Written and directed by Craig Brewer and produced by John Singleton, Hustle & Flow won the Audience Award at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. It opens in the D.C. area on Friday, July 22.

D.C. native Taraji P. Henson (Singleton's Baby Boy and upcoming Four Brothers) makes her singing debut on screen. She plays a pregnant hooker who sings a hook on the do-it-yourself hip-hop track recorded by her pimp (Terrence Howard from Crash and Ray).

GROWING UP IN D.C.

Henson recalls, “It took me back to my college days. I studied musical theater at Howard.” Her favorite production was Dreamgirls, which was flown out to Hong Kong.

“I was born and raised in Washington, D.C. I come every Christmas and summer. I hadn't been home for Father's Day in quite a long time, so this year is special.”

“I started off at Ballou [High School]. Auditioned for Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Got rejected. Thought I wasn't going to ever act.”

“Ballou wasn't challenging enough for me. I'm creative. I was in the math and science program, go figure. My grades sucked.” Henson transferred and graduated from Oxon Hill High School.

THE ACTING BUG BITES AGAIN

Henson attended North Carolina A&T to study electrical engineering and failed pre-calc. Walking by the theater arts building every day, she thought, “I belong in here with you guys!” She auditioned for Howard and was accepted.

After graduation, she stayed in D.C. “I was working on The Odyssey, the dinner cruise on the Waterfront. My father, finally one day, I guess he saw me bored out of my mind: 'How do you expect to catch fish on dry land? You have a degree in acting. Why are you here?'”

“My family threw a party: raised $700. I moved to L.A. with my son and $700. The rest is history.”

Henson gives credit to her son. “That's what gave me the balls to move out to L.A. If I settle, then I'm going to set my son up for a life of just settling and being average and mediocre.”

D.C. VERSUS L.A.

Henson comments on D.C.'s change since her departure in February 1996. “It's totally had a face lift. It's just different in that sense. The people seem to be pretty much the same and pretty down to earth, which is totally different from the people in L.A. I'm just thankful to God that I was born and raised on the East Coast.”

“In L.A., it's so industry-driven. They all have agendas. It's like living in Babylon. Nothing is what it seems. Everything is smoke and mirrors. You always got to watch your back. You never know what people are up to. You don't know why they're befriending you.”

“Needless to say, I don't have a lot of friends in L.A. I can count them on one hand. All my real friends are still here.”