In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Terrence Howard revealed a lot of things about his character, family, his life and his career. Terrence is currently starring in the hit TV show ‘Empire’, but what many don’t know about him is that he’s had a troubled life and is still fighting with his demons on a daily basis. He also ended his marriage to his third wife recently and apparently in this interview, the two of them were putting up a façade of being happily married. Quite strange, considering the fact that they have been separated since last year. Speaking of wives, Terrence seems to be in these ethnic women a lot. He also seems to always get into violence and domestic abuse with them. That said, he might have sold his soul to the devil like most stars do, but only Terrence will be able to answer that. For now, let’s check out what the crazy mind of Terrence Howard is thinking.
Terrence Howard on his character on ‘Empire’
Everything I do with Lucious is still me. I just change the vibration. Because Lucious has a very base understanding of life – kill or be killed – I keep him down at a very low frequency.
Terrence Howard on how the public’s perception of him made him that the role in ‘Empire’
Since they see me as a bad guy. I’m gonna play a bad guy.
Terrence Howard on getting a bad reputation in Hollywood
When all that stuff went down about me, you’re not in any bargaining position. You’re shunned. You’re persona non grata.
Terrence Howard on quitting smoking
Anything you do against yourself is an attack against the people you care about. When you meet your one, it’s completely balanced. I don’t have any greater authority than she does. It’s the only thing that really works.
Terrence Howard on his second ex-wife
You know, all my checks from Fox are being held for garnishment, because of my ex. I’m broke as can be. But my wife, she did well for herself, so she’s covered us. This place, she’s renting it. I’m suffering. There’s nothing worse than being a broke movie star. It’s always been a hard road for me. I run into bad luck. But I run into good luck too, so it’s even-steven right now.
Terrence Howard on why he’s difficult to work with
Well, I was difficult, but only because I would not conform. During The Best Man, they kept saying about this one line, ‘This is a joke, so say it as a joke.’ I was like, ‘Y’all do what you want, but I’m not going to mutilate this moment.’ And I said the line like I wanted, pausing before saying, ‘Y’all know there ain’t nothin’ better than pussy, except some new pussy.’ That seals my character, who he was. But after that, they spent the next year talking about how difficult I was. Then the movie comes out, I get all these accolades, and now the producers are like, ‘Oh, you made the movie.’ But now they’ve set it up that Terrence is difficult, and so that has followed me.”
Terrence Howard on working on ‘Empire’
I’m just trying to pay my bills. I’m looking forward to this show running its course. If I make a decent amount of money from it, I’ll retire. The problem with this business is you lose yourself.
Terrence Howard on why he assaulted his first wife
She was talking to me real strong, and I lost my mind and slapped her in front of the kids. Her lawyer said it was a closed fist, but even slapping her was wrong.
Terrence Howard on why he assaulted his second wife
She was trying to Mace me and you can’t see anything so all you can do is try to bat somebody away, and I think that something caught her. But I wasn’t trying to hit her.
Terrence Howard on his father stabbing a guy in 1971
I was standing next to my father, watching. Then stuff happened so quickly – blood was on the coats, on our jackets – and then my dad’s on a table and then my dad is gone to prison.
Terrence Howard on what his father taught him
My daddy taught me, ‘Never take the vertebrae out of your back or the bass out of your throat. I ain’t raisin’ sheep. I raised men. Stay a man.’ But being a man comes with a curse because it’s not a society made for men to flourish anymore. Everything is androgynous, you know? The more successful men now are the effeminate.
Terrence Howard on his mother
My mom got pregnant with me when she was 15. She’d already had my older brother and was headed to the abortion clinic with my uncle, when they stopped at a red light and she was like, ‘No, this would not be happening if he wasn’t meant to be here.’?
Terrence Howard on being bullied as a kid
“Let’s smack him and see how long it takes him to turn red,” the kids would say. I was the pretty boy, so people didn’t think I could defend myself.
Terrence Howard on his third wife Mira Pak
Before Mira, I always picked the wrong women.
Terrence Howard on getting Robert Downey Jr. ‘Iron Man’
Robert was so thankful and dadadadada.
Terrence Howard on when he was replaced in ‘Iron Man’
And so, “I called Robby and was like, ‘Look, man?.?.?.’ Leaving messages with his assistants, called him at least 17 times that day and 21 the next and finally left a message saying, ‘Look, man, I need the help that I gave you.’ Never heard from him. And guess who got the millions I was supposed to get? He got the whole franchise, so I’ve actually given him $100 million, which ends up being a $100 million loss for me from me trying to look after somebody, but, you know, to this day I would do the same thing. It’s just my nature.
Terrence Howard on life as a kid
I spent all my time as a kid trying to fit in. “My uncle said to me, ‘Why are you so busy trying to fit in when you were born to stand out?’ I was 14. He said, ‘You’re a young prince, and someday ye shall grow up to be a king.’
Terrence Howard on what Oprah Winfrey said to him
Many years ago, Oprah said to me, ‘Your crown is waiting right there. Pick it up and put it on.’