Taraji P. Henson Wants to Teach You How to Wine and Dine

In ELLE.com’s series Office Hours, we ask people in powerful positions to take us through their first jobs, worst jobs, and everything in between. This month, we spoke to actress, producer, author, and businesswoman Taraji P. Henson. The award-winning multi-hyphenate has played multiple iconic characters throughout her 20-plus years in Hollywood, from Cookie Lyon in Empire to Shug Avery in The Color Purple. Then in 2020, she launched her first business venture: a hair and body care line named TPH by Taraji. Now, she has stepped into a new role as Seven Daughters’ strategic advisor and creative collaborator, after releasing her own Moscato wine with the brand. To celebrate her latest venture, Henson shares her go-to wine-based cocktail, her best hack for coming up with ideas, and why her sisterhood is an essential part of her career.

My first job

When I was about 14 or 15, former D.C. mayor Marion Barry created this summer youth program where all of the kids could get summer jobs. To take the stress off of our parents buying supplies for the next school year, we could make our own money under this program. We had to sign work permits and everything. There was a branch of the program that was specifically for the arts called Street Theater where we would literally go around on the street and perform plays. We would even do our costume changes outside behind a cardboard wall.

My best job

All of them are my favorites, but I guess I would say The Color Purple because it showcased all of my talents.

My worst job

Anything in an office. I’m a creative! Whenever I would do temp or office work, I would do it kicking and screaming.

The best career advice I’ve received

Don’t give up. Keep going, and know that every “no” is going to lead you to your “yes.” It can be a hard pill to swallow when you know you have talent and everyone is telling you no. But the tables do turn eventually. You just have to hang in there.

The worst career advice I’ve received

I was trying to leave a project I was working on but wasn’t sure if leaving was the right thing to do. So many people were telling me that if I left, I would never work again or I’d be labeled as difficult, but I wasn’t happy. So I prayed and had faith in God, even though I was scared. I walked away and the role of Cookie in the TV show Empire came next. I’m so glad I didn’t listen to [that advice].

My secret brainstorming hack

I sit in the steam shower and the most incredible ideas will just come to me. That’s actually how I came up with all of my TPH products. My partners will say, “Did you get a steam shower today? We need some new ideas.” It’s quiet, it’s calm, there’s no noise in my head. That’s when I get really creative.

How my sisterhood keeps me sane

With what I do, there are high highs and low lows. In this industry you always have to be on, have your life examined through a microscope, and be picture perfect, which really takes a toll on you. I’m glad that I have a sister circle that doesn’t care about all of that. They know me so well that if I call them and my tone of voice is even the slightest bit off, they will pull up to wherever I am, because they care so much about Taraji the person. They could give a shit about Taraji the celebrity. Our time together is so important to me; it feeds my soul.

Why I joined Seven Daughters

Consumers are smart, and they know when celebrities are out for a money grab. I’m a consumer myself, so if I can’t get behind it, I won’t do it. I am a wine drinker. I thought Moscato would be a great entry point because wine can be very intimidating. Moscato is a great way to introduce new wine drinkers. It’s easy on the palette, it’s a fun drink to mix, and it’s genuinely good. I even like to make the wine into a cocktail sometimes. I’ll mix it with pineapple and coconut juice, and it tastes like a piña colada.

My daily beauty routine

I wash my face and moisturize. Then I work out and, depending on how hard the session was, I’ll do the dry sauna and then steam in the shower. I make my own shower steamers, so this step is one of my favorites. And, of course, I follow up with my TPH body products, which keep my skin soft.

The advice I’d give aspiring creatives

I would give the same advice my father gave me: “Get away from people who have your same problems, and get around people who have solutions.” I lost him in 2006. I hear his words and his voice every day.