TARAJI P. HENSON ON EMPIRE, THE INDUSTRY AND FINDING LOVE

What are you looking forward to in Empire Season 5?

The drama will never end for the Lyon family because that’s how we get everyone to watch the show. But Cookie is definitely growing – she’s a CEO now, so she can’t pop off or go around slapping people like she used to. How do you separate yourself from such an OTT character?

Cookie can be really draining, so I leave her at the studio by taking off all her clothes, make-up and wigs. I go home where I can just be me, and spend time with my fiancé. I’ve been living with Cookie for five years now, so it’s easy to switch that role on and off. But if I’m doing a movie, then I usually take a vacation so I can completely shake off the character. What’s the most challenging part of being a famous person?

I’m human, but I always have to remember that I have an image to uphold. Even when the paparazzi shove a camera in my face, I can’t slap it away because I’ll become a villain. I can’t even vent on social media!

What’s it like to date when you’re in the spotlight? I protect my relationship at all costs. I do post pictures of my partner now and again because I think it’s important for the youth to see a positive side of love. However, I don’t over-saturate my ’gram with my relationship, and he appreciates it because he’s a private dude.

Would you ever leave Empire? I don’t want to stay until the wheels fall off. I want to leave when we’re still on a high, like Sex and The City did. I know this show is important and influential. It was a game changer. Are you fussy about the type of productions your work on?

If a project scares me, and makes me doubt myself, then I take it on. If it changes me, then I know it’ll touch someone in the audience in a good way.