10 Times Cookie Lyon Proved She Was the Queen of the Epic Comeback
Empire is finally back — and thank goodness, especially after that crazy cliff-hanger we were left with last season. More than anything, though, we are ready to see what Cookie has up her sleeve and who’s next on her list to be put in their place. Since season one, Cookie has been the queen of clapback that we’ve all come to love and admire (and kind of want to be, tbh). To gear up for Empire's glorious return, we’ve rounded up some of her best moments that leave us experiencing secondhand burn of a monumental level. Sheesh, maybe we should take notes from her to have for the next time we have a disagreement with someone?
1/10On the off chance someone forgets exactly who they’re dealing with, Cookie lets them know that they’ll be hearing a lot more from her, soon.
The nonchalant “ask about me” leaves them wondering what kind of trouble she’s capable of causing.
2/10And if they still act like they don’t know, it’s obvious they’re just hating.
And there’s no harm in telling them that. Because all you’re doing is stating the obvious, right? Sometimes, the truth hurts. For that reason, it’s all you need for a good comeback.
3/10When Hakeem walks up to Cookie with a much older woman, Cookie has questions and bad vibes.
On top of Camilla seemingly having a hidden agenda (because she's played by Naomi Campbell and of course she does), she has the nerve to challenge Cookie’s age (because, again, Queen Naomi Campbell). Nope! Nothing wrong with the record straight and stating facts, as seen here.
4/10Word to the wise: NEVER try to tell Cookie what to do.
This comeback is so great because it gives Lucious the chance to take it back, if he’s smart enough. Who does he think he is, anyway?
5/10Yikes. Nothing wrong with an anchorwoman haircut, but maybe that wasn’t the exact look Boo Boo Kitty was going for?
Cookie hit Anika where it hurts by insulting the haircut that looks so sleek and stylish every episode. (We’re sure Anika was second-guessing that same haircut after that comeback.)
6/10Remember that time Cookie had to remind Lucious that literally no one likes him?
Okay, this may have been a little harsh, but it was nothing compared to what Lucious put the family through. He needed a reality check, and fast. And who better to give it to him than Cookie Lyon herself?
7/10Cookie didn't have time that day, and let it be known that if she did, it wouldn’t have been pretty.
Count your blessings that Cookie had better things to do than put you in your place, Lucious.
8/10Sometimes, the best comebacks don’t even involve words.
Just thrown drinks. And slaps. This was a classic moment in Cookie’s Comeback Reel. (We don't advocate for violence or wasting your Diet Coke on a hater, however.)
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY9/10Another great reality check. Hakeem, cut it out.
No one believes the son of the founder of major record label grew up without a silver spoon in his mouth. As Cookie put it, “You need to quit rapping like you’re from the streets. You’re not about that life.”
10/10We get it, Cookie. Sometimes even you just cannot even.
The classic, dismissive phrase coined by the great Ice Cube: “Bye, Felicia!” says it all as Cookie leaves a trail of stunned faces in her wake.
