Empire star Taraji P Henson, 45, is looking for 'real love' again after devastating murder of her boyfriend William in 2003

She may play the ex-con turned 'momager' Cookie Lyon on her hit show Empire.

But Taraji P. Henson showed her softer side while talking about her love life in the October issue of Redbook magazine.

'If I was going to get married, it had to be for love,' the 45-year-old star said. 'That real kind of love... the kind I yearn for.' That old couple crooked and bent over but still holding hands. I know that kind of love exists and I'm not going to stop until I have that,' she declared.

The Oscar-nominated actress is mother to her son, Marcell Johnson, 22, whose father - and her high school sweetheart - William Lamar Johnson - was murdered in 2003.

Taraji explained her reasons for holding out was so her son could witness that 'real kind of love.'

She was inspired to write her new memoir, Around The Way Girl - which is set to be released October 11 - after legions of fans reached out to the star.

After playing the fierce no-nonsense diva for two seasons on the Fox smash hit, others were inspired by her character's story and asked advice on how to stay strong when times get tough.

'God didn't give me anything more than he gave anyone else,' she told the publication.

'We're all born with a deck of cards and no instructions on how to play them. All God gave us was choice. You can choose to wake up sad or to wake up happy.'