Taraji P. Henson Claims Harvey Weinstein Passed Over Her for a Leading Role

Taraji P. Henson has alleged that Harvey Weinstein denied her a role for the film St. Vincent. Now, a spokesperson for Weinstein has denied the actress's claims, Vanity Fair reports.

Henson first shared the story about losing the role to a white actress in her 2016 memoir Around the Way Girl, adding that she thought it was because she’s a black woman. The character was a stripper mom in St. Vincent, and Naomi Watts was later cast for the role.

In a new interview with The Guardian, Henson shares that as producer of the film, Weinstein allegedly made the decision.

She was asked if race was a determinant in his decision, to which she replied, “Yeah.” She explained, “Basically, I don’t think he saw my box-office appeal. What I heard—I didn’t sit down with the man—is that he wanted someone who was known internationally, so they got Naomi Watts.”

Even though St. Vincent wasn't a box office hit, Henson still felt gutted by Weinstein’s decision. She wrote in her memoir, “Time and again, I’ve lost roles because someone with the ability to greenlight a film couldn’t see black women beyond a very limited purview he or she thought ‘fit’ audience expectations,” she said, adding. “It was a meaty gig. I would have loved it.”

When asked about the glut of sexual assault allegations made against Weinstein, Henson said, “Well, you know, I just sit here and I sip my tea,” Henson said, while actually sipping a cup of tea. “I never wished anything bad on the man. I was just, like, ‘O.K., he’ll see. That’s another person who’ll have to eat crow. How would you like yours? Fried? Toasted?’”

Following Henson’s interview, a spokesperson for Weinstein sent Vanity Fair a statement, denying Henson’s claim: