Why I am obsessed with Cookie Lyon (and Empire)

23/3/2015

One of the biggest surpises for me this season, was Empire. It came out of nowhere and became an obession! Not only to me but to millions of other fans. The show made TV history as it reached viewings that we hadn't seen in ten years! And the ratings kept going higher every week!

The show just wrapped up its first season last week and has of course been renewed for next year!

One of the reasons why the show has gained so loyal fans, is the one and only Cookie Lyon (aka Taraji P. Henson). For those of you not familiar with the plot, let me explain some things:

First of all, Empire is clearly a soap opera. It might not be day time or half an hour but it has all the good soap qualities: sex, secrets, plotting and lots and lots of bling! But besides that, Empire is a show with a powerful cast and that is not afraid to touch matters as homosexuality and the taboos that still exist especially in the hip hop community.

The story is about a hip hop legend, Lucious Lyon,who is diagnosed with ALS and while facing mortality, has to choose to whom from his three sons he will pass on his Empire (that is actually the name of his record label and multi-million company). But his ex wife's return forces him to change his plans. Cause you see, she just came out of prison after serving 17 years to save Lucious and Empire: enter Cookie...

Cookie Lyon/Taraji P. Henson, is the ultimate queen because:

She has the best wardrobe: With costume editor Rita McGhee, Cookie is literally setting fashion trends episode, after episode, sort of like Joan Collins did in the Dynasty days!

She has the best lines in the show!

And the infamous.....

After Taraji was casted, as a true Cookie she announced to the producers that she would only join the cast if Terrence Howard was casted as well. Their amazing chemistry from Hustle & Flow is obvious to Empire as well...
She spoke in a baby voice to keep Terrence Howard from getting aroused during their sex scenes...
When Cookie misunderstood Lucious' invitation to a dinner to a booty call, she showed up like this in front of her sons, her daughter in law and Lucious' fiance.....

But apart from Cookie, let us not forget that Empire is a music show and with Timbaland as a music consultant and many many musicians (and other celebrities) guest starring, this show took things to a whole other level, with week after week of new songs and guests!