Taraji P. Henson says she's 'a mess' as Janine's mom on ABC's 'Abbott Elementary'

Mothers showing up at school rarely ignite excitement. But news of Taraji P. Henson guest starring in Wednesday's “Abbott Elementary” episode titled "Mom" created a lot of fan buzz.

“I am just happy for my fans to see me on TV again,” says Henson. “I know they missed me. They’re like ‘Girl, are you taking a break? What’s your next project?’“

Henson, 52, is known for her Golden Globe-winning role as the mink-wearing music exec Cookie Lyon on Fox’s hit soap “Empire” (2015-20), who was a mother to three sons hungry for success in the music business. On Wednesday, Henson will guest star on ABC's "Abbott" (9 EDT/PDT) as Vanetta, the mom of Quinta Brunson's Janine Teagues, an eager second grade teacher at an underfunded Philadelphia elementary school.

“She’s saucy, but she’s a little different" than Cookie, Henson says of her latest  character. “Cookie had her stuff together .. this girl, she’s just a mess. She likes the clubs, she’s just a little selfish."

Henson’s guest appearance is teased in a preview with her heels clicking down the linoleum hallway as she brightly enters Janine's classroom unannounced with a green fur coat, a large Gucci bag and Versace leggings. In the episode, Vanetta shows up and ruins Janine's Memorial Day plans when she asks her daughter for help.

"Janine was probably more of the mother than Vanetta,” Henson adds.

Taraji P. Henson expressed interest in 'Abbott' while on 'That's My Jam'

The idea for Henson's appearance was conceived while she and Brunson were on NBC’s “That’s My Jam” with Jimmy Fallon, in an episode that aired March 28. Henson says she told Brunson she was interested in being on the show, which she calls "smart, witty and funny as hell," and hasn’t missed a single episode.

“I just kept telling her how proud I was of her,” Henson says. “And I was like ‘Look, if you ever need (someone), I’ll come’.”

Henson has classroom experience

Henson says "Abbott Elementary" is special to her because she has "an affinity for teachers" from her own experience in the classroom. The actress spent time as a substitute teacher for special needs children in Los Angeles' Crenshaw neighborhood before her Hollywood career took off.

"They would always put my life in perspective, like, 'What are you whining about?'" Henson recalls asking herself. "'You have all your faculties, you can walk, you can feed yourself; be happy, right?' These babies would come in and they would be smiling. It was so pure, so full of joy."

Henson says she "never forgot" those moments and has kept a folder of pictures and letters the students wrote her.

More on Taraji P. Henson and 'Abbott Elementary' 

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Taraji P. Henson says her 'Abbott Elementary' role is 'just a mess'