Taraji, Terrence: Hollywood Needs More Minorities

Taraji P. Henson agrees that minorities were not represented enough at the Emmys — and there are too few working in Hollywood.

Henson says “there were several times when I didn’t even want to watch the Emmys because I mean, who am I looking at?”

Henson made the comments when asked on her thoughts about fellow actress Regina King’s Sept. 3 blog post for the Huffington Post.

In it, the black actress criticizes the Emmys for under-representing minorities in its main categories. King also writes that she was offended after a member of the media confused her with actress Rutina Wesley of HBO’s “True Blood.” And she says she was hurt that late actress Alaine Reed Hall, best known for her role on “Sesame Street,” was not among those recognized at this year’s Emmys. Hall and King starred together on the 1980s show “227.”

“I mean, she has a point,” Henson said of King’s blog post.

In the same interview, actor Terrence Howard says that Hollywood is changing, for the better.

“The truth is, the country still has a lot more growth it needs to make and in due time, I’m sure none of those questions will even be relevant anymore,” Howard said, adding: “The whole country seems to have started toward a trend of equality and brotherhood.”

Henson interjected: “Hollywood hasn’t.”

“Hollywood just has to catch up,” he responded. “Give them some time.”

Henson and Howard starred together in 2005’s “Hustle&Flow,” which earned Howard an Oscar nomination for best actor. Henson was nominated for best supporting actress last year for her role in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”

The pair will return this year as hosts of the Soul Train Music Awards. The specials marks its second year back since taking a five-year hiatus. It airs on Centric and BET on Nov. 28.