A new star was born on the Hollywood Walk of Fame yesterday…and in our not-so-humble opinion, it was loooong overdue.
Taraji P. Henson received her Hollywood star on Monday. And while we know Cookie would be *so* proud, we think she’d be even more appreciative of Henson’s tear-jerker of an acceptance speech.
The 48-year-old actress, known for her roles as the brilliant mathematician Katherine Johnson in Hidden Figures and for her Golden Globe–winning performance as Cookie Lyon in Empire, dedicated her star to her grandmother, mother and son. She tearfully acknowledged that along with her hard work and persistence, her grandmother’s and mother’s prayers got her to where she is today.
“I know she never thought she would live to see this,” Henson said as she wiped tears from her eyes and found her grandmother, Patsy Ballad 95, in the crowd. “And Grandma, I hope that you are so proud because this is your legacy.”
Honestly, can every day be Mom and Grandma Appreciation Day? (And Taraji Day, obvi…)