Taraji P. Henson, star of Tyler Perry’s Netflix thriller Straw, has not publicly disclosed her exact earnings for the film, which was shot in just four days while she juggled her role in Peacock’s Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist.
However, Henson’s history of addressing Hollywood’s pay disparities offers context.
In a 2023 interview, she revealed earning “the lowest of six figures” for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, far less than co-stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, who earned millions. For Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself, she was paid $500,000, a fair sum that raised her baseline quote.
Given Straw’s rapid production and Perry’s budget-conscious approach, estimates suggest Henson’s pay likely ranged between $500,000 and $1 million, though unconfirmed.
Henson’s powerful performance as Janiyah Wilkinson, a struggling single mother, has earned praise.
The film, released on Netflix June 6, 2025, also features comedian Sinbad as Benny, a neighbor, marking his first acting role since a 2020 stroke.
