While Taraji P. Henson performed “It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp” with Terrence Howard in the film Hustle & Flow, she did not provide the vocals for her singing parts in I Can Do Bad All by Myself, a 2009 American romantic musical comedy-drama film by Tyler Perry that was released on September 11, 2009.
Taraji P. Henson speaks onstage during the 2019 Global Citizen Festival: Power The Movement in Central Park on September 28, 2019, in New York City
The vocals for Taraji’s role were provided by Cheryl Bridget “Pepsii” Riley, an American singer and actress who also starred in Tyler Perry’s stage plays including Madea’s Class Reunion, Madea Goes to Jail, Why Did I Get Married?, Laugh to Keep from Crying, Madea’s Big Happy Family, and A Madea Christmas.
Singer Cheryl ‘Pepsii’ Riley, who did the singing for Taraji P. Henson, attends the New York premiere of Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself at the SVA Theater on September 8, 2009, in New York City
In a May 2012 interview with Gapers Block, Cheryl Pepsii Riley discussed her many collaborations with Tyler Parry and confirmed her singing parts in I Can Do Bad All by Myself. One of her best-known songs is a cover of Aretha Franklin’s 1968 hit “Ain’t No Way”.
In his first film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, I sung a lot and then there’s one song in that film, a cover of Joan Osborne’s “What If God Was One of Us,” which is a song I’ve been doing forever because I love it and I have my own interpretation of it. I’ve done a lot of voiceover things for him, too–in Diary of a Mad Black Woman and again in I Can Do Bad All By Myself–where [actress] Taraji P. Henson is singing–that’s me. I haven’t done any writing, but he has these ideas of what he wants to do and we make it happen.
In September 2015, Taraji channeled her inner Cookie Lyon on the red carpet. It wasn’t the first time we’ve seen her dressed like her “Empire” character, either.
Taraji P. Henson attends the 67th Annual Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 20, 2015
Taraji was sexy and edgy in head-to-toe Alexander Wang at the 67th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
The actress wore a custom black figure-flattering gown that featured chain straps, a see-through floor-length skirt and a cutout at the midriff.
Taraji P. Henson shows off a head-to-toe Alexander Wang look on the red carpet of the Emmy Awards
She accessorized with silver jewelry and a custom Alexander Wang purse. Her classy ensemble was completed with black sandals from the same brand.
Taraji P. Henson plays with the floor-length skirt of her Alexander Wang gown at the Emmys
Taraji traded her usual Bettie Page hairstyle for a sleek center-parted bob, which looked a lot classier. She finished her look with purple eye shadow, thick eyelashes, and shimmering lipstick.
Taraji P. Henson shows off her smokey eye makeup and long, thick eyelashes
Taraji was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series but lost to Viola Davis.
Taraji P. Henson poses and shows off her jewelry and hairstyle
Nevertheless, Taraji nailed it in the fashion department. You can get her sandals in different versions at Nordstrom and Farfetch.
Taraji P. Henson’s Alexander Wang sandals are barely visible from behind her sheer skirt
The actress completed her Alexander Wang ensemble with a pair of “Antonia” sandals, which feature padded straps, adjustable ankle straps, open toes and about 4-inch heels.
Alexander Wang “Antonia” Ankle-Strap Sandals, $475 at Nordstrom and Farfetch
Credit: Nicky Nelson / Apega / FayesVision / WENN / Instar / PNP