Academy Award-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson is opening up about playing the bad girl, alongside singing stars Gladys Knight and Mary J. Blige, in Tyler Perry’s latest directorial effort, I Can Do Bad All By Myself.

Oscar-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson is going topless on the pages of the September issue of Men’s Fitness.

The 38-year-old Benjamin Button star says balancing single motherhood with a thriving screen career can be intimidating to many men.

“Most men are fragile,” she says. “I’m a successful woman, in the public eye, and raising a kid by myself. It can leave guys feeling like, ‘Damn, how can I have a chance?’” Answer: “Just be a man!”

Have a Gentleman’s Touch: “A woman is gentle, soft, delicate, and a man’s position is to protect her-help her up stairs, make sure she’s in the car safely first. Take good care of your woman, and the sky’s the limit!”

Avoid Mama Drama: “Date a woman with children only if you are ready to man up, because it’s a position that comes with responsibility. If you don’t want anything too serious, then stay with women with no kids.”

Keep in Touch-Even When You’re Out With the Boys: “The worst excuse you could ever use is, ‘My phone broke.’ Did the 10 other people you were with not have phones? Just make it happen. Even the Bat Cave has a phone!”

Be Her Safety Net: “When I meet a person and that chemistry is there, I cannot hide the electricity. I need to learn more about him, and once I feel safe, I’m gone, I’m in love, and I give it my all!”

Never Give Up on Love: “Don’t be bitter if a relationship doesn’t work out; it wasn’t meant to be. You can’t be cut off to love because you’re learning and getting closer to the one.”

Oscar-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson has joined the cast of the upcoming remake of the popular 1984 film The Karate Kid.

The star — who played Queenie in the hit 2008 film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button star, has been cast as the mom to Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith’s son Jaden in The Kung Fu Kid, which will also star Jackie Chan, MTV News has learned.

The movie, produced by The Smiths, is set to open theaters in 2010.

Academy Award-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson has come a long way from her days as “Yvette” in the 2001 drama Baby Boy.