Empire

Creator Lee Daniels Says He Wants To, "Blow The Lid Off Homophobia" In Depiction On EMPIRE!

January 18, 2015

Courtesy/Fox/Reuters

Courtesy/Fox/Reuters

Lee Daniels, the creator of FOX new primetime hit soap opera set in the hip-hop music world, Empire related at the FOX TCA Winter Press Tour conference, that through the depiction of the series lead character Lucious (Terrence Howard) and his relationship with his gay son, Jamal (Jussie Smollett), he wants to “blow the lid off homophobia” in the African-American community.

The producer-director revealed that his own father’s hostility toward gays frightened him and he knows the same attitudes are being passed on from one generation to another in households around the world. “What we’re trying to do is to give people the opportunity to see that what they’re doing is painful,” he related to those in attendance during the Empire panel on Saturday.

Viewers have already learned during a flashback that Lucious is shown stuffing Jamal into a garbage can when he sees the boy trying on his mother’s high heels. Smollett added that he’s been overwhelmed by the response to the story line that he has seen in social media.

Courtesy/FOX

Terrence Howard added, “I’m glad that I can show the African-American community that this is what you’re doing to your son, this is what you’re doing to your nephew, this is what you’re doing to the kid down the street!”

Empire airs Wednesdays at 9PMET/8CT on FOX.

So, are you glad to see Empire shining a light on homophobia in this way? Comment below!

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Click to comment

Guest

Patrick

wow

direct and to the point

applause

every avenue, outlet, story… depicting true to life form

should be

Guest

Lew S

Agreed!

Guest

Filmfan

A brave move, way overdue. I wish this was 30 years ago when many others like me may have benifit tied from positive role models. Better late than never – God bless! Let’s make the show a huge hit!

Guest

jonboy

Loving the show.

Guest

Jeremy

Love Lee Daniels and admire his strength, courage and devotion to tell stories that are worthy, meaningful and relevant. go Empire!

Empire

‘Empire’ Favorite Taraji P. Henson to Host the American Music Awards

November 2, 2020

She played the fierce head of record label and music empire on TV, and now she is about to take on the hosting duties at one of music’s most popular nights of the year, when she hosts ABC’s American Music Awards. News today has former Empire on Fox star, Taraji P. Henson (Ex-Cookie Lyon) taking on the key role in keeping the night moving and the music coming for music fans around the world.

The 2020 AMAs will air live on Sunday, November 22nd at 8:00 PM ET/PT. In a statement on her latest gig, Henson expressed: “The AMAs brings together the music community to celebrate what really drives all artists – the fans, I’m proud to take the stage as this year’s host – and also a fan – for what promises to be an electrifying night of music.”

And coming up the motion picture and television actress will put a spotlight on mental wellness in a new talk show for Facebook Watch. In addition, she is also currently developing an Empire spinoff with her production company.

Broadcasting live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, this year’s AMA nominees include The Weeknd and rapper Roddy Ricch, both with eight nominations, leading the pack of this year’s nominees. Voting for the AMA’s continues and you can a vote in all categories here.

So, it seems to us that Taraji will be a great host for the AMA’s! What are your thoughts? Comment below.

Breaking News

‘Empire’s’ Diamond White Lands Contract Role on The Bold and the Beautiful

September 17, 2020

Look for The Bold and the Beautiful to add to their cast with news on Thursday that Diamond White (previously see on Empire as Lala) will take on the role of Zoe’s (Kiara Barnes)sister, Paris Buckingham on the CBS daytime drama.

Paris and Zoe are the daughters of crime-ridden Dr. Reese Buckingham (Wayne Brady) who was sent to the slammer for his baby-switch plot involving baby Beth and his gambling debts.

White will begin taping her new role tomorrow on Friday, and will first are on the November 2nd episode of B&B. Deadline first reported the news.

Besides her role on Empire, Diamond has had a recurring role on Netflix’s Dear White People, as well as a guest art on ABC’s Fresh off the Boat, and more,

Looks like the Buckingham sisters might have their eyes set on Carter (Lawrence Saint-Victor) , the incoming Zende (Delon de Metz) and who knows who else on the canvas!

So, what do you think about a new Buckingham in the mix on B&B? Comment below.

Breaking News

Taraji P. Henson Developing Cookie Lyon ‘Empire’ Spinoff With New First-Look Deal Via 20th Century Fox

July 23, 2020

Looks like more ‘Cookie’ is on the way, if this long bantered about Empire spinoff takes place. But, news today via Deadline makes the whole thing look more promising! Series star, Taraji P. Henson has signed a new first-look deal with 20th Century Fox where she would star and be one of the EP’s of the new show.

The show would be written by Empire EP Danny Strong with Stacy A. Littlejohn and Yolonda Lawrence, and Empire director Sanaa Hamri to take those reins again behind the camera.

Henson said in a statement on the deal: “I believe that normalizing stories around stigmatizing matters will make them more palatable for audiences to embrace. Art can change perception and I plan to develop projects that can help further the conversation. I also aim to help cultivate and establish new young talent and their stories because they are our future and deserve a voice and a platform to be heard. I’m so excited to have 20th, led by the talented Carolyn Cassidy, support me in this new endeavor!”

20th Century Fox TV president Carolyn Cassidy shared on Thursday: “We were lucky to have a front row seat to Taraji’s meteoric rise as a fixture on television through Empire. Through that relationship everyone at the company grew to appreciate her passion for storytelling and her strong creative gut instinct. With Empire finished we look forward to helping her explore stories that need to be told through her talent and advocacy.”

Empire ended its sixth and final season a bit shorter than expected due to COVID-19 shutting down production, but now Henson has a way forward to tell us more of Cookie’s story. This would just be one of the projects Henson would have under this deal with 20th Century Fox.

So, would you like to see more Cookie Lyon in a spinoff of Empire? Comment below.