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Taraji P. Henson: Hollywood Execs Don't Get Me (VIDEO)

Taraji P. Henson: Hollywood Execs Don't Get Me
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Pop Culture Editor, HuffPost

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Throughout her acting career, Taraji P. Henson has had the honor of appearing in films alongside stars like Brad Pitt and has made guest appearances on popular television series including, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." But despite playing in Hollywood's big leagues, the Academy Award-nominated actress is still very selective prior to signing on for a project -- no matter how impressive the budget might be.

On Monday, while promoting her upcoming suspense-thriller, “No Good Deed,” Henson appeared on HuffPost Live where she explained why she will never shy away from starring in independent films.

“It’s never about the money for me. It’s about the craft of acting, and that’s what I love to do,” she admitted to HuffPost Live host Marc Lamont Hill. “I figure if I keep proving how good I am the money will come. And that’s actually what has been happening in my career. It doesn’t matter if it’s a low budget, an independent, I will still do an independent film today. Because to me those are the most exciting roles, the most challenging, because they’re not the Hollywood wrapped up, sewed up at the end, all perfect endings. So I really lean, still, towards the films that don’t have big budgets.”

To underscore her comment, Henson also added why she’s often misunderstood by Hollywood executives when auditioning for a for a role. “I don’t think a lot of the executives get me. And I think a lot of times studios, they don’t know or really realize that I actually have a box office draw… they’ll see.”

Check out more of Taraji P. Henson's HuffPost Live segment in the clip above.

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Before You Go

Taraji P Henson Photos
"Think Like A Man Too" - Los Angeles Premiere(01 of34)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 09: Actress Taraji P. Henson attends the premiere of 'Think Like A Man Too' at TCL Chinese Theatre on June 9, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic) (credit:Jason LaVeris via Getty Images)
Taraji P. Henson at New York Live(02 of34)
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NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 8: Taraji P. Henson at NBC'S New York Live in New York City on September 8, 2014. Credit: RW/MediaPunch/IPX (credit:RW/MediaPunch/IPx)
Taraji P. Henson at New York Live(03 of34)
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NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 8: Taraji P. Henson at NBC'S New York Live in New York City on September 8, 2014. Credit: RW/MediaPunch/IPX (credit:RW/MediaPunch/IPx)
Taraji P. Henson at New York Live(04 of34)
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NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 8: Taraji P. Henson at NBC'S New York Live in New York City on September 8, 2014. Credit: RW/MediaPunch/IPX (credit:RW/MediaPunch/IPx)
Taraji P. Henson at New York Live(05 of34)
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NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 8: Taraji P. Henson at NBC'S New York Live in New York City on September 8, 2014. Credit: RW/MediaPunch/IPX (credit:RW/MediaPunch/IPx)
2014 FOX Summer TCA All-Star Party(06 of34)
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Taraji P. Henson attends the FOX Summer TCA All-Star Party at Soho House on Sunday, July 20, 2014 in West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP) (credit:Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP)
Kristin Chenoweth, The Go-Goâs and Pink Martini Inducted Into The Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame(07 of34)
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Taraji P. Henson arrives at the Kristin Chenoweth, The Go-Goâs and Pink Martini Inductions Into The Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 21, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) (credit:Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Kristin Chenoweth, The Go-Goâs and Pink Martini Inducted Into The Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame(08 of34)
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Taraji P. Henson arrives at the Kristin Chenoweth, The Go-Goâs and Pink Martini Inductions Into The Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 21, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) (credit:Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
The World Premiere of Screen Gems' 'Think Like a Man Too'(09 of34)
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Taraji P. Henson seen at the The World Premiere of Screen Gems' 'Think Like a Man Too' on Monday, June 9, 2014 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Screen Gems/AP Images) (credit:Eric Charbonneau/Invision/AP)
LA Premiere of "Think Like A Man Too" - After Party(10 of34)
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Taraji P. Henson, left, and Gabrielle Union, cast members in "Think Like A Man Too," pose together at the post-premiere party for the film on Monday, June 9, 2014 in West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
LA Premiere of "Think Like A Man Too" - After Party(11 of34)
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Taraji P. Henson, left, and Gabrielle Union, cast members in "Think Like A Man Too," pose together at the post-premiere party for the film on Monday, June 9, 2014 in West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
LA Premiere of "Think Like A Man Too" - After Party(12 of34)
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Taraji P. Henson, left, and Terrence Jenkins, cast members in "Think Like A Man Too," pose together at the post-premiere party for the film on Monday, June 9, 2014 in West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
LA Premiere of "Think Like A Man Too" - Red Carpet(13 of34)
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Taraji P. Henson, a cast member in "Think Like A Man Too," poses at the premiere of the film on Monday, June 9, 2014 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
LA Premiere of "Think Like A Man Too" - Red Carpet(14 of34)
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Taraji P. Henson, a cast member in "Think Like A Man Too," poses at the premiere of the film on Monday, June 9, 2014 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
LA Premiere of "Think Like A Man Too" - After Party(15 of34)
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Taraji P. Henson, left, a cast member in "Think Like A Man Too," poses with the film's director Tim Story at the post-premiere party for the film on Monday, June 9, 2014 in West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
LA Premiere of "Think Like A Man Too" - After Party(16 of34)
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Actor Jussie Smollett, left, poses with Taraji P. Henson, a cast member in "Think Like A Man Too," at the post-premiere party for the film on Monday, June 9, 2014 in West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" - Season 12(17 of34)
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JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE - Emmy Award-nominated 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' airs every weeknight (11:35 p.m. - 12:41 a.m., ET), packed with hilarious comedy bits and features a diverse lineup of guests including celebrities, athletes, musicians, comedians and humorous human interest subjects. The guests for THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 included Sarah Silverman ('Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles'), actress Taraji P. Henson ('No Good Deed') and musical guest Hunter Hayes. (Photo by Randy Holmes/ABC via Getty Images) (credit:Randy Holmes via Getty Images)
The World Premiere of Screen Gems' 'Think Like a Man Too'(18 of34)
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Jussie Smollett and Taraji P. Henson seen at the The World Premiere of Screen Gems' 'Think Like a Man Too' on Monday, June 9, 2014 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Screen Gems/AP Images) (credit:Eric Charbonneau/Invision/AP)
Atlanta Screening Of NO GOOD DEED With Taraji P. Henson And Will Packer(19 of34)
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ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 27: Ryan Cameron, Kenny Burns, Todd Tucker and Will Packer attend the Atlanta screening of 'No Good Deed' at Strip Atlantic Station on August 27, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/FilmMagic) (credit:Prince Williams via Getty Images)
Atlanta Screening Of NO GOOD DEED With Taraji P. Henson And Will Packer(20 of34)
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ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 27: Kenny Burns and Will Packer attend the Atlanta screening of 'No Good Deed' at Strip Atlantic Station on August 27, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/FilmMagic) (credit:Prince Williams via Getty Images)
Idris Elba And Taraji P.Henson At The LA Special Screening Of Screen Gems' "No Good Deed"(21 of34)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 26: Actors Idris Elba and Taraji P.Henson attend The L.A. Special Screening Of Screen Gems' 'No Good Deed' at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on August 26, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Screen Gems) (credit:Charley Gallay via Getty Images)
Idris Elba And Taraji P.Henson At The LA Special Screening Of Screen Gems' "No Good Deed"(22 of34)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 26: Actors Idris Elba and Taraji P.Henson attend The L.A. Special Screening Of Screen Gems' 'No Good Deed' at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on August 26, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Screen Gems) (credit:Charley Gallay via Getty Images)
Idris Elba And Taraji P.Henson At The LA Special Screening Of Screen Gems' "No Good Deed"(23 of34)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 26: Actors Idris Elba and Taraji P.Henson attend The L.A. Special Screening Of Screen Gems' 'No Good Deed' at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on August 26, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Screen Gems) (credit:Charley Gallay via Getty Images)
10th Annual 365 Black Awards(24 of34)
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Taraji P. Henson attends the 10th Annual 365 Black Awards at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on Saturday, July 6, 2013 in New Orleans. (Photo by Donald Traill/Invision/AP) (credit:Donald Traill/Invision/AP)
Mademoiselle C Premiere Arrivals(25 of34)
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Taraji P. Henson attends the premiere of Mademoiselle C at the Florence Gould Hall on Friday September 6, 2013 in New York. ( Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/for The Hollywood Reporter/AP Images) (credit:Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP)
10th Annual 365 Black Awards(26 of34)
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Taraji P. Henson attends the 10th Annual 365 Black Awards at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on Saturday, July 6, 2013 in New Orleans. (Photo by Donald Traill/Invision/AP) (credit:Donald Traill/Invision/AP)
2013 BET Awards - Winners Room(27 of34)
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Taraji P. Henson poses backstage at the BET Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, June 30, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Scott Kirkland/Invision/AP) (credit:Scott Kirkland/Invision/AP)
Chanel Tribeca Film Festival Artists Dinner(28 of34)
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Actress Taraji P. Henson attends the CHANEL Tribeca Film Festival Artists Dinner at The Odeon on Wednesday April 24, 2013 in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (credit:Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Chanel Tribeca Film Festival Artists Dinner(29 of34)
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Actress Taraji P. Henson attends the CHANEL Tribeca Film Festival Artists Dinner at The Odeon on Wednesday April 24, 2013 in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (credit:Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Tribeca Film Festival Awards(30 of34)
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Actress Taraji P. Henson attends the Tribeca Film Festival Awards on Thursday April 25, 2013 in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP) (credit:Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)
Mud Premiere NY(31 of34)
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Actress Taraji P. Henson attend the premiere of "Mud" hosted by The Cinema SocietyÃwith FIJI Water & Levi's at the Museum of Modern Art on Monday April 21, 2013 in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/InvisionAP) (credit:Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
The Weinstein Company Golden Globe After Party(32 of34)
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Actress Taraji P. Henson arrives at the Weinstein Company Golden Globe After Party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday Jan. 13, 2013, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP) (credit:Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP)
Hollywood Bowl Opening Night And Hall Of Fame Inductions(33 of34)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 21: Actress Taraji P. Henson attends the Hollywood Bowl opening night and Hall of Fame inductions at the Hollywood Bowl on June 21, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images) (credit:David Livingston via Getty Images)
"Think Like A Man Too" - Los Angeles Premiere(34 of34)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 09: Actress Taraji P. Henson attends the premiere of 'Think Like A Man Too' at TCL Chinese Theatre on June 9, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic) (credit:Jason LaVeris via Getty Images)
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