'I studied, sweated and grinded': Empire's Taraji P. Henson talks her rise to fame while posing for sizzling new shoot
Taraji P. Henson is now a household name thanks to her her showstopping performance as Cookie Lyon on Fox's hit Empire.
But the 45-year-old does not want to be thought of an overnight success.
The performer - who graduated with a degree in theater arts from Howard University- discussed her dedication to the art in the November issue of Essence Magazine.
'People forget it's a craft because it's so pop now...,' she said, referring to the fast fame that comes easily to reality TV stars.
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Putting in the leg work! Cover girl Taraji P. Henson looked gorgeous as she showed off her enviable figure and toned pins while striking a seductive pose in the November issue of Essence Magazine
'These kids are thinking they can do reality TV and come and do this craft that I studied, sweated and grinded,' Taraji continued.
She added: 'Can they make me believe the words coming out of their mouth?'
The latter is certainly true for Taraji, who plays the Cookie with ferocity, determination, and emotion that has fans of the hit series - which brought in 22.5 million viewers for its season 2 finale according to Variety - rallying for her.
The star is even a bit overwhelmed by the love, as she admitted on Tuesday night's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live that many have taken to sending her cookies as a sign of appreciation for her no-holds-barred character.
‘To all of my fellow Americans – we need music please – please don’t send me any more cookies. Because I can’t eat them, or I won’t be able to fit in Cookie’s clothing. No more cookies, I’ve had all the cookies,' Taraji joked on the show.
She's earned it! The star mused on overnight fame, sharing: 'These kids are thinking they can do reality TV and come and do this craft that I studied, sweated and grinded. Can they make me believe the words coming out of their mouth?'
She was also a bit shocked over one fan in particular - FLOTUS Michelle Obama - who said to Empire co-creator Lee Daniels at a state dinner: ‘Where is Taraji P. Henson? I want to see her. You have no idea how much I love Cookie.’
Taraji discussed her reaction to the news - which Lee shared via phone - on Kimmel, gushing: ‘I dropped the phone. I was like, 'What?!''
Everything seems to be falling into place for the star, who told Essence: 'I'm just gonna keep amassing an audience. Everything was strategically planned. This is what all my efforts are for.'
'Work that people study' Though she's just recently become a household name as Cookie on Empire, Taraji has a collection of critically-acclaimed work, which her fans can now go back and review - the star quipped: 'Thank God for Netflix'
Taraji first appeared on TV screens in a guest role on Tia and Tamara Mowry's series Sister, Sister in 1997.
Her breakthrough performance later came in 2001's Baby Boy, with the actress subsequently gaining acclaim for 2005's Hustle & Flow (with Empire co-star Terrence Howard), and 2008's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which earned her an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress.
Of her career, the Emmy-nominated actress gushed: 'I've always said I want to do the type of work that people study,' adding that with the popularity of streaming services, her new fans can now look back on her other critically-acclaimed projects.
'Even though people are just now finding me as Cookie, thank God for Netflix because people are so moved by my performance they're like, ‘Where has she been?''
Flattered: Taraji couldn't contain her excitement as she discussed one of Cookie's (newly revealed) biggest fans - FLOTUS Michelle Obama - on Tuesday evening's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live
The star - who graced the cover in a striking, black Fausto Puglisi dress with thigh-high slits that highlighted her toned pins - was paid a compliment by Empire co-creator Lee as he revealed he didn't need to even see any other auditions after the award-winning actress entered the room.
'Taraji came in with that cheap fur coat on, some heels and a $2 dress she must have picked up off the rack in Harlem somewhere,' the director recounted, in an excerpt shared by E!.
'I couldn't believe it. She's over-the-top. She's able to go into the places of discomfort that most actresses wouldn't go. Cookie was finding her class and Taraji had no problem doing it.'
'You can't keep Cookie down' Taraji gave co-star Terrence Howard (Lucious Lyon, off-screen) a deathly glare in a tense showdown on last week's episode of Empire, for which new episodes air Wednesdays at 9pm on Fox
The mother-of-one took to Instagram on Tuesday to share her excitement over the Essence Magazine cover.
Alongside a snap of her stunning cover, she wrote: 'WOWZERS!!!!! Thank you @essencemag WE DID THAT @ashuntasheriff @cesar4styles @jasonrembert I MEAN the spread is soooooooo #BossB****h #Bossy I'm just saying!!!! #FlexZone #COPDAT.'
The Essence Magazine #LifeGoals Guide issue hits newsstands October 16, and new episodes of Empire air Wednesdays at 9pm on Fox.
Read more:
- Taraji P. Henson Owns the November Cover of ESSENCE Magazine | Essence.com
- ‘Empire’ Premiere Ratings Grow to 22.5 Million With Streaming | Variety
- Jimmy Kimmel Live : Taraji P. Henson, Matthew Fox, Byron Bowers Watch Full Episode | 10/13/2015 - ABC.com
- Taraji P. Henson Reflects on Decade-Long Career in ESSENCE Magazine: People Forget It's a Craft | E! Online UK
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3272716/Taraji-P-Henson-sizzles-cover-Essence-Magazine-talks-skepticism-reality-TV-versus-success-s-studied-sweated-grinded.html#ixzz3ocwVsBm1
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