Darrin Dewitt Henson Releases “Intimate Thoughts”

Many of you may remember Darrin Dewitt Henson from his roles in Showtime’s Soul Food the Series or Stomp The Yard, but this choreographer, turned actor is forging a new title, Author.

The book Intimate Thoughts is a collection of just that Intimate Thoughts.  According to Darrin this semi-biographical collection,  ”describes my life from a poetic perspective.”  It’s a collection of poems outlining different points in his life. The purpose is to inspire change in the emotional patterns of people without a voice.  It deals with family, political, social and world issues through poems.  It’s inspired by people like Hill Harper and Muhammad Ali and others whom he has met along his career journey.

Darrin’s career began as a dancer.  As a native New Yorker it was instilled in him to follow his dream of dancing.  He landed gigs with the likes of Usher and ultimately the King of Pop.  It was with Michael who was his driving force as a dancer.  He went on to choreograph for Christina Aguilera (Genie in a Bottle), Brittney Spears (Crazy), N’Sync (Bye Bye Bye), Jennifer Lopez (Love Don’t Cost A Thing) and The Spice Girls (in concert).  He was known as the go-to guy for that pop/hip hop choreography.  Although Micheal Jackson was his overall favorite, Prince is the artists he loved to watch perform, and N’Sync would be his favorites to choreograph.  He states, “I had a great time with them.” “To have five differant people you can place and design for.” “It was great!”   In 2000, he received the MTV award for best choreography for the N’Sync video “Bye Bye Bye.”  He choreographed the opening number of the People’s Choice Awards this year, as well as the World Music Awards for Jennifer which he is now nominated for the World Dance Award.  His Dance video Darrin’s Dance Grooves sold more than 3 million copies, proving to be a success for Henson.

"For those unafraid to travel beyond normal "roles", this anthology of poems, pictures, and powerful utterances is for you. Darrin's poetry will move the soul and call the visionary into action." ~darrinhenson.com

After working with Michael Jackson and having worked with all of the artists he wanted to work with, he decided to transition to acting. Although he started young in commercials, At age 21 he worked on Broadway with director “Ron Link” on “Stand Up Tragedy.” He credit Broadway for getting his acting chops.  He was then cast on the Showtime series “Soul Food.”  It was there that he says, was college.”  In 2004 and 2005, Darrin was nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Dramatic Series. Inspired by actor Danny Kay and the cast of West Side Story as well as Richard Pryor and Flip Wilson as a kid he knew watching them on television what he wanted to do.  He’s had roles in films like “Stomp the Yard,” and “Tekken,” and tv appearances on VH!’s “Single Ladies” and tv movie “The Ideal Husband.”

He recently participated in a professional boxing match for charity facing off against R.L. Huggar from the R&B group Next.  Darrin, trained by Michael Jai White for two strong months for the fight.  He said training with White “was amazing.” “We still get it in.” ” I still train whenever I can because I enjoy fighting.”  I was at that fight and I can say R.L. Huggar never stood a chance. Although he was noticeably bigger than Henson, he was clearly outmatched in fighting ability.  The fight ended in the third round with Huggar quitting due to a busted lip.

Pictured here with the cast of "Ex Free."

Besides the book, Darrin’s upcoming projects include, “The Last Fall,” directed my Matthew Cherry, and the comedy “Ex-Free,” Which is the story of three women kidnap their exes and hold them hostage until they get the answers they think they need in order for their hearts to be free. The movie is based on a book, written by Troy Beyer Bailey (B.A.P.S.). It premiers as the opening film of this years Black Film Festival later this month.  He is also working on “Marriage Chronicles,”  ”Four of Hearts,” in which he Produced.

Make sure you pick up a copy of Darrin’s new book, “Intimate Thoughts,” available now. You can also pick up his fitness video “Get Fit and Stay Fit,” in time for the holidays. Both are available at www.darrinhenson.com.

Darrin Dewitt Henson has certainly accomplished quite a bit and we look forward to seeing more from him.