Taraji P. Henson’s Agony Revealed: I Was Beaten Up By My Son’s Father

There is a lot about Taraji P. Henson's past that we knew nothing about -- until now. The actress' book, 'Around The Way Girl,' drops on Oct. 11, and in a newly-released excerpt, she details the terrifying abuse she dealt with at the hands of her ex, Mark Johnson.

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October 19, 2016 2:49PM EDT
Taraji P. Henson Abuse
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Taraji P. Henson Fox Upfront Presentation, Arrivals, Central Park's Wollman Rink, New York, USA - 13 May 2019
Taraji P. Henson looked a complete knockout as she lived it up during a romantic Valentine’s weekend with her fiancé Kelvin Hayden. The 49-year-old actress slipped into a daring black bejeweled swimsuit and enjoyed some quality time with Kelvin — who she is set to wed on April 4 — at Nobu Hotel Los Cabos. The lovebirds took a break from freezing cold Chicago where she is shooting the spin-off to her hit show Empire.   The Oscar-winning actress and retired NFL player arrived at their private ocean view suite where they were welcomed with a Nobu signature cocktail and specially prepared dessert to celebrate the Valentine’s Day weekend. The couple kicked off their lovers’ escape with a romantic boat tour of the famous Cabo San Lucas Arch where they  dined on lobster, oysters and chocolate covered strawberries as they toasted to their upcoming nuptials. After their sunset cruise, the two enjoyed a candlelit dinner at Nobu Restaurant where they dined on signature dishes such as Salmon tartare with caviar, Octopus Tiradito, Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna, miso black cod and yellowtail sashimi to name a few. Taraji took to her Instagram to show off  her heart shaped strawberry that she fed to her fiancé. The next day the loving couple started their morning with freshly prepared breakfast from Malibu Farm before retreating to the adults only infinity pool. The duo spent the day lounging by the pool with friends and graciously taking photos with fans. Generous Taraji even bought the whole pool a round of cocktails. In the early afternoon they headed to Esencia Spa where they took advantage of the outdoor hydrotherapy garden, experiential shower, cabana jacuzzi and hydrotherapy pool before they went in for their couple’s massage and facials. Kelvin was also spotted working out of the state-of-the-art gym while Taraji was snapping pictures to commemorate her first time at Nobu Hotel Los Cabos. Nobu Restaurant pulled out all the stops for their next dinner date w
Taraji P. HensonVariety Actors on Actors, Day 2, Los Angeles, USA - 28 Apr 2019
Image Credit: REX/Shutterstock

Taraji P. Henson, 46, has been raising her son, Marcell, 22, as a single mother for most of his life, and it was her decision to split from his dad, Mark Johnson, just shortly after the baby was born in 1994. In her new book, Around The Way Girl, Taraji details an abusive exchange she had with Mark, and explains how she was able to leave him.

The fight went down when he came home late one night. “The next thing I knew, Mark’s balled-up first was coming straight for my face,” the Empire star writes, via People. “I pulled my hand from my mouth and looked at the blood on my trembling finger.”

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It turns out, Taraji’s own father abused her mother when she was a child. However, he was open with the actress about his behavior, and even apologized, so they were able to stay close until his death in 2006. It was this honesty that helped Taraji gather the “strength to walk away” from Mark, and she allowed her son to still have a relationship with him. Sadly, Mark died after being stabbed in 2003 at the age of 34.

See More Pics Of Taraji HERE

Now, the 46-year-old says she’s sharing her story to help others. “It happened and I’m not ashamed of it,” she tells People. “It made me who I am.” And with an Oscar nomination and Golden Globe win…the person she is today surely ain’t so bad!

HollywoodLifers, are you shocked by Taraji’s story? What do you think of her deciding to speak out?