Empire

EMPIRE’s Jussie Smollett On Being Openly Gay In Hollywood: "No One Is Going To Tell Me That Somehow That Is Going To Be My Disability."

August 13, 2016

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

When Empire returns for its third season on Fox, the breakout star of the series, the multi-talented Jussie Smollett, will be back in his key role of Jamal, the most talented son in the Lyon Dynasty who also happens to be gay.

And as fans of the sudsy drama have gotten to know Smollett via his social media, his interviews, and on his appearance in 2015 when he came out publicly to Ellen DeGeneres on her daytime talk show, he is the real deal not shying away from who he is, and who he loves.

In an upcoming feature in the September issue of UK’s Attitudes on sale next week on August 17th, Smollett is featured on the cover alongside supermodel, longtime friend, and Empire co-star, Naomi Campbell (Camilla). Inside the piece, Jussie talks his truth being openly gay in Hollywood, and if it has hindered his career.

Smollett related: “I am told so many times that I should not walk truly in my blackness, that I should not walk truly in my sexuality, I should not walk truly in who I am. I say thanks but no thanks, f**k you and goodbye. I honestly think that me being myself has actually helped my career move forward.”

The 33-year-old star added: “I get tired of the idea of someone telling me what my truth is. I’ve said from the beginning of my journey: I do not hide who I am. I love who I love. No one is going to tell me that somehow that is going to be my disability.”

And nothing has stopped Jussie from his career goals even while being out. He is back on Empire, recording his first album – and recently just wrapped filming acclaimed director Ridley Scott’s motion picture Alien: Covenant.

What do you think about Jussie’s thoughts on staying true to who he is and not let Hollywood try to tell him to be someone other than who he is? Isn’t it a lesson we should all learn from – embrace who we are? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Related Topics:Alien:Covenant Attitudes UK Ellen DeGeneres Empire fox Jamal Lyon Jussie Smollett Naomi Campbell Ridley Scott

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Guest

su0000

Jussie is whom he is and nobody should ever have need to explain themselves for being who they are, ever. Walk tall ..

((((
Jussie Smollett/ Jamal– I do not care for his style of music and FF most of his songs..
I like Bryshere Gray/ Hakeem– his songs are good, no FF ..))))

Guest

davlestev1

In with the good air out with the bad..su0000 you are priceless lol

Guest

Isa Enocq

hes awesome, some gay actors still in the closet should read this, theres no shame to be who you are, i dont get why PR and management in Hollywood force actors to stay in he closet that is so wrong !! 🙂 Awesome Jussie

Guest

Patricio

Bravo to this talented young entertainer. His co-hosting with Kelly is priceless and should move to the front if the line with that job.

His preferences as to whom he loves makes no difference to me in the least.

God speed on your journey!

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.

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‘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.

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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.