Trans model ‘lands TV role’ in Empire spin-off
Transgender model Amiyah Scott has reportedly landed a role in a spin-off of hit TV series Empire.
The Fox show features on a family controlling a hip-hop music company, and has won praise for its diverse characters and storylines.
Following the show’s success, Fox hinted that a spinoff series is in the works – and the rumour mill is in overdrive.
TMZ reports that 27-year-old transgender model Amiyah Scott has been cast on the show – after she was handpicked by Empire creator Lee Daniels.
She is apparently set to play a singer in a girl group in the series, believed to be a prequel showcasing a young Cookie Lyon.
The gossip site adds that Scott is “getting a crash course with some acting coach hot shots” to prepare for her first on-screen acting role”.
The model was previously rumoured to have been cast on Bravo’s ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ – but the role fell through.
Empire creator Lee Daniels recently said he has received death threats for the gay relationships in the show… though that doesn’t seem to have dissuaded him.
He said: “Homophobia is real. It exists.
“[Out actor] Jussie and I both get death threats. But we will continue to do our thing.”
Empire actor Jussie Smollett came out recently in a touching interview with Ellen DeGeneres.
He told her: “It was very, very important to me, as my first performance and talk show, that it was with you.
“You’ve been such an inspiration to so many, but also to me. What you’ve done in the LGBT community is very much, in my opinion, kind of like what Michael Jackson did in the black community — just that you are who you are.”
