The “P” must stand for perfection as Empire queen Taraji P. Henson reigns supreme in magazines this month. She glosses People Magazine with a sparkly, plunged-neck gown and a glimpse of her long acting career for Harper’s Bazaar, Henson’s lets Cookie Lyon out for leopard-printed glam. Based on both interviews, the actress knows that success is all about keeping it 100.
READ: Woman Claims She Is “The Real Cookie Lyon,” Sues ‘Empire’ Co-Creators And Fox
Henson tells People she wants to be an inspiration for people who look like her, which is something she didn’t have growing up. According to her, playing Cookie is not about attitude, despite what the “Empire” memes say. “[Cookie] is a real person, not just a caricature who could be sassy and roll her neck,” she said.
Cookie switched it up a bit for her Harper’s Bazaar spread, in which she donned both Roberto Cavalli and Dolce and Gabbana. In the story, she shares that her father inspired Cookie’s blunt nature. “It’s heroic because in this society we have been trained to be politically correct,” she told the mag. “Political correctness is bullsh**. If I ask you a question right now, the first thing that comes in your mind is the truth. But we’ve all been trained to breathe, digest the question, and manipulate the answer. Cookie doesn’t do that.”
READ: Fortune Cookie: Taraji P. Henson On Building Your Own Empire
Henson takes after her father in keeping it real while exploring fashion, embracing single life, and coping with being a cult phenom. Be sure to check out Ms. Henson in both pieces.