'I don't want to be known for who I've slept with': Taraji P. Henson on why she won't date her co-stars as she sizzles in sexy cover shoot
After a breakout role in 2001's Baby Boy, Taraji P. Henson became a household name this year when she blew up the small screen as Cookie Lyon in Empire.
And the 44-year-old was determined to make it in the industry through talent and talent alone.
Explaining to Allure magazine why she won't date her co-stars, Taraji said: 'I always wanted to be known for my work. Not who I dated. Not who I slept with.
Telling it like it is: Taraji P. Henson cuts a stunning figure in Allure magazine as she speaks about why she won't date her co-stars
'I have a gift, and my gift is acting. I started in the business at 26 with a kid, so I was smart enough to know reality from fantasy. I didn't want to blur the lines. This is a job that I have to do. I cannot get caught up in it.'
The ever blunt actress added: 'And if I sleep with these guys, why would they want to work with me again? The conquest is up. Now I'm just used-up p***y.'
Taraji was widely rumoured to have dated her Baby Boy co-star Tyrese Gibson, but she is determined to 'stay professional' and keep her priorities in order.
She added: 'It is a business. I'm not letting no knucklehead dude come between my hard work and my money.'
Smoking hot: The Empire star poses in a series of plunging gowns
Cover girl: Taraji smoulders for Allure's July issue, turning heads in a revealing red number
Taraji also came to the defense of her leading man in Empire and good friend Terrence Howard, when asked about his legal battles.
'Let's pop the trunk to your life and see what's dysfunctional and what's bad... At the end of the day, we're all human and we got flaws and we got s***,' she said of the 46-year-old, who has been accused of violence by several women.
The pair previously starred together in Hustle & Flow, and Taraji said: 'I just know him. We trust each other.'
Along with her candid interview, Taraji posed for a sexy photo shoot for Allure and landed the cover of the magazine's July issue.
TV's finest: The 44-year-old became a household name playing Cookie Lyon on Empire
On the cover, the Empire star smoulders in a plunging red dress which leaves plenty of her ample cleavage on show.
Taraji can also be seen lounging on a banquette in a club with half-empty champagne flute in hand, dressed in a dazzling sequined gown.
And while she may be stealing scenes on her runaway hit series, but it hasn't been an easy journey to stardom for Taraji.
The actress struggled as a single mother to son Marcel, now 20, after his father - and her high school sweetheart - was murdered when their child was nine years old.
Nothing to see here: Taraji was widely rumoured to be dating Tyrese Gibson, hoer Baby Boy co-star (who she is pictured with in 2009), but she says she kept things strictly professional
But after appearing in Baby Boy, Taraji was determined not to get typecast in the role of a struggling mom, instead seeking out parts that she did want.
'I've had so many false starts,' she said, but added: 'If it's easy, what story are you going to tell? Nobody wants to hear about how easy it was. That doesn't inspire anyone.'
Taraji, who is a hot favourite to receive an Emmy nod when the nominations are announced next month, can soon be seen in crime film Term Life alongside Haile Steinfeld and Vince Vaughn.
The second season of Empire will kick off on Fox on September 23.
Coming to his defense: The actress stood up for her leading man Terrence Howard when asked about his legal battles. They are seen together on Saturday at the Monte Carlo Television Festival
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