Add Oscar and Grammy Award winner Jennifer Hudson to the list of guest stars in “Empire,” Fox’s hip-hop drama filmed here in Hudson’s hometown.
The singer, actress and, until recently, Weight Watchers spokesperson will be introduced in the 10th episode of the series, which debuted to big ratings Jan. 7 and is showing no signs of losing steam.
“She’s going to be a recurring character for several episodes,” said Rob Hardy, who directed the episode that marks Hudson’s “Empire” debut.
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The series features Terrence Howard as Lucious Lyon, a dying music mogul trying to figure out which of his three sons should inherit the music business he built with the help of his ex-wife, Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), who also wants a piece of the action. The 12-episode freshman season is packed with original songs produced by Timbaland.
“Jennifer Hudson is playing a character named Michelle who’s a musical therapist,” Hardy said.”She’s helping one of Lucious’ sons [Andre Lyon, played by Trai Byers] deal with some issues that he’s going through. The two of them become comrades on this journey to help him accomplish some things. We get a chance to know her, explore her and see her go through her own change on the show.”
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Hudson, 33, began filming “Empire” in December on a set above Ald. Jason Ervin’s office at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios.
“We’re doing this real intense scene and she’s bringing it,” said co-star Bryshere Gray, who plays Lyon’s youngest son, an aspiring rapper named Hakeem.
“Later on tonight we’re going to film a big musical number with Jennifer in the same room,” Hardy said at the time. “We have the grand piano for her. We’re moving our crane out so we’ll get a chance to do some very cool music video-style moves for the show.”
This isn’t the first time Hudson has lent her vocal cords to a TV musical drama. The “Dreamgirls” star played Veronica Moore in a few episodes of the second season of NBC’s “Smash” in 2013. It’s also not the first time she’s belted out the tunes on Fox. The Englewood native finished seventh in the third season of “American Idol.”
“It’s my first time working with her,” said Henson, who plays the indomitable Cookie on the show. “Sweetheart. Sweet, sweet spirit. She invited me to her birthday party but I was working and couldn’t go.”
“Empire” has racked up a long list of guest stars for its debut season, including Courtney Love (“Sons of Anarchy”), former supermodel Naomi Campbell, Cuba Gooding Jr. (“Jerry Maguire,” “American Crime Story”), Derek Luke (“The Americans”), Judd Nelson (“Breakfast Club”), singer Rita Ora and Gabourey Sidibe, who was nominated for an Academy Award for her acting debut in the 2009 film “Precious,” directed by “Empire” co-creator Lee Daniels.
