42 Times Taraji P. Henson Earned Her Emmy Nomination as Cookie Lyon

There is so much to love about Empire, but we'd be lying if we didn't say Cookie Lyon is our favorite character on Fox's hit. Brought to life by the ridiculously talented Taraji P. Henson, Cookie is everything you want in an independent heroine: she doesn't tolerate BS, she's fiercely loyal to her family, and she says everything you want to say. On top of all that, she always looks glamorous, whether she's telling off Camilla Marks (Naomi Campbell) or kicking off her Louboutins. In celebration of Henson's Emmy nomination, read on to see all the times she was your favorite badass on TV.

01
When she makes an unforgettable entrance.
Fox

When she makes an unforgettable entrance.

02
When she says just enough to scare you.
Fox

When she says just enough to scare you.

03
When she lays the smack down.
Fox

When she lays the smack down.

04
When she stands up for her kids.
Fox

When she stands up for her kids.

05
When she channels her inner Victoria's Secret Angel.
Fox

When she channels her inner Victoria's Secret Angel.

06
When she champions monogamy.
Fox

When she champions monogamy.

08
When she shares thoughtful nicknames.
Fox

When she shares thoughtful nicknames.

09
When she puts her needs first.
Fox

When she puts her needs first.

10
When she asks for what she wants.
Fox

When she asks for what she wants.

11
When she's not in the mood for adoration.
Fox

When she's not in the mood for adoration.

12
When she picks up on your tone.
Fox

When she picks up on your tone.

13
When she predicts what the future holds.
Fox

When she predicts what the future holds.

15
When she suggests she wasn't born yesterday.
Fox

When she suggests she wasn't born yesterday.

16
When she demands attention.
Fox

When she demands attention.

17
When she gives clear instructions.
Fox

When she gives clear instructions.

18
When she leaves prison like a goddess.
Fox

When she leaves prison like a goddess.

19
When she needs her personal space.
Fox

When she needs her personal space.

20
When she really holds back.
Fox

When she really holds back.

22
When she educates others about economics.
Fox

When she educates others about economics.

23
When she tells off her ex-husband.
Fox

When she tells off her ex-husband.

24
When she gets real with her gay son.
Fox

When she gets real with her gay son.

25
When she embraces her ex's new lady with open arms.
Fox

When she embraces her ex's new lady with open arms.

26
When she greets people with poise.
Fox

When she greets people with poise.

27
When she wants you to back the f*ck up.
Fox

When she wants you to back the f*ck up.

29
When she lets her side-eye slip.
Fox

When she lets her side-eye slip.

30
When she's a protective mama bear.
Fox

When she's a protective mama bear.

31
When she confronts Camilla without fear.
Fox

When she confronts Camilla without fear.

32
When she clues Camilla in on harsh realities.
Fox

When she clues Camilla in on harsh realities.

33
When she puts you in your place.
Fox

When she puts you in your place.

34
When she sets the agenda.
Fox

When she sets the agenda.

36
When she raises her eyebrow in epic fashion.
Fox

When she raises her eyebrow in epic fashion.

37
When she wants her stare to do the talking.
Fox

When she wants her stare to do the talking.

38
When she says goodbye with grace.
Fox

When she says goodbye with grace.

39
When she's ready to have some fun.
Fox

When she's ready to have some fun.

40
When she protects her manicure.
Fox

When she protects her manicure.

41
When she ditches the Louboutins.
Fox

When she ditches the Louboutins.

43