After a highly successful first season, fans are excited about the return of FOX’s Empire.
Just in time, the show’s director Lee Daniels sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to offer a candid interview. While he couldn’t reveal the highly anticipated details, he did speak openly about the cast.
Daniels touched on why he thinks Taraji P. Henson is the “Meryl Streep of the streets”, and even spoke about Terrence Howard’s recent legal woes. The entire cast also discussed the show, and vets like Taraji and Terrence shared advice with their younger co-stars. The supporting cast, which includes Trai Byers, Jussie Smollet, and Bryshere Gray also got a chance to talk about the excitement surrounding the hit show.
But, what’s really gearing fans up is the amazing photo spread that compliments the Hollywood Reporter article. Take a look at the shots that remind us just how colorful this cast is, and have viewers eagerly anticipating what’s to come. Empire Season 2 premieres September 23 on FOX.
The full cast of ‘Empire’ sat alongside their director Lee Daniels (not pictured) with The Hollywood Reporter to talk candid about the show’s success.
Lee Daniels on Terrence’s legal woes: “[Terrence] ain’t done nothing different than Marlon Brando or Sean Penn, and all of a sudden he’s some f—in’ demon.”
Lee Daniels on Taraji: “Taraji was what I call ‘Project Royalty’ because in the projects, honey, she is royalty. She was Meryl Streep in the streets; it just took a moment for white America to catch on.”Taraji P. Henson on her success: “So after however many years I’ve been in this business, I finally have Hollywood’s attention.”
Trai Byers on season 2: “We’re playing chess this season. Everybody’s storylines involve everybody else’s, and we all have agendas.”Jussie Smollett on using his platform: “You don’t have to have a TV show or a record or followers on Instagram or Twitter to make a difference in the world, but if you do have that, you should definitely use that for good, or else what’s it for?”Bryshere Gray on the weirdest thing since fame hit: “Michael Jackson’s mother reached out to me a few weeks ago!”Taraji’s advice to Yazz: “I make sure he’s saving his money and getting a business manager. I want him investing in property and art and not in shoes and cars.”
