Reliable Source: Lee Daniels reveals who really inspired Cookie Lyon on 'Empire'

Cookie, played by D.C. native Taraji P. Henson, is by far the most outrageous, most quotable, most high-fashion-inspiring character of the Fox hit drama "Empire." Lee Daniels, film director and creator of the show, sought to set the record straight Saturday night at the taping of the 2016 BET Honors on who was actually the inspiration behind "I'm-here-to-get-what's-mine" Cookie Lyon.