Taraji P. Henson & Will Packer Put Us On To What Men Want
What do men want? It's the age-old question women have been asking themselves for years! After what may seem like an eternity, super-producer Will Packer descends from movie heaven with the verdict.
In the highly anticipated film, What Men Want, Will Packer teams up with Hollywood's newest Walk of Fame star Taraji P. Henson, Tracy Morgan, and Erykah Badu to flip the script on a classic plot.
In the film, Henson delivers a hilarious performance as Ali Davis, a successful sports agent who can't seem to connect with men. In order for Ali to become the first black female partner at her male-dominated firm, she must crack the unspoken man code. While attending a risqué bridal shower, Ali receives the ultimate read from a slightly unorthodox psychic, played by none other than Ms. Erykah Badu. After drinking a heaping portion of jasmine tea (mixed with a few illegal substances), Ali can now hear men's inner thoughts.
Related: Taraji P. Henson's 'What Men Want' Sends A Powerful Message To Women
Taraji P. Henson at the 'What Men Want' Special Atlanta ScreeningMarcus Ingram/Getty Images
During a special Atlanta Tastemaker Screening, xoNecole caught up with the film's star Taraji P. Henson and co-producer Will Packer on the red carpet to find out what they believe is the biggest misconception most women have about men.
"I think the biggest misconception is thinking they want something totally different than we want," Taraji revealed. "I think all humans want security when it comes to relationships. They want unconditional love. They want a mother's love. That's what everybody wants - to feel safe, to have a home to go to. To have somewhere to share their darkest secrets, to feel vulnerable."
Producer Will Packer and wife Heather Hayslett at the 'What Men Want' Special Atlanta ScreeningMarcus Ingram/Getty Images
Super-producer Will Packer assures women everywhere that understanding men isn't rocket science, it's actually quite simple:
"Women probably think men are more complex than we are. I think you guys know that we are pretty simple. I don't think you know how simple we are. That's all I am going to say. Men are simple and easy. We have to counterbalance the complexity that you guys have. All we do is try to get through life with the least amount of work possible."
'What Men Want' Special Atlanta ScreeningMarcus Ingram/Getty Images
It's clear Taraji knows a thing or two about what men want, considering the glacier on her left hand from fiancé Kelvin Hayden. We asked the bride-to-be to spill the tea on her big day.
"I haven't even set a date yet," Taraji shared. "I'm not going to stress myself. When I have a date, I'll let you know."
As for her dress, the color white is the furthest option from Taraji's mind. "I'm just thinking color. I don't want to wear white," she divulged.
What Men Want is a woman-centric cinematic event that you don't want to miss, so make sure you catch it in theaters February 8th!
Click below for a slideshow of the screening's attendees.
All images by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images.
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- EXCLUSIVE: Taraji P. Henson and Will Packer on 'What Men Want' ›
- Will Packer & Taraji P. Henson Break Down The Magic Of 'What Men ›
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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The West is in the building! From music to entertainment, beauty, and bolder-than-bold content creators. Whether she moved to the West to chase her dreams or came from the soil, these women treat the West as their playground. They’re not just chasing dreams, they’re walking it like they talk it, all while ensuring our beloved West’s commitment to progress and preservation.
Read about five of our ItGirls here, but be sure to check out the full ItGirl 100 List.
Char & Lani Edwards
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Sisters, Char and Lanie Edwards launched Black on the Block as a premier monthly celebration of Black-owned excellence in California. Their goal was to elevate the festival experience and showcase a carefully curated selection of over 100 Black-owned businesses spanning diverse industries and offering attendees an unforgettable experience that focuses on community.
DJ Red Corvette
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Red Corvette is a DJ, Music Director, and co-creator of the women empowerment platform Women Sound Off. With a 10-year journey as a thriving DJ, she is the epitome of a multi-format DJ with real-time troubleshooting skills as she has cultivated an unforgettable musical experience.
Ivy Coco Maurice
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Ivy Coco Maurice is a stylist and community organizer. She serves as the vice president and creative director of WalkGoodLA, a family-driven nonprofit uniting diverse communities to pursue racial equity through wellness.
Kaylin Cotton
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Kaylin Cotton is the Head of Operations and Strategy at HOORAE. Previously, she worked at Shondaland, building out the company’s brand guidelines and events. Her career focuses on creative leadership strategies and advancing organizations with a contemporary and inclusive approach.
Storm Debarge
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Storm has been dancing since she was a baby and has always aspired to be a leader in the dance industry. Storm worked with some of the largest brands in the world including Nike, Pandora, Snapchat, Red Bull, BET, NFL, and Def Jam. Storm has also worked with award-winning artists including Ciara, Blxst, Busta Rhymes, and Megan Thee Stallion.