“Empire” star, Terrence Howard is speaking out and has revealed he’s taking Creative Artists Agency (CAA), his former talent agency, to court over his salary for the hit television show. According to attorney James Bryant, Howard’s former agents gave the actor misleading information, which led to him being underpaid for his major role on Empire.
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Howard held a press conference on Friday when he announced the news, but he spoke with Rolling Stone after the conference. “I can’t say for certain this was a racial issue, but I can’t imagine another counterpart – a white counterpart – with the same accolades, name recognition and numbers that I had, receiving the lowball pay that I was receiving,” he told the news outlet.
“I drank the Kool-Aid. I believed that I was going to get paid, or that I was getting compensated properly, but I wasn’t. I just didn’t want to piss off CAA and Fox. They’re big companies to go to war against. But sooner or later you’ve got to stand up, because they’re just trampling over the rights of the artists,” he said to Rolling Stone. Howard says that though “Empire” eventually gained more viewers than “Big Bang Theory,” he was being paid less than the sitcom’s star Jim Parsons. His pay started at $125,000 and topped out at $325,000 per episode, he said.
Empire, the groundbreaking American musical drama television series, took the entertainment industry by storm upon its debut in January 2015. Created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, this captivating show quickly became a cultural phenomenon, leaving an indelible mark on television history. Let’s explore the immense success Empire achieved and the factors that propelled it to new heights.
Empire burst onto the scene with impressive ratings, captivating nearly 10 million viewers in its premiere episode. As the Lyon family’s saga unfolded, the show’s viewership soared, reaching a staggering 17.3 million viewers for its season finale. Consistently maintaining high viewership throughout its six-season run, Empire cemented its status as one of Fox’s most-watched series.
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One of Empire’s standout features was its incredible original music, seamlessly woven into the fabric of the show. The series released multiple successful soundtracks that resonated with audiences worldwide. The catchy and soulful tunes, performed by the talented cast, topped music charts and garnered millions of streams. Empire’s music became a cultural phenomenon in its own right, demonstrating the show’s ability to captivate audiences beyond the screen.
Empire’s impact was recognized and celebrated within the industry. The show received numerous award nominations and secured several prestigious accolades. Taraji P. Henson’s masterful portrayal of the iconic Cookie Lyon earned her a Golden Globe, solidifying her place as one of television’s most captivating actresses. Additionally, Empire received nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards, Critics’ Choice Television
