'Empire' season 3 cast news, spoilers: Romeo Miller replaces Kid Cudi; Jamal gets new love interest
Rapper/actor Romeo Miller has replaced fellow rapper/actor Scott "Kid Cudi" Mescudi in the latter's guest stint in "Empire" seasons 3.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Miller, who is also a model and a basketball player, is taking on the role of Gram, a new rival to Hakeem (Bryshere Y. Gray), from Kid Cudi, who has dropped out of the Fox series due to alleged "creative differences."
Kid Cudi has reportedly already shot scenes for the upcoming season of the musical drama, which means that "Empire" will likely have to go through reshoots for its fast-approaching season 3.
Apart from being Hakeem's new competitor in the recording studio, Gram, an independent rapper, will be dating Tiana (Serayah McNeill), Hakeem's ex.
Miller, the show's new Gram, has proven his acting chops in CBS' "The Defenders" and in the 2011 film "Jumping the Broom."
Meanwhile, though Jamal (Jussie Smollett) ended up getting shot in the previous season of "Empire," things may be looking up for the Lyons' middle son. In "Empire" season 3, Jamal is said to be getting a new love interest named Philip, played by "Murder in the First" actor Juan Antonio.
Jamal will meet Philip when the former attends a PTSD support group that the latter runs. In an interview with EW, Smollett described the pair's relationship, saying, "It's someone that for the first time, gives no f—s about his fame."
"Could not care less and not in a disrespectful way," he explained. "He just genuinely is not affected by the money or the success or the fame and it's a very, very honest relationship."
Speaking with EW for the magazine's "Empire" cover story, executive producer Ilene Chaiken gave a preview of Jamal's struggles in season 3, saying: "It's the question of Jamal as a performer. If that's what you are but what you are you can no longer do, then what the hell are you? It's Jamal searching for identity."
"Empire" season 3 debuts Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 9 p.m. ET on Fox.