'Empire's' Taraji P. Henson Auditioned To Be Olivia Pope in 'Scandal'

While everyone is still talking about the shocking Empire finale, the show’s star, Taraji P. Henson, is giving people something else to talk about.

The actress spoke to New York radio host Angie Martinez of Power 105 and revealed she was in the running for Kerry Washington’s Scandal character, Olivia Pope.

Henson said, “When I went in to read for Shonda Rhimes, in my mind I was like, ‘This is Kerry Washington. Why am I even in here?’ It was hers. It was her job, and she’s great in it.”

If Henson got the job as Pope, her chances to be in Empire may have never happened, which seems to be a role she has fully embodied.

“Cookie’s stolen my life. It’s crazy because I’ve been here. It goes to show all my hard work has paid off. I’m no longer Taraji no more. I’m Cookie,” she said.

Empire has proven to be a runaway hit for Fox, the finale drew in 17.47 million viewers.