Taraji P. Henson is aiming to turn herself into a household name around the globe as more people become fans of Fox's "Empire" and her increasingly popular Cookie Lyon character.

"I am tired of Hollywood telling me what black people can't do overseas and what can't sell overseas, and black women can't do this overseas," Henson recently told The Associated Press in a far reaching interview. "Well, I am over there and they know who I am; and they knew me before Cookie."

The Lee Daniels co-produced drama series debuted early last year with 9.9 million viewers and ended its first season run with 17.6 million watchers, the widest audience for a TV show that entire week according to Nielsen ratings.

Throughout the season, Henson garnered rave reviews and is thought to be a strong contender for the Emmys.

"That's not my driving force," she said. "I respect the awards and I am always honored when I am recognized, but that's not really why I got into the business. Art is very powerful. It can touch and change lives, and that's what I am about with my talent."

As outspoken as she is talented, Henson recently talked with the reporters about the Texas law enforcement officer who threw an unarmed, black teenage girl to the ground in an incident captured on videotape.

"I think it is time for people to stop being quiet about what's going on and stop turning a blind eye to it," she said. "People of all color, if you see an injustice happening, say something. They always say it is not important until it affects you, but I do not know what parent in the world watched that video, I do not care what color you are, and did not feel some kind of way."

Henson went on to add she's convinced the girl posed no threat to officers and hinted that she's worried that the country is "becoming a police state."

As for the show, Henson said audiences can expect to get a lot more details about Cookie and what happened to her during the 17 years she was incarcerated. Henson also explained that audiences will learn more about why Lucious, who is portrayed by Terrence Howard, turned into a monster.

"People are the way they are because of their circumstances and so we just want to delve a little bit more into how these people became who they are," she said.