A lot of the times when we see a main character of a television series mysteriously disappear or get killed off of the show, it’s usually because of what’s occurring in the real life of the actor playing that particular role.
If you watch ABC’s ‘Scandal’, you know Henderson was killed off of the show. Why? Because Columbus Short, the actor who played that role, was facing domestic abuse charges that affected his image & caused him to get fired.
Unfortunately in the wonderful world of mainstream media, your personal life will indeed affect your professional life. Terrence Howard may not be on the same boat as Columbus Short was, but he’s definitely swimming in the same ocean. At the end of season 1 of Empire, Lucious Lyons (played by Howard) winds up in jail, where he’ll be for the beginning of season 2 as well. Viewers probably were thinking this was a plot twist to make for a better season finale due to Lyons’ murder of ‘Bunky’ being discovered, but it allegedly happened because of Howard’s resurfaced abuse allegations which inevitably caused the Empire team to give him a bit of a “time out” from the show.
A unnamed source gave statement on the issue to Page Six:
What they are doing is two-fold.. They have him locked up so you won’t be seeing him in as many scenes. But they are bringing in so many, and I mean so many, guest stars and cameos that the average viewer won’t realize it because there is so much going on.
Some of the guest stars that will help take the spotlight away from Lucios Lyons’ absence include Lenny Kravitz, Ludacris, Chris Rock, Mariah Carey, & more. Tyrese Gibson & Kelly Rowland will also be joining the cast of season 2.
Terrence Howard’s personal life & its troubles include an ongoing battle to overturn a divorce settlement as well resurfacing of domestic abuse allegations with ex-girlfriend & his first wife. As a result of this, Taraji P. Henson will become the “face” of Empire until his return.
© 2015, Niyah Nel. All rights reserved.
