Her soulful eyes are hard to ignore. Whether she's portraying a pregnant prostitute (Hustle & Flow), an adoptive mom (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, for which she was nominated for an Oscar), or simply being her scorching self, they convey the depth of a life burdened with tales. This month, in producer/director Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All by Myself, Taraji P. Henson shows off her comedic chops as a sultry, heavy-drinking nightclub singer.
Wanna Date Taraji? She's Got Some Rules.
Offscreen, she's a 38-year-old single mom who says guys she dates are often intimidated. "Most men are fragile," she says. "I'm a successful woman, in the public eye, and raising a kid by myself. It can leave guys feeling like, 'Damn, how can I have a chance?'" Answer: "Just be a man!"
Have a Gentleman's Touch "A woman is gentle, soft, delicate, and a man's position is to protect her-help her up stairs, make sure she's in the car safely first. Take good care of your woman, and the sky's the limit!"
Avoid Mama Drama "Date a woman with children only if you are ready to man up, because it's a position that comes with responsibility. If you don't want anything too serious, then stay with women with no kids."
Keep in Touch-Even When You're Out With the Boys "The worst excuse you could ever use is, 'My phone broke.' Did the 10 other people you were with not have phones? Just make it happen. Even the Bat Cave has a phone!"
Be Her Safety Net "When I meet a person and that chemistry is there, I cannot hide the electricity. I need to learn more about him, and once I feel safe, I'm gone, I'm in love, and I give it my all!"
Never Give Up on Love "Don't be bitter if a relationship doesn't work out; it wasn't meant to be. You can't be cut off to love because you're learning and getting closer to the one."
