“Empire” Cast Member Wants To Leave Cookie’s Hit Show For Real? “He Hates Not Being The Star”

Written By Cyrus Langhorne

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Actress Taraji P. Henson and actor Terrence Howard‘s hit “Empire” television series may be losing a key cast member when season three comes back around.

According to reports, actor Trai Byers, who plays Andre Lyons, is looking to leave the hit show.

“Trai wants out,” said an insider. “He feels that he studied at Yale and he’s a ‘true thespian’ . . . The character is beneath him. He has an idea of himself as being this big Shakespearean actor.” “At first, being on ‘Empire’ was major for him. But he feels his character is not as important this season, and he hates not being the star,” said a source. “He thinks he has the acting chops of Taraji and Terrence. He doesn’t get how the show benefits him, and he feels he has way too much talent when he’s not the star by any means.” (Page Six)

Last month, Young Money’s Tyga revealed he had a chance to star in “Empire.”

“I got offered a lot of movie roles before, like, I had got offered to be on ‘Empire,'” Tyga revealed. “You gotta think, when people sell this stuff, have you heard of The Maze Runner? I was supposed to be in that movie. It was a lot of movies but I just wasn’t focused. I wasn’t where I wanted to be in life where I just wanted to act and I felt like I’m not going to take on something if I couldn’t be 100 percent fully invested in it. I feel like now is the right time to do the right roles. [Would I do ‘Empire’ season three?] Yeah, possibly, for sure. Whatever, I’m with it.” (KMEL)

West Coast rap veteran Xzibit is expected to have a big role when season two returns next month.

Xzibit will play Leslie “Shyne” Johnson, who is 100% wolf and 100% gangster. He has managed artists, started record imprints and even sold a few units here and there, but his bread and butter always has been — much to his years-long frustration — drugs, guns and extortion. Feeling shut out by the other heavy hitters in the music industry, he carries a big chip on his shoulder, especially for Lucious (Terrence Howard). (Deadline)

Recently, Chicago rap veteran Twista spoke to SOHH about auditioning for the hit series.

“I have actually auditioned for ‘Empire’ more than once,” Twista told SOHH. “I guess if the opportunity arises then I will be more than accepting [to appear on shows like ‘Empire.’]. “Television has tapped into people’s likes and dislikes and they are able to make programs more towards what people want. Plus the way we are all connected, I don’t think people I’ve had the opportunity to see some of the things that are being shown, gravitating towards it!” (SOHH)

1 Comment

Written by Cyrus Langhorne

SOHH.com Writer. You're likely to find me covering hip-hop news and music releases. Netflix is still my go-to before Disney Plus.

One Comment

  1. No, Tyga not only was you not focused, but you maybe obviously had bad management, if no management at all. If I had of been your manager, you would have been on that show or I could have not stayed on as your manager

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