Empire certainly provides plenty of drama onscreen with its backstabbing, feuds, murder and more, but many of the cast members behind-the-scenes are also causing a ruckus.
Although cast feuds can be chalked up to hearsay and rumors a lot of the time, Empire cast member Taraji P. Henson's feud with 50 Cent, the producer of Starz's Power, is every real. The two stars have been feuding for more than a year, but their tiff resurfaced once again this weekend when the Empire actress responded to one of the rapper's digs on Instagram involving her show's ratings decline.
"Well look at the bright side at least. You can eat your trophies," 50 Cent wrote on Instagram. "I was talking to old girl but you felt like you had to respond. SMH you know I love you cookie. I got a new show for you BMF COMING SOON !!!#EFFENVODKA."
Henson saw the message and decided to speak up with her own message.
"For the confused ppl. Do REAL research!!! Loose change makes sooooooo much UNNECESSARY NOISE," she shared on Instagram Saturday afternoon. "STILL LOOKING FOR THAT DAMN CENT SIGN!!! I guess it's obsolete. AGAIN CONGRATS ON YOUR SUCCESS BLACK MAN!!! @50cent."
But this feud is far from the first—or the last—to plague the cast.
Henson and co-star Terrence Howard were rumored to be feuding over the difference in airtime each star was receiving. In response to the drama surrounding their behind-the-scenes lives last year, Henson and Howard created a funny video in which they faked a fight.
"HA! Word on THA street is Terrence and I don't get along! Like I would fight to work with someone I DO NOT get along with?! Don't be silly," Henson wrote on Instagram with a hilarious video featuring her co-star. "#GottaComeBetterThanThat #StupidRumors #DummysWastedPaperAndInkOnthatBS oh and watch #Empire tonight."
Co-star Jussie Smollet also appeared in the video, solidifying the fact that this cast is as close as they say they are.
But Trai Byers, who portrays Henson and Howard's fictional son Andre Lyon, also found himself at the center of problematic rumors when many thought he wanted out of the show because the role was "beneath him." Byers also took to social media to clear the air.
"I don't normally spend my time dispelling rumors, but there is something I'd like to address. I have nothing but love and respect for 'Empire' and all who are involved on the show," he captioned a headshot on Instagram.
"I have a fabulous relationship with FOX, and hold myself to the highest standards professionally. How could I think of demanding something larger than Andre, where I get to express a man with Bipolar disorder, who is on a spiritual journey to find his identity? I'm so proud, so happy, and so lucky to be a part of this cast. This show has started my career. See you in Season Three!"
Season three returned, and with it came Andre...and everyone else!