Exclusive: Taraji P. Henson Talks From The RoughBy Wilson Morales
April 23, 2014
Finally coming out to theaters after being on the shelf for over two years is ‘From The Rough,’ the inspirational true story of Catana Starks starring Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson.
Directed by Pierre Bagley, ‘From The Rough’ is based on the true story of Catana Starks (played by Henson), a former swim coach at Tennessee State University who became the first woman ever to coach a college men’s golf team. With drive, passion, and guts, she took an unruly group of mismatched kids from around the world and guided them to an all-time record at the PGA National Collegiate Minority Championship.
The cast includes Letoya Luckett, Tom Felton, Justin Chon, Paul Hodge, Ben Youcef, Henry Simmons, and Michael Clarke Duncan in one of his final performances before his death in 2012.
For Henson, the film represents her first lead role she starred in ‘Tyler Perry’s I Can Do All Bad By Myself ‘and back on the big screen since her 2012 hit film ‘Think Like A Man.’ Most recently, fans were shocked when her character was written out of the CBS series ‘Person of Interest.’ It was at Henson’s request so she could come back to what she truly loves, the film world. Coming up for the Washington, D.C. native are the sequel ‘Think Like A Man Too’ and the thriller ‘No Good Deed.’ In time, she may back in the TV world as she just finished shooting the pilot for Lee Daniels‘ new series ‘Empire’ that will reunite her with her ‘Hustle and Flow’ co-star Terrence Howard.
In speaking with Blackfilm.com, Henson gives some insight to her character in From The Rough, meeting Catana Starks, and her upcoming films.
What was the attraction to playing Catana Starks?
Taraji P. Henson: Initially when I read the script, I was like, “Wow! What a woman! What a story!” Then I thought to myself about when have I ever seen a female coach? I have to do this. I want to bring her story to life. From reading the script, I was inspired and seeing the caliber of actors and people that the project drew. This woman is very powerful and I don’t think she understood how powerful she was until someone told they wanted to write a story about her life.
Do you play golf?
TH: I don’t play the sport at all, but I’m really good at Putt-Putt. I’m really good at getting the ball to where it needs to be. I’m actually okay on the driving range. I can actually connect with the ball and I can hit it around 250 yards, but I’m not going to challenge anyone to go on the green golf course.
What was it like meeting Catana?
TH: It was great. Because I know her through the script, she’s this little woman. She’s very short, but she’s powerful. There’s something in the way she looks at you. There’s something in the way she speaks. She’s a powerful woman but unspoken. She doesn’t walk into a room and demands your attention but when you look, you’ll notice.
As you met and spoke with her, where there any traits you noticed that helped you with your performance?
TH: It happened organically and this is a great thing about the process and allowing it to be. I spoke to her several times before we started shooting and I got the facts down. I wanted to know what was true and what was glamorized in the script; and then we just talked. We chatted about things as women; and before we got off the phone, I told her I was a little nervous. I had never portrayed a real person before and wanted to know if it was important to her that I walk like her, sound like her and talk like her. She told me that she loves what I do and just to tell her story. Of course, I did the research to build the character, but when she would on set, a lot of times, I would go off-script and ad-libbed and she would say, “Oh my God, that’s something that I would say. That’s so like me.” Because there were no restrictions, playing her organically made it better.
How was working with this cast?
TH: It was amazing. It was fun. It never felt like work. It was a perfect cast. I’ve seen the film a few times now and when I look back, I loved each and every one of those boys. I’m a mother so I have that maternal thing anyway and when I watched the film, it made me think of Catana Starks as a coach and what goes into that. Having this many kids with their own personalities and she had to deal with each and every one of them in a different way and be positive for all of them. At the same time, what she does with one player may not work with another and she had to work through those differences. It was cool developing a bond with each of the kids.
Being in a lead role is rare for you. How did you feel when you know this film rests on your shoulders?
TH: I’m my worst critic but I think I’m finally at a place where I feel I can carry a film. Back in the day, I wasn’t ready; but with all the experience of being in a supporting cast, I know what it takes to actually do film and being a lead. It’s important that you are following the story. Every day, you are filming out of sequence. That’s the biggest about carrying a film. Where are you in the story? When they go into the editing room, everything has to connect. On the first day, we shot the end of the story and the middle of the film is what we shot at the beginning. As a lead, you have to feel the growth and the arc. These are things you have to take into consideration before taking on such a challenge.
With the inroads that Blacks have made in Hollywood, we have yet to see enough Black women in lead roles. Are you ready? You’ve had success with films and TV.
TH: I still have to improve on the international part of the business. That was my biggest for going into television on a major network. That was a major why I did ‘Person of Interest.’Shows like that are a hit overseas and everything I want to get a movie greenlit with me starring in it, I run up against issues. That’s why I’m loving this social media craze because with the amount the followers I have, if you send me overseas, I can guarantee that I can open a film over there. Just let me get over there. If you keep hushing me and saying I can’t do it, how will I ever prove it?
Speaking of television, it was a shock to fans when your character on Person of Interest was killed off. Did you plan to leave the series early?
TH: Yeah. I love doing films and I don’t want to pass up or be in a position where I have to choose one or the other. You do it for a while and then you go back to what you love.
But, in doing Lee Daniels’ Empire, aren’t you going back to the TV world?
TH: Well, we don’t know that yet. It’s a pilot. We have to wait to see if it gets picked up. My character is amazing and if it gets picked up, the world will fall in love with Cookie. Everything I do is based on the role. If the role hits me and moves me, I’m doing it. I don’t care what it is. I just came from doing a play. I’m a creative person. I love to act. I love different characters. When a character comes across and I get passionate about it, I don’t care if it’s in Shakespeare in the Park. I want to do.
What can we expect from your character in Think Like A Man Too?
TH: I think people will see a softer side of Lauren. She has someone else to consider. She’s still ambitious. She’s not just thinking of herself anymore.
How much fun was it shooting in Vegas?
TH: Do you have to ask? It was amazing. This cast in Vegas? Imagine our downtime. It was pool parties every weekend.
No Good Deed is also coming out this year.
TH: I’m so excited for that because that was a new genre for me. I enjoyed working with Idris Elba and he’s scary in this film. It’s so commercial. It’s my first big commercial where I’m the star.
