‘Empire’s’ Taraji P. Henson Shares Favorite Cookie Lines: ‘Shut Up Dora,’ ‘Boo Boo Kitty’ (Video)

But her favorite one of all — a shot at Naomi Campbell — hit the cutting room floor

Taraji P. Henson stormed into “Late Night With Seth Meyers” on Thursday, sharing the secret behind Cookie Lyon’s ability to remain fierce without the luxury of cursing. (Stupid FCC.)

“I say it with my eyes,” she offered on how to get past the broadcast network’s strict rules about swearing.

“There are so many ‘mother effers’ with those eyes,” Meyers retorted.

Still, Henson gets to have plenty of fun with the dialogue. The writers hand her a variety of “Broke-ass [insert celebrity here]” lines. Plus, the actress just throws her own sass out there when its not on the page.

Henson’s favorite improvised Cookie lines include “Shut up, Dora” and “Boo boo kitty,” she recalled to Meyers. She claimed the latter line “is the new ‘Bye, Felicia!’”

One great offering didn’t make it on screen, though. When guest star Naomi Campbell tried to sneak in the last line with Henson, Cookie retorted: “I want me some grand-babies, but you got those dried-up ‘Benjamin Button’ eggs.”

Henson was shocked when that got cut out. After all, she played Button’s mother in the Brad Pitt film.

“Also, what are the ‘Benjamin Button’ people going to do?” an incredulous Meyers asked. “Show up on the set of ‘Empire?’”

That’d be a big mistake, Henson said — you mess with Cookie, you’re bound to get scratched.

Henson is hosting “Saturday Night Live” this weekend. Watch the “Late Night” video above.

Comments