Taraji P. Henson‘s career continues to strut from strength to strength!

February will see the 48-year-old star hit the big screen as the lead in Paramount’s hotly anticipated ‘What Men Want’ (a modern remake on Mel Gibson classic ‘What Men Want’).

Notably, Henson also serves as the film’s executive producer. A career first.

In the January issue of InStyle, the actress gives a preview of her boss’ed up character and also waxes honest about feeling the same at this stage of her journey.

She also opens up about some of the Hollywood hurdles she’d had to conquer on her ascend.

Peep pics and quotes below…

On Her Current Mindset:

“I feel like a boss bitch.”

On Being Lead In ‘What Men Want’

“I’ve always been the funny girl. Not that I was pigeonholed. They were all great dramatic roles, but I’ve been dying. I just felt so honored and grateful to get a comedy where I could let it all hang out. My best friend was like, ‘Lord, they don’t know what they have unleashed.’”

On How Empire Character Cookie Helped Her Push Past Politics:

“Hollywood executives would tell me that I don’t have fans all the way over there [internationally].” I said, ‘You’re lying because they can reach me any time. I’m a finger tap away, and they let me know every day.’ Then we go to Paris [to promote Empire], and it’s standing room only in a room with 1,500 seats. I cried. If you believe what people tell you … you can’t let people tell you sh*t.”

On Hollywood Preaching Diversity, But Still Casting Mainly Caucasian Lead Roles:

“Here’s the deal: When you talk about money, don’t you want to make money? I want every walk of life [in my films]. If I could put an alien in, I would. I want their money too. Come on, it’s what the world looks like. That’s what people want to see, representation. That’s all. You can make money doing it. It’s a no-brainer.”

Your thoughts?

[Photo credit: InStyle/Robbie Fimmano]