The sultry Oscar nominee and star of the Karate Kid talks sex, money and divas.
As told to Saidah Petrie; Photography by Lauren Dukoff; (STYLIST) MOSES MORENO/MARGARETMALDONADO.COM. (HAIR) MARCIA HAMILTON/MARGARETMALDONADO.COM. (MAKEUP) MYLAH MORALES FOR SHU UEMURA/OPUSBEAUTY.COM. (LOCATION) PALIHOUSE, LOS ANGELES (CLOTHING) CHAIN NECKLACE BY LOREE RODKIN; DRESS BY ELISE ØVERLAND; BELT BY MELAMED; BRACELETS BY TARINA TARANTINO; RING BY HOUSE OF HARLOW 1960Men say: Making me wait for sex doesn't mean there's a better chance for a long-term relationship.Taraji P. Henson: If a woman’s sleeping with this dude one night, another guy the next, no one’s taking her seriously. If you don’t give it up, he doesn’t have that power. We get men’s attention when we close our legs. For me, it’s not a game. I’m seeing what I can put up with. I’m not perfect, but I need to know if I’m going to like you on the days when I don’t want to like you.
Men say: There’s a diva in every hollywood actress.
Taraji P. Henson: There’s a diva in everyone—that’s what swagger is. Everybody has that “I’m the shit” attitude at some point, especially when you’re out, you’ve got a sexy outfit on, and you’re feeling good. I was just filming in Beijing, and when I went clubbin’ I was like, “OK! I know I’ve been here too long, because I know who all the rollers are in Beijing.” You can’t put that all on us actresses.
Men say: Women handle money better than men.
Taraji P. Henson: We’re just more responsible, and we’re organizers. It’s also our history: Man went out and hunted, gathered food or money, and women ran the household. We birth the baby—“Get out, bye baby!”—and then we keep it moving. Women are better at balancing life and wearing multiple hats, especially single mothers like me.
