Henson on ‘Empire’ and its successful season
NEW YORK – Taraji P. Henson is on a mission: To take her brand global following the success of Fox’s hit show “Empire” – and her breakout character Cookie Lyon.
“I am tired of Hollywood telling me what black people can’t do overseas and what can’t sell overseas, and black women can’t do this overseas,” Henson said. “Well, I am over there and they know who I am; and they knew me before Cookie.”
“Empire” debuted in January with 9.9 million viewers and ended its first season run with 17.6 million viewers for the finale, the most watched show that week, according to the Nielsen ratings.
With Emmy nominations set for July 16, the 44-year-old actress, who served as the ambassador for the American Black Film Festival that just completed its four-day run in New York, said she isn’t focused on awards.
“That’s not my driving force. I respect the awards and I am always honored when I am recognized, but that’s not really why I got into the business,” Henson said. “Art is very powerful. It can touch and change lives, and that’s what I am about with my talent.”
Henson recently talked with the Associated Press about “Empire” and the Texas law enforcement officer who threw an unarmed teenage girl to the ground.