Taraji P. Henson is opening up about one of the most meaningful relationships in her life, and it’s honestly just really heartwarming.
The actress recently shared how much her 102-year-old grandmother, Patsie Ballard, has shaped who she is today, both personally and professionally. And now, her grandmother is about to witness a major full-circle moment.
“She just turned 102, and she’s coming to see the play,” Henson said of her Broadway debut in “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” adding, “She was born in 1924. It just blows my mind,” according to People.
For Henson, stepping onto the Broadway stage isn’t just another career milestone. It’s something she gets to share with the woman who helped spark it all.
How Her Grandmother Helped Shape Her Career
Henson didn’t hold back when talking about how much her grandmother influenced her early on.
Growing up, she spent summers in North Carolina with her grandparents, where she had a lot of alone time. Instead of being bored, she leaned into her imagination, something she now credits as the start of her acting journey.
“I had nobody to play with… That’s why I could play all these characters. Because all I had was time,” she shared.
More importantly, she said her grandmother created a space where she felt free to be creative. “She allowed me to dream and create and come up with all these different characters and trust my instrument,” Henson said.
That kind of support meant even more considering the time her grandmother grew up in. Henson pointed out that women from that generation “weren’t allowed to dream,” which makes the encouragement she received even more impactful.
This isn’t the first time Henson has gotten emotional talking about her grandmother either. Back in 2019, during her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, she credited her for helping her get to where she is today. “Her prayers definitely brought me here… my grandmother’s my everything,” she said at the time, according to Entertainment Tonight.
A Full-Circle Moment With Her Broadway Debut
Now, everything is kind of coming together at once.
Henson is currently starring in “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” marking her long-awaited Broadway debut after years of film and TV success. She said the timing finally made sense after missing out on similar opportunities before. “The timing was perfect for me right now for Broadway,” she explained, per the New York Post.
In the play, she takes on the role of Bertha Holly, a warm and grounded character who helps others find stability. The story itself explores identity, healing and starting over, which has resonated with audiences.
Despite the demanding schedule of live theater, Henson said she feels completely at home on stage. “Onstage, I feel really safe and comfortable,” she shared.
Outside of work, she’s also been reflecting on her family more, especially the strong women who raised her. “I come from a line of incredible mothers,” she said.
And now, with her grandmother set to watch her perform on Broadway, it’s a moment that really brings everything back to where it started.
“She allowed me to dream.”
