'Empire' Cast: Is Taraji P. Henson The Reason Jussie Smollett Got The Role As Jamal Lyon? [VIDEO]
While we know Taraji P. Henson had more than a hand in making sure Terrence Howard got the role as her love interest Lucious Lyon on Fox’s hit series Empire, she revealed he’s not the only one she went to bat for when the details of the show were being finalized.
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In the past, both Henson and Howard have revealed that writers were actually looking at Wesley Snipes for the role of the infamous Lucious. But after Henson vowed that she would not do the show if Howard was not cast, he was given the role instead.
“I just knew it had to be [Howard] and I was not willing to do it. I know that we have that relationship. We trust each other.”
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Now she has revealed that both her and Howard wanted to make sure nobody else but Jussie Smollett signed on to play their middle son, Jamal Lyon.
She said during the EW Fest Saturday, “I kinda meant it.”
Fans might remember that co-creator for the show, Lee Daniels, was extremely serious bout who played Jamal because that character, more than any of the others, is based on real-life situations Daniels has experienced. He went as far as posting a casting call via Instagram for those who might be interested in playing the role.
When it comes to Henson, she said that she sees Cookie Lyon as her alter ego.
“She’s my Sasha Fierce,” she said, referring to Beyonce’s own alter ego.
Catch Empire Wednesdays at 9/8c on Fox.
Check out Cookie and Jamal’s first scene together below.
