25,425
Like, you know,
those TV...
632
00:22:25,470 --> 00:22:27,640
TV shows that are
really hit shows,
633
00:22:27,681 --> 00:22:29,561
they don't come often.
634
00:22:29,599 --> 00:22:32,849
-Yeah.
-You don't get the ones that reach the global status often.
635
00:22:32,894 --> 00:22:34,774
You guys reached global status.
636
00:22:34,813 --> 00:22:38,443
-That was a monumental hit.
-Yeah.
637
00:22:38,483 --> 00:22:40,493
So, for you
in the beginning stages,
638
00:22:40,527 --> 00:22:42,067
did you know that,
realize that,
639
00:22:42,112 --> 00:22:45,622
when, you know, you guys are
pilot and first season?
640
00:22:45,657 --> 00:22:47,907
I knew it would be
a hit domestically.
641
00:22:47,951 --> 00:22:50,621
-Okay. Okay.
-I wasn't expecting international.
642
00:22:50,662 --> 00:22:52,662
Because I was told
my entire career
643
00:22:52,706 --> 00:22:54,166
that Black don't do well
overseas.
644
00:22:54,207 --> 00:22:56,577
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
645
00:22:56,626 --> 00:22:59,916
Then I get overseas
to Paris, of all places,
646
00:22:59,963 --> 00:23:04,473
and 1,500 seats,
standing room only.
647
00:23:04,509 --> 00:23:07,139
It's "French-speaking" citizens.
648
00:23:08,638 --> 00:23:10,218
They hid me in the audience.
649
00:23:10,265 --> 00:23:12,725
There was a Q and A,
Lee's on the stage,
650
00:23:12,767 --> 00:23:14,097
and when they got
to the Cookie questions,
651
00:23:14,144 --> 00:23:15,734
he said,
"Well, let's ask her."
652
00:23:15,770 --> 00:23:17,520
-Ask her.
-Here she is.
653
00:23:17,564 --> 00:23:19,074
Listen to me.
654
00:23:19,107 --> 00:23:23,817
The entire room stood
to their feet and like this.
655
00:23:23,862 --> 00:23:25,912
I stood on that stage
and ugly-face cried
656
00:23:25,947 --> 00:23:27,567
-in front of those people.
-Shocked.
657
00:23:27,615 --> 00:23:30,155
-Because they lied to me.
-Yeah.
658
00:23:30,201 --> 00:23:32,081
Then when I go outside,
659
00:23:32,120 --> 00:23:34,000
they weren't greeting me
as Cookie.
660
00:23:34,039 --> 00:23:35,419
(in French accent):
"Taraji. Taraji.
661
00:23:35,457 --> 00:23:37,377
Taraji, can I please--
Please sign. Taraji."
662
00:23:37,417 --> 00:23:40,797
-They knew who you were.
-But they had jackets to all my movies.
663
00:23:40,837 --> 00:23:42,797
-Mm. Mm.
-"Baby Boy" included.
664
00:23:42,839 --> 00:23:44,339
Even movies that hit b--
665
00:23:44,382 --> 00:23:47,142
-Um, the one we did,
"Not Easily Broken." -Mm-hmm.
666
00:23:47,177 --> 00:23:49,007
This Parisian came out
and was like,
667
00:23:49,054 --> 00:23:50,684
"Please, Taraji. Sign, sign."
668
00:23:50,722 --> 00:23:52,312
I said, "What? How you...?
669
00:23:52,349 --> 00:23:53,849
This didn't even go
to many theaters."
670
00:23:53,892 --> 00:23:55,602
-But he had it there.
-Mm-hmm.
671
00:23:55,643 --> 00:23:57,103
They had it in China
when I went.
672
00:23:57,145 --> 00:23:59,355
It's like, so,
somebody's been lying to me.
673
00:23:59,397 --> 00:24:02,027
That's why I applaud you
and I look up to you,
674
00:24:02,067 --> 00:24:03,777
because you didn't listen.
675
00:24:03,818 --> 00:24:05,448
-You said, "I'm-a do it myself."
-Mm-hmm.
676
00:24:05,487 --> 00:24:08,527
And you went abroad.
You took your show abroad.
677
00:24:08,573 --> 00:24:11,203
And that's what it takes.
It takes, um--
678
00:24:11,242 --> 00:24:13,622
for us especially, um...
679
00:24:13,661 --> 00:24:15,371
This has always been
our struggle.
680
00:24:15,413 --> 00:24:17,793
-We're always fighting
against everything. -Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
681
00:24:17,832 --> 00:24:20,212
You know, trying to rise
above that thumb
682
00:24:20,251 --> 00:24:22,501
-that constantly stays
on us, you know. -Mm-hmm.
683
00:24:22,545 --> 00:24:24,415
And I just applaud you for that.
684
00:24:24,464 --> 00:24:26,054
I'm just so proud of you,
okay?
685
00:24:26,091 --> 00:24:28,221
I know you-- I'm here to talk
to you, but I'm-- You...
686
00:24:28,259 --> 00:24:32,009
I'm so effing proud of you,
you know.
687
00:24:32,055 --> 00:24:35,055
And I feel like, I mean,
I just watched the whole thing.
688
00:24:35,100 --> 00:24:37,560
I just never forget-- We were
on a plane going somewhere.
689
00:24:37,602 --> 00:24:40,732
-People don't understand
how-how we're connected, though. -Yeah.
690
00:24:40,772 --> 00:24:43,232
-Right? They-they--
And they're not supposed to. -No, no, no.
691
00:24:43,274 --> 00:24:45,744
They don't know the connective
tissue between you and I.
692
00:24:45,777 --> 00:24:48,407
But to give you
a little background on it,
693
00:24:48,446 --> 00:24:50,066
you know, "Not Easily Broken..."
694
00:24:50,115 --> 00:24:53,945
-Mm-hmm.
-That was a big deal for me.
695
00:24:53,993 --> 00:24:55,543
-Me, too!
-That was...
696
00:24:55,578 --> 00:24:57,908
I-I know it was a big deal
for you, but I'm saying,
697
00:24:57,956 --> 00:25:00,746
-at that point in my career...
-Mm-hmm.
698
00:25:00,792 --> 00:25:03,252
-I needed substance. I needed...
-Yep.
699
00:25:03,294 --> 00:25:06,514
I needed movies
that were "credible."
700
00:25:06,548 --> 00:25:09,508
-Mm-hmm.
-I needed credible actors and actresses
701
00:25:09,551 --> 00:25:11,641
that I could stand alongside.
702
00:25:11,678 --> 00:25:13,468
And I remember me and Morris,
703
00:25:13,513 --> 00:25:14,933
you know,
me and Morris were cool.
704
00:25:14,973 --> 00:25:16,933
And he approached me
about a project--
705
00:25:16,975 --> 00:25:18,685
it was when I first met
Clint Culpepper.
706
00:25:18,727 --> 00:25:21,687
He was like, "Taraji, man.
It's gonna be me and Taraji.
707
00:25:21,730 --> 00:25:23,860
It's a big one."
And I remember...
708
00:25:23,898 --> 00:25:27,028
I remember my mindset
about Taraji.
709
00:25:27,068 --> 00:25:28,608
Oh, my God. This is dope.
710
00:25:28,653 --> 00:25:30,613
Taraji's... She's about--
711
00:25:30,655 --> 00:25:31,775
-It's-it's there.
-(chuckles): Oh.
712
00:25:31,823 --> 00:25:33,743
-And Morris was that guy.
-Mm-hmm.
713
00:25:33,783 --> 00:25:35,413
And I'm like, "This is great."
714
00:25:35,452 --> 00:25:37,292
And that movie, for me,
715
00:25:37,328 --> 00:25:40,958
it-it acted as a big step
for me, mentally,
716
00:25:40,999 --> 00:25:43,129
"Yeah, I'm doing
the right thing."
717
00:25:43,168 --> 00:25:45,048
"Think Like a Man,"
to me, was it.
718
00:25:45,086 --> 00:25:46,626
Like, I was like,
"Look at us."
719
00:25:46,671 --> 00:25:50,091
I was just-- I sat back
and was like, "Look at us."
720
00:25:50,133 --> 00:25:51,723
You can't write a better...
721
00:25:51,760 --> 00:25:53,430
you can't write
a better story.
722
00:25:53,470 --> 00:25:55,970
But the first one,
you were still like on a...
723
00:25:56,014 --> 00:25:57,224
-Was still coming up.
-Coming up.
724
00:25:57,265 --> 00:25:58,845
But then the second one,
they was like,
725
00:25:58,892 --> 00:26:00,522
"Um, Kevin gonna get paid
more than everybody."
726
00:26:00,560 --> 00:26:03,310
Okay. (laughs)
727
00:26:03,355 --> 00:26:04,605
(chuckles) I was like,
728
00:26:04,647 --> 00:26:07,647
"What this little motherfucker
talking about?"
729
00:26:07,692 --> 00:26:09,902
* *
730
00:26:17,243 --> 00:26:19,293
* *
731
00:26:21,748 --> 00:26:23,378
I want to talk to you now...
732
00:26:23,416 --> 00:26:27,546
You know, you're-you're...
you're in the-the world of,
733
00:26:27,587 --> 00:26:29,627
uh, somm, can we get a...
734
00:26:29,673 --> 00:26:31,843
(stammers) D, please.
735
00:26:31,883 --> 00:26:33,933
I was trying to be subtle.
736
00:26:33,968 --> 00:26:36,098
I told you T gonna run
through two bottles.
737
00:26:36,137 --> 00:26:37,427
-(laughs)
-Goddamn it. Let me keep up.
738
00:26:37,472 --> 00:26:39,022
And whatever-whatever
we don't drink,
739
00:26:39,057 --> 00:26:40,267
(whispering):
just put it in my trailer.
740
00:26:40,308 --> 00:26:41,888
-I got you.
-All right. Thank you.
741
00:26:41,935 --> 00:26:43,765
-He doesn't...
-I'll take a little bit, too.
742
00:26:43,812 --> 00:26:45,402
-A little?
-No, I mean...
743
00:26:45,438 --> 00:26:46,938
Well, it's-- nothing's
a little bit in that big glass.
744
00:26:46,981 --> 00:26:48,231
Well, this is the thing,
I have a big glass,
745
00:26:48,274 --> 00:26:51,074
because it's-- it looks--
Shut up, Taraji.
746
00:26:51,111 --> 00:26:53,111
-(laughs)
-Okay? Thank you. -Very welcome.
747
00:26:53,154 --> 00:26:54,914
All right,
just be quiet, uh...
748
00:26:54,948 --> 00:26:56,568
let's talk about, you know, now.
749
00:26:56,616 --> 00:27:00,076
So this-this monster
of "Empire" has grown.
750
00:27:00,120 --> 00:27:03,750
It's huge. Oh, my God.
The show's a massive hit.
751
00:27:03,790 --> 00:27:07,090
You guys are in season...
you know, I-I don't know what.
752
00:27:07,127 --> 00:27:08,707
Let's just say the height of it.
753
00:27:08,753 --> 00:27:11,093
-Let's say mid-season three,
and it's gone. -Mm-hmm.
754
00:27:11,131 --> 00:27:15,511
Um, where are you at
within your creative then?
755
00:27:15,552 --> 00:27:17,892
Like, you were discussing
getting behind the lens.
756
00:27:17,929 --> 00:27:20,269
-Mm-hmm.
-You were discussing projects that you were behind,
757
00:27:20,306 --> 00:27:22,766
that you were developing.
Did that happen then?
758
00:27:22,809 --> 00:27:25,269
Like, did that spark the want
to want to do it more?
759
00:27:25,311 --> 00:27:27,021
-Or-or was it a little before?
-Uh, yeah.
760
00:27:27,063 --> 00:27:28,823
-'Cause I got--
Now I'm on the inside. -Mm-hmm.
761
00:27:28,857 --> 00:27:30,977
-And now they listen to me.
-Mm-hmm.
762
00:27:31,026 --> 00:27:33,026
They hear me. I'm making changes
in the script.
763
00:27:33,069 --> 00:27:34,239
-Like, "This ain't gonna work."
-Mm-hmm.
764
00:27:34,279 --> 00:27:35,699
"You can't do that to Cookie.
765
00:27:35,739 --> 00:27:38,069
"You-you already got people--
She's the hero.
766
00:27:38,116 --> 00:27:39,946
If you do that,
we're gonna lose the audience."
767
00:27:39,993 --> 00:27:41,543
Like, I started doing that.
768
00:27:41,578 --> 00:27:43,288
-I was like,
"Hmm. I feel good about this." -Mm-hmm.
769
00:27:43,329 --> 00:27:46,959
Then, um,
directing producer Sanaa Hamri,
770
00:27:47,000 --> 00:27:49,630
she started noticing
what I was doing.
771
00:27:49,669 --> 00:27:51,629
She said, "You know,
you need to direct."
772
00:27:51,671 --> 00:27:54,551
And I was like, "Eh, I don't--
Eh. Y'all don't sleep."
773
00:27:54,591 --> 00:27:57,261
(laughs):
"I need to go home and go to bed."
774
00:27:57,302 --> 00:27:59,352
And she was like,
"Okay, you know,
775
00:27:59,387 --> 00:28:01,177
but I'm just saying.
You got the eye."
776
00:28:01,222 --> 00:28:03,982
You know, I kept getting it
from the first AD, you know.
777
00:28:04,017 --> 00:28:06,517
All kinds of stuff.
So finally, sixth season.
778
00:28:06,561 --> 00:28:09,151
And I was like,
"If not now, when?"
779
00:28:09,189 --> 00:28:11,819
Like, you know, I'm sure I'll do
another television show,
780
00:28:11,858 --> 00:28:14,068
but, like, who knows
when that'll be.
781
00:28:14,110 --> 00:28:15,860
And if I'm gonna direct
and get my feet wet,
782
00:28:15,904 --> 00:28:17,744
-I have to do it now.
-Why not?
783
00:28:17,781 --> 00:28:19,661
-I'm in love.
-I'm protected. I'm in this...
784
00:28:19,699 --> 00:28:21,869
-I want it. I want more.
-Really?
785
00:28:21,910 --> 00:28:23,500
I'm in the Directors Guild.
786
00:28:23,536 --> 00:28:25,326
Why? Tell me, tell me what you
love the most about it.
787
00:28:25,372 --> 00:28:28,122
I love-- You know what,
my favorite is casting,
788
00:28:28,166 --> 00:28:30,036
'cause I have a eye.
789
00:28:30,085 --> 00:28:34,005
I have an eye. I-I just do.
790
00:28:34,047 --> 00:28:37,837
And I understand actors.
791
00:28:37,884 --> 00:28:41,354
I think my most proudest moment
was I was directing, um,
792
00:28:41,388 --> 00:28:44,268
uh, one of the actors
on our, on, um, "Empire"
793
00:28:44,307 --> 00:28:46,477
from my episode, and it wasn't,
like, a major role.
794
00:28:46,518 --> 00:28:48,348
He was, like,
a detective or a cop,
795
00:28:48,395 --> 00:28:51,265
and I knew the look,
you know, cops. Um...
796
00:28:51,314 --> 00:28:53,864
This one guy came in,
and he was out of breath.
797
00:28:53,900 --> 00:28:55,650
He was like... (pants)
And he looked all nervous.
798
00:28:55,694 --> 00:28:58,364
His hands were shaking,
and I knew he was nervous,
799
00:28:58,405 --> 00:29:01,115
'cause I was in the room, and
it's "Empire" and all the feels.
800
00:29:01,157 --> 00:29:03,237
-Mm-hmm.
-And I saw it, and I...
801
00:29:03,284 --> 00:29:05,914
He started and-and it wasn't
the best read the first time.
802
00:29:05,954 --> 00:29:07,664
And I said, "Slow down."
803
00:29:07,706 --> 00:29:09,246
I said,
"W-Why are you breathing heavy?
804
00:29:09,290 --> 00:29:10,750
What happened? What's wrong?"
805
00:29:10,792 --> 00:29:14,382
Oh, my God, Kevin, you have bugs
on your, on your...
806
00:29:14,421 --> 00:29:15,761
-All right.
-You have bugs.
807
00:29:15,797 --> 00:29:17,217
-Okay. That's just...
-Okay?
808
00:29:17,257 --> 00:29:19,967
-Exterminator! I'm sorry.
-Stop it. That's not...
809
00:29:20,010 --> 00:29:22,140
(laughs)
810
00:29:22,178 --> 00:29:24,138
He almost flew in my mouth.
I almost gagged.
811
00:29:24,180 --> 00:29:28,060
Okay. Anyway,
so I go, "What happened?"
812
00:29:28,101 --> 00:29:29,851
(chuckles) He has bugs.
813
00:29:29,894 --> 00:29:31,354
I'm sorry. He has bugs.
814
00:29:31,396 --> 00:29:34,816
-Um, I should have worn my mask.
-Just stop. Okay.
815
00:29:34,858 --> 00:29:36,148
Okay.
816
00:29:36,192 --> 00:29:37,572
(takes deep breath)
817
00:29:37,610 --> 00:29:39,240
-The cop, you told the cop.
-(chuckles)
818
00:29:39,279 --> 00:29:40,909
You wanted him to calm down.
He's flustered.
819
00:29:40,947 --> 00:29:42,867
I wanted-- He told me that
he left his picture in the car,
820
00:29:42,907 --> 00:29:45,537
and he ran back to the car.
He didn't want to be late.
821
00:29:45,577 --> 00:29:47,247
I said,
(exhales) "Leave that alone.
822
00:29:47,287 --> 00:29:48,747
"I don't even care about that.
823
00:29:48,788 --> 00:29:50,538
I just want you to do
your best. Start over."
824
00:29:50,582 --> 00:29:52,672
-Mm-hmm.
-He nailed it, and I hired him.
825
00:29:52,709 --> 00:29:54,249
-You know how to communicate.
-I just know...
826
00:29:54,294 --> 00:29:56,344
You feel like
your-your dialogue
827
00:29:56,379 --> 00:29:58,919
with-with your actors
and actresses is on point.
828
00:29:58,965 --> 00:30:00,215
Because that's
where you come from?
829
00:30:00,258 --> 00:30:02,218
-'Cause you've done it?
-Yeah, I just...
830
00:30:02,260 --> 00:30:04,600
When you study theater,
I have to build a set,
831
00:30:04,637 --> 00:30:06,807
strike a set, direct,
write a play,
832
00:30:06,848 --> 00:30:10,478
-produce a play, direct a play.
-Talk your shit, T. Talk your shit, T.
833
00:30:10,518 --> 00:30:13,228
I mean, I have to learn
how to do wigs, hair, makeup.
834
00:30:13,271 --> 00:30:15,771
So it's like, you got
to learn every aspect of it.
835
00:30:15,815 --> 00:30:17,685
Oh, that's why I'm such
a huge crew person.
836
00:30:17,734 --> 00:30:19,614
That's when I come on sets,
I speak to everybody,
837
00:30:19,652 --> 00:30:22,242
because it's not--
We-we need a crew.
838
00:30:22,280 --> 00:30:24,070
You know, a director is...
839
00:30:24,115 --> 00:30:26,485
-That's-that's the captain
of the ship. -Captain of the ship.
840
00:30:26,534 --> 00:30:29,664
But, you know, you forget
to tap into the understanding
841
00:30:29,704 --> 00:30:33,294
-that the director understands
everybody's job. -Everybody's job.
842
00:30:33,333 --> 00:30:35,923
And everybody that's there
is there
843
00:30:35,960 --> 00:30:37,420
to better service the director.
844
00:30:37,462 --> 00:30:40,132
-How do we help make your day...
-Mm-hmm.
845
00:30:40,173 --> 00:30:41,803
...as good as we possibly can?
846
00:30:41,841 --> 00:30:43,301
And in return,
how do I get you home early?
847
00:30:43,343 --> 00:30:44,973
How do you do...?
That's so good.
848
00:30:45,011 --> 00:30:46,681
-For making my day good.
-That's so good.
849
00:30:46,721 --> 00:30:49,431
You know, so, that's be--
that's from theater, though.
850
00:30:49,474 --> 00:30:51,314
Because I had to play
every position.
851
00:30:51,351 --> 00:30:54,561
So, I-I'm respectful
of everybody's position.
852
00:30:54,604 --> 00:30:56,314
I'm not the actress
that gets on set
853
00:30:56,356 --> 00:30:58,856
and try to change the dialogue
because I don't know
854
00:30:58,900 --> 00:31:01,360
-what the writer means.
That's my job. -Mm-hmm.
855
00:31:01,403 --> 00:31:02,613
My job is to figure out
856
00:31:02,654 --> 00:31:04,574
why the character says it
like this.
857
00:31:04,614 --> 00:31:07,494
I know if I change the words,
it'll be easier for me.
858
00:31:07,534 --> 00:31:09,584
But that's not Taraji P. Henson.
859
00:31:09,619 --> 00:31:11,449
-That's a whole 'nother
character. -It's a character. Mm-hmm.
860
00:31:11,496 --> 00:31:14,916
You know? And, um, those
are the things that come with,
861
00:31:14,958 --> 00:31:16,328
when you're trained, you know.
862
00:31:16,376 --> 00:31:17,496
How many, how many episodes
did you direct?
863
00:31:17,544 --> 00:31:19,304
-Just one.
-Just one?
864
00:31:19,337 --> 00:31:21,167
-But I have a movie
I'm about to direct. -Really?
865
00:31:21,214 --> 00:31:22,674
-Yes.
-Get out of here, T.
866
00:31:22,716 --> 00:31:25,086
Direct, just--
Are you hired as the director,
867
00:31:25,135 --> 00:31:27,675
-did you develop, produce it?
-I'm hired as the director.
868
00:31:27,721 --> 00:31:30,771
Um, it's a feature film,
coming of age,
869
00:31:30,807 --> 00:31:33,267
Black, "young girl,"
coming of age--
870
00:31:33,309 --> 00:31:34,769
which I've never seen that.
871
00:31:34,811 --> 00:31:36,861
-When I grew up,
I had Molly Ringwald. -Okay.
872
00:31:36,896 --> 00:31:39,686
And I identified with Molly
because she was poor,
873
00:31:39,733 --> 00:31:42,033
-and she came
from a single-family home. -Mm-hmm.
874
00:31:42,068 --> 00:31:44,398
But she was still white.
(chuckles)
875
00:31:44,446 --> 00:31:47,066
But I've never seen
a coming of age
876
00:31:47,115 --> 00:31:49,115
that looked like me.
877
00:31:49,159 --> 00:31:51,329
-So here we come.
-Congrats.
878
00:31:51,369 --> 00:31:52,659
I'm so excited.
879
00:31:52,704 --> 00:31:54,754
* *
880
00:32:05,633 --> 00:32:07,643
* *
881
00:32:10,013 --> 00:32:13,813
Do you feel like you've done
all that you want to do
882
00:32:13,850 --> 00:32:15,480
as far as being on-screen,
883
00:32:15,518 --> 00:32:17,018
or there's still things left
884
00:32:17,062 --> 00:32:18,522
-that you want to do?
-There's still things left.
885
00:32:18,563 --> 00:32:19,733
'Cause you-you've
definitely checked
886
00:32:19,773 --> 00:32:21,483
-a lot of boxes. I mean...
-Mm-hmm.
887
00:32:21,524 --> 00:32:23,904
And, by checked a lot of boxes,
you've shown your range.
888
00:32:23,943 --> 00:32:26,283
-Yeah.
-You've shown that, you know,
889
00:32:26,321 --> 00:32:29,281
TP is-is not just
a one-note actress.
890
00:32:29,324 --> 00:32:30,664
I'm not so edgy after all.
891
00:32:30,700 --> 00:32:32,160
-Huh? Huh?
-No, no, no, no.
892
00:32:32,202 --> 00:32:33,752
-TP has levels. Levels...
-Well, I am edgy,
893
00:32:33,787 --> 00:32:34,787
but not in my work.
894
00:32:34,829 --> 00:32:36,499
-Levels on levels.
-Clean it up.
895
00:32:36,539 --> 00:32:38,329
-Yeah, you know what I mean.
-You are. Levels on--
896
00:32:38,375 --> 00:32:39,745
-No. You absolutely are.
-Uh, listen to him. Don't listen to me.
897
00:32:39,793 --> 00:32:42,253
You're absolutely levels
on levels.
898
00:32:42,295 --> 00:32:43,795
Uh, and, I mean,
look, that display...
899
00:32:43,838 --> 00:32:46,218
Thank you, Kevin.
I really appreciate that.
900
00:32:46,257 --> 00:32:47,587
Well, I'm not just saying it
to say it.
901
00:32:47,634 --> 00:32:49,224
I'm saying it because I mean it.
902
00:32:49,260 --> 00:32:51,470
Another question. How'd you feel
about your Oscar nomination
903
00:32:51,513 --> 00:32:52,563
for "Benjamin Button?"
904
00:32:52,597 --> 00:32:54,057
I mean, when that hit,
905
00:32:54,099 --> 00:32:55,769
that's a different ball game.
906
00:32:55,809 --> 00:32:58,399
That throws you
into a different stratosphere.
907
00:32:59,312 --> 00:33:00,812
My nomination meant,
908
00:33:00,855 --> 00:33:03,265
-I guess people were paying
attention. -Mm-hmm.
909
00:33:03,316 --> 00:33:05,486
I'm like,
"Okay, they know who I am."
910
00:33:05,527 --> 00:33:07,147
-Mm-hmm.
-So...
911
00:33:07,195 --> 00:33:09,565
In that category with the other
actresses that were in it.
912
00:33:09,614 --> 00:33:11,664
I mean, I was just,
I was just so happy
913
00:33:11,700 --> 00:33:14,040
that me and Viola was nominated
together. I felt...
914
00:33:14,077 --> 00:33:15,657
(stammers) It just felt good.
915
00:33:15,704 --> 00:33:17,124
KEVIN:
That's massive.
916
00:33:17,163 --> 00:33:18,793
TARAJI:
It felt good for me,
917
00:33:18,832 --> 00:33:20,752
because I'm always thinking
about the younger generation.
918
00:33:20,792 --> 00:33:22,962
-Mm-hmm.
-The imagery of that.
919
00:33:23,003 --> 00:33:26,593
Because I grew up--
We always know one...
920
00:33:26,631 --> 00:33:29,341
-Mm-hmm. It's very true.
-...you know, one of us.
921
00:33:29,384 --> 00:33:31,144
And it might be just one woman,
922
00:33:31,177 --> 00:33:33,427
-and it might be just a man,
you know? -That's very true.
923
00:33:33,471 --> 00:33:36,271
So just the imagery of two,
924
00:33:36,307 --> 00:33:38,387
that, to me, I was so proud.
925
00:33:38,435 --> 00:33:40,055
-That's dope as hell.
-Yeah.
926
00:33:40,103 --> 00:33:43,023
You're-you're now a advocate
for mental health.
927
00:33:43,064 --> 00:33:44,864
-What does that mean,
when you say you're an advocate? -Yes.
928
00:33:44,899 --> 00:33:47,189
Like, what are you, what are
you doing? What are you...?
929
00:33:47,235 --> 00:33:50,655
Okay. So I have a, um,
mental health organization
930
00:33:50,697 --> 00:33:53,487
that I started called the Boris
Lawrence Henson Foundation.
931
00:33:53,533 --> 00:33:54,913
-Okay.
-And it's named after my father,
932
00:33:54,951 --> 00:33:57,581
who was a Vietnam vet
who suffered from PTSD
933
00:33:57,620 --> 00:33:59,870
and also manic depression.
934
00:33:59,914 --> 00:34:02,004
Uh, bipolar.
935
00:34:02,042 --> 00:34:04,792
I started the foundation
because when I was looking
936
00:34:04,836 --> 00:34:08,376
for a therapist, for myself
and my son, it was hard.
937
00:34:08,423 --> 00:34:09,843
-Mm-hmm.
-Called my best friend,
938
00:34:09,883 --> 00:34:11,803
who runs my foundation,
Tracie Jenkins.
939
00:34:11,843 --> 00:34:13,803
Oh, you never, you know,
you never made that donation,
940
00:34:13,845 --> 00:34:15,715
but we'll get back to that.
So, anyway, um...
941
00:34:15,764 --> 00:34:17,394
but I'm on your show, and
I do everything you ask me to.
942
00:34:17,432 --> 00:34:18,892
But that's okay,
I'll get back to that.
943
00:34:18,933 --> 00:34:20,693
-Shit.
-So anyway, so I did the foundation.
944
00:34:20,727 --> 00:34:22,477
-I remember calling you.
I was in Chicago. -Goddamn it.
945
00:34:22,520 --> 00:34:24,150
-Here we go.
-And I said, "Hey, are you gonna give it?"
946
00:34:24,189 --> 00:34:26,069
You were like, "Yeah,
I'm-a give you all this..."
947
00:34:26,107 --> 00:34:27,777
-Here we go.
-This is how I handle it. This is how I handle it.
948
00:34:27,817 --> 00:34:29,317
-And it never got handled.
-Here we go. What did I--
949
00:34:29,361 --> 00:34:30,401
How much did I say
I was gonna give, T?
950
00:34:30,445 --> 00:34:32,905
-What did I...?
-100,000.
951
00:34:32,947 --> 00:34:34,067
Why would you ask?
952
00:34:34,115 --> 00:34:35,525
You better be glad
I ain't say a million,
953
00:34:35,575 --> 00:34:36,945
'cause I know you got it.
954
00:34:36,993 --> 00:34:38,753
Taraji, whatever you need
from me, you can have it.
955
00:34:38,787 --> 00:34:40,537
-A million. No, I'm joking.
-No.
956
00:34:40,580 --> 00:34:44,130
-(laughing): He said "no."
-No. No. (laughs)
957
00:34:44,167 --> 00:34:45,417
I backpedaled, didn't I?
958
00:34:45,460 --> 00:34:46,750
T, whatever you need.
A million?
959
00:34:46,795 --> 00:34:48,585
-No. I will not...
-Okay. 100,000.
960
00:34:48,630 --> 00:34:50,260
-I will give you $100,000.
-Did you hear this?
961
00:34:50,298 --> 00:34:52,718
-I'm saying it on the show.
I can't go back. -Okay.
962
00:34:52,759 --> 00:34:54,549
I made you double it,
'cause at first you said 50.
963
00:34:54,594 --> 00:34:57,354
-But... Okay.
-I-I can't go back. You have $100,000 from me.
964
00:34:57,389 --> 00:34:59,059
It's for a good cause,
though, Kevin.
965
00:34:59,099 --> 00:35:00,769
-Seriously.
-I'm telling you, you have $100,000 from me.
966
00:35:00,809 --> 00:35:01,979
I'm dead serious.
967
00:35:02,018 --> 00:35:04,768
But so I started it
because I knew that...
968
00:35:04,813 --> 00:35:08,443
I was having an issue trying
to find a therapist.
969
00:35:08,483 --> 00:35:10,283
I'm privileged.
I have money.
970
00:35:10,318 --> 00:35:13,278
-Imagine all the millions
of people of color... -That don't...
971
00:35:13,321 --> 00:35:16,741
...that can't-- But, not even
don't, we don't talk about it.
972
00:35:16,783 --> 00:35:19,493
Like, it's frowned upon
in our, in our community,
973
00:35:19,536 --> 00:35:21,286
in our culture,
for some reason.
974
00:35:21,329 --> 00:35:23,419
And I don't,
I don't know why, uh,
975
00:35:23,456 --> 00:35:26,706
-but it's-it's looked at as,
"What? You in...?" -Weak.
976
00:35:26,751 --> 00:35:29,751
-Weakness. Weakness.
-"Come on. Come on. Get your, get your ass out...
977
00:35:29,796 --> 00:35:32,086
What? You're doing...?"
It's never...
978
00:35:32,132 --> 00:35:35,142
it's never truly supported
from the jump.
979
00:35:35,176 --> 00:35:36,586
-Well...
-It's never supported
980
00:35:36,636 --> 00:35:38,256
from the beginning
of the curiosity.
981
00:35:38,304 --> 00:35:39,974
-It's deep for us.
-Mm-hmm.
982
00:35:40,015 --> 00:35:43,265
Uh, you're talking about
over 400 years of oppression.
983
00:35:43,309 --> 00:35:44,889
So you're talking about trauma
984
00:35:44,936 --> 00:35:47,056
that Black people have learned
to "normalize."
985
00:35:47,105 --> 00:35:49,515
-Mm-hmm.
-Okay? We've been doing it for over 400 years.
986
00:35:49,566 --> 00:35:51,646
-Mm-hmm.
-"Normalizing trauma."
987
00:35:51,693 --> 00:35:54,153
I just found out
that hush puppies,
988
00:35:54,195 --> 00:35:56,565
hush puppies,
989
00:35:56,614 --> 00:35:59,494
were actually used
by runaway slaves
990
00:35:59,534 --> 00:36:00,994
to keep the dogs off of them.
991
00:36:01,036 --> 00:36:02,996
"Hush, puppies."
992
00:36:03,038 --> 00:36:04,578
And we've normalized it.
993
00:36:04,622 --> 00:36:06,212
See, these are things
that we've normalized.
994
00:36:06,249 --> 00:36:08,839
So imagine all the other things
we've normalized.
995
00:36:08,877 --> 00:36:11,497
-Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
-Trying to be strong, push through.
996
00:36:11,546 --> 00:36:14,836
The strength is
in vulnerability.
997
00:36:14,883 --> 00:36:19,393
The strength is in saying,
"I'm not okay today."
998
00:36:19,429 --> 00:36:23,849
That's the strength. The danger
is trying to push through.
999
00:36:23,892 --> 00:36:27,602
The danger is continuing to cope
1000
00:36:27,645 --> 00:36:32,185
with all of
this compounded trauma
1001
00:36:32,233 --> 00:36:37,363
that we have ensued
and continue to endure.
1002
00:36:37,405 --> 00:36:39,695
We just got another hashtag.
1003
00:36:39,741 --> 00:36:42,331
I mean,
your kids aren't driving yet,
1004
00:36:42,369 --> 00:36:44,369
-but, Kevin, when they do...
-Mm-hmm.
1005
00:36:44,412 --> 00:36:46,212
Your-- The fear
that you will feel
1006
00:36:46,247 --> 00:36:47,957
every time your child leaves
the house...
1007
00:36:47,999 --> 00:36:49,709
-Mm-hmm.
-Because they're not gonna know
1008
00:36:49,751 --> 00:36:52,301
-that that's Kevin Hart's child.
-Yeah.
1009
00:36:52,337 --> 00:36:53,837
-They're not, they're
not protected at that point. -They don't know.
1010
00:36:53,880 --> 00:36:55,880
-You know what I'm saying?
-Yeah. Yeah.
1011
00:36:55,924 --> 00:36:59,054
It's real fair.
It's real-- You-you speak...
1012
00:36:59,094 --> 00:37:00,644
Constant state of trauma.
1013
00:37:00,679 --> 00:37:03,219
You speak no lies.
I mean, it's-it's...
1014
00:37:03,264 --> 00:37:05,564
it's insane to hear you speak
the way that you speak
1015
00:37:05,600 --> 00:37:08,810
because it's...
it's eye-opening to me.
1016
00:37:08,853 --> 00:37:11,313
Look, I can't say it enough...
1017
00:37:11,356 --> 00:37:13,106
I love you.
1018
00:37:13,149 --> 00:37:16,239
-And, you know,
I don't know if and when... -Okay. I'm sorry.
1019
00:37:16,277 --> 00:37:17,737
-I'm trying to be...
-Okay. That's not-- Come on.
1020
00:37:17,779 --> 00:37:19,239
-I'm trying-- I-I...
-It's just...
1021
00:37:19,280 --> 00:37:20,820
-It's one gnat. It's one gnat.
-I-I love you. Okay.
1022
00:37:20,865 --> 00:37:22,235
I don't know.
I think he has friends.
1023
00:37:22,283 --> 00:37:24,793
But it's not, it's not
like it's a lot. Don't...
1024
00:37:24,828 --> 00:37:26,248
I-I'm trying to be serious,
1025
00:37:26,287 --> 00:37:28,077
-and every time the gnat is...
-But it's not--
1026
00:37:28,123 --> 00:37:29,833
-It's one gnat.
-And I don't want people to be like,
1027
00:37:29,874 --> 00:37:31,504
-"Why is she doing that?
She's..." -It's one gnat,
1028
00:37:31,543 --> 00:37:33,753
and I'll kill it.
Don't...
1029
00:37:33,795 --> 00:37:35,375
Okay. I'm sorry, Kevin.
1030
00:37:35,422 --> 00:37:37,762
I'm in the moment. I told you,
I'm very in the moment.
1031
00:37:37,799 --> 00:37:39,259
Okay. Don't do that again.
1032
00:37:39,300 --> 00:37:40,680
-And I want to show people
my shoes. -Stop it.
1033
00:37:40,719 --> 00:37:42,759
-Okay? Just stop.
-(laughs)
1034
00:37:42,804 --> 00:37:45,354
You spoke,
you spoke about theater.
1035
00:37:45,390 --> 00:37:46,930
And I'll say my last part again.
1036
00:37:46,975 --> 00:37:48,765
I meant what I said,
just that I love you.
1037
00:37:48,810 --> 00:37:50,730
-And genuinely, I'm-I'm...
-I love you, too, Kevin. You know that.
1038
00:37:50,770 --> 00:37:52,770
I want to make sure that...
1039
00:37:52,814 --> 00:37:55,284
I'm available,
if ever needed.
1040
00:37:55,316 --> 00:37:57,436
Well, answer the fucking phone
when I call.
1041
00:37:57,485 --> 00:37:59,065
-(chuckles)
-Okay. Now, listen...
1042
00:37:59,112 --> 00:38:00,612
I call. I text.
1043
00:38:00,655 --> 00:38:02,025
I wasn't gonna put you on blast.
1044
00:38:02,073 --> 00:38:03,873
You, that's his camera?
Look at me.
1045
00:38:03,908 --> 00:38:06,288
Okay. All right. That's not...
Just look at your camera.
1046
00:38:06,327 --> 00:38:08,707
-Okay. I don't know.
I like all cameras. -Get out of my camera.
1047
00:38:08,747 --> 00:38:10,457
Uh, you're right, though.
1048
00:38:10,498 --> 00:38:12,498
-And I will make sure of that,
if and when. -(chuckles)
1049
00:38:12,542 --> 00:38:13,842
But-but...
1050
00:38:13,877 --> 00:38:15,747
-I do.
-You do call-- Uh, let me stop.
1051
00:38:15,795 --> 00:38:17,665
-I do answer when you call.
-'Cause he does, he does. He does. He does.
1052
00:38:17,714 --> 00:38:18,974
It's not like you call a lot,
but if you do,
1053
00:38:19,007 --> 00:38:20,627
-I do answer.
-(chuckles)
1054
00:38:20,675 --> 00:38:22,135
But that's why
I don't call a lot.
1055
00:38:22,177 --> 00:38:23,847
'Cause you better answer
when I call,
1056
00:38:23,887 --> 00:38:26,307
-because I don't call a lot.
-I-I understand.
1057
00:38:26,348 --> 00:38:28,558
* *
1058
00:38:38,443 --> 00:38:40,703
* *
1059
00:38:42,906 --> 00:38:45,026
How are you with breaks
after work?
1060
00:38:45,075 --> 00:38:47,195
-Are you a consistent...?
-Yeah.
1061
00:38:47,243 --> 00:38:49,583
-Da, da, da, da, da, da,
da, da, da, da. -Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da.
1062
00:38:49,621 --> 00:38:51,541
Let me tell you.
1063
00:38:51,581 --> 00:38:53,791
I almost died one year.
1064
00:38:53,833 --> 00:38:56,213
I did Cookie.
1065
00:38:56,252 --> 00:38:57,712
I did-- I left--
1066
00:38:57,754 --> 00:39:00,054
We finished Cookie
for the season.
1067
00:39:00,090 --> 00:39:03,050
I went to do "Proud Mary"
right away, which was action.
1068
00:39:03,093 --> 00:39:05,393
-Mm-hmm.
-And then I went straight to Atlanta
1069
00:39:05,428 --> 00:39:09,388
to do another civil rights,
uh, Ann Atwater.
1070
00:39:09,432 --> 00:39:11,432
So totally different...
1071
00:39:11,476 --> 00:39:13,896
I mean, Cookie,
1072
00:39:13,937 --> 00:39:16,817
a killer and a civil rights
activist.
1073
00:39:16,856 --> 00:39:19,726
Then I had to go right back
to Cookie.
1074
00:39:19,776 --> 00:39:21,736
-No break.
-No break at all.
1075
00:39:21,778 --> 00:39:24,278
-I almost died.
I was in the hospital. -Mentally draining, physical...
1076
00:39:24,322 --> 00:39:26,372
Eh. I wasn't taking care
of myself and my stomach.
1077
00:39:26,408 --> 00:39:28,578
I had stomach issues. I was
on my way to stomach cancer.
1078
00:39:28,618 --> 00:39:30,248
-What?
-The doctor was like,
1079
00:39:30,286 --> 00:39:31,866
"If you don't stop doing
what you're doing,
1080
00:39:31,913 --> 00:39:34,253
"you're gonna get
stomach ulcers,
1081
00:39:34,290 --> 00:39:36,540
which is then gonna lead
to stomach cancer."
1082
00:39:36,584 --> 00:39:38,254
My makeup artist, my hairdresser
1083
00:39:38,294 --> 00:39:40,384
and my security were
in the hospital.
1084
00:39:40,422 --> 00:39:42,802
But they had to smuggle me
in the hospital.
1085
00:39:42,841 --> 00:39:44,221
I passed out on set.
1086
00:39:44,259 --> 00:39:45,799
I was like,
"I can't. I have to go."
1087
00:39:45,844 --> 00:39:47,264
-What?
-It was bad.
1088
00:39:47,303 --> 00:39:49,433
I was eating up the lining
of my stomach.
1089
00:39:49,472 --> 00:39:51,852
It was horrible. Horrible.
Horrible, horrible.
1090
00:39:51,891 --> 00:39:53,981
-During which project?
-It was all my life--
1091
00:39:54,019 --> 00:39:57,269
drinking coffee on
an empty stomach, every morning.
1092
00:39:57,313 --> 00:39:59,823
You know, just things started
catching up.
1093
00:39:59,858 --> 00:40:02,608
And, um...
1094
00:40:02,652 --> 00:40:05,112
I never called out for work.
1095
00:40:05,155 --> 00:40:06,605
I'm sure you haven't either,
Kevin.
1096
00:40:06,656 --> 00:40:08,116
Nobody-nobody ever knew?
1097
00:40:08,158 --> 00:40:09,738
Did anybody--
does anybody know?
1098
00:40:09,784 --> 00:40:11,624
I talked about it
on "Dr. Oz."
1099
00:40:11,661 --> 00:40:13,121
I was a little vocal about it.
1100
00:40:13,163 --> 00:40:14,963
'Cause I didn't want anybody
to ever go through
1101
00:40:14,998 --> 00:40:17,918
what I went through,
and so, um...
1102
00:40:17,959 --> 00:40:21,299
(chuckles):
It is scary stuff, all that.
1103
00:40:21,338 --> 00:40:24,718
And I'll just never forget.
I had to change everything.
1104
00:40:24,758 --> 00:40:26,298
I had--
1105
00:40:26,343 --> 00:40:28,303
And whatever the doctors were
giving me wasn't working.
1106
00:40:28,345 --> 00:40:30,175
So I had to go
to a holistic doctor.
1107
00:40:30,221 --> 00:40:33,481
And she ended up-- I literally
was eating baby food.
1108
00:40:33,516 --> 00:40:34,886
I had lost so much weight.
1109
00:40:34,934 --> 00:40:38,104
There is a picture of me
when I went to the NAACP.
1110
00:40:38,146 --> 00:40:40,356
You can see my bones
right here.
1111
00:40:40,398 --> 00:40:43,488
I had lost-- I couldn't
hold down water, Kevin.
1112
00:40:43,526 --> 00:40:47,196
Kevin, I was in Monte Carlo
doing press for "Empire."
1113
00:40:47,238 --> 00:40:48,818
I was going...
1114
00:40:48,865 --> 00:40:51,485
In between interviews,
I was throwing up.
1115
00:40:51,534 --> 00:40:53,584
I'm a workhorse,
so I don't know how to stop.
1116
00:40:53,620 --> 00:40:56,210
And you know, our industry,
you can't just call off.
1117
00:40:56,247 --> 00:40:58,457
-You can't just call off.
-Goddamn.
1118
00:40:58,500 --> 00:41:01,840
So, I was in the bed
with wires and everything.
1119
00:41:01,878 --> 00:41:03,508
And I remember coming to,
and I was like,
1120
00:41:03,546 --> 00:41:05,716
I looked at the time, I was
like, "I got to go to work."
1121
00:41:05,757 --> 00:41:07,337
And my makeup artist was like,
1122
00:41:07,384 --> 00:41:08,844
"If you don't lay your ass
back down..."
1123
00:41:08,885 --> 00:41:10,175
And she went to get the doctor.
1124
00:41:10,220 --> 00:41:11,810
And the doctor had to come
in there to say,
1125
00:41:11,846 --> 00:41:13,176
"You can't go to work."
1126
00:41:13,223 --> 00:41:15,103
I was thinking about my crew.
1127
00:41:15,141 --> 00:41:18,021
I was like, "No, no, the crew.
We can't take off.
1128
00:41:18,061 --> 00:41:19,901
I don't have that kind of job."
And he was like,
1129
00:41:19,938 --> 00:41:22,018
"You won't ever work again
1130
00:41:22,065 --> 00:41:25,025
if you don't take it easy
on yourself."
1131
00:41:25,068 --> 00:41:28,608
So, you know,
when this pandemic happened,
1132
00:41:28,655 --> 00:41:30,405
at first, I was like...
(groans).
1133
00:41:30,448 --> 00:41:32,408
But then I was like,
1134
00:41:32,450 --> 00:41:34,910
-"Heed the message."
Like, "You need it." -Sit down.
1135
00:41:34,953 --> 00:41:37,793
-I was not going to--
I don't know how to sit down. -Sit down.
1136
00:41:37,831 --> 00:41:39,711
-I'm listening.
-Like...
1137
00:41:39,749 --> 00:41:41,379
-I'm not, I'm not--
I-I swear to you. -We're not getting any younger.
1138
00:41:41,418 --> 00:41:43,838
I got ten years on you,
but still, like,
1139
00:41:43,878 --> 00:41:45,258
I'm telling you,
this is when that,
1140
00:41:45,296 --> 00:41:47,126
all of that hard work
will catch up.
1141
00:41:47,173 --> 00:41:50,263
-I swear to you. I'm listening.
-Did you, were you...?
1142
00:41:50,301 --> 00:41:52,141
You the only person
that didn't stop working
1143
00:41:52,178 --> 00:41:54,428
in the pandemic--
you and Octavia.
1144
00:41:54,472 --> 00:41:56,602
(laughs)
1145
00:41:58,101 --> 00:42:00,981
-I'm laughing, I'm laughing,
-You know, I haven't acted in over a year?
1146
00:42:01,021 --> 00:42:02,731
-but it's-it's true, yeah.
-But it's okay.
1147
00:42:02,772 --> 00:42:06,482
I-I know exactly where I am
and why I am where I am.
1148
00:42:06,526 --> 00:42:09,566
I sit in front of you,
across from you,
1149
00:42:09,612 --> 00:42:11,162
as a friend, as a brother,
1150
00:42:11,197 --> 00:42:16,367
but as a, as a, like,
a real... a real, like,
1151
00:42:16,411 --> 00:42:20,581
a real fucking person
in your life, right?
1152
00:42:20,623 --> 00:42:23,843
And this conversation
today is a great one.
1153
00:42:23,877 --> 00:42:26,457
It's open dialogue,
but it's one where I've learned
1154
00:42:26,504 --> 00:42:29,264
so much more about my sister--
things that I've known,
1155
00:42:29,299 --> 00:42:31,429
things that I didn't know,
things that you went through
1156
00:42:31,468 --> 00:42:32,928
that I had no idea about.
1157
00:42:32,969 --> 00:42:35,929
But I get the message
that you have...
1158
00:42:35,972 --> 00:42:38,812
you've basically delivered
a message that...
1159
00:42:38,850 --> 00:42:41,230
-it wasn't the plan today.
-Mm-mmm.
1160
00:42:41,269 --> 00:42:42,599
And it's one based off
of the experiences.
1161
00:42:42,645 --> 00:42:44,555
But I knew what I was coming
to say to you.
1162
00:42:44,606 --> 00:42:47,936
-I'm-I'm... I'm telling you now,
I-I hear you. -(chuckles)
1163
00:42:47,984 --> 00:42:49,904
-Yeah.
-I hear you. I love you.
1164
00:42:49,944 --> 00:42:51,534
I appreciate you.
1165
00:42:51,571 --> 00:42:53,531
-And this was everything
it was supposed to be. -Yeah.
1166
00:42:53,573 --> 00:42:55,333
-Just take care of yourself,
Kevin. Please. -I promise you.
1167
00:42:55,367 --> 00:42:57,617
-I promise you, I will.
-Okay.
1168
00:42:57,660 --> 00:42:59,830
-Old dirty D.C.
-(laughs)
1169
00:42:59,871 --> 00:43:01,621
Taraji P., I love you.
1170
00:43:01,664 --> 00:43:03,254
-I love you to death.
-I love you more, baby.
1171
00:43:03,291 --> 00:43:04,831
Thank you so much
for coming on, man.
1172
00:43:04,876 --> 00:43:06,496
-Taraji P...
-When we gonna be in a movie together?
1173
00:43:06,544 --> 00:43:08,804
Hold up! Let me get him
to say something else.
1174
00:43:08,838 --> 00:43:10,628
Stop. Keep it going.
1175
00:43:10,674 --> 00:43:12,804
-Don't nobody...
-When are we doing a movie, Kevin?
1176
00:43:12,842 --> 00:43:14,932
-Guys, don't let her do this.
This is what she does. -Kevin. Kevin!
1177
00:43:14,969 --> 00:43:16,929
-Yes, Taraji.
-Wait, I want to go to Budapest.
1178
00:43:16,971 --> 00:43:18,561
Okay, Taraji. Well, you can't...
1179
00:43:18,598 --> 00:43:20,308
What's happening in Budapest?
I'm going.
1180
00:43:20,350 --> 00:43:22,640
-Kevin, I'm coming.
-No. No. You can't...
1181
00:43:22,686 --> 00:43:24,226
What if I popped up
in Budapest like...
1182
00:43:24,270 --> 00:43:26,310
-(laughs)
-You can't go to Budapest, okay?
1183
00:43:26,356 --> 00:43:28,016
-Why?
-Because we're already doing that...
1184
00:43:28,066 --> 00:43:29,316
Did you hire a white woman?
1185
00:43:29,359 --> 00:43:31,529
No. Taraji,
you can't say this.
1186
00:43:31,569 --> 00:43:32,949
We-- Edit that out.
1187
00:43:32,987 --> 00:43:34,407
-(upbeat music plays)
-We'll-- Taraji, no.
1188
00:43:34,447 --> 00:43:35,867
(whispers): It's a action...
I told you I'm...
1189
00:43:35,907 --> 00:43:37,527
(whispers):
It's an action movie?
1190
00:43:37,575 --> 00:43:39,325
-I know how to do action,
Kevin. -Oh, no, uh, don't do it.
1191
00:43:39,369 --> 00:43:40,909
Cut that out.
Is she showing her stuff?
1192
00:43:40,954 --> 00:43:42,584
No! I got pants on!
1193
00:43:42,622 --> 00:43:43,832
Okay, don't let her do that.
1194
00:43:43,873 --> 00:43:45,463
-Blur that out. This is my show.
-(laughs)
1195
00:43:45,500 --> 00:43:47,130
I'll protect you.
I'll protect you
1196
00:43:47,168 --> 00:43:48,458
-on "Hart to Heart."
-(laughing)
1197
00:43:48,503 --> 00:43:50,553
* *
1198
00:43:51,297 --> 00:43:52,967
Today's anecdote is
very simple.
1199
00:43:53,008 --> 00:43:54,508
Life is like an ocean--
1200
00:43:54,551 --> 00:43:55,721
there's waves everywhere.
1201
00:43:55,760 --> 00:43:58,600
What I'm saying is,
sit down in the chair,
1202
00:43:58,638 --> 00:44:00,178
unless you want to get bit.
1203
00:44:00,223 --> 00:44:01,773
(chuckles) Think about it.
1204
00:44:01,808 --> 00:44:01,928
Think about it. Huh?
That's what I'm talking about.
1205
00:44:01,978 --> 00:44:06,528
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