Taraji Henson's Late Father Inspired Her 'Empire' Character

— -- Taraji Henson's "Empire" superstar Cookie is actually inspired by someone close to the actress' heart: her late father.

The 44-year-old actress spoke to Harper's BAZAAR for its September issue and explained how her father, Boris, who died in 2006, inspired the fan favorite role.

“He had no buffer. He spoke the truth," she said, comparing him to her game-changing role.

She continued, "It’s heroic because in this society we have been trained to be politically correct. Political correctness is bulls***. If I ask you a question right now, the first thing that comes in your mind is the truth. But we’ve all be been trained to breathe, digest the question and manipulate the answer."

Just like her father, she said, "Cookie doesn’t do that" and doesn't filter.

Henson, who is a single mother to son Marcell, also told the magazine what she's looking for in a man.

“He is funny, has personality; he doesn’t take himself too seriously," she said. "He need [sic] to be confident in who he is, confident to let me be who I am. And let me shine, you know? My life is only going to enhance his light.”