Tyler Perry, Taraji P. Henson, Sherri Shepherd & Teyana Taylor Get Real at SiriusXM’s Town Hall for Netflix’s Straw

In an intimate and emotionally charged SiriusXM Town Hall hosted by the incomparable Bevy Smith, director Tyler Perry sat down with the powerful cast of Netflix’s upcoming drama Straw—Taraji P. Henson, Sherri Shepherd, and Teyana Taylor—to unpack the stories behind the screen, the struggles behind the success, and the strength of solidarity.

Held at SiriusXM’s New York studios, the conversation was more than a promotional stop—it was a moment of truth-telling, respect, and recognition for what Black artists still endure, even at the height of their careers.

Giving Tyler Perry His Flowers—Loudly and Proudly

Taraji P. Henson didn’t hold back when asked about the impact Tyler Perry has had on her journey. “Every raise that I’ve gotten in my career has come from this man right here,” she said, pointing toward Perry. Sherri Shepherd echoed the sentiment with raw honesty: “You only need one. Just one. And Tyler was that one for me.”

Shepherd recounted the moment she realized she no longer had to prove her worth: “I remember sitting in my trailer crying. I didn’t have to fight. I didn’t have to negotiate. I walked in and thought, ‘Is Brad Pitt here?’” Her trailer, she described, was grand—complete with a double staircase, a living room, and a study—symbolizing not just luxury, but long-overdue respect.

Taraji on Straw and a Text from Oprah

While Straw is set to pull at heartstrings and shake societal silence, it also hit home in an unexpected way for Taraji P. Henson. After filming, she received a text from none other than Oprah Winfrey: “She said, ‘My God… nobody sees us. That’s the war cry for all Black single mothers.’” Taraji admitted she hadn’t fully tapped into the gravity of the story’s resonance until Oprah’s words hit her.

Tyler Perry’s films have long been known for addressing real-life struggles with emotional authenticity, and Straw is no exception. As Perry himself stated during the Town Hall, “Even at this point in my career, I’m still not getting the same budgets, the same support. We’re still fighting.”

Tyler Perry: The Unseen Hero

What the public doesn’t always see is the silent generosity of Tyler Perry. Bevy Smith shared a personal anecdote: “I told Kim Blackwell in Miami, if I died tomorrow, Tyler Perry would fly my body wherever it needed to be. He does that. For everybody.” Taraji and Sherri confirmed that Perry’s impact often goes unspoken because he doesn’t speak on it. “He don’t want to talk about it,” said Sherri. “But he’s done so much we’ll never know.”

The Power of Being Seen

Perhaps the most emotional thread of the Town Hall was the universal cry to be seen—not just as entertainers, but as people. As Bevy reflected on the film and the conversation, she captured the heart of it all: “We do have the ability to not only save ourselves but to save each other.”

Taraji, ever grounded, affirmed her stance: “I’ll never drag another woman publicly. If I have a problem, I’ll pull her aside. We’ve got enough thrown at us. I will always ride for us.”

A Call to Respect, Representation, and Resilience

With Straw, Tyler Perry and this powerhouse cast deliver more than a film—they deliver a necessary narrative. It’s a reminder that even among the accolades, there are battles behind the scenes. But in rooms like this, on platforms like SiriusXM’s Radio Andy, the truth is finally getting its spotlight.

One thing was clear: When Tyler Perry calls, Taraji will always answer. “He offered me a lead role after the Oscars. Nobody else did. And he told me what to ask for. He gave me my quote. So I don’t care how big I get—whenever he calls, I’m there.”

Netflix’s Straw, directed by Tyler Perry and starring Taraji P. Henson, Sherri Shepherd, and Teyana Taylor, debuts soon.

Photo Credit: Cindy Ord
Video Credit: SiriusXM’s Radio Andy

Watch the full segment:
🎥 Taraji & Sherri Give Tyler His Flowers
🎥 Taraji Talks Oprah’s Powerful Text

#RealTalk #StrawNetflix #TylerPerry #TarajiPHenson #SherriShepherd #TeyanaTaylor #BevySmith #TheHypeMagazine