The “Empire” star who captivates us every Wednesday night as Jamal Lyon on the hit FOX series, revealed he’s inked a deal with Columbia Records to release his debut album.
Jussie gave the scoop in an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly and added that his “Empire” family will be a part of the project.
There will be a Jussie Smollett album. I signed to Columbia. So darling [Laughs] I’m label mates with Beyoncé and Adele and Barbra Streisand.
It’s going to be a whole different thing. Now, the Empire family will still have something to do with it. I would love for Terrence to come and oversee the production of all of the music. And I would love for Timbaland to come on and Jim Beanz. We’ve all talked and they’re all down to work on it.
Jussie Smollett, who is the brother of accomplished actress Jurnee Smollett-Bell, also had an emotional moment as he talked about the impact his role has had on “Empire” viewers.
It makes me wanna cry, it really does. It’s really, really special. [Starts to choke up and cry]
As artists, we don’t always get to do the roles that really mean something. To be able to tell this story is such an honor because I get so many letters from kids that say that they didn’t know where to turn, they didn’t have anybody to look up to.
Somebody wrote me a letter after the second episode and they said that it gave them the strength to come out to their parents. To me, it’s such a blessing to be able to play Jamal because it’s making people somehow feel like they’re not alone. And growing up, we all feel alone at some point. And if a kid can look at whether you are gay, lesbian, bi, transgender, heterosexual, whatever you are, you can see yourself in Jamal.
That’s what I love.
I am totally here for Jamal Lyon, Jussie Smollett, and all seven of the Smollett siblings for that matter.
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Congratulations and I can’t wait for the album!
Scoop
