Empire is well known for their guest stars. With names like Alicia Keys, Kelly Rowland, Chris Rock and Mariah Carey attached, the list is diamond studded. The dynamic of the show may be centered around the Lyon’s, but the brief appearances can cause an uplift in viewers quite quickly. It’s become a phenomenon. The world asks, “Who’s going to be on this season of Empire?” Apparently, they still haven’t managed to get Oprah, but the guest list this season was, and still is, quite hefty. It has become vital to the show to have guest stars. At this point it’s still hard to tell if the unlimited amount of guest appearances will cause the downfall of Empire, but right now it seems to be the only fun aspect of the show.
As for the already weighty list of guest stars set to appear on the second half of season 2 this March, I thought long and hard about the appearances that could actually serve a purpose rather than just for viewers. Take Kelly Rowland’s character as Lucious’s mother, for example. It was a fantastic small guest appearance scattered throughout the first half of the season that was vital to the story telling, and I can only hope that she hasn’t been lost forever.
Click next for the five actors/actresses I believe would be great guest additions to the show.
Laverne Cox would be an absolute treasure on the show. No matter the role, though I prefer for one with substance, she’d have it in the bag. Cox has a diverse range that would make her a delight to watch interact with the Lyon family. An Empire appearance could end up being her big break into a more widespread audience outside of Orange Is The New Black. Not to mention she already knows Jussie Smollett (Jamal), who she is pictured with above.
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Kevin Hart would be a perfect addition to keep up the comedic route that the show is severely lacking in lately. Season 2 has lost most of its soft edge of comedy through unrelenting drama that serves a limited purpose, so I’d like to see Hart step in and crack everyone up. A goofy, kind character isn’t too much to ask for with all this betrayal, right?
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Tori Kelly had a breakout year in 2015. She performed at plenty of award shows including The BET Awards, The VMA’s and Billboard’s Music Awards, and a debut album to boot. I’m not sure about her acting chops, but her voice would make up for anything lacking. She’s a safe bet to duet with Jamal, who is unfortunately becoming an unlikable character. I would forgive Jamal for all his wrongdoings if he would do a duet with Tori Kelly. Please.
Ariana Grande has certainly made a name for herself in the real world. As for the Lyon’s world, I could see it differently. Grande would be a smart fit for an up and coming new artist for the Lyon’s to lose themselves over. Not to mention the songstress was also an actress for quite some time. If schedule permits, I’d wager on Grande making at least a small appearance on the show eventually.
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Tinashe certainly made a name for herself as well in 2015, with a Janet Jackson dance tribute at the BET Awards, and her hit song “2 On” featuring Schoolboy Q. It’s safe to say that she’s got skills when it comes to being a performer, which can sometimes be missing in the “stars” that the Lyon’s pick for record deals and tend to fight over. Like Becky G’s character in season 2, I’d be happy to see Tinashe featured as an artist the Lyon’s are desperate to have for themselves. She’s a power performer that needs more recognition in her abilities. I can see Empire being a stepping stone to an even wider world of success for Tinashe.
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