FOX’s new series “Empire” is making a record splash in the network’s ratings. The drama, starring Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard, “is the only primetime scripted series to grow in total viewers over each of its first five telecasts since at least 1991,” according to Entertainment Weekly. The mixed cast of veteran thespians and ripe talents has lured an interesting blend of fans, ranging from 18 to 49-years-old.
One of its youngest leads is Serayah McNeill, the beauty who plays heavyweight label Empire’s rising pop star Tiana. The budding singer is hungry and focused, so much that she’ll even pretend a Kimye-esque relationship with labelmate Hakeem to build fan pandemonium. Judging by her brilliant delivery each Wednesday night, we would have never known that this is the 19-year-old actress’ first major role. Serayah remembers riding in the car with her friend when she got a call that producer Lee Daniels loved her audition. “I went completely nuts!” she says with wide eyes and a smile even brighter than her promising future. BlackEnterprise.com and Serayah relive that moment in our sit-down about the number one show, what it’s like working with Taraji P. Henson and all that she’s learned on this thrilling journey.
“Empire” is getting so much attention, even breaking audience records. What is it like being so young in this moment and working with major names like Terrance Howard and Taraji P. Henson?
It’s something that I never thought would be for my first project. It’s overwhelming, but in a good way. I love working with them, and I get so much insight and pointers and tips from them on set. It’s a really good feeling to see us all and the show doing so good. We knew it was going to be good, but I don’t think anyone anticipated it being the number one show.
What was life like before “Empire”?
Before this show I was just doing a lot of modeling and print jobs in L.A. and auditioning. And that’s about it. I wasn’t on anything; this is my first big thing!
It’s so crazy how life can seemingly go from routine and normal to a whirlwind of unexpected events. How did you get the role?
I got a call from my longtime friend in high school and he told me that his stepmom is a casting director. My first response was, “First of all, why haven’t you ever told me that your stepmom was a casting director?†[Laughs.] But he told me they needed this role really, really fast and so she liked some of my pictures and I auditioned with her. She sent it to Lee Daniels and he loved me, and it was a really raw audition!
I had to do a second audition for Fox studios to get their okay with it and they loved me. But when I got the call that, “Okay, Lee loves you and we’re
just going to work on FOX and we’re going to do that audition,†I was in the car with my friend about to go to the gym or something and I went completely nuts! She was going crazy! [Laughs.]The show is such a breath of fresh air right now because people are really longing for substance and quality scripted series. In a world of reality TV, this show, along with a few others, is really restoring balance.
Right, and something real and something that you can relate to. One thing I always say about this show is it’s a lot of drama, but it’s family drama so people relate. Every family has some type of drama, and I think that it touches on a lot of the entertainment business and the music business. Some exaggerated parts, but it really does touch on some of the things that happen.
Go to page 2 to see what Serayah says about embracing your body and her lack of “assets.”
Do you draw on any pop stars to inspire your character Tiana?
Well, the inspiration that some of the writers and I sat down and thought of for Tiana was Beyoncé and Rihanna. Not being Rihanna or being Beyoncé, but just the power they possess in their performances.
In working so closely with Taraji, what have you been able to learn from her?
Oh, she’s fearless! She’s just really fearless. She has complete okay
and complete devotion into what she does. When I see her doing her thing behind the scenes, when she makes a decision, she sticks to it and she goes through with it and it becomes what everyone loves. And that’s what I admire about her. It doesn’t seem like she second guesses what decision she makes. She’s made up so many adlibs for the show that weren’t even written, and those are the ones that are trending on Twitter. She did that in the moment. Terrance does that as well.Who else would you give everything to work with?
As far as acting, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry; she’s like my idol. J. Lo, I think she’s a really good actress. There’s something so authentic about her. Music—Chris Brown, something with Brandy. That would be really cool, that would be so cool! Like a girl type song. I study her like a book.
Very wise choices! We’re sure there have been so many highlights, but what is the best part about landing this role?
I think it is the fact that I get to be an artist because I really am a singer and I do want to be a performer. What better role for my first thing coming out than being a singer? And being one that’s really popular in the world of Empire. I think it’s just like a win-win for me.
What kind of music will Serayah the artist make?
It’s similar to Tiana’s in ways. I’m not as pop, but more R&B elements.
Have you given any thought to your own empire? What other things do you want to branch into now that you have a major platform?
For now my own projects and writing music. I know I want to do so many things, but I want to make sure they all make sense. I do want to have clothing and real-estate, just different things. Write now I’m planning that out and writing those steps down. I built my base… and so we’ll see where it goes from there.
Before wrapping up, we’re in such a social media and digital age. Having access to that kind of imagery non-stop can really influence people, especially teens. What would you to say to teen girls who see images of society’s beauty standards and feel pressured to succumb to those ideals?
Looking at some of those people that you think are perfect beings because of the way the bodies are looking these days, that’s not natural. People aren’t going to have that naturally. I just say that you have to love you first. I think that if you do that first you’ll be alright. Me personally, I don’t have all those “assets†[Laughs], but definitely you just have to love what you got and want to be who you are for you.
Catch “Empire” tonight on Fox at 9/8c!