1. When did you know that Empire was more than a TV show and had become a cultural phenomenon?
We’re so in our bubble, out little Empire bubble, our Empire Entertainment bubble. We’re in Chicago filming this show, so we don’t get to see how big it is. But when I heard that the song I performed in the Empire pilot, “Good Enough” was #2 on the Billboard charts. I was blown away. It’s ridiculous; it’s a blessing.
2. Tell us about a time when you were starstruck.
I was in an interview today and Jennifer Lopez walked by and oh my gosh, I was so country. I was in the middle of an interview, on camera, and I was like “OMG it’s JLO!” I was like, “Wait, wait, wait….” I wasn’t trying to be cute, I wasn’t trying to play, I was dead-ass serious. I was like, “That’s JLO, baby! That’s JLO!” I started yelling at her, “Hey…JLO!” and she looked over and was like “Hi.”
3. With the sudden success of Empire, what has been your strangest fan encounter?
Yesterday, before I went to work, I went to Whole Foods to go buy some vitamin C — I love orange, chewable Vitamin C — I literally got mobbed at the Whole Foods in Chicago, and I’m like, “what just happened to my life?” I have no idea just happened to my life, it’s changed — (snaps fingers) — like that.
4. What are three things you have to have in your fridge or pantry?
Orange Juice, usually some form of salmon or tilapia, and always apples or peaches. Hold it — Twizzlers. I keep my Twizzlers in my fridge so that they’re cold. I love Twizzlers. (Channel Guide: Not Red Vines?) No. NO!! My older sister loves Red Vines, She’s team Red Vine and I’m team Twizzlers. But I keep them in my refrigerator to keep ’em nice and firm.
5. If your TV had only three shows or networks, what would they be?
Empire, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder.
Empire > FOX > Wednesdays at 9pm ET/PT