Taraji P Henson and Tyrese Gibson’s friendship goes all the way back to their first movie, Baby Boy. The coming-of-age film was the first for Henson and Gibson, but the opportunities they each received greatly differed afterward. Henson recently decried the difference in an interview and drilled it down to a gender issue. Meanwhile, her comments have sparked a discussion, with some agreeing with Henson. However, others think it is an issue of poor management.
Taraji P Henson And Tyrese Gibson Didn’t Get Equal Opportunities After Film
Taraji P Henson and Tyrese Gibson fans will remember the duo in their iconic movie, Baby Boy. The film helped the two Hollywood stars make their mark in the industry and paved the way for several opportunities. However, according to the Color Purple actress, the chances she and her co-star received were not on par. Henson disclosed this during a September 2024 interview with Variety, recalling lines from old movies. After she picked the card for Baby Boy, she remarked on her career.
The Empire actress shared that everyone told her her career would take off after doing the film. However, she claimed she had enough “discernment” to recognize that wasn’t true.
“I guess I started to see simultaneously how things happen in the business for men vs. women,” Henson revealed.
She added:
“I just knew Tyrese was gon’ take off, which he did. [He] booked two franchise movies. I still have yet to book a franchise movie, so there’s that. So I knew that, and I was ready. I prepared myself.”
Taraji P. Henson and Tyrese Gibson’s Friendship
Taraji P. Henson and Tyrese Gibson may not have gotten equal opportunities after their film, but they have stayed friends. Gibson even revealed that they visit each other often.
“That’s my baby. We always get together for lunches and dinners and connect,” he told the New York Daily News in 2018. “I’m always at her house, she’s at my house. It’s love. I’m very, very honored to tell the world we’re still family and we still connected and hang out beyond that ‘Baby Boy’ set.”
Taraji P. Henson and Tyrese Gibson have also been in other projects, such as Four Brothers (2005). Baby Boy’s director, John Singleton, directed it and reunited the pair, a testament to their friendship and acting prowess in Baby Boy. During her Variety interview, Henson mentioned that her famous line in the film, “Gimme my shake,” was an adlib. She said:
“You know what’s crazy; that was adlib. That wasn’t even in the script. I adlibbed that, and John kept it [Rest in peace, John, I miss you.]”
Fans React To Taraji P. Henson’s Comments
Taraji P. Henson’s remarks on the opportunity disparity between her and Tyrese Gibson were not lost on fans. Although some wondered why she was bothered despite having acted in many Oscar-nominated movies, many understood her concerns and defended her. A fan commented:
“She made a fraction off empire that Tyrese made off 3 movies. Y’all really are trying to find something wrong with what she said.”
A second fan remarked:
“Franchise.meaning multiple. A brand. We know Tyrese from transformers and fast and furious. We know taraiji but i get what she is saying. But i also think i see her in more of a series/tv show vs a movie role reoccurring.”
Meanwhile, some fans tried to explain the possible reasons for unequal opportunities. A fan said:
“I love her but he was also Tyrese before baby boy and had his own vibe before it so…”
Another person said:
“Sounds like poor management.”
Taraji P. Henson’s remarks about the unequal opportunities between her and Tyrese Gibson reiterate what she has emphasized for years. Hopefully, the talented actress gets the opportunities she wants and deserves.
#Clique, what do you think of Taraji P. Henson’s words? Let us know in the comments.