Taraji P. Henson slays the cover of UPTOWN Magazine’s February/March 2015 issue!

The magazine’s cover and feature images were shot by Gomillion & Leupold on location at Henson’s Hollywood home.

In the issue, Henson discusses her hit show “Empire,” and her role as ‘Cookie Lyons,’ the controversial mother of the fictional musical empire, stating:

“Cookie is a lot.?She wears?me out but I know this woman. I?ve done my?research inside and out. I took Cookie from Lee?and made her my own.”

Henson also talks about race and diversity in Hollywood, and not messing up her moment.

Check out a few excerpts from UPTOWN’s “The Empire Taraji P. Henson Built,” written by Niki McGloster + photos below…

On “Empire” Being Stereotypical:

“That?s what art is supposed to?do: expose this shit. You know, we?re dealing with?subject matter that?s not really dealt with…so?let?s lift the carpet up and deal with this dirt.

It?s?not like we bashed Barack Obama and the show?went off. No, Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard)?jumped in his [son?s] ass.

That?s real life stuff. So?I?m glad you?re mad.

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On Black Actors Having to Take Turns in Hollywood:

“It feels good?that there?s not just one black person. I don?t like?that we get fixated on one or two at a time, or three?at a time. If you look at?Caucasian Hollywood,?every year there?s a handful of new faces you?ve?never seen before, then after that, they got five?movies coming out and they?re introducing you?to more talent. So I?m just so happy to see what?s?happening on television right now. We have?options and that?s how it should be.”

On Her Envy for Other Actresses:

“I used to have?this crazy thing with Amy Adams…You see her [consistently] getting?nominated, as she should, because Amy does?good work. But, it?s like, ?Well, I did good work?too.? But if you choose to stay in that place then?you become miserable. It?s a pity party and?nobody cares. I?m human, so I?ve done it. But?I check that because it?s ego and it?s the devil.”

On Her Future Success:

“I?ve come?a long way from ?Aye, that?s that girl from?Baby?Boy? to now people know how to pronounce my?name. But I?m just scratching the surface. For?whatever reason, God gave me this life, and I?m?not gon? fuck it up.

CLICK HERE to read the full article over at Uptown.

Congrats to Taraji and the success of EMPIRE!! 🙂 ?

What do you think of Taraji’s UPTOWN mag feature spread?