Trans model ‘lands TV role’ in Empire spin-off

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Transgender model Amiyah Scott has reportedly landed a role in a spin-off of hit TV series Empire.

The Fox show features on a family controlling a hip-hop music company, and has won praise for its diverse characters and storylines.

Following the showā€™s success, Fox hinted that a spinoff series is in the works ā€“ and the rumour mill is in overdrive.

TMZ reports that 27-year-old transgender model Amiyah Scott has been cast on the show ā€“ after she was handpicked by Empire creator Lee Daniels.

She is apparently set to play a singer in a girl group in the series, believed to be a prequel showcasing a young Cookie Lyon.
Trans model ‘lands TV role’ in Empire spin-off
The gossip site adds that Scott is ā€œgetting a crash course with some acting coach hot shotsā€ to prepare for her first on-screen acting roleā€.

The model was previously rumoured to have been cast on Bravoā€™s ā€˜Real Housewives of Atlantaā€™ ā€“ but the role fell through.

Empire creator Lee Daniels recently said he has received death threats for the gay relationships in the showā€¦ though that doesnā€™t seem to have dissuaded him.

He said: ā€œHomophobia is real. It exists.

ā€œ[Out actor] Jussie and I both get death threats. But we will continue to do our thing.ā€

Empire actor Jussie Smollett came out recently in a touching interview with Ellen DeGeneres.

He told her: ā€œIt was very, very important to me, as my first performance and talk show, that it was with you.

ā€œYouā€™ve been such an inspiration to so many, but also to me. What youā€™ve done in the LGBT community is very much, in my opinion, kind of like what Michael Jackson did in the black community ā€” just that you are who you are.ā€