“When I did the international press for ‘Empire,’ up until then I was told Black doesn’t translate overseas. Really? We went to Paris. Lee Daniels kept me a secret to the audience at a Q&A. The fans started asking the Cookie questions and he said, ‘Why don’t you ask her.’ Before he could finish saying my name, the entire room erupted in applause and was screaming. For me? I got up on the stage and I ugly-faced cried. The myth was busting. You lied to me my entire career. I leave the stage and there are fans outside who know my name. That changed the game.”

– Taraji P. Henson expressed feeling gaslighted by Hollywood’s claim that Black entertainment content wasn’t profitable overseas or international markets, during a Kering Women in Motion Talk at the Cannes Film Festival, reports Variety. Frustrated and discouraged by the infrequency of prominent roles and the lack of pay and awards recognition for Black women in the film and TV industry, Henson took a month off from work and relocated to Bali. She returned feeling refreshed and refocused on non-acting business endeavors like TPH, her hair and body brand, “instead of relying on that check from Hollywood.” The Oscar nominee also revealed that her experience on the international Empire media tour helped her realize her power. She told the audience attending the talk: 

“I urge you all to speak up for yourself. I have worked my butt off to garner the following I have. My following rides for me. That’s an audience I procured through my hard work and the characters I play. I know a studio, when they call on me, they are calling on me because they know all these people are going to come and show up. That’s my power. You need me because you need my following. Thank you, social media. Once I figured that out, I just started speaking up for myself.”

Taraji P. Henson will next star in Straw, a Netflix drama streaming June 6.