Paramount Pictures’ “What Men Want” film starring Taraji P. Henson and Tracy Morgan hits theaters on February 8. In this romance/comedy film, Henson plays the role of a sports agent who is trying to be one of the best at the agency she works for. She experiences obstacles in trying to achieve her goals from her male counterparts despite her being more than qualified to get the job done. She then gets a unique gift to be able to read only read men’s minds as a result of sipping an unusual tea made by a psychic in the film who is played by Erykah Badu.
I spoke to Henson at the screening of What Men Want in Atlanta regarding how she received this role, collaborating with Paramount Pictures and Will Packer, and how the role she plays in this film is very relatable to the issues that black women in America experience despite the skills they possess along with simply being more qualified than other candidates.
“I auditioned for Brian Robbins who was president of Paramount at the time for Norbit years ago,” said Henson. “He remembered me from that and from me doing so much drama in my career. He then brought Will Packer on as producer and I’ve worked with him before as we’ve done over four movies together. Robbins literally offered it to me and I thank him so much for thinking of me.”
When I originally saw the trailer for What Men Want, I was intrigued by Henson gaining the power to read men’s minds but I noticed the importance of the role she played as a sports agent in an agency that lacks women in their company, especially black women. This is a trend that we see that continues to plague us as a society in America. Black women excel in various professions but are passed up on for white male or female candidates who who don’t possess the same qualities for that job. I asked Henson about also being able to address this problem in the character that she played in this film. She acknowledged this issue and embraced the opportunity to also be able to address it in What Men Want.
“It was very important for me to shed light on that,” said Henson. “I think what I was most pleased about is that we’re shedding light through comedy. It’s not weighted with message, message, message. We’re gonna teach you, but teach you with laughter.”
Taraji P. Henson continued to display the passion in What Men Want that has made her a star for over two decades. Audiences are in for a ride on February 8. Flip the page for BSO’s full interview with Henson.
