Empire’s Taraji P. Henson Wins Golden Globe For Best Actress

It’s a sweet night for Taraji P. Henson.

“I just did not expect them to call my name”, she told Entertainment Weekly.

The actress handed out some cookies on her way up to the stage to accept her award.

After receiving the honor for Best Actress in a TV Drama, she exclaimed, “Who knew an ex-con would take me all around the globe?” following it up with a triumphant laugh. “I love you, thank you so much”, she concluded. It just goes to show – I thought it would be Queenie, Will, my character from Karate Kid – but it’s Cookie, who spent 17 years in jail for selling crack. In her speech, Taraji acknowledged how incredible it was that she was winning an award for playing an ex-con. We’re doing something that feels new and fresh and worth taking taking notice.

Although she says that she didn’t expect to win, she definitely came prepared with baked goods to pass out to industry friends in the even that she did take home the award.

She later added: “Wrap it up?” If we’re going to make room for the Mel Gibsons, Terrence Howards and Chris Browns of the world, we need to make room for the Lil’ Kims, Lindsay Lohans and Britney Spears’, too.

This is a huge win for Henson, whose portrayal of Cookie has been recognized commercially and critically, but with no major awards until now.