Cyrus Langhorne
“Empire” showrunner Ilene Chaiken is tired of the beef rumors. The TV executive has stepped forward to kill a growing gossip story about Taraji P. Henson and Nia Long feuding on-set.
According to Chaiken, there are no real issues or problems between the Hollywood vets.
“Nia is a gifted actress and we’re grateful for the incredible work she did on ‘Empire’ in this pivotal role. Her character, Giuliana, is a nemesis for Cookie, and the stories in the press would appear to be conflating that fiction with reality. We can’t wait for the fans to enjoy her spectacular turn on the show. It’s pure ‘Empire’ drama,” Chaiken said in a statement. (Chicago Tribune)
Recent reports claimed a feud sparked over an on-set joke.
Production sources tell TMZ … Nia showed up late shortly after beginning her stint on the show, prompting one of the male actors to joke, “Damn, why are you on black people time?” We’re told that sent Nia into a rage … chewing the guy out. The actor told her it was just a joke but she continued berating him … and that’s when Taraji fired back — “What are you, on your period? Is it that time, girlfriend?” Things got super heated … and it set the tone for a relationship that was barely civil. (TMZ)
Earlier the same week, gossip developed over Taraji and Nia having on-set issues with one another.
Multiple production sources tell TMZ, Nia was extremely rude to the people in hair, makeup and wardrobe — something Nia’s people strongly deny — which pissed Taraji off something fierce. We’re told it got to the point they stopped speaking to each other when they were on set. Our sources say it was next to impossible to film the scenes they did together, and that’s why they had actually blocked out how to shoot those scenes separately. (TMZ)
In January, “Empire” received the green light for a fourth season renewal.
Empire was renewed for a fourth season by Fox, the network announced at the 2017 Winter TCA Press Tour on Wednesday. In December, Empire’s fall finale, which aired an hour earlier at 8 p.m. to help launch co-creator Lee Daniels’ new show Star, garnered 7.57 million viewers. The decision to renew the musical drama was surely a no-brainer for Fox, as it’s TV’s no. 1 broadcast drama, a title its held for the last three seasons in the all-important adults 18-49 demo. (E! News)
