Taraji P. Henson reveals why 'Empire' spinoff was postponed: "For me, the script has to be right"

ABC/Troy Harvey

Taraji P. Henson is opening up about why fans have to wait a bit longer to be reunited with her Empirecharacter, Cookie Lyon, who was supposed to star in her own spinoff series.

Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, the actress revealed that she wants the script to be perfect, but it's not quite there yet.

"I think we're gonna put it to rest for a sec," admitted Henson, 50. "For me, the script has to be right."

The Oscar nominee continued, "It has to be worthy of the audience. We have to give the audience something incredible, and sometimes, I think you need time, time away. I think absence makes the heart grow fonder."

Henson, who played Cookie on all six seasons of the hit Fox drama, says she's keeping herself busy until the spinoff is ready, starting with hosting the 2021 BET Awards this weekend. The Hidden Figures star laid out how she plans to command the evening, telling ET, "It's all about the fashion.  I would have to say for this one, it's about the entrance."

"I’m always going to try to make you laugh and forget about the woes and the troubles of the world, so look forward to a lot of fun, a lot of laughter, because that's what I like to do," Henson grinned.

As for what fans can expect for this Sunday's ceremony, Henson said, "What I love particularly about this year, is that we are celebrating the Black woman.  This is the year of the Black woman because the Black woman has made incredible strides in changing history, politics, music, you name it, we done it."

Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 10:00AM by Megan Stone Permalink