Taraji P. Henson Thanks Vocal Coach As “Man Behind #ShugAveryVoice”

Taraji P. Henson gives props to the vocal coach who aided her on the journey to becoming Shug Avery in the new The Color Purple musical film. On social media, the actress shared a behind-the-scenes clip featuring Stevie Mackey, the coach who guided her performance.

“Ladies and gentlemen the man behind #ShugAveryvoice,” wrote the 53-year-old on Instagram. The video is reposted from Mackey’s account who initially shared the footage. “I love you so much. You helped me to unlock some thangs vocally. We worked so hard. You helped give me the confidence I needed to breathe life into #shugavery I LOVE YOU FOREVER AND I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL.”

In his own upload, Mackey explained, “This is the work no one sees, all the hours of rehearsal that went into perfecting Shug.”

The Color Purple was released on Christmas Day and dominated at the box office with its $18 million profit domestically, making it the highest-grossing Christmas Day opening since 2009 and the second-biggest debut ever.

Starring Henson, as well as Fantasia Barrino-Taylor, Colman Domingo, and Danielle Brooks, the film is director Blitz Bazawule’s interpretation of Alice Walker’s classic literary work of the same name.

Bazawule detailed to VIBE how he hopes “this work reaches as many people as possible, people who are ready to open their hearts and go through their own healing journeys.” Watch a trailer for The Color Purple below.