Taraji P. Henson's Intense Fight Night Moment

Don’t bring up Taraji P. Henson’s striptease scene from the gripping hostage episode of Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist. She probably doesn’t recall much because she blacked out while filming. “Dancing in front of my peers was tough,” she shared with Entertainment Weekly. “I had to mentally disconnect.”

Despite the difficulty, Henson found the experience of shooting the scene enjoyable, as her character had to perform under duress. She humorously reflected, “I kept thinking, ‘We’re never going home,’ but it was exhilarating and full of action, especially with such a dynamic cast.”

In Fight Night, Henson portrays Vivian Thomas, a former stripper and the loyal partner of Kevin Hart’s character, Gordon “Chicken Man” Williams. The series draws inspiration from the iHeart true crime podcast, telling the story of an extraordinary armed robbery that unfolded during a party on the night of Muhammad Ali’s significant comeback fight in Atlanta. The robbers were unaware that they targeted members of the Black mafia, including Samuel L. Jackson’s character, Frank Moten.

To impress Frank, Chicken Man organizes the after-party, leading to suspicion about his role in the heist. As tensions rise, he must collaborate with J.D. Hudson (played by Don Cheadle) to track down the real criminals and clear his name.

Henson expressed her astonishment upon reading the script, saying, “It blew my mind. I had no clue about this heist.” The narrative is not only thrilling but also holds historical significance, as Ali's fight represented a cultural milestone for Atlanta, contributing to its reputation as the "Black Mecca." Henson hopes viewers will recognize the community’s strength and rich heritage.

The premiere episode suggests that Chicken Man’s future is uncertain, prompting questions about Vivian’s fate. “You should be concerned about everyone,” Henson cautions, but reassures audiences that Vivian is a resilient character who always prioritizes her own safety and reacts swiftly in tense situations.

“This night transforms every character’s life,” Henson explains. “No one will return to their previous normal. Each character faces a journey to regain their peace.” New episodes of Fight Night drop every Thursday on Peacock.