Taraji P. Henson Gets Real About Single Motherhood: “I Wouldn’t Wish It on My Worst Enemy”
We’ve always known Taraji P. Henson keeps it real — and her latest appearance on Michelle Obama’s podcast just reminded us why we love her so much.
The “Empire” queen got raw and emotional while opening up about a side of her life that doesn’t always make it into the glamorous headlines: her journey as a single mom. And spoiler alert: It wasn’t easy.
Taraji shared that being a single parent to her son, Marcell, almost broke her at times. “I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy,” she said, keeping it heartbreakingly honest.
She went deeper, explaining that juggling the demands of Hollywood while trying to raise a child on her own came with enormous pressure, constant guilt, and exhaustion that felt never-ending. Even with her powerhouse career, there were moments when she felt completely overwhelmed and isolated.
Taraji didn’t sugarcoat it either — she wanted people to understand that single mothers often carry invisible weight that the world doesn’t always see. The glam red carpets and awards don’t erase the daily struggle of trying to give your child the world while trying not to lose yourself in the process.
Michelle Obama, who has also been incredibly candid about motherhood and its challenges, listened with empathy and even chimed in, praising Taraji’s strength and resilience.
Of course, in true Taraji fashion, she made sure to sprinkle in some hope too. She talked about how, despite everything, raising her son has been one of her greatest sources of pride and that seeing him thrive makes every sacrifice worth it.
Fans flooded social media after the episode aired, sending Taraji love and thanking her for being so vulnerable. Many single moms out there said they finally felt seen — and seriously, it’s moments like this that remind us why sharing your truth matters.
Bottom line? Taraji P. Henson might be a superstar, but when it comes to motherhood, she’s just like so many women out there — doing her best, pushing through the hard days, and loving her child with everything she’s got.
