‘Empire’ Star Bryshere Gray On His Humble Beginnings, Homophobia & Crushing On J.Lo

Compliments of Fox’s hit show, Empire, we’ve been introduced to Bryshere Gray, who portrays Hakeem, the youngest of the Lyon’s legacy. In a recent interview with Cosmopolitan, the Philadelphia-bred actor (who was an aspiring actor) opens up about growing up in a single family household; his new found “fame” and working with supermodel Naomi Campbell. Check out excerpts below.

On juggling his desire for music and becoming a new actor: 

So you’re working the hours of both an actor and a musician.Yeah, I’m doing two things at one time. And I’m also getting trained by a great acting coach, so that’s on top of everything that’s going on. Acting, rapping, trying to stay healthy. That all ties in.

His biggest obstacle as an actor: 

Just being honest. Because you’ve got to do things that you’re not comfortable with; you’ve got to make private situations real life. I learned from Will Smith and Jamie Foxx; they told me, when you feel like you need privacy or you feel like you’re embarrassed doing something, that’s when you’re doing perfect.

Being different from his character, Hakeem:

Yeah. And I’m totally different. I come from West Philadelphia. Raised by a single mom. Not

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