Taraji P. Henson arrives at the 2019 FOX Upfronts in a goregous strapless black leather dress and Cartier bracelet on May 13, 2019. The actress appeared to promote the sixth and final season of her hit television series “Empire”, where she plays matriarch Cookie Lyon.

Taraji Penda Henson was born on September 11, 1970 in Washington, D.C. She later went on to study acting at Howard University, and came to prominence in the public eye after appearing in the Oscar-nominated film “Hustle & Flow,” alongside co-star Terrence Howard. Taraji and Terrence would later work together again in the FOX series “Empire.” She received a Screen Actors Guild award for her role in “Hustle & Flow.” She later appeared in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” with Brad Pitt and earned an Academy Award nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category. She’s received numerous accolades for the “Empire,” which features a predominantly African American cast and tells the story of a successful rapper, played by Terrence, his wife, Cookie — played by Taraji — and their three sons. She’s won a Golden Globe for her role on the drama, and has also been nominated for Emmys.