Around the Way Girl

October 15, 2016

Best known for her roles as Yvette in John Singleton's Baby Boy and Cookie Lyons in Fox TV's Empire, actress Henson is the archetype of the brusque, misunderstood girlfriend/wife with a "heart of gold." Born and raised in Washington, DC, Henson shares many commonalities with the characters she portrays. However, to assume that this is the only source of inspiration is a surface-level approach akin to the typecasting that she has battled throughout her career. As much a manual on acting as it is a memoir, Henson's account candidly tells of her humble and sometimes harsh "growing pains" as a child of a single mother (and later a single mother herself) and the journey to becoming an award-winning actress. Written in an accessible style, it's an engaging read that feels like a conversation with an inspiring friend. Whether discussing her relationships with her family, her method for "becoming" her characters, or the challenges of being a black woman in "the industry," Henson's book provides plenty of inspiration for readers. VERDICT Recommended for fans and aspiring actors alike.--Tamela Chambers, Chicago Pub. Schs., IL

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