Ep 17. Terrence Howard vs. Taraji P. Henson (Part 1)

In episode 17 of season 1 of Lip Sync Battle, two stars from the hit TV show Empire go head-to-head in a lip syncing battle for the ages. Terrence Howard, who plays the intense and powerful character Lucious Lyon, faces off against Taraji P. Henson, who portrays the fierce and unrelenting Cookie Lyon. This episode is part one of their epic showdown, with the second part airing in the following episode.

From the very beginning, it's clear that both Howard and Henson are in it to win it. They each have two songs to perform, and they take each one seriously, donning outfits and costumes that fit the songs they've chosen. In the first round, Howard kicks things off with an energetic performance of "Brick House" by the Commodores, complete with backup dancers and plenty of swagger. Henson fires back with a sultry interpretation of Mary J. Blige's "Just Fine," showing off her dance moves and making it clear that she's not to be underestimated.

Round two features even more elaborate performances, with Howard donning a suit and hat to channel Sinatra for "Fly Me to the Moon," and Henson going full-on rockstar with a rendition of Joan Jett's "I Hate Myself for Loving You." Both performers pull out all the stops, with Howard performing acrobatic tricks and Henson even using a giant speaker as a prop.

Throughout the battle, the audience is raucous and enthusiastic, as are the show's two hosts, LL Cool J and Chrissy Teigen. They provide commentary and encouragement for both performers, but ultimately it's up to the crowd to decide who will be declared the winner of this round. The tension mounts as the votes are counted, and it becomes clear that the results will be close.

While this episode is only the first half of Howard and Henson's battle, it's already clear that both performers are worthy contenders for the Lip Sync Battle crown. They each bring their own energy and style to the stage, and their different personalities and characters shine through in their song choices and performances. By the end of this episode, viewers will be on the edge of their seats, wondering who will emerge victorious in the next installment of this epic showdown.