"Just can't seem to get over the way you hurt me...Don't know how you gave another who didn't mean a thing the very thing you gave to me"- Beyoncé, "Resentment"
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- TARAJI -
Sitting in a Zoom meeting with my agent, my publicist, my PR consultant, and the rest of my team, I was ready to click off and give all of my attention to Amber. Nothing that they were saying was interesting me or making me want to pay attention. I said that I was done with tv after "Empire", and yet all they're coming to the table with is pilots for shows. I made an appearance on "Abbot Elementary" earlier in the year, but that's only because I'm such a huge fan of the show. The thought of firing my entire team and building up a new one has crossed my mind more than once. The numbers that I'm seeing in my bank account aren't matching up with the numbers I put up when it comes to ratings. The business and financial politicking of acting can really put a damper on your love for the art if you allow it to. I think that's where I'm at, but I'm not entirely ready to give up on my passion. I already lost something that I loved once. I'm not losing something that I love again, but I feel like I don't know where to go with my career. There's so much that I want to do, but at the same time nothing appeals to me. My agent obnoxiously cleared his throat when he saw that I was zoning out, making me chuckle softly. Tricky is the only person on my team that I probably wouldn't fire. He's the one who got me "Empire", "Proud Mary", and "Hidden Figures". He understands my needs and my wants in the world of acting.
Tricky: Taraji, you might wanna pay attention sweetheart. I got something special for you.
I was confused as to what he could mean by that. Everybody had these weird smiles on their faces like they knew something I didn't. However, it became clear to me what the surprise was when THE Oprah Winfrey joined the Zoom call and her face popped up on my Mac screen. My heart was doing somersaults in my chest, but on the outside I was trying to keep my decorum and refrain from fan-girling.
Oprah: Hello, Miss Taraji!
Taraji: Oh my goodness, hi Oprah! This is such a surprise. Thank you for joining my meeting.
I couldn't stop laughing and smiling because I was so overwhelmed with excitement. I have no idea why she would be calling me, but I'm ready to listen loud and clear to whatever she has to say. She chuckled at my obvious anxiety, making me even more nervous, but it was a good kind of nervous.
Oprah: I actually want to thank you, miss thang.
Taraji: For what?
Oprah: For making my search for my new Shug Avery so easy.
Taraji: I'm sorry, but I'm not following. You mean as in "The Color Purple" Shug Avery? That story has been done before 1,000 times over.
