The 'Hustle and Flow' of Terrence Howard

Feb. 17, 2006 — -- It was the one role that 36-year-old Terrence Howard tried desperately to turn down. DJay, a Memphis pimp at the center of the movie "Hustle and Flow," represented the kind of African-American stereotype that Howard hates.

As Howard told "Nightline," he initially refused the director's offer to play the lead character.

"I didn't really want to do him, I really didn't," Howard said. "I told the director for seven months that I didn't even want to read it because I thought it was a stereotype and a black exploitative movie."

Director Craig Brewer eventually persuaded him to redeem the black pimp, to dismantle the stereotype and give DJay some depth, understanding, even sympathy.

Howard's performance as a man who tries to leave the sleaze of the street behind and find purpose as a vulnerable rapper is overwhelming. The role he didn't want has now won him an Oscar nomination for best actor.

"It's great, because the only affirmation I had was from the mirror, was from my own spirit," he said. "I think that's what's most important, especially for your artistry to remain true. You have to be the greatest fan of your own work and hope that someone else can gain a message out of it."

Howard says the key to his performance was telling the truth and not selling a stereotype. To do that, he researched the role of pimp and prostitute.

"I had heard of the stereotypes but we had three years to make this movie -- it took three years to get the financing for it. So I thought all I needed to do was to watch American pimps and, you know, I'd understand," said Howard.

Howard said he started talking to pimps and prostitutes, asking them where they came from and what their life story was.

"You get to the point when you ask, 'Why did you become a pimp?' And they explain that to you, and all you see is the human story. You see beyond the stereotype," he said.

One of the pimps said to Howard, "How would you feel if, in order to eat or pay your bills, you had to send your sister out to go and perform an act that would break your heart? But this is what I have to do every day."