Taraji P. Henson’s journey to success has been nothing short of remarkable.
The award-winning actress, known for her role in the hit series “Empire,” has always been open about the challenges she faced as a single mother. Her son, Marcell Johnson, has been a constant source of inspiration and strength for her throughout her career.
Henson became pregnant with Marcell during her junior year of college but refused to let that deter her from pursuing her dreams. She credits her son for giving her the laser-sharp focus she needed to push forward and achieve her goals. Despite facing skepticism and adversity, she never gave up on her dreams of becoming an actress.
Marcell’s father, William LaMarr “Mark” Johnson, played a significant role in their lives until his tragic death when Marcell was just 9 years old. Henson struggled with how to explain the circumstances of his father’s passing to her son, eventually seeking therapy to help navigate the difficult conversation.
Despite the challenges they faced, Marcell has thrived in his own right. He has pursued a career in music, releasing his EP titled “The Dikembe EP” with his mother’s full support. In 2018, he made his runway debut at New York Fashion Week, making his mom proud with his accomplishments.
Throughout the years, Marcell has been by his mother’s side at various events and award ceremonies, including her Hollywood Walk of Fame induction in 2019. Taraji’s unwavering dedication to her son and her commitment to setting a positive example for him have been driving forces behind her success.
