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Don't get comfortable calling Taraji P. Henson "Cookie from Empire"—she deserves more respect than that.
She may have surprised some by stealing every scene she was in during Empire's maiden voyage, but she's hardly a rookie. Since moving to Los Angeles nearly 20 years ago, Henson has ascended the ranks, moving from an office job to bit parts, becoming a lively character actress, and finally arriving at the top of the mountain. It took Henson years to shake the "Yvette" brand that her animated performance in Baby Boy earned her, but her turn as ride-or-die chick/brilliant A&R Cookie Lyon on arguably the year's best show has erased that.
If that showing doesn't result in her cleaning up at the Emmys and Golden Globes, someone call the authorities. It will be the year's biggest robbery.
Tonight, Henson will bask in her glory, and TV audiences will bask in her radiance, as she slides beneath her biggest spotlight yet: hosting Saturday Night Live. Prior to that, soak up everything you didn't already know about her.
Follow Julian on Twitter @JRK316.
She Went to North Carolina A&T Before Howard University
Although she graduated from Howard University in 1995, she initially attended North Carolina A&T University to study electrical engineering.
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She Refused Special Treatment After Getting Pregnant During College
After getting pregnant during her junior year of college, she demanded that her professors not treat her differently. She even brought her son, Marcell, to class with her once he was born.
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She Appeared in Dreamgirls During College
She was in a production of Dreamgirls during college—while pregnant.
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Smart Guy Was Her First Major Acting Break
In 1997, she played the character Monique on Smart Guy. A year later, she played Leslie on the show for two episodes. She also guest starred on an episode of Sister, Sister.
She's a Big Animal Rights Advocate
Henson, who's posed nude for PETA in the past, considers her dog, Willie, a family member.
She Kind of Flipped Out After Learning She'd Be Auditioning with Tyrese for Baby Boy
She said she had a "moment" when she found out she'd be auditioning with Tyrese for the role she eventually got in Baby Boy, her first major—and leading—role. Their chemistry was, and remains, electric.
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Her Role in Hustle & Flow Nearly Went to Another Actress
She had to fight for her role in Hustle & Flow, because Terrence Howard originally wanted it to go to Meagan Good.
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She's an Academy Award Nominee, So Recognize
She was nominated for an Academy Award in 2008 for her performance in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
And, Technically, She's Already an Academy Award-Winner
She's also technicallyalready an Oscar-winner. She sang the vocals on the version of "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" seen in Hustle & Flow. The song infamously won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2006.
She's Amazing at Improvising Shade
Some of her best shade on Empire—“Booboo Kitty”; “Shut up, Dora!“—was improvised.
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Funny Enough, She's Used to Being Called “Cookie”
According to her, "Cookie" was her nickname for part of her life.
She's a Mary J. Blige, J. Cole, and Joey Bada$$ Fan
She credits Mary J. Blige's music for keeping her sane, and she's also a fan of J. Cole and Joey Bada$$.
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She Almost Passed on the Role of Cookie Lyon
She nearly turned down her role on Empire because Terrence Howard wasn't cast yet, and that's who she wanted to work with based on their history.
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Empire's Homophobia Isn't What Concerned Her the Most About the Show
She was more worried about Empire's anti-Obama comment.
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