With "Empire" season 2 set to premiere on Sept. 23, fans were surprised that only Taraji P. Henson among the cast and crew of the hit Fox series got a nomination from the 2015 Primetime Emmys. On the other hand, the lead actress along with "How To Get Away With Murder" star Viola Davis just made history.
"I was in my closet rushing so that I wouldn't be late for work as usual and then my phone started going nuts," Henson told The Hollywood Reporter about how she got the news about her Emmy nominated.
While "Empire" stars Terrence Howard, Bryshere Y. Gray, Jussie Smollett and Trai Bryers did not get nominated at the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards, Henson is set to compete against Davis, "Homeland" actress Claire Danes, "Mad Men" actress Elisabeth Moss, "House of Cards" actress Robin Wright and "Orphan Black" actress Tatiana Maslany for the outstanding lead actress in a drama series category.
This is the first time two African American women are nominated at the same time for the outstanding lead actress in a drama series category at the Primetime Emmy Awards. In addition, if either Henson or Davis wins, she will be the first African American woman to win the award.
In 2013, "Scandal" Kerry Washington also made history as the first African American woman to be nominated for for the outstanding lead actress in a drama series category at the Primetime Emmy Awards since "Carrie Grace" star Cicely Tyson's nomination in 1995.
Washington was once again nominated in the said Emmy category in 2014 but she lost to "The Good Wife" star Julianna Margulies.
Meanwhile, days before the announcement of her Emmy nomination, Henson moved into a larger home in Los Angeles, Calif., so she is renting out her San Fernando Valley home for $3,400 a month, Zillow reported.