Taraji P. Henson Explains Crushing Drake's Heart, "I Couldn't [Date Him] Because..."

After rumors bubbled up across the Internet last year about Young Money's Drake and Hollywood actress Taraji P. Henson getting romantically hugged up, the movie star has now cleared the air on past fling gossip.

Admitting she knew Drizzy had a thing for her, the 41 year-old actress said age ultimately kept them apart.

"Drake was a friend. It was cute because I knew he liked me and I kept looking at him like 'If you were ten years older, boy whooo' but no," she told television host Wendy Williams when asked about the 25 year-old. "I couldn't because he is seven years older than my son." ("The Wendy Williams Show")

Last year, Drizzy downplayed rumors of being romantically involved with Henson.

"Nah, that was just my cousin, she just looks like her," Drake said in an interview when asked about hitting the town with actress Taraji P. Henson. "How did this conversation switch? [laughs] It was all so professional, let's keep it a hundred. I love older women, though. I love experience and maturity and the conversation. I like to learn from an individual, like, when we converse, I like to really be able to soak it all in, the knowledge, the wisdom, all that. You know what I mean?" (Power 106 KMEL)

Rumors of Henson and Drake becoming an item hit the Internet in July 2010.

Taraji P. Henson and Drake were seen spending the 4th of July together yesterday in Drake's hometown of Toronto, Canada. According to Bossip, the two were seen shopping together for several hours. Drake just recently canceled a few of his European tour dates, but he said it was to spend time with his sick mother. But we see he was also making time to spend time with the Oscar-nominated actress he was making eyes at after the BETAwards last week.We ain't mad at ya though, Drake! (Gossip On This)

In summer 2010, the Canadian-bred emcee confirmed reports of having a short-lived romance with R&B singer Rihanna.

And on "Fireworks" there's a verse about Rihanna, who asked him last year to write a song for her new album; the two soon began seeing each other regularly, though they never publicly confirmed their brief relationship. "I was a pawn," Drake said. The song he wrote for her never got released. "You know what she was doing to me? She was doing exactly what I've done to so many women throughout my life, which is show them quality time, then disappear," he said. "I was like, wow, this feels terrible." (New York Times)