Empire

Jussie Smollett Will NOT Be Returning To ‘Empire’ Says Fox Entertainment President

January 8, 2020

Photo: Fox

Looks like we have a definitive answer, and it comes from the top chief at Fox in the “will he or won’t he” return to Empire situation for Jussie Smollett (Ex-Jamal Lyon).

As recently as last month, Empire showrunner Brett Mahoney told TV Line that discussions were underway to possibly bring Smollett back as the series ended its sixth and final season this spring.

That came to a halt yesterday when Fox Entertainment President Michael Thorn, revealed to the outlet: “We’re not going to bring Jussie back to the show. There were a number of factors that went into the decision to not bring him back. There were many points of view about if he should come back or if he shouldn’t. As hard as a decision as that was, for us — and when I say us I mean the network, the studio and the producers — it felt like it was in the best interests of the show and the cast.

Thorn went on to say, “Our hope is that all of the controversy surrounding Jussie doesn’t overshadow the show, which we think is bigger than him.”

As fans of the series know,Smollett was written out after the fifth season following his claim that he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack on the streets of Chicago. Next, he was accused of concocting the whole attack himself to gain notoriety. Jussie was then charged with making a false police report. After additional charges were brought against him, they then were all swiftly dropped.

So, what do you think about the final determination here? That Smollett will not return for the finale of Empire? Comment below.

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I can now happily watch the final season. Good on you Fox !

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.