It's been almost ten months since ex-fiancé Nicole Murphy publicly dumped longtime boyfriend, Michael Strahan, on the eve of his NFL Hall of Fame induction, but now the Good Morning America co-host finally seems to be moving on romantically. According to the latest gossip news updates, the Live with Kelly star is doing his best to date Empire's Taraji P. Henson ever since she filled in for Rippa several weeks ago on ther TV show. Word has it that the Hollywood up-and-comer practically had to beat the retired footballer off with a stick although you wouldn't know it from his latest beach excursion with some hot new mystery blonde.
It seems that Taraji P. Henson isn't just a fan favorite on Fox' new hip-hop hit Empire, she's also Michael Strahan's favorite substitute co-host on his show with Kelly Pippa as well.
One behind-the-scenes production eye-witness recalled in the latest Star Magazine just how doggedly persistent Strahan was at setting up a future date with the actress when she was on the Live with Kelly and Michael set (via CelebDirtyLaundry)
"Michael flirted openly with Taraji on camera, but he wasn't kidding - off camera he kept asking her 'when can I take you out?'
"She just laughed and said, 'Stop playin'!' but Michael told her he was very serious."
According to the informant, Michael's stalker like behavior finally paid off and now he and Taraji are fast on their way to becoming a couple:
"They seemed to really hit it off and Michael is really intrigued by her.
"She's definitely smitten, bust she likes to take things slow!"
A little too slow for Michael it seems, who was caught by TMZ getting touchy feely with a new mystery blonde last week:
"Michael Strahan's got a new chick.
"He's out at St. Barts...with a mystery blond girl.
"They are all over each other...hanging on and holding."
While Taraji may not have hit "Michael Strahan girlfriend" fame levels just yet, she has landed a job hosting the iconic NBC sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live.
During a recent interview with E! News Henson admitted that she would normally be blown away by such a great opportunity but was actually trying to convince herself that it was no big deal until the whole thing is safely behind her next Sunday morning:
"I have to treat it like another job or I will get up there and choke.
"I know it's incredible. I'm so honored and amazed to even be on it.
"I know legends do Saturday Night Live.
"I get all of it, but in my mind, to keep my cool, I have to look at it like's it's just another job."
One thing if certain...Michael Strahan could definitely to a lot worse than Taraji.
