Dinesh Kamath likes Taraji P Henson as Loretha “Cookie” Lyon in American TV Serial ‘Empire’

I love Taraji P Henson as Loretha “Cookie” Lyon in American TV Serial ‘Empire’

Loretha "Cookie" Lyon, the fictional character from the American musical drama Empire on Fox, portrayed by Taraji P. Henson, is shown as the ex-wife of former drug dealer turned hip-hop mogul, Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard).  She begins with a bang when she gets released from prison and strikes out to lay claim to half of their multimillion-dollar record label, which was initially funded by her drug money. Her love for her children is legendary. Cookie strives to ensure that her children would get the best out of everything. In the drug dealing business, Cookie's life has revolved around music, money, and dodging the law. Cookie had been involved in drug dealing thus forcing her to serve 17 years in prison, preventing her from being in her sons' lives. After Lucious becomes distant from Cookie while she is incarcerated, the two eventually get a divorce.

Cookie is shown as a character who will stop at nothing to get what she wants and she will cause "havoc" along the way. Cookie is shown as "very complicated and complex". Cookie is a "strong" woman who puts her "family first." Cookie "doesn't compromise at all - never herself, and never her truth." Cookie is a "tell-it-like-it-is everywoman." Cookie "does whatever she has to do" to support her family. Female viewers could identify with Cookie simply because "She's just real." Cookie is not "malicious" but she "shoots straight from the hip" and she's usually right. A big part of the character is Cookie's fashion. Cookie is fierce, caring and extremely powerful. Her wardrobe is filled with fur, animal prints, golds and sparkles. Cookie's sense of fashion is inspired by Michelle Obama. Her overall performance is of the kind that made critics and Hollywood insiders take notice. The character of Cookie has been well received, and Taraji Henson was immediately praised for her portrayal. She is described as the femme fatale. Cookie is undoubtedly the "heart" of the series. Cookie looks like a "complicated woman who is far from one-dimensional" thanks to the "emotional sensitivity" that Taraji Henson brings to the character. Her character is unprecedented in that I've never seen a woman or a mother like this on TV, so full of trouble and saying all the wrong things and yet you understand where she's coming from. Taraji Henson plays Cookie with "fire and fabulosity."

Taraji Henson deservedly won the Critics' Choice Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Cookie. She was also nominated for an Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Henson won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a drama series.