Actress Taraji P. Henson, 52, Surprises Longtime Housekeeper With a Backyard Makeover

Taraji P. Henson's housekeeper of three years has become like a second mother to her. Now, the Empire star is showing just how much she appreciates her with a backyard makeover à la Drew and Jonathan Scott.

On a new episode of HGTV's Celebrity IOU, Henson worked with the Property Brothers stars to design a garden sanctuary for her housekeeper Jahal, and Jahal's daughter Winter, at their Santa Clarita, California, home. Henson admires Jahal—who moved to this country from El Salvador more than 30 years ago—as a fellow single mother, and appreciates the support she gave her during the pandemic. "I just feel like she mothers me," Henson said during the episode.

"Her backyard represents a place where she gets to decompress because she takes care of people's homes for a living," Henson added, noting that Jahal likes gardening. "I think the outdoor area is more important to her because she gets to get out of the house."

Over the course of four weeks, Henson and the Scott brothers transformed the backyard into an extension of Jahal's indoor living space. Various zones were created for relaxing and entertaining, including an outdoor dining area, a living room with a fireplace and pergola, and a zen garden with a water feature. A potting station allows Jahal to tend to flowers without having to bend over. Certain features, such as concrete pavers and decomposed granite, were selected for their low-maintenance ease. The fence was finished and lined with plants to beautify the backdrop.

Henson made it clear that Jahal gravitates toward a modern style, so the once-blue house was painted white. To make the surprise even more meaningful, Henson added a bench with a name plaque dedicated to remembering the family's lost loved ones. "My father would always say, 'If you are a blessing, it is your job to be a blessing,'" Henson said of her decision to take on this project of bringing joy to someone who has helped care for her. "So that’s how I live my life."

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