Cookie Lyon TIME Magazine's Most Influential! Is Kerry Washington's Olivia Pope Irrelevant?

Taraji P Henson has become a household name since the start of her role as Cookie Lyon in Empire. Show fans cannot get enough of Cookie's sassy one liners and animal print wardrobe. The entire buzz around Cookie Lyon has landed her at TIME Magazine's Most Influential Fictional Character of the year. Kerry Washington of Scandal didn't make the count. Does this mean Olivia Pope is irrelevant?

Fox's Empire has been a smash hit from the start, drawing in approximately 13 million viewers each week as fans follow the show matriarch, Cookie Lyon, dominates the screen. After two seasons of chart topping success, Taraji P. Henson's work is finally paying off. Cookie Lyon is #1 on the list of 2015's Most Influential Fictional Characters. Taraji beat out big names like Jon Snow (Kit Harington/Game of Thrones) and Catastrophe (Taylor Swift/Bad Blood).

Fox News covered the TIME Magazine honor with a segment of unforgettable Cookie Lyon scenes and man-on-the street reactions from fans.

In the video above, an interviewee describes Cookie as "a really strong, confident Black woman...I don't think there's a lot of characters like that written for TV nowadays." If you noticed, Taraji P. Henson or Cookie Lyon is the only African American on the list.

Well, where is Olivia Pope?'

Kerry Washington's character Olivia Pope on ABC's Scandal seems to be taking a major back seat this year. After 5 seasons of the show, there is still uncertainty as to whether or not Olivia is actually a good role model. The show is mainly centered on Oliva's adulterous relationship with the President of the United States.

Earlier this year, as covered by LA Times, Kerry Washington admitted herself that Olivia Pope is "nobody's role model." Especially since she is sleeping with a married man, a murderer, and an election theif.

There was once a time when Olivia Pope was influential but now there is a new sheriff in town. Cookie Lyon is most certainly more of an aspirational character than Olivia Pope because she exhilarates strength, determination and confidence. E! Online news recognized Cookie as the most inspiring character on TV and the Huffington Post recognized Cookie as TV's new feminist icon.

Check out TV Guide's best moments from Cookie Lyon!