Taraji P. Henson on Dealing with COVID-19 Fears: ‘Pause and Breathe and Stay in the Moment’

Actress Taraji P Henson is ready to host the American Music Awards!

“Extra’s” Nate Burleson spoke with Taraji, who said she is doing well in the build-up to her hosting duties this Sunday. “I have just been finding ways to be creative,” she said.

Showing off her new red hair, Henson revealed, “I found fun in my hair salon in my house… I’ve been being creative there.”

Taraji celebrated her 50th birthday in September in Cabo San Lucas, saying, “It was amazing. I needed it. It was such a great group of women with me. Of course, we were all COVID-responsible… I am just grateful that I have such an amazing network of women around me.”

An advocate for mental health, Henson explained how the pandemic had been affecting her well-being prior to her trip. She admitted, “There were days where I contemplated life or death. This is something that none of us could ever fathom; we’re living, living our best life, and the next thing you know, we all hit a brick wall. It’s like the world stopped spinning.”

“It affects everyone,” Taraji emphasized. “I don’t care how much money you have… For me, I had to pause and breathe and stay in the moment.”

Looking at the positive, Henson shared, “We have all been awakened to a lot of things in life… Once I got through the fear… and I just started doing what I have always done… Being a girl from the hood that grabbed up her son and moved to L.A. with $700 in her pocket with all these dreams and hopes and fearlessness,  I had to tap back into that.”

“We’re gonna be okay… I have a therapist; that’s why I started the COVID therapy sessions, the free sessions for people of color,” Taraji pointed out.

Taraji is especially excited to be hosting the American Music Awards live on Sunday, dishing,  “I am looking to bring excitement and fun so people can forget about elections, forget about this pandemic… Music is what unites us all… This is the biggest show to me, in my opinion, ‘cause the fans vote.”

Taraji is ready to fashion-pack the night, saying, “I have a team that loves to play — I’m just their paper doll.”