According to the Internet, Taraji P. Henson is blacklisted in Hollywood and only Tyler Perry will hire her.
Taraji broke down in tears back in 2023 while appearing on Gayle King’s SiriusXM show to promote “The Color Purple.”
Taraji was upset when she found out what other Hollywood stars were making and her paycheck wasn’t measuring up to theirs.
“I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do, getting paid a fraction of the cost,” she told Gayle. “I’m tired of hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over. You get tired.”
Then there were rumors that Oprah Winfrey fell out with Taraji for complaining about her salary while promoting Oprah’s The Color Purple.
Taraji also said she was forced to drive herself to the set in Atlanta every day. Other Hollywood stars get free car rentals.
“I heard I was trending yesterday,” Oprah said in 2023. “People were saying I was not supporting Taraji.”
Oprah continued: “I’m not in charge of the budget because that’s Warner Brothers. You know, that’s the way the studio system works, and we as producers, everybody gets their salary that’s negotiated by your team…”
Oprah also denied allegations that she disrespected Taraji during a promotional event for the movie at the Empire State Building in New York City.
CAUGHT ON TAPE: Oprah Winfrey completed SHADES & DISRESPECT Taraji P. Henson (@tarajiphenson) at The Color Purple promotional event. #Oprah #OprahWinfrey #TheColorPurple #ColorPurple #Taraji #TarajiPHenson #TarajiHenson pic.twitter.com/GlLC52d6SC
— Sir Maejor ?? (@SirMaejorATL) December 23, 2023
Taraji earned an Academy Award nomination for her role as Brad Pitt’s mother in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008). She is best known for playing Cookie Lyon in Fox TV’s “Empire,” and her roles in the films Baby Boy and Hustle & Flow.
Lately, Taraji has appeared in Tyler’s films and she is very grateful because his checks pay her bills.
“He’s a friend of mine,” she said in a recent interview. “It’s been amazing because I really love him for how he treats me.”
Taraji said she doesn’t have salary issues with Tyler.
“You know the things you hear me complain about? I don’t have those issues at the Tyler Perry Studio.”
i do think it’s interesting that nobody has settled on that she’s lowkey blacklisted and tyler is the only one giving her work https://t.co/lmh8WxzYny
— bary b blige (@meekmilfs) September 25, 2026
we keep forgetting the color purple drama
— bary b blige (@meekmilfs) September 25, 2026
she just laid it on too thick you can’t make the press run negative sista!
— bary b blige (@meekmilfs) September 25, 2026
Yes, Okra got her good for speaking out against the poor treatment. Okra and Madea are friends so this is an interesting dynamic.
— Reece (@Teecehere) September 25, 2026
She spoke up about the set of Color Purple so they decide to give her the Mo'Nique treatment.
— IamCBrown (@Be4theSoul) September 26, 2026