Entertainment
Taraji P. Henson as Cookie at Heart of TV’s ‘Empire’
Sandy Cohen, ASSOCIATED PRESS
LOS ANGELES (AP) — ‘Taraji P. Henson is driving down an LA street, chatting on her cellphone, when a billboard catches her eye.
“Hi, me! Hiiii!” she says, smiling at her latest on-screen incarnation: glamorous ex-con Cookie in “Empire,” which premieres on Fox at 9 p.m. EST Wednesday.
Draped in fabulous furs and drenched in attitude, Henson’s Cookie is the heart of the Fox drama, a fiercely devoted mother and astute businesswoman who’s fearless when it comes to getting what she wants. Her sometimes-reluctant partner is Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), a music mogul deciding which of their three sons should run the family’s entertainment empire.
Henson has seen her face on billboards before, with dozens of film credits (including 2008’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” for which she earned a supporting actress Oscar nod) and popular TV series such as “Person of Interest” to her name.
“Sometimes I forget, you know what I mean?” she says. “I just go on about my day, and look up and go, ‘That’s right, I do have a TV show coming out!”
The 44-year-old actress pulled over to talk with The Associated Press about the new show and the empire that is Taraji P. Henson.
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AP: Who is Cookie?
Henson: She is a hero. I mean, she is the truth. She is strong. She’s family first. She’s a lot of things. She doesn’t compromise at all — never herself, and never her truth. That’s what I love about her… She says things that I might not have the guts to say. I love the way she dresses. I love how much she cares about her sons.
AP: How is it working with Terrence Howard again, your old pal from “Hustle & Flow”?
Henson: I just know that I really like working with Terrence. I trust him. And for me as an artist — acting, you really have to be uninhibited. You cannot have any hang-ups. Or if you do, they can’t breathe and live through these characters, because their hang-ups aren’t your hang-ups. So for me in order to fully explore characters without throwing Taraji in the mix, I have to feel safe… And with Terrence, I’m so safe with him, I can try anything… We’re friends. We’ve known each other, so it really works for Cookie and Lucious. When they came to me with the project, I said it has to be Terrence. When I cracked open the script, I saw no one but Terrence.
AP: What’s most challenging to you as an actress right now?
Henson: Challenging is getting what I think I deserve to be paid. (It’s) challenging to get the projects I want done or greenlit. I’m still having to prove I’m bankable. But I think it’s getting better! I’m not one to wallow in the muck and say how bad. I don’t harp on how bad things are… My thing is to prove each and every time I’m on the screen — whether it’s TV, whether it’s film, whether it’s the stage — Taraji is going to deliver. So when I do get that moment — ’cause it’s coming, I work too hard — when I do get that moment, that perfect movie comes along and some studio is going to say, ‘I believe in her.’ Not me and a man. Not me and another guy, no. Taraji P. Henson is going to open this film. Then I know that I’m doing my job.
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Follow AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen on Twitter: www.twitter.com/APSandy.
Online: http://www.fox.com/empire.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Activism
Oakland Post: Week of May 28 – June 30, 2025
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Activism
Oakland Post: Week of May 21 – 27, 2025
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Bo Tefu
Gov. Newsom Highlights Record-Breaking Tourism Revenue, Warns of Economic Threats from Federal Policies
“California dominates as a premier destination for travelers throughout the nation and around the globe,” said Newsom. “With diverse landscapes, top-rate attractions, and welcoming communities, California welcomes millions of visitors every year. We also recognize that our state’s progress is threatened by the economic impacts of this federal administration, and are committed to working to protect jobs and ensure all Californians benefit from a thriving tourism industry.”

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom, along with the nonprofit organization Visit California, announced that tourism spending in California reached a record $157.3 billion in 2024, reinforcing the state’s status as the top travel destination in the United States.
The Governor made the announcement May 5, referencing Visit California’s 2024 Economic Impact Report, which highlights a 3% increase in tourism revenue over the previous year.
According to the report, California’s tourism sector supported 1.2 million jobs, generated $12.6 billion in state and local tax revenues, and created 24,000 new jobs in 2024.
“California dominates as a premier destination for travelers throughout the nation and around the globe,” said Newsom. “With diverse landscapes, top-rate attractions, and welcoming communities, California welcomes millions of visitors every year. We also recognize that our state’s progress is threatened by the economic impacts of this federal administration, and are committed to working to protect jobs and ensure all Californians benefit from a thriving tourism industry.”
Despite the gains in tourism revenue, Visit California’s revised 2025 forecast points to a 1% decline in total visitation and a 9.2% decrease in international travel. The downturn is attributed to federal economic policy and what officials are calling an impending “Trump Slump,” caused by waning global interest in traveling to the United States.
To offset projected losses, the Governor is encouraging Californians to continue traveling within the state and has launched a new campaign aimed at Canadian travelers.
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