Taraji P. Henson Says Trip To Bali Was 'To Find Her Joy Again'

Taraji P. Henson has shared some new insights from her Bali trip!

As it turned out, the "Empire" actress's month-long trip to the Indonesian province was born out of the need to spark joy in her life. She achieved that goal by enjoying the city's natural environment and mediating, and she also chronicled the getaway through various posts shared with her social media fans.

If there is one thing Henson has never played with, it would be her peace of mind and happiness. Thus, when it looked like she was not getting it from her seemingly glamorous life, she booked a ticket to Bali for some me-time. The Oscar-nominated star spoke about how she felt after Sherri Shepherd asked if the trip was "spiritual." In the Black Reel Awards winner's words: 

"I've been doing this for 20-some-odd years. Working, grinding, whatever you want to call it. And I come up for air, and I hit a brick wall. I wasn't happy anymore. I lost a sense of joy, a sense of happiness. So, why am I doing all this?"

She then recounted talking to her girlfriend about her emotions, which is when she realized "a lot of people had been feeling like this." "So, I decided to take control and find my joy again, that deep joy. Without a drink. Without that outside anything. So, I went by myself. I didn't take any friends," Henson told Sherri.

Given the lengths she will go to find what her life is missing, it made sense that she indulged in one activity that helped her mental health while on the retreat. The "Four Brothers" star opened up about this action during a separate interview, where she explained:

"Breathing is the best. I didn't understand fully breathing until I went away to Bali because it's a very spiritual place, and I did a lot of meditating. I'm talking about intentional breathing, where you stop, slow your thoughts, and breathe with intent. It's the best drug ever."

The Blast further detailed that the 52-year-old left her habit of drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana behind in Bali, even though it helped her through her anxiety. She has since shown her dedication to having joy by partnering her mental health foundation with the fashion house — Kate Spade New York — to create a new program.

The She Care Wellness Pods program intends "to reach more than 25,000 Black women on HBCU campuses with frontline mental health care." It was launched earlier this month.

This month started great for "Abbott Elementary" viewers as they learned that Henson would be revealed as the show's lead female character Janine Teagues' mom — Vanetta. The episode aired with the title "Mom" on April 12, followed Teagues — played by Quinta Brunson — as her plans to enjoy herself on a solo trip on Memorial Day got ruined by her mom's unexpected arrival.

The older woman appeared seeking her daughter's help while making a statement with her figure-hugging pants and cropped fur coat, opposite her daughter, who wears flowy, flowery outfits.

The "Streetwise" actress' involvement with the multi-awarded series was greatly celebrated online when it went public on April 1, with "Community" actress Yvette Nicole Brown tweeting, "Yassssssss! Look like sisters, but YASSSSSSSS!!!"

Singer and actor Thomas Sanders, who could not find the right words for his emotions, typed, "Omgggggfdkxixusjdjxhcj." "dreams do come true," Hulu's official Twitter handle additionally expressed, as this netizen showcased his pun skills, writing, "I'll be a Fool for Taraji …April or not."

However, The Blast noted that it was not all fun due to a few people's concerns about the authenticity of the news. One person tweeted, "I'm gonna believe it, but since it's April fool's day, I'm cautious."

A second concerned viewer individual added, "Nope. Announce it again in the morning so we know you're not trying to trick us for April Fools." As you know, the episode has since aired and earned multiple accolades from various rating systems — which is no new feat for the Golden Globe Award-winning series.