Terrence Howard Reveals It Was Taraji & the IRS That Brought Him to ‘Empire’

At a recent screening, actor Terrence Howard revealed the two main reasons why he joined the cast of “Empire.”

Deadline attended the Awardsline screening of the new Fox drama series and got a chance to talk to Terrence Howard. In what may be surprising to some, Howard let it be known that it was Taraji P. Henson who put in the good word for him.

Howard then clarified that it was actually his former Hustle & Flow co-star Taraji P. Henson — who played his onscreen love interest in the 2005 film and his estranged wife in Empire – that was responsible for getting him aboard the Lee Daniels-Danny Strong executive produced TV series. “Lee was auditioning Taraji and she said, ‘If you’re not using Terrence Howard then I’m not doing it. How’s that one?’ (and she hung up the phone). Remember, Taraji is the same person who tried to audition for Precious — I’m not lying! She’s a cornucopia of crazy and that’s really the reason why I am here,” Howard told Deadline’s Dominic Patten.

And like many celebrities who get hit with tax liens and unpaid taxes, Howard also jokingly says that it is “The I.R.S.” that has him working on “Empire.”

“Empire” airs tonight on Fox at 9pm!

[FOX’s ‘Empire’ Show a Cutthroat Mix of Family and Business]

Synopsis

“Empire” is the story of Lucious Lyon, a former drug dealer-turned successful R&B artist-turned recording industry mogul. With hints to King Lear, Lucious, who is facing a long-term illness, is looking to leave his empire to one of his sons; but in his eyes, they all have flaws. There’s Jamal (Jussie Smollett), who has the promise of becoming a breakout smooth R&B singer, but is hiding his homosexuality to appease his father’s pride. There’s the responsible, diligent Andre (Trai Byers), but he’s too straight-laced, and he’s not “the star” Lucious wants as the face of the record label. And then there’s Hakeem (Bryshere Gray), an aspiring hip-hop performer who is arrogant beyond his years. Enter Cookie Lyon (Henson), Lucious’ ex-wife who is released from jail and aiming to reclaim her stake in the company she bankrolled with drug money.