Loretta Devine Reacts to Internet Meme of Her Slapping Taraji P. Henson onEli Stone(Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

(L-R) Loretta Devine at the 7th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors held at the SLS Hotel on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California; Taraji P. Henson attends The Fourth Annual Academy Museum Gala at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Photo:Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty; Amy Sussman/Getty

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty; Amy Sussman/Getty

Loretta Devineis looking back on the making of her viral internet meme.On the red carpet of the American Black Film Festival Honors in Los Angeles on Feb. 17, the 75-year-old actress told PEOPLE about filmingthe momentin which her character, Patti, slapped her daughter Angela (Taraji P. Henson) across the face during a heated confrontation on season 2 ofEli Stone.When asked about the scene, Devine shared, “Yes, they play that on the internet” before detailing the experience on set.“I think that was the first time I worked with Taraji,” she said of the drama series, which ran for two seasons from 2008 to 2009. “So I didn’t know her, but I knew she was this famous, young, excited girl.”She recalled that Henson, 54, was “always just buzzing everywhere” on set while speaking at the awards ceremony, which celebrates Black artists who have made significant contributions to American entertainment through their work as well as those who champion diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. She added, “She had such a buzz about it.”“But now that she’s much more pulled up and a little ‘you better pay me!’” she teased.From left: Jonny Lee Miller and Loretta Devine on ‘Eli Stone’.Michael Ansell/Disney General Entertainment Content via GettyIn 2021, Devine reflected on playing the mother to many famous stars — including Henson.“[In] the beginning of my career, I played everybody’s mom,” she said on theKelly Clarkson Show. “Jenifer Lewisalways says she’s the mother of Hollywood, but all of my children are famous now.”“Viola Davis, Taraji P. Henson,Regina Hall,Regina King,Idris Elba,” she continued. “I mean, I could just go on and on. I played everybody’s mom.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Devine is showing no sign of slowing down, telling PEOPLE, “I’m still working! I have so much stuff in the can that hasn’t come out yet,” including P-Valley.“So much stuff is happening and I just hope it continues,” she added.

Loretta Devineis looking back on the making of her viral internet meme.

On the red carpet of the American Black Film Festival Honors in Los Angeles on Feb. 17, the 75-year-old actress told PEOPLE about filmingthe momentin which her character, Patti, slapped her daughter Angela (Taraji P. Henson) across the face during a heated confrontation on season 2 ofEli Stone.

When asked about the scene, Devine shared, “Yes, they play that on the internet” before detailing the experience on set.

“I think that was the first time I worked with Taraji,” she said of the drama series, which ran for two seasons from 2008 to 2009. “So I didn’t know her, but I knew she was this famous, young, excited girl.”

She recalled that Henson, 54, was “always just buzzing everywhere” on set while speaking at the awards ceremony, which celebrates Black artists who have made significant contributions to American entertainment through their work as well as those who champion diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. She added, “She had such a buzz about it.”

“But now that she’s much more pulled up and a little ‘you better pay me!’” she teased.

From left: Jonny Lee Miller and Loretta Devine on ‘Eli Stone’.Michael Ansell/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Michael Ansell/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

In 2021, Devine reflected on playing the mother to many famous stars — including Henson.

“[In] the beginning of my career, I played everybody’s mom,” she said on theKelly Clarkson Show. “Jenifer Lewisalways says she’s the mother of Hollywood, but all of my children are famous now.”

“Viola Davis, Taraji P. Henson,Regina Hall,Regina King,Idris Elba,” she continued. “I mean, I could just go on and on. I played everybody’s mom.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Devine is showing no sign of slowing down, telling PEOPLE, “I’m still working! I have so much stuff in the can that hasn’t come out yet,” including P-Valley.

“So much stuff is happening and I just hope it continues,” she added.

source: people.com