Taraji's Time: Cookie is ready to take a bite out of Emmys

NEW YORK (AP) — Taraji P. Henson says she's honored to receive the second Emmy nomination of her career for "Empire," but she's not letting the feat define her. "It feels good, but I feel like I've been getting the love all through the years from the fans. You can't wait for Hollywood to say ... you just can't. And I never did," Henson said in a recent interview. "Empire," the top-rated Fox series, helped put Henson's face on more screens than ever this year, thanks to her in-your-face, sassy and hilarious role as Cookie Lyon. She's nominated for outstanding lead actress in a drama series at Sunday's Emmy Awards, pitting her against Viola Davis, Claire Danes, Elisabeth Moss, Robin Wright and Tatiana Maslany.

"The fact that I am getting nominated, that is amazing ... I am honored, I am pleased. But what that represents for me is I've touched even more people through my talent, with the gift that God gave me," Henson said. "And that is what matters most to me."

Apart from the Emmys and "Empire," Henson is also rejoicing in her personal life: She celebrated her 45th birthday last week.

But she did have cookies or cake?

"Cake. I am Cookie, honey. I was the cookie eating the cake!" she exclaimed.