'I fought to have him on the show': Taraji P. Henson quashes rumors of feud with Empire co-star Terrence Howard as she dazzles in new photo shoot

Published: 16:50 EST, 19 October 2015 | Updated: 09:07 EST, 20 October 2015

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There has been speculation that there is as much drama raging on behind the scenes of Empire as there is on the hit Fox series - at least between its leads Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard.

However, as the 45-year-old actress graced the cover of Bella NYC Magazine for its holiday issue, she set the record straight, assuring fans the two were good friends.

'Where did that rumor come from that Terrance and I are feuding?' Taraji asked, adding: 'I fought to have him on the show. We've known each other for 10 years and worked together before. Why would I fight with someone I fought for?'

Breakout star: Taraji P. Henson posed for the holiday issue of Bella NYC Magazine

She even revealed that the two - who also worked together on 2005's Hustle & Flow - teamed up to put together the rest of the Lyon family, pressing the importance of the series' cast.

'We both loved Jussie [Smollett] right away and knew he was Jamal. We bonded; it was just natural with that kid,' she gushed.

Taraji continued: 'Lee and I have sons Yazz’s [Bryshere Y. Gray] age and we saw in him that confident, but not too confident, chest puffed out, with that swag that the character [Hakeem] represents.'

Fierce: The Empire actress rocked a trendy, crimson lip on the with a sleek hairdo on the cover

The Oscar nominee actually poked fun at feud rumors last week as she filmed two Instagram videos with Empire co-stars Terrence and Jussie, in which she can be seen getting into a pretty heated argument with the former.

However, after the crew - and onscreen son Jussie - begin to panic, the two kiss and make up, and encourge everyone to tune in to Empire on Wednesday, before laughing off all of the gossip.

'HA! Word on THA street is Terrence and I don't get along! Like I would fight to work with someone I DO NOT get along with?!Don't be silly,' she captioned one of the videos.

Meanwhile, Taraji - who showed off her enviable figure on the magazine's cover in a form-fitting white suit with a daringly low plunge down the front - also discussed the show's popularity.

Quashing rumors: Though their characters (Lucious and Cookie Lyon) have beef on the show, Taraji insists she and co-star Terrence Howard are friends

She gushed about co-stars Terrence and Jussie's ability to perform and write their own music, while noting 'even Trei Byers (who on the show plays Andre, the only Lyon son not pursuing a musical career) can sing, he has a great voice.'

'It's the wow factor,' she said, adding: 'You are always going to get good music... And this season we've amped up on the fashion and portray matters that people shy away from, there's something for everyone.'

And the 'wow factor' of the series finally gave the talented actress her breakout turn, which she admitted she thought she would have already had.

'I kept thinking with each part or film this would be it, but it wasn’t. Every time I thought I was the 'It Girl', it didn’t happen,' Taraji shared.

However, despite starring in big films such as The Karate Kid and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Taraji's Empire alter-ego Cookie has finally brought her fame overseas, which she finds 'crazy.' 'I feel like all of my work has not been in vain,' the star said.

Taraji also admired her character's spirit saying she loves to play her for her 'boldness' and her 'ability to bounce back.' She added, of the fan favorite: 'Seventeen years in jail and it didn't break her spirit, she was just on pause.'

New episodes of Empire premiere Wednesdays at 9pm on Fox.

Fan favorite: Taraji appears as beloved character Cookie Lyon (pictured, along with Bryshere Y. 'Yazz' Gray - who plays Hakeem Lyon) on new episodes of Empire, Wednesdays at 9pm on Fox