Taraji P. Henson: 'Once a Mom, Always a Mom'

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For The Curious Case of Benjamin Button star Taraji P. Henson, who portrays Brad Pitt‘s mom in the critically-acclaimed film, the role was an easy one to slip into. As mom to 14-year-old Marcel in “real life,” the 38-year-old actress feels that “once a mom, always a mom.” What’s more, Taraji says that she has a hard time turning off those maternal instincts — even when her son isn’t in the picture.

“I try to mother my friends. It’s like riding a bike: You never forget how to be a mom.”

In typical mom fashion, Taraji boasts that Marcel gets a home-cooked breakfast each and every morning. “I don’t buy cereal,” she explains. “Sometimes he wants scrambled eggs, sometimes he’ll have bacon, or pancakes.” The nature of her job as an actress can sometimes threaten Marcel’s need for a hot breakfast…but Taraji has found a way around it!

“Even if I have a 5 a.m. call, I’ll cook and leave his food in the microwave before I leave. You expect a child to succeed and do well in school, but how are they going to do that if they have no brain food?”

Marcel is Taraji’s son with ex-boyfriend William Lamar Johnson, who died in 2004.

Source: USA Today

Comments

Wow…Taraji can you be my second mom? I’m a starving college student…I need brain food too! =)

- jasmine on February 17th, 2009

Great actress. Love the roles she played!

- Monique on February 18th, 2009

My mom made sure I had a breakfast every morning too. As a teacher herself, she knows what it’s like for kids without a solid breakfast in their tummies. Thanks Mom!!

- SweetDiva on February 18th, 2009

Good Mom. I was surprised to learn she has a teenager. She’s very pretty, and I was shocked to find out she’s 38! Continued good luck as a Mom and hope she gets the Oscar.

- jazzie on February 18th, 2009

She was absolutely wonderful as Benjamin’s mother in CCBB, and I’m in agreement with everything she said. What is hardest of all is letting go of those lovely responsibilities when your child is no longer a child. My sons are now 20 and 23, and though I enjoy them immensely and revel in their company, I do miss their childhood, which was the happiest time of my life. Savor it; write it down. It is over in what seems a heartbeat.

- Mary on February 19th, 2009