WSVN — An actor with South Florida ties is talking about his character’s controversy on FOX’s hit show "Empire." That’s not all; he stopped by to give us an inside look at season 2. The Nightteam’s Shireen Sandoval has a sneak peek.
Just like the hit show he stars on, actor Rafael de la Fuente is on fire. The handsome and talented star plays Michael Sanchez on "Empire." He’s the boyfriend of Jamal Lyon, played by Jussie Smollett.
The actor stopped by El Dorado Furniture in Miami for a meet-and-greet with fans.
Rafael de la Fuente: "I just love Miami. Miami is home."
Although he’s originally from Venezuela, Rafael lived in the Magic City for about five years and still has significant ties here.
Rafael de la Fuente: "The important part of my family is still here, and that’s my mother, sister and some cousins."
Then Hollywood came calling.
Shireen Sandoval: "Tell me how the role in ‘Empire’ came about."
Rafael de la Fuente: "They were auditioning people in New York, Chicago, L.A., so when they finally cast me, I had to fly and literally, within three days, I got there and had to be on set."
No time for nerves, especially when you’re acting alongside stars like Taraji P. Henson, who plays Cookie, and Terrence Howard, who plays Lucious.
Rafael de la Fuente: "With this show, everyone is so incredibly talented. I mean, Taraji P. and Terrence, it’s literally like a master class in acting."
But acting isn’t the only thing he does.
Shireen Sandoval: "It seems like everyone on ‘Empire’ is so talented. So, can you sing?"
Rafael de la Fuente: "That’s what I started doing, actually. I started singing. That’s how I started in this business. I started singing when I was about 9."
Will Rafael have a chance to show off his singing chops on "Empire?"
Rafael de la Fuente: "The fans started a hashtag that was (hash)letmichaelsing or something."
Shireen Sandoval: "I love it."
Singing aside, his character, Michael, has some explaining to do after cheating on Jamal.
Rafael de la Fuente: "I can’t give you any spoilers because I would get fired."
Shireen Sandoval: "No! i don’t want that."
Man! Too bad for me and "Empire" fans. He is so not spilling the beans.
Rafael de la Fuente: "That’s the good thing about ‘Empire.’ You don’t know what’s going to happen. You don’t."
Rafael loves his fans, but if you’re not watching what he calls "one of the hottest shows on television," well, he says, you’re missing out.
Rafael de la Fuente: "If you like music, you should watch it. If you like good acting, you should watch it. If you like drama and comedy combined, you should definitely watch it."