Online Reporter
Hollywood star Taraji P Henson says her latest role in Straw hit close to home, so close, she was in tears remembering her own days as a broke single mum feeding her son Hamburger Helper and WIC porridge.
Speaking to EW, Henson opens up about starring in Tyler Perry’s explosive new Netflix thriller, Straw, where she plays Janiyah, a single mother just trying to cash a check and feed her daughter, only to get swept into a nightmare of false accusations and a mind-bending conspiracy.
“All she wants is for her baby to eat a regular lunch like the other kids,” Henson said. “But when you’re broke, even that’s a luxury. That hit me deep. I’ve lived it.”
In the film, a simple bank visit spirals out of control as Janiyah is wrongly accused of a robbery. Henson says the dark, fast-paced plot was like nothing she’d done with Perry before.
“There’s twists and turns that’ll punch you in the gut,” she teased. “I’d never done a thriller with Tyler, so I jumped in but I was glad it only took four days to shoot. That energy is heavy and it sticks.”
Straw also features Sherri Shepherd, Teyana Taylor, Glynn Turman, Sinbad, and Rockmond Dunbar. However it’s Henson’s raw portrayal of a desperate mum that steals the show.
“Janiyah is every woman who’s ever been down to her last dollar. I’ve been her. A single mom with no safety net. One bad day and your world crumbles.”
Henson revealed how Straw mirrors real-life struggles where vulnerable people are overlooked and mistreated.
“We laugh at people having breakdowns online, but do we ever ask why? This story shows how easy it is to fall through the cracks when the system doesn’t see you.”
From shooting the intense scenes in record time to tapping into real pain, Henson says Straw is more than just a thriller, it’s a wake-up call.
“I hope viewers walk away with some empathy. We’re all one paycheck away. I know what it’s like to be hungry and scared. That’s why I’ll never ignore a struggling person. I see them because I was them.”
After shooting Straw in four days and Acrimony in five, Henson joked Perry might try to beat his own record next time.
“Maybe three days? Who knows with Tyler!” she laughed.
Watch Straw now on Netflix — but keep tissues close. It’s real, raw and terrifyingly relatable. – EW
