Terrence Howard asked not to perform song at Oscars

Terrence Howard was recognized for his performance in Hustle & Flow with an Oscar nomination. In the film, the actor plays a pimp with aspirations of rap stardom. One of the songs he pens is called “It’s Hard Out Here For a Pimp�? and the track has been nominated for an Oscar as well. Howard had planned on performing the song with Three 6 Mafia at Sunday’s awards, but he’s since learned that it’s hard out here for an actor who played a pimp.

Howard was reportedly approached about the performance by a number of respected black actors, including Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington and Will Smith. They asked Terrence to back out of the number as they believe the song does not send a positive message. Howard’s friend Eva Longoria told the Mirror, “Sidney Poitier said, ‘Do not get up there and represent the African American community singing about a pimp.’�?

The actors must not have approached Taraji P. Henson, though. She sang the chorus in the movie and will be performing with Three 6 Mafia as planned. Though the group had to alter many of the curse words used in the song, Henson will be allowed to sing the word “bitches�? in the chorus.