Tonight, tensions flared as Terrence Howard confronted Oprah, delivering a stern warning to cease any interference with his dear friend, the remarkable Taraji P. Henson. In a moment of heartfelt connection, Terrence reflected on a previous conversation, likening me to his father. Expressing a wish for his father’s presence, he bestowed heartfelt praise upon Taraji, affirming, “TJ, you have made my heart glad.”
The heated exchange stemmed from Taraji’s outspokenness on Hollywood’s pay disparities and the mistreatment she endured during her time on “The Color Purple.” Allegedly, a longstanding feud between Terrence and Oprah erupted after he disclosed their past affair. Sources suggest Oprah subsequently marginalized Terrence, a vendetta he now perceives aimed at Taraji. Reports indicate that Oprah and “The Color Purple” producers contemplated ostracizing Taraji for purportedly sabotaging the film’s success with her criticisms, further fueling Terrence’s defense of his esteemed colleague.
Terrence isn’t backing down, standing firm in support of Taraji. Interestingly, this isn’t the first time he’s clashed with Oprah. He stepped up previously when Mo’Nique accused Oprah of undermining her chances at an Oscar. Despite the drama, Mo’Nique’s talent remains undeniable, earning her an Oscar and maintaining her status as a stellar actor and comedian. It’s water under the bridge now.
However, Terrence Howard’s reputation in Hollywood isn’t squeaky clean. His personal life has been tumultuous, leading to his retreat from the limelight. He’s been embroiled in messy relationships, with allegations of toxicity and troubling remarks about women. His history of domestic violence surfaced in 2001 with his arrest for assaulting his ex-wife, Lori. Court documents detail a heated argument that culminated in Terrence breaking down Lori’s door and striking her twice.
Unfortunately, his turbulent behavior persisted into his second marriage to Michelle Ghent in 2010, resulting in a swift and acrimonious divorce after just a year. Michelle alleged domestic violence and obtained a restraining order, substantiated by her visible injuries, including a black eye presented in court. Terrence denied these allegations but admitted to losing control during conflicts, confessing to hitting Lori in front of their children and claiming self-defense in the case of Michelle.
Terrence’s past troubles continue to shadow his career, despite his attempts to address them publicly.
Despite Terrence’s controversial past, he commands respect from many due to his previous insights into Hollywood, such as his critique of the industry’s treatment of black men. He once called out the elite for promoting a narrative that undermined black masculinity, stating, “With the new formula, most men are made to be feminine and not have their power or sense of strength. They allow white men to be strong, but not when it’s black men.” He emphasized the need for stories that allow men to embrace their masculinity without sacrificing authenticity, advocating for narratives that honor both male strength and female beauty. This perspective resonated strongly at the time, as there was a troubling trend of black actors compromising their masculinity by donning dresses in films, a topic initially highlighted by Dave Chappelle during his appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Chappelle’s decision to walk away from a lucrative deal and seek refuge in South Africa, away from the influence of Hollywood elites, underscored the seriousness of the issue.
Despite Terrence’s controversial past, he commands respect from many due to his previous insights into Hollywood, such as his critique of the industry’s treatment of black men. He once called out the elite for promoting a narrative that undermined black masculinity, stating, “With the new formula, most men are made to be feminine and not have their power or sense of strength. They allow white men to be strong, but not when it’s black men.” He emphasized the need for stories that allow men to embrace their masculinity without sacrificing authenticity, advocating for narratives that honor both male strength and female beauty. This perspective resonated strongly at the time, as there was a troubling trend of black actors compromising their masculinity by donning dresses in films, a topic initially highlighted by Dave Chappelle during his appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Chappelle’s decision to walk away from a lucrative deal and seek refuge in South Africa, away from the influence of Hollywood elites, underscored the seriousness of the issue.
It’s time for a breather. This recent stir isn’t the only online frenzy we’ve seen. Remember when Mo’Nique took aim at Oprah, Tyler Perry, and Lee Daniels, accusing them of blacklisting her? Terrence Howard stepped up as one of the few celebs to publicly back her during that tumultuous period. What’s remarkable is that, at the time, he was still deeply involved in the TV series Empire, which was under Lee Daniels’ production and direction. He essentially risked his entire job to support Mo’Nique, no hesitation. His stance was clear: Mo’Nique had every right to call out Oprah, Tyler, and Lee Daniels for their treatment, and she had his unwavering support. “Everyone has the right to speak their truth,” he emphasized. “Mo’Nique earned her Oscar, she’s an exceptional talent, no hard feelings. Simple as that.” Now, it seems he’s not finished confronting Oprah, as he’s once again speaking out, this time against her alleged blacklisting of Taraji. In case you didn’t know, Taraji and Terrence share a close bond, so it’s only natural for him to stand up for her. This follows reports that Oprah met with Warner Bros executives, allegedly aiming to sabotage Taraji’s career, blaming her for The Color Purple’s perceived failure and financial losses. Sources claim Warner Bros execs lashed out at Oprah for enabling Taraji to supposedly undermine the film’s success with her outspokenness. They’re reportedly considering officially blacklisting Taraji as a stern warning to other black actors. They accuse Taraji P. Henson of disrupting the film’s promotion and exploiting it to reshape her personal narrative as an aging, underpaid actress.
Taraji is facing criticism, but so is Oprah for not intervening with the renowned actress. It’s suggested that Oprah should have privately addressed Taraji’s negative approach to promotional efforts. A close source to Terrence expressed his anger, fearing Oprah might treat Taraji similarly to how she dealt with Mo’Nique. He’s adamant that Oprah should refrain from any actions that could harm Taraji’s career, or else he’ll expose her. This revelation stunned many, given past rumors of a romantic involvement between Terrence and Oprah after their collaboration on the film “The Butler” in 2013. Terrence has openly spoken about their alleged intimacy, emphasizing moments of connection beyond Oprah’s public persona. He reminisces about seeing the vulnerable side of Oprah and cherishing their time together, hinting at a deeper appreciation for her humanity.