10 Things You May Not Know About Taraji P. Henson

Her ‘Empire’ Name Is Inspired by Her College Days Back in September, Henson told US Weekly that her nickname in college was Cookie. It was a name that only her friends back in the day used when referencing Henson, but now many of her fans have come to know her as Cookie. Cookie is the name of the fierce character she plays on Fox’s smash hit Empire. She Used to Be a Class Clown This may not come as a surprise to many of her fans. She clearly has a big personality, and with funnyman Steve Harvey as a personal friend now, it seems only right that Henson has quite a few knee-slapping jokes of her own. She Has a Famous, Historic Family Member Henson herself confirmed that Matthew Henson is indeed a distant member on her family tree. If the name sounds familiar, Matthew Henson is the African-American man who teamed up with Robert E. Peary in 1909 to discover the North Pole. She’s Also a Great Cook Fans know that she is talented on the big screen, but Henson is a self-proclaimed star in the kitchen as well. Henson said she’s an amazing cook and considers Thanksgiving Day cuisine to be her specialty. Her Alter Ego Isn’t What You’d Expect If Taraji P. Henson had an alter ego, what would she look like? Based on her powerful presence and rumored comedic talents, one might think Henson’s alter ego resembles Beyonce’s Sasha Fierce. In fact, however, Henson’s alter ego is nothing like the R&B sensation. “My inner self is a rock star with pink hair,” she told US Weekly. When She’s Not Cooking, She’s Getting Sushi With Mary J. Blige Henson might be a great cook, but she obviously doesn’t have the time to be in the kitchen every day. In these cases, she might go out for some sushi with her celebrity pal Mary J. Blige. Henson described the R&B crooner as her “go-to sushi pal.” Her Career Wasn’t Always Glamorous She is a big-screen star now, but Henson once revealed that in order to pay her way through college she performed as a singing waitress on a boat in Washington, D.C. She Used to Have a ‘Signature Look’ Many Cookie lovers will be glad to know that Henson ditched what she once considered to be her signature look. Henson admitted that when she first started out in Hollywood, she would also wear a flower in her hair as a “signature” look. Needless to say, it doesn’t seem like Empire’s leading lady would be the type to rock floral hair accessories. Her Relationship with Phylicia Rashad and Debbie Allen Goes Beyond Hollywood It turns out that Rashad and Allen played major roles in Henson’s life before she had her major break and found herself at home in Hollywood. According to Henson, she once received a scholarship to Howard University from the two actresses. Her 90-Year-Old Grandma Has a Better Dating Life Than She Does With a bombshell figure and magnetic personality, it could be surprising to hear that Henson’s love life isn’t as interesting as Cookie’s. Instead, it seems like her grandmother is getting all the attention. Henson once revealed that her 90-year-old grandmother has an active dating life while her own seems to be at a standstill.

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