Connect with us

Empire

16

Empire’s Taraji P. Henson Wins Best Actress Prize At BET Awards: Gets Political During Acceptance Speech Warns About Trump!

Photo: Kevin Winter/BET Awards

Sunday night, Empire’s own Cookie Lyon AKA actress, Taraji P. Henson took home the prize for Best Actress for the second year in a row at the BET Awards,.

During her acceptance speech, Henson thanked God and BET, with a nod that the award show is  “home”, as it honors the work of performers and more in the African-American community.  Taraji also acknowledged other female actresses expressing: “To all the beautiful women in the industry, I love you all. I look up to you all, you all inspire me to do great things. My sisters, I love you.”

However, Henson also took her moment to speak on the political climate of the upcoming Presidential election with an diss to Donald Trump without stating his name.  Henson said: “I’m really not political, but it’s serious out here.  And for those who think ‘Oh, he’s not going to win,” think again.  So, we really need to pull together and turn this country around.”

Later, in the awards show co-host Tracee Ellis Ross spoke to the audience at home to get out and vote. “As we all know, we have a very important election coming up. And we all need to vote!”

So, are you happy to hear Taraji took home the Best Actress prize? What do you think about her comments made during the BET ceremnines on the current political climate?

Leave a comment | 16 Comments

16 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Looking forward to the Prince tribute.

Love her, she rocks as Cookie

#imwithher

CONGRATS Taraji !!

(and political Trump scares the bejesus outta me)
Trump has Presidential training wheels on, falling down and banging his head, and I do not want a Kindergarten President..

0ooh I liked Taraji ‘s saran wrap dress, very different.

I can’t stand when Hollywood types attempt at getting political. Just accept your award and get off the stage in that ugly dress.

So Agree with this comment.

She really knows how to chew scenery and I love watching her. Nobody is more powerful than she is. As for her political statements, all she said was that it is important to vote this year. She didn’t say anything that many others before her have said but she’s right—for anyone out there who thinks Trump won’t win really should rethink because without everyone voting who is eligible, he will be a shoo-in.

Without the black, Hispanic, female and gay vote?

Whether you agree with what was said, or not, an awards show acceptance speech is not the place to air your political opinions.

Keep your opinions to yourself!

Agreed – accept your silly token award and shut up!!

I wonder if she bought all the Saran Wrap out at Wal-Mart? Scary!

Super tacky! Don’t understand the outfit.

There’s never a wrong moment to encourage Americans to make sure that Love Trumps Hate! #StrongerTogether!

I’m glad she spoke up.

Screw the BET awards and any other awards shows. They’re not so much about honoring their peers as they are platforms for self-marketing and driving social and political agendas.

Way to go Taraji! Thank you!!

She forgot her skirt.

I don’t like political statements during award shows.

Empire

Taraji P. Henson Says She Fired Her Entire Team After They Failed to Capitalize on Her Success as ‘Empire’s’ Cookie Lyon

When Fox’s hit primetime soap opera, Empire, hit the air it became a smash hit, especially due to its lead female character, Cookie Lyon, as played by Taraji P. Henson.

The actress played Cookie for all she was worth and the some becoming one of the more original soap and television characters. After all, Cookie went to jail for 17 years before being released, and was the wife of former drug dealer, now music mogul, Lucious Lyon played by Terrence Howard.

Now, Taraji revealed all was not kosher behind the scenes during a sit-down interview for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation (see below). It was there, she revealed that she had to fire her entire PR team and more, because of how they failed to capitalize on her rousing success at the time as Cookie.

Photo: Fox

The moment came about during the Q&A Henson was asked what was the best business decision she ever made.  She swiftly answered: “Firing everybody after Cookie,” adding, “Everybody had to f**ing’ go. Where is my deal? Where’s my commercial? Cookie was at the top of the fashion game. Where is my endorsement? What did you have set up for after this? That’s why you all haven’t seen me in so long. They had nothing set up.”

Empire fans recall that a ‘Cookie’ prequel had been in the works to continue the character after the series was canceled after six seasons, but nothing happened. At the time reports shared, Danny Strong, co-creator of the Empire was said to be co-writing the series, and it would come through Henson’s new production banner.

Taraji explained what went down behind the scenes: “All they wanted was another Cookie show, and I said, ‘I’ll do it, but it has to be right. The people deserve, she’s to beloved for y’all to f**k it up.’ And so, when they didn’t get it right, I was like, ‘Well, that’s it,’ and they had nothing else. ‘You’re all f**ng fired.”

Photo: JPI

Henson added that she felt like she had Stockholm Syndrome from the entire situation, which is defines as a syndrome ‘where hostages sometimes develop a psychological bond with their captors.’ (Think Kevin, Y&R!) The moral of Henson’s story was to make sure the people you pay and who work for you, understand that you are the talent and nothing happens without you including them collecting a paycheck off you.

Henson can currently be seen in the musical version of The Color People in movie theatres everywhere.

Check out her emotional and enlightening conversation with the SAG-AFTRA Foundation below.

Now let us know, do you think Cookie Lyon was one of the best TV characters and should have either been spun off into her own show, or Henson should have appeared in more commercial and endorsement deals given the popularity of the character? Weigh-in via the comment section.

Continue Reading

Empire

Jussie Smollett Releases New Rap Single ‘Thank You God’ Speaking On the Injustice of His Court Case

Now that former Empire star, Jussie Smollett (Ex-Jamal Lyon) is out of jail while appealing his conviction for the 2019 Chicago hate crime hoax, in which he was at the epicenter, the singer/actor wasted no time dropping a rap single.

On his Instagram account, Smollett posted a short clip of a new rap song, which speaks about his court case and the injustices brought down upon him by the system.

The track entitled,“Thank You God,” features Smollett rapping lyrics like: “You think I’m stupid enough to kill my reputation?”  He also raps, that there will come a day when he can sit down and talk with his followers.  He gives a mention to “D.L.” who many believe is CNN anchor, Don Lemon, who was originally one of Smollett’s main advocates.

Jussie served 10 days of jail time of his sentence of 150 days before being released . He also has 30 months of probation ahead of him and was ordered to pay $120,106 to the city of Chicago and a $25,000 fine for his actions.

Smollett says any funds raised for “Thank You God” will be donated to the Illinois Innocence Project, Rainbow Push, Secure The Bag Safety.

Check out Jussie’s Instagram post containing the rap below/

Now let us know, what do you think about Smollett releasing this track and still defending his innocence? Comment below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @jussiesmollett

Continue Reading

Breaking News

‘Empire’ Star, Jussie Smollett, Sentenced to 150 Days In Jail For Fake Hate Crime Attack

Late Thursday, former Empire actor and singer, Jussie Smollett, was sentenced in Chicago more than three months after being found guilty on five felony counts to the alleged 2019 hate crime hoax that made national headlines, and got the actor fired from the former Fox primetime drama series.

In the sentencing, Smollett was sentenced to 150 days starting immediately.  In addition, he received 30 months’ probation, and has to pay the city of Chicago $120,106 in restitution, plus Jussie received an additional $25,000 fine.

Cook County Judge James Linn, who levied the sentence, came down hard in his words on Smollett due his actions noting he was, “selfish, arrogant and narcissistic.”  The judge added, “You wanted to make yourself more famous throwing a national pity party for yourself. You’re just a charlatan, pretending to be the victim of a hate crime.”

Linn went in on Smollett for his ‘performance’ and ‘pure perjury’ when the actor took to the witness stand in his own defense last year.

At the end of his sentencing, Smollett pulled down his mask to speak. He then let everyone in the courtroom know that he feels he is innocent, adding, “Your honor, I respect you and I respect the jury, but I did not do this. And I am not suicidal. And if anything happens to me when I go in there, I did not do it to myself. And you must all know that.”

Just before he was taken into custody, Smollett yelled again that he was innocent and raised a fist in the air as he exited.

Watch the sentencing of Jussie Smollett below, then weigh-in.  Did Smollett get enough of a sentence for his crime? Share your thoughts via the comment section.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Kim Coles as Whitley

Days of our Lives

Airdate: 7-24- 2023

Popular