'I'm a trained actress!' Taraji P Henson on being typecast as 'from the hood'... as she joins Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae on Essence cover
She is known for starring on the hit TV show Empire as her beloved character Cookie Lyon.
But Taraji P. Henson, who shines on the big screen in the new film Hidden Figures, toldEssence magazine she shouldn't be typecast.
'I'm a trained actress,' she explained. 'I can give you anything you want, baby. Just because I talk like I'm that girl from the 'hood does not mean I cannot give you Shakespeare in the Park or Chekhov. I studied the craft.'
Taraji joins her costars Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae as they share their star power each individually covering the February issue.
Three of a kind: Taraji P. Henson (center), Octavia Spencer (left) and Janelle Monae (right) share their star power as they each individually cover the February issue of Essence magazine
Taraji and Octavia, both 46, and Janelle, 31, radiate beauty and power as they posed for the publication, which hits newsstands on January 13.
The leading ladies' looked stunning in glamorous black, white and metallic ensembles for an inside shot in the magazine.
Taraji sat in the center as Octavia and Janelle stood closely behind her in front of a dark backdrop that looked like somewhere in outer space, no doubt a play on the ladies' new movie.
In the film, Taraji plays Katherine G. Johnson, the woman who formed a powerful trio of 'human computers' with colleagues Dorothy Vaughan (played by Octavia) and Mary Jackson (played by Janelle) that helped propel the space program's first-ever orbit around earth by astronaut John Glenn and his crew on February 20, 1962.
Don't typecast her! 'I'm a trained actress. I can give you anything you want, baby,' Taraji told Essence
It tells the story of the trio overcoming major societal obstacles - linked to racism, sexism and workplace politics - in becoming a difference-maker in NASA history during a time the Unites States and Russia were racing to set the historic precedent.
For Taraji's cover shot she dazzled in a black sequined dress which featured cap sleeves and clung to her curves.
With one hand on her trim hip, the Empire star leaned to one side and shot a sexy stare at the camera.
Her short tresses were styled sleekly and her make-up was more on the natural side, adding a pop of color with a bold berry lip.
She shines! Octavia, who has secured multiple nominations for her supporting role in Hidden Figures, flaunted her fabulous figure and contagious smile for her cover shot
For Octavia's cover shot she flaunted her fabulous figure in a shiny long-sleeved empire-waisted frock.
The Oscar winner's long raven locks were styled in smooth voluminous waves and she donned a smokey-eye and nude lipstick on her contagious smile.
The talented beauty has secured nominations for her supporting role from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (Golden Globes), Screen Actors Guild (SAG Awards) and the NAACP (Image Awards).
Beautiful: Janelle, 31, epitomized old Hollywood glamour for her Essence cover shot
Janelle epitomized old Hollywood glamour for her Essence cover shot with her short hair in tight curls and winged-out eye-liner and a bold red lip.
The singer-songwriter donned black and metallic separates and shot the camera a closed-mouth stare.
Hidden Figures, which is nominated for multiple awards and accolades including two Golden Globes, hits theaters Friday.
Big screen: Hidden Figures, which is nominated for multiple awards and accolades including two Golden Globes, hits theaters Friday
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