For fans of FOX’s smash musical "Empire" who were pissed about "Cookie" and the show not getting their due in the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award nominations, the Golden Globes have vindicated your love for the show.
Taraji P. Henson, the prolific actress behind lead charecter "Cookie Lyon," was one of several notable performers and creators of color to be recognizied with Golden Globe nominations.
The nominations were announced today (December 10), just one day after the SAG Award nominations. Although both awards shows’ nominees were predominantly-white, the Golden Globes came slightly closer to addressing the recent influx of successful shows and films that feature people of color in leading roles.
Henson goes up against Emmy-winning Viola Davis and her portrayal of "Annalise Keating" in ABC’s "How to Get Away With Murder," in the "Best Actress in a Television Series, Drama" category. "Empire" was nominated for "Best Television Series, Drama," where it faces USA’s sleeper-hit cyber thriller "Mr. Robot." The latter show’s breakout star, Egyptian-American actor Rami Malek, is nominated for "Best Actor in a Television Series, Drama," parallelling his SAG nomination. Other nominees of color include Aziz Ansari ("Best Actor in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy" for "Master of None") and previous winner Gina Rodriguez ("Best Actress in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy" for "Jane the Virgin").
The film nominations, which many feel predict Oscar noms, were less diverse than those for television, but still included important nods for Will Smith ("Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama" for "Concussion") and Idris Elba ("Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture" for "Beasts of No Nation").
The 73rd Golden Globes will broadcast on January 10, 2016, with host Ricky Gervais. Click here for the full list of Golden Globe nominees.