10 Inspirational Quotes By Taraji P. Henson On Aggressively Pursuing Your Dreams

Taraji P. Henson is famously known for her role as Cookie in Empire, the tv drama series everyone knows and loves. This role is what prompted her to be the first African-American woman to win a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series.

You may love the realness that Cookie brings to the show, but what you may NOT know is that Taraji P. Henson is actually just as fierce and completely inspiring (and maybe a little less violent) as her character.

Henson worked hard as hell to get where she is today — the life of stardom did not come easy for her.

She had to work two jobs to pay for college and STILL graduated after giving birth to her son, and even walked across the stage with him on her hip. (GO girl!)

People told her she was never going to make it in Hollywood at her age. They told her she’d never make it big.

But she never listened to those people, and if anything, they only made her stronger and more resilient. And now she’s one of the most influential actresses on television.

Henson KNOWS what it’s like to struggle, persevere, and succeed, and that struggle is something all of us can relate to in one way or another. Her strength is admirable, and if that wasn't enough, her words are some of the most inspiring out there. 

So take a look at 7 of her most inspiring quotes that show exactly how far she has come.