Empire Season 5 Red Carpet

We’re going into the fifth year since the Lyon family tamed primetime TV on the smash hit show Empire. Holding down the talented ensemble are Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson as the leading man and lady of the pride. 

We asked Henson what makes this relationship work so well — on and off screen.

“I have to feel safe in an environment to create, and this is my tag team partner.” - Taraji P. Henson

Since Empire’s premiere, we have seen an influx of African American driven projects achieving incredible success on the big and small screens. Even the stars seemed surprised at the zeitgeist that they kicked off.

“I had no idea that the world needed to hear some of the questions that our show posed.” - Terrence Howard

In an incredible case of art-imitating life, Taraji P. Henson and her on-screen alter ego Cookie became engaged in the same month. She assures us it was all coincidental and that she was as surprised as the rest of us.

You can watch the newest season of Empire Wednesdays on FOX.