Taraji P. Henson is a household name in Hollywood that needs no introduction. The actress has starred in hit shows like Empire as well as critically acclaimed films like Hidden Figures. Henson's acting career began over 10 years ago, but she isn't thinking of retiring from the industry anytime soon. She slays as Cookie Lyon on Empire and has been dishing us with hot movie roles over the years. If you think you know Henson enough by now, maybe you should take a look at some of the lesser-known facts about the actress that will surprise you.

Henson loves cooking and her favorite food to make and eat is chili. She is good friends with Mary J. Blige, and whenever the music artist in in town, Henson brings out her pot to cook her signature chili. We all know the Empire star loves her bling. She has been photographed wearing some expensive jewels to the red carpet but did you know that there was a time when she lost her $100,000 diamond at the 2009 Oscars? Thankfully, Meryl Streep found the rock and returned it to her.

Henson loves fabulous outfits and her closet is filled with sparkly fashion pieces and expensive designer wear. "You're So Beautiful" is Henson’s favorite song and coincidentally, it was also featured on the Empire show.

It may interest you to know that Henson didn’t want to act in Empire when she was initially offered the role. The producers had to make some adjustments to her character in order to make her happy. When she saw the role that Cookie had to play that, she decided to come out of retirement.