Fact Check: Is Taraji P. Henson dead? Russell Simmons' latest Instagram update confuses netizens

Taraji P. Henson recently visited Russell Simmons in Bali, and the latter posted a picture of the two which left many netizens confused. With the picture of the duo sitting side by side on a couch, what confused the social media users was the caption as it included lines like “until we meet again.”

Russell Simmons wrote:

"People when u have friends like this, you are truly blessed!!!! Everyone comes to Gdas for healing, some people exude healing energy You @tarajiphenson are one of those You make everyone happy just with your presence love you baby girl.. Glad you are back home safe now. But already you are missed. Until we meet again darling only love. PS you mean so much to so many people keep inspiring us all !!!”

As the caption confused many, social media users commented by asking if Taraji P. Henson had passed away.

Social media users speculate that Taraji is dead as Russell's caption leaves the masses perplexed. (Image via Russell Simmons/Instagram)

Social media users speculate that Taraji is dead as Russell's caption leaves the masses perplexed. (Image via Russell Simmons/Instagram)

Social media users speculate that Taraji is dead as Russell's caption leaves the masses perplexed. (Image via Russell Simmons/Instagram)

Social media users speculate that Taraji is dead as Russell's caption leaves the masses perplexed. (Image via Russell Simmons/Instagram)

As the caption continued to confuse the masses, the news about Taraji’s passing away spread like wildfire on the internet. However, it was later confirmed by many internet users that Taraji P. Henson had not passed away, and the caption of Russell Simmons’ post was being wrongly interpreted by the masses.

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Russell Simmons moved to Bali after he was accused of s*xual assault by multiple women: Details explored as Taraji P. Henson visits the Def Jam Recordings founder

While many people felt that Russell Simmons’ post was a tribute to Taraji P. Henson, the truth is that Henson had just gone to visit the Def Jam Recordings founder in Bali. Simmons shifted to Bali in 2018, just after many women accused him of s*xual assault.

Due to the timing of his shift, many internet users started believing that Russell had shifted from the country to dodge the authorities. However, the Recording Label owner clarified the same as he spoke to AllHipHop in May 2024.

“People saying that I somehow can’t come home when I’m there all the time wears on you, It wears on me after a while to keep hearing the same narrative, which is false. I’m always in L.A., I’m always in New York and Miami. And I’ve never had any reason to feel unsafe in America," he said.

Simmons continued:

“I am not physically present in New York and I do not have an intention to live in New York in the future. I own no property in the United States. I have been living in Bali since 2018, which is where I intend to remain. For at least nine years before I moved to Bali, I lived in California."

Recently, music mogul Usher had also visited the Record Label founder, while he was on a honeymoon with his wife, Jennifer in March.

On the other hand, neither Russell Simmons nor Taraji P. Henson have yet commented on the fake news being spread that the actress has passed away. However, netizens continue to clarify how it is fake, and untrue, as she is alive and well.