Rafael la Fuente talks 'Empire,' gay upl on TV, makg mic | Fox News

Contents:

• DYNASTY’S RAFAEL: “I SUPPRSED BEG GAY UNTIL I WAS 20”
• RAFAEL LA FUENTE TALKS 'EMPIRE,' GAY UPL ON TV, MAKG MIC
• Q&A: RAFAEL DE LA FUENTE RETURNS TO ‘EMPIRE’ AS HALF OF POWER GAY UPLE #JAMICHAEL
• THEBACKLOT INTERVIEW: "EMPIRE'S" RAFAEL LA {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MOVIBY JIM HALTERMANFEBARY 18, 2015/10:26 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}GETTYNEW YORK, NY - MAY 07: GEE CLOONEY (L) AND AMAL CLOONEY ATTEND THE HEAVENLY BODI: FASHN & THE CATHOLIC IMAGATN COSTUME INSTUTE GALA AT THE METROPOLAN MM OF ART ON MAY 7, 2018 NEW YORK CY. (PHOTO BY JAMIE MCCARTHY/GETTY IMAG)BY JIM HALTERMANFEBARY 18, 2015 / 10:26 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"THEBACKLOT INTERVIEW: \"EMPIRE'S\" RAFAEL LA FUENTE","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2015-02-18T15:26:34.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2015-02-18T15:26:34.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"JIM HALTERMAN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"MOVI"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IS THE JAMAL AND MICHAEL RELATNSHIP TROUBLE ON FOX'S EMPIRE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THGS CERTALY LOOKED THAT WAY LAST WEEK'S EPISO WHEN COOKIE (TARAJI P. HENSON) WARNED MICHAEL (RAFAEL LA FNTE) THAT HER SON'S RISG STARDOM WOULD DRIVE A WEDGE BETWEEN THE UPLE. MICHAEL SOON REALIZED HE WAS ALREADY ON THE OUTSI OF JAMAL'S (JSIE SMOLLETT) QUICKLY EXPANDG WORLD THE MIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEN, OF URSE, THERE WAS THE BOMBSHELL THAT JAMAL ULD HAVE FATHERED A CHILD WH A WOMAN (PLAYED BY SMOLLETT'S REAL LIFE BFF, RAVEN-SYMONé).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DYG TO KNOW WHAT'S GOG TO HAPPEN NEXT? SO ARE WE, WHICH MA THE PERFECT TIME TO TCH UP WH LA FNTE. AND, BEE WOULD BE STUPID NOT TO GIVEN HOW SEXY LA FUENTE IS, WE ALSO BROUGHT ALONG PHOTOGRAPHER CLTON GGHRAN TO GET SOME EXCLIVE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT’S YOUR BACKGROUND AND WHEN DID YOU START PERFORMG?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RAFAEL LA FUENTE: I AM VENEZUELAN AND WAS BORN CARAS, VENEZUELA. I ACTUALLY MOVED TO THE STAT WHEN I WAS 19. I WENT TO A LLEGE TAMPA, FLORIDA AND THEN MOVED TO MIAMI. I STARTED ACTG WHEN I WAS ABOUT THAT AGE, WHEN I WAS ABOUT 18, 19. MY FATHER’S A MICIAN. I’M A SGER AS WELL BUT I GOT TO ACTG BY CHANCE. A WOMAN THAT WAS HEAD OF STG A WORK BACK VENEZUELA SAW A PICTURE OF ME AT MY FATHER’S OFFICE AND ASKED HIM IF I WAS VOLVED THE PERFORMG ARTS. HE TOLD HER I WAS A SGER AND THEN SHE WAS LIKE, “TELL HIM TO E SEE ME.” I WENT AND SAW HER AND SHE HAD ME DN. I HAD DONE SCHOOL PLAYS AND STUFF BUT HADN'T WORKED PROFSNALLY. THEY END UP GIVG ME A LTLE GUT STAR ROLE AND I FELL LOVE WH . THE RT IS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DID YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ULD DO BOTH SGG AND ACTG OR ARE YOU GOG TO FOC YOUR ENERGI ON ACTG?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I'VE ALWAYS DONE BOTH BUT THGS MY ACTG REER HAVE JT HAPPENED…I DON’T WANT TO SAY EASILY BEE I’VE WORKED HARD BUT THGS HAVE JT HAPPENED, SO I’VE BEEN MORE FOCED ON THAT. THAT’S ONE OF MY NEW YEAR’S ROLUTNS ACTUALLY, TO ACTUALLY DO MORE MIC THIS YEAR. I FELL LOVE WH MIL THEATER LLEGE AND WAS SOME PLAYS SO I’VE BEEN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN YOU FIRST DNED FOR MICHAEL, WHAT WERE YOU TOLD ABOUT THE CHARACTER? DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THE RELATNSHIP WH JAMAL GOG ?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MY AGENT WAS LIKE, 'THERE’S THIS AMAZG PILOT THIS YEAR. IT’S ONE OF THE STRONGT PILOTS THIS YEAR AND THERE’S A CHARACTER THAT YOU ULD PLAY. READ , GIVE ME YOUR THOUGHTS AND LET ME KNOW.' OH, AND HE TOLD ME LEE [DANIELS] AND DANNY [STRONG] WERE THE CREATORS AND LEE WAS GOG TO DIRECT THE PILOT. I READ AND I WAS LIKE ‘I AM ALL ABOUT THIS. THIS IS AMAZG.’ THIS IS THE TYPE OF SHOW AND THE TYPE OF ROLE THAT YOU WANT TO PLAY, STUFF THAT CHALLENG YOU AND STUFF THAT IS RAW AND THAT HAS MEANG. I WAS SUPER-EXCED TO DN FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE VERY FIRST SCENE WE SEE YOU AND JSIE THE PILOT, YOU N SEE THAT THE GUYS ARE A UPLE AND YOU SEE A REAL, TIMATE NNECTN. WAS THAT SOMETHG YOU GUYS HAD A LOT OF TIME TO WORK ON?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT WAS SO WEIRD BEE I GOT THERE AND THE NEXT DAY I HAD TO BE ON SET SHOOTG THOSE SCEN WH JSIE. I DIDN’T HAVE TABLE READS. I MET HIM THE MAKP TRAILER BEFORE GOG TO SET. WE WENT TO LEE’S TRAILER AND READ THE SCEN AND TALKED ABOUT AND TALKED ABOUT THEIR HISTORY [AND] THEIR STORY. JSIE’S AN AMAZG ACTOR AND AN AMAZG PARTNER AND SUCH AN OPEN AND AVAILABLE PERSON. HE MA ME FEEL FORTABLE OM THE GET-GO. WE HAD TO DO AND WE DID AND WORKED. WE GOT ALONG RIGHT AWAY THOUGH. WE WOULD JOKE ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE HAD TO MAKE OUT OUR FIRST SCENE THE FIRST DAY THAT WE HAD MET. THAT BROKE THE ICE. THE FACT THAT WAS SO FULL-ON OM THE GET-GO BROKE THE ICE RIGHT AWAY BEE WAS 'ALL RIGHT. WE’RE MAKG OUT. LET’S DO AND WE DID .'{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT DID YOU KNOW ABOUT YOUR RELATNSHIP UP UNTIL THIS POT?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEY HAD BEEN TOGETHER FOR TWO YEARS AND THEY HAD BEEN LIVG TOGETHER FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THEY HAD A SOLID, STABLE RELATNSHIP. THEY NEVER SAY WHERE THEY MET OR ANYTHG, BUT FOR OUR OWN BACKSTORY AND STUFF THAT WE HAVE AS ACTORS, EACH OF MAYBE WROTE DOWN A LTLE JOURNAL FOR THE CHARACTER BUT ’S NOT SPECIFIED THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE ARE FELY TENSNS RISG THEIR RELATNSHIP, WHICH WE’VE SEEN THE RECENT EPISOS…{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WELL, ’S A TWO-YEAR LONG RELATNSHIP AND THEY’RE NOT THEIR HONEYMOON STAGE ANYMORE. THEY DISAGREE ON CERTA THGS. IN THIS LAST EPISO YOU SAW SOME TENSN. I THK MICHAEL IS NCERNED BEE HE THKS THAT JAMAL’S PRRI ARE GOG TO DRASTILLY CHANGE AND HE’S WORRIED ABOUT THAT. LIKE KISSG ON THE FIRST DAY THAT WE MET, WORKG ON THE OTHER SI OF , ON THE NOT SO PRETTY SI OF THE RELATNSHIP, WAS NOT HARD WH JSIE BEE HE’S JT EASY TO WORK WH. WE WOULD READ THE SCEN THE NIGHT BEFORE AND E UP WH IAS. IT JT WAS SO EASY TO WORK WH HIM. WH HIM AND WH TARAJI AND EVERYONE. BUT THERE’S FELY SOME TENSN AND SOME MORE TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOW DO YOU THK MICHAEL RELAT TO THE FACT THAT JAMAL HAS THE ISSU WH HIS FATHER AND THE WHOLE HOMOPHOBIA STUFF?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MICHAEL OM A HISPANIC BACKGROUND AND-- LIKE MANY MUNI-- HOMOPHOBIA IS PRENT THE HISPANIC MUNY. WE NEVER SEE OR SAY , BUT I THK HE FELY GREW UP WH A LOT OF PRSURE OM THE LAT MUNY AND HIS FAY AND STUFF. THAT’S WHY HE REBELS AGAST AND THAT’S WHY HE DON’T LIKE LUC. THAT’S WHY HE THKS THAT JAMAL SHOULD JT BE HIMSELF. HE DISAGRE WH THE WHOLE STAYG--THE-CLOSET THG. HE HAS THIS ACTIVIST {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO, COOKIE HAS WARNED MICHAEL THAT JAMAL WON’T BE AS AVAILABLE AND HE’S SEEN SOME OF THAT ALREADY. NOW WE’VE GOT THIS POTENTIAL BABY DADDY SHOCKER. SAFE TO SAY WE’LL SEE THOSE THGS NONTED THE NEXT EPISO?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I DON’T THK THAT MICHAEL HAS A PROBLEM WH JAMAL NOT G OUT, BUT MICHAEL DO HAVE A PROBLEM WH JAMAL LYG. THERE’S A DIFFERENCE. YOUR PRIVATE LIFE IS YOUR PRIVATE LIFE, AND YOU CI WHEN YOU’RE THE PUBLIC EYE THAT SOME THGS YOU WANT TO KEEP FOR YOURSELF. THAT’S YOUR PREROGATIVE AND THAT’S UNRSTANDABLE. I DON’T THK THAT IS MICHAEL’S PROBLEM. MICHAEL’S PROBLEM IS, ‘WHY DO YOU HAVE TO LIE AND SAY THERE’S NO ONE SPECIAL?’ YOU N SAY THERE’S NO GIRL MY LIFE, PERD. END THERE. BUT NO ONE SPECIAL? THAT’S WHAT MICHAEL DON’T LIKE. THAT’S WHAT I THK, MY OPN, THAT’S WHAT’S GOG TO CREATE SOME {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE BABY DADDY THG THAT WAS QUE A BOMBSHELL AT THE END OF LAST {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHY DIDN’T I KNOW ABOUT THAT? I THK MICHAEL’S GOG TO BE SHOCKED BEE YOU’RE LIVG WH SOMEONE FOR TWO YEARS AND THEN ALL OF A SUDN THEY HAVE A KID? ‘BY THE WAY, I HAVE A DGHTER.’{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT DO MICHAEL THK OF COOKIE AT THIS POT? DO HE LIKE WHAT SHE’S DOG WH JAMAL AND HIS REER?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE LOV COOKIE. MICHAEL IS ALL ABOUT COOKIE. HE’S CREDIBLY ENTERTAED BY HER AND LOV HER STYLE AND LOV HOW SHE DON’T TAKE NO BS OM NOBODY. HE REALLY LIK HER AND HE DON’T KNOW THAT SHE DON’T REALLY THK THAT MICHAEL IS THE RIGHT PARTNER FOR JAMAL. HE DON’T KNOW THAT BEE THAT’S A NVERSATN THAT SHE HAS WH HIM AT LEVIC BUT THE ONLY THG THAT SHE’S TELLG MICHAEL, WHICH IS PLETELY VALID, IS THAT THGS ARE GOG TO CHANGE. ‘YOU BETTER BE ON YOUR OWN LANE AND FOC ON YOUR STUFF FOR A LTLE WHILE,’ WHICH IS VALID. SHE’S GIVG HIM SOME ADVICE. BUT HE LIK HER A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU’VE BEEN WATCHG THE SHOW. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORE PART OF THE SHOW OM A VIEWER’S PERSPECTIVE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OF URSE I LOVE THE MIC AND I LOVE THE MIL NUMBERS AND I THK JSIE AND YAZZ ARE SUPREMELY TALENTED. I MEAN, WHEN THAT KID SPS HIS RHYM I’M LIKE ‘WHAT THE HELL?’ HE’S SO GOOD. HE’S SUCH A GOOD PERFORMER. JSIE’S AN AMAZG SGER AND PERFORMER, AMAZG. I MEAN, THEY REALLY ARE LIKE WORLD CLASS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I LOVE COOKIE, I LOVE HER ONE-LERS. I THK SHE’S HILAR AND I LOVE THE FACT THAT TARAJI IS SUCH AN AMAZG ACTRS THAT SHE N BRG EDY AND DRAMA TO ONE SCENE AND MAKE WORK SO FLAWLSLY. YOU’RE LGHG BUT YOU’RE ALSO HEARTBROKEN ONE SCENE. SO SHE BALANC OUT AMAZGLY WELL. SHE’S A BRILLIANT ACTRS. OF URSE, TERRENCE HOWARD, BEG WH HIM ON SET IS LERALLY A MASTER CLASS ACTG. HE’S AMAZG. EVERYONE ELSE THE ST FOR THAT MATTER. I LOVE THE RONDA/ANDRE DYNAMIC. THAT IS ONE F’ED UP {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FAME IS A PART OF THE SHOW’S WORLD, BUT NOW THAT ’S A H YOU MAY ALSO BE FEELG SOME OF THAT WH TERVIEWS AND PEOPLE WANTG TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOU. HOW HAVE YOU MANAGED THAT SO FAR?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FAME ISN’T REALLY NEW TO ME BEE I HAVE BEEN WORKG THE HISPANIC DTRY FOR A LONG TIME. I DID A SHOW THAT WAS VERY, VERY SUCCSFUL LAT AMERI AND A NCERT TOUR. I HAVE ALT WH FAME AND ’S NOT REALLY MY FAVORE. I’M TERTED THE CRAFT AND NOT SO MUCH THE GLAM, WHICH WHEN YOU’RE ISN’T REALLY AS GLAMORO AS YOU WOULD THK IS. IT’S FAKE AND SOMETIM YOU DON’T KNOW WHY PEOPLE ARE BEG NICE TO YOU AND WHAT THEIR TE TENTNS ARE AND WHO’S YOUR REAL IEND OR NOT? BUT THEN AGA, GIV YOU POWER AND GIV YOU A VOICE. YOU KNOW, SOMETHG THAT YOU HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO MANAGE AND BALANCE AND HOW TO LIVE WH. YEAH, ’S NOT MY FAVORE PART OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE ARE SO MANY GAY CHARACTERS ON TV RIGHT NOW. ARE YOU AWARE OF THE TIME WHEN THERE WEREN’T AS MANY GAY CHARACTERS ON TV?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I THK THAT JT NEEDS TO STOP BEG ‘THE GAY CHARACTER.’ IT’S JT AN TERTG CHARACTER. I THK THAT TV SHOULD BE A REFLECTN OF REALY, OF EVERYDAY LIFE AND THE TTH OF THE MATTER IS, THERE ARE BLACKS, WH, ASIANS, LATOS, STRAIGHTS, GAYS, BISEXUALS AND SHOULDN’T BE A BIG AL THAT THERE’S A GAY CHARACTER BEE THERE’S GAY PEOPLE THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT I THK IS IMPORTANT AND I THK ’S GREAT THAT THERE ARE MORE AND MORE GAY CHARACTERS ON TV. I THK ’S GREAT THAT EMPIRE IS SHOWG A NON-STEREOTYPIL, NORMAL GAY PERSON LIKE JAMAL AND LIKE MICHAEL. I THK ’S IMPORTANT TO TRY TO STAY AWAY OM WHAT WE’VE ALREADY SEEN SO MANY TIM, WHICH IS THE GAY CHARACTER BEG THE STEREOTYPE OR THE EDIC RELIEF, THE BUFFOON OR THE JOKE. I MEAN THAT’S FE AND WHATEVER BUT WE WANT TO SEE REAL HUMAN BEGS, REAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF FIVE, TEN YEARS OM NOW? DO YOU WANT TO STILL BE DOG TV? FILM? THEATER?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I WANT TO DO ALL. I DON’T REALLY HAVE A LIM. I DON’T THK THAT WAY. I WOULD LOVE TO DO BROADWAY. I WOULD LOVE TO DO AMAZG FILMS. I WOULD LOVE TO BE ON AMAZG TV SHOWS. I WOULD LOVE TO BE ON SEASON FIVE OF EMPIRE! I’D LOVE TO PRODUCE MY OWN STUFF, I’D LOVE TO BE MAKG MIC. WE’LL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EMPIRE AIRS WEDNDAYS AT 9PM ON FOX. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A PREVIEW OM TONIGHT'S EPISO....{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

DYNASTY’S RAFAEL: “I SUPPRSED BEG GAY UNTIL I WAS 20”

Speakg a Pri chat wh trans actrs Ivory Aquo, he explaed that took him many years to fally be te to himself as he stggled to feel fortable about beg gay. “I always knew [I was gay] om a very young age, ” he said.

I never really told myself ‘I’m gay’.

Rafael went on to expla that durg his time at uni, he was endured mental heath issu bee he found a hard time to feel fortable enough to adm to himself he was gay1 “I was llege. I didn’t grow up around any gay people that I knew were out. I didn’t have anyone gay I uld look up to.

RAFAEL LA FUENTE TALKS 'EMPIRE,' GAY UPL ON TV, MAKG MIC

“When I was about to graduate, I started lookg up people tellg their g out stori and I started to see gay people beg happy and succsful, talkg about thgs I had felt. Whe gay men have privilege over black gay men, immigrant gay, bi and lbian people al wh different issu than their Amerin-born unter parts.. Whe gay men have privilege over black gay men, immigrant gay, bi and lbian people al wh different issu than their Amerin-born unter parts.

Q&A: RAFAEL DE LA FUENTE RETURNS TO ‘EMPIRE’ AS HALF OF POWER GAY UPLE #JAMICHAEL

He was proud to play a gay character. “Empire” is one of the many shows that have gone ahead to clu gay characters, and Rafael playg a gay mory character uld not have been prour.

Many actors have been assumed to be gay after playg gay characters. People like Sean Penn, Eddie Cibrian, and Eric Stontreet put on such an imprsive performance that some fans speculated they were gay. While the are all straight men playg gay characters, Rafael is not.

“Empire” was the first show which Rafael was portrayg a gay character, so he felt he need to prepare for like he would any other role. Sheridan married openly gay  la Fuente, 35, who is bt known for playg Sam Jon Amerin soap opera reboot Dynasty, July mystery man to whom Hugh Sheridan (left) was secretly married for ne years has been unmasked as Venezuelan actor Rafael la Fuente (right). Thereafter, the 36-year-old Venezuelan actor and sger has land rol a uple of films and televisn shows, cludg portrayg the gay male versn of Sam Jon (origally known as Sammy Jo Carrgton, portrayed by Heather Locklear) The CW’s ‘Dynasty’ reboot.

THEBACKLOT INTERVIEW: "EMPIRE'S" RAFAEL LA {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MOVIBY JIM HALTERMANFEBARY 18, 2015/10:26 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}GETTYNEW YORK, NY - MAY 07: GEE CLOONEY (L) AND AMAL CLOONEY ATTEND THE HEAVENLY BODI: FASHN & THE CATHOLIC IMAGATN COSTUME INSTUTE GALA AT THE METROPOLAN MM OF ART ON MAY 7, 2018 NEW YORK CY. (PHOTO BY JAMIE MCCARTHY/GETTY IMAG)BY JIM HALTERMANFEBARY 18, 2015 / 10:26 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"THEBACKLOT INTERVIEW: \"EMPIRE'S\" RAFAEL LA FUENTE","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2015-02-18T15:26:34.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2015-02-18T15:26:34.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"JIM HALTERMAN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"MOVI"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IS THE JAMAL AND MICHAEL RELATNSHIP TROUBLE ON FOX'S EMPIRE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THGS CERTALY LOOKED THAT WAY LAST WEEK'S EPISO WHEN COOKIE (TARAJI P. HENSON) WARNED MICHAEL (RAFAEL LA FNTE) THAT HER SON'S RISG STARDOM WOULD DRIVE A WEDGE BETWEEN THE UPLE. MICHAEL SOON REALIZED HE WAS ALREADY ON THE OUTSI OF JAMAL'S (JSIE SMOLLETT) QUICKLY EXPANDG WORLD THE MIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEN, OF URSE, THERE WAS THE BOMBSHELL THAT JAMAL ULD HAVE FATHERED A CHILD WH A WOMAN (PLAYED BY SMOLLETT'S REAL LIFE BFF, RAVEN-SYMONé).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DYG TO KNOW WHAT'S GOG TO HAPPEN NEXT? SO ARE WE, WHICH MA THE PERFECT TIME TO TCH UP WH LA FNTE. AND, BEE WOULD BE STUPID NOT TO GIVEN HOW SEXY LA FUENTE IS, WE ALSO BROUGHT ALONG PHOTOGRAPHER CLTON GGHRAN TO GET SOME EXCLIVE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT’S YOUR BACKGROUND AND WHEN DID YOU START PERFORMG?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RAFAEL LA FUENTE: I AM VENEZUELAN AND WAS BORN CARAS, VENEZUELA. I ACTUALLY MOVED TO THE STAT WHEN I WAS 19. I WENT TO A LLEGE TAMPA, FLORIDA AND THEN MOVED TO MIAMI. I STARTED ACTG WHEN I WAS ABOUT THAT AGE, WHEN I WAS ABOUT 18, 19. MY FATHER’S A MICIAN. I’M A SGER AS WELL BUT I GOT TO ACTG BY CHANCE. A WOMAN THAT WAS HEAD OF STG A WORK BACK VENEZUELA SAW A PICTURE OF ME AT MY FATHER’S OFFICE AND ASKED HIM IF I WAS VOLVED THE PERFORMG ARTS. HE TOLD HER I WAS A SGER AND THEN SHE WAS LIKE, “TELL HIM TO E SEE ME.” I WENT AND SAW HER AND SHE HAD ME DN. I HAD DONE SCHOOL PLAYS AND STUFF BUT HADN'T WORKED PROFSNALLY. THEY END UP GIVG ME A LTLE GUT STAR ROLE AND I FELL LOVE WH . THE RT IS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DID YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ULD DO BOTH SGG AND ACTG OR ARE YOU GOG TO FOC YOUR ENERGI ON ACTG?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I'VE ALWAYS DONE BOTH BUT THGS MY ACTG REER HAVE JT HAPPENED…I DON’T WANT TO SAY EASILY BEE I’VE WORKED HARD BUT THGS HAVE JT HAPPENED, SO I’VE BEEN MORE FOCED ON THAT. THAT’S ONE OF MY NEW YEAR’S ROLUTNS ACTUALLY, TO ACTUALLY DO MORE MIC THIS YEAR. I FELL LOVE WH MIL THEATER LLEGE AND WAS SOME PLAYS SO I’VE BEEN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN YOU FIRST DNED FOR MICHAEL, WHAT WERE YOU TOLD ABOUT THE CHARACTER? DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THE RELATNSHIP WH JAMAL GOG ?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MY AGENT WAS LIKE, 'THERE’S THIS AMAZG PILOT THIS YEAR. IT’S ONE OF THE STRONGT PILOTS THIS YEAR AND THERE’S A CHARACTER THAT YOU ULD PLAY. READ , GIVE ME YOUR THOUGHTS AND LET ME KNOW.' OH, AND HE TOLD ME LEE [DANIELS] AND DANNY [STRONG] WERE THE CREATORS AND LEE WAS GOG TO DIRECT THE PILOT. I READ AND I WAS LIKE ‘I AM ALL ABOUT THIS. THIS IS AMAZG.’ THIS IS THE TYPE OF SHOW AND THE TYPE OF ROLE THAT YOU WANT TO PLAY, STUFF THAT CHALLENG YOU AND STUFF THAT IS RAW AND THAT HAS MEANG. I WAS SUPER-EXCED TO DN FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE VERY FIRST SCENE WE SEE YOU AND JSIE THE PILOT, YOU N SEE THAT THE GUYS ARE A UPLE AND YOU SEE A REAL, TIMATE NNECTN. WAS THAT SOMETHG YOU GUYS HAD A LOT OF TIME TO WORK ON?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT WAS SO WEIRD BEE I GOT THERE AND THE NEXT DAY I HAD TO BE ON SET SHOOTG THOSE SCEN WH JSIE. I DIDN’T HAVE TABLE READS. I MET HIM THE MAKP TRAILER BEFORE GOG TO SET. WE WENT TO LEE’S TRAILER AND READ THE SCEN AND TALKED ABOUT AND TALKED ABOUT THEIR HISTORY [AND] THEIR STORY. JSIE’S AN AMAZG ACTOR AND AN AMAZG PARTNER AND SUCH AN OPEN AND AVAILABLE PERSON. HE MA ME FEEL FORTABLE OM THE GET-GO. WE HAD TO DO AND WE DID AND WORKED. WE GOT ALONG RIGHT AWAY THOUGH. WE WOULD JOKE ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE HAD TO MAKE OUT OUR FIRST SCENE THE FIRST DAY THAT WE HAD MET. THAT BROKE THE ICE. THE FACT THAT WAS SO FULL-ON OM THE GET-GO BROKE THE ICE RIGHT AWAY BEE WAS 'ALL RIGHT. WE’RE MAKG OUT. LET’S DO AND WE DID .'{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT DID YOU KNOW ABOUT YOUR RELATNSHIP UP UNTIL THIS POT?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEY HAD BEEN TOGETHER FOR TWO YEARS AND THEY HAD BEEN LIVG TOGETHER FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THEY HAD A SOLID, STABLE RELATNSHIP. THEY NEVER SAY WHERE THEY MET OR ANYTHG, BUT FOR OUR OWN BACKSTORY AND STUFF THAT WE HAVE AS ACTORS, EACH OF MAYBE WROTE DOWN A LTLE JOURNAL FOR THE CHARACTER BUT ’S NOT SPECIFIED THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE ARE FELY TENSNS RISG THEIR RELATNSHIP, WHICH WE’VE SEEN THE RECENT EPISOS…{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WELL, ’S A TWO-YEAR LONG RELATNSHIP AND THEY’RE NOT THEIR HONEYMOON STAGE ANYMORE. THEY DISAGREE ON CERTA THGS. IN THIS LAST EPISO YOU SAW SOME TENSN. I THK MICHAEL IS NCERNED BEE HE THKS THAT JAMAL’S PRRI ARE GOG TO DRASTILLY CHANGE AND HE’S WORRIED ABOUT THAT. LIKE KISSG ON THE FIRST DAY THAT WE MET, WORKG ON THE OTHER SI OF , ON THE NOT SO PRETTY SI OF THE RELATNSHIP, WAS NOT HARD WH JSIE BEE HE’S JT EASY TO WORK WH. WE WOULD READ THE SCEN THE NIGHT BEFORE AND E UP WH IAS. IT JT WAS SO EASY TO WORK WH HIM. WH HIM AND WH TARAJI AND EVERYONE. BUT THERE’S FELY SOME TENSN AND SOME MORE TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOW DO YOU THK MICHAEL RELAT TO THE FACT THAT JAMAL HAS THE ISSU WH HIS FATHER AND THE WHOLE HOMOPHOBIA STUFF?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MICHAEL OM A HISPANIC BACKGROUND AND-- LIKE MANY MUNI-- HOMOPHOBIA IS PRENT THE HISPANIC MUNY. WE NEVER SEE OR SAY , BUT I THK HE FELY GREW UP WH A LOT OF PRSURE OM THE LAT MUNY AND HIS FAY AND STUFF. THAT’S WHY HE REBELS AGAST AND THAT’S WHY HE DON’T LIKE LUC. THAT’S WHY HE THKS THAT JAMAL SHOULD JT BE HIMSELF. HE DISAGRE WH THE WHOLE STAYG--THE-CLOSET THG. HE HAS THIS ACTIVIST {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO, COOKIE HAS WARNED MICHAEL THAT JAMAL WON’T BE AS AVAILABLE AND HE’S SEEN SOME OF THAT ALREADY. NOW WE’VE GOT THIS POTENTIAL BABY DADDY SHOCKER. SAFE TO SAY WE’LL SEE THOSE THGS NONTED THE NEXT EPISO?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I DON’T THK THAT MICHAEL HAS A PROBLEM WH JAMAL NOT G OUT, BUT MICHAEL DO HAVE A PROBLEM WH JAMAL LYG. THERE’S A DIFFERENCE. YOUR PRIVATE LIFE IS YOUR PRIVATE LIFE, AND YOU CI WHEN YOU’RE THE PUBLIC EYE THAT SOME THGS YOU WANT TO KEEP FOR YOURSELF. THAT’S YOUR PREROGATIVE AND THAT’S UNRSTANDABLE. I DON’T THK THAT IS MICHAEL’S PROBLEM. MICHAEL’S PROBLEM IS, ‘WHY DO YOU HAVE TO LIE AND SAY THERE’S NO ONE SPECIAL?’ YOU N SAY THERE’S NO GIRL MY LIFE, PERD. END THERE. BUT NO ONE SPECIAL? THAT’S WHAT MICHAEL DON’T LIKE. THAT’S WHAT I THK, MY OPN, THAT’S WHAT’S GOG TO CREATE SOME {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE BABY DADDY THG THAT WAS QUE A BOMBSHELL AT THE END OF LAST {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHY DIDN’T I KNOW ABOUT THAT? I THK MICHAEL’S GOG TO BE SHOCKED BEE YOU’RE LIVG WH SOMEONE FOR TWO YEARS AND THEN ALL OF A SUDN THEY HAVE A KID? ‘BY THE WAY, I HAVE A DGHTER.’{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT DO MICHAEL THK OF COOKIE AT THIS POT? DO HE LIKE WHAT SHE’S DOG WH JAMAL AND HIS REER?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE LOV COOKIE. MICHAEL IS ALL ABOUT COOKIE. HE’S CREDIBLY ENTERTAED BY HER AND LOV HER STYLE AND LOV HOW SHE DON’T TAKE NO BS OM NOBODY. HE REALLY LIK HER AND HE DON’T KNOW THAT SHE DON’T REALLY THK THAT MICHAEL IS THE RIGHT PARTNER FOR JAMAL. HE DON’T KNOW THAT BEE THAT’S A NVERSATN THAT SHE HAS WH HIM AT LEVIC BUT THE ONLY THG THAT SHE’S TELLG MICHAEL, WHICH IS PLETELY VALID, IS THAT THGS ARE GOG TO CHANGE. ‘YOU BETTER BE ON YOUR OWN LANE AND FOC ON YOUR STUFF FOR A LTLE WHILE,’ WHICH IS VALID. SHE’S GIVG HIM SOME ADVICE. BUT HE LIK HER A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU’VE BEEN WATCHG THE SHOW. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORE PART OF THE SHOW OM A VIEWER’S PERSPECTIVE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OF URSE I LOVE THE MIC AND I LOVE THE MIL NUMBERS AND I THK JSIE AND YAZZ ARE SUPREMELY TALENTED. I MEAN, WHEN THAT KID SPS HIS RHYM I’M LIKE ‘WHAT THE HELL?’ HE’S SO GOOD. HE’S SUCH A GOOD PERFORMER. JSIE’S AN AMAZG SGER AND PERFORMER, AMAZG. I MEAN, THEY REALLY ARE LIKE WORLD CLASS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I LOVE COOKIE, I LOVE HER ONE-LERS. I THK SHE’S HILAR AND I LOVE THE FACT THAT TARAJI IS SUCH AN AMAZG ACTRS THAT SHE N BRG EDY AND DRAMA TO ONE SCENE AND MAKE WORK SO FLAWLSLY. YOU’RE LGHG BUT YOU’RE ALSO HEARTBROKEN ONE SCENE. SO SHE BALANC OUT AMAZGLY WELL. SHE’S A BRILLIANT ACTRS. OF URSE, TERRENCE HOWARD, BEG WH HIM ON SET IS LERALLY A MASTER CLASS ACTG. HE’S AMAZG. EVERYONE ELSE THE ST FOR THAT MATTER. I LOVE THE RONDA/ANDRE DYNAMIC. THAT IS ONE F’ED UP {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FAME IS A PART OF THE SHOW’S WORLD, BUT NOW THAT ’S A H YOU MAY ALSO BE FEELG SOME OF THAT WH TERVIEWS AND PEOPLE WANTG TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOU. HOW HAVE YOU MANAGED THAT SO FAR?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FAME ISN’T REALLY NEW TO ME BEE I HAVE BEEN WORKG THE HISPANIC DTRY FOR A LONG TIME. I DID A SHOW THAT WAS VERY, VERY SUCCSFUL LAT AMERI AND A NCERT TOUR. I HAVE ALT WH FAME AND ’S NOT REALLY MY FAVORE. I’M TERTED THE CRAFT AND NOT SO MUCH THE GLAM, WHICH WHEN YOU’RE ISN’T REALLY AS GLAMORO AS YOU WOULD THK IS. IT’S FAKE AND SOMETIM YOU DON’T KNOW WHY PEOPLE ARE BEG NICE TO YOU AND WHAT THEIR TE TENTNS ARE AND WHO’S YOUR REAL IEND OR NOT? BUT THEN AGA, GIV YOU POWER AND GIV YOU A VOICE. YOU KNOW, SOMETHG THAT YOU HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO MANAGE AND BALANCE AND HOW TO LIVE WH. YEAH, ’S NOT MY FAVORE PART OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE ARE SO MANY GAY CHARACTERS ON TV RIGHT NOW. ARE YOU AWARE OF THE TIME WHEN THERE WEREN’T AS MANY GAY CHARACTERS ON TV?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I THK THAT JT NEEDS TO STOP BEG ‘THE GAY CHARACTER.’ IT’S JT AN TERTG CHARACTER. I THK THAT TV SHOULD BE A REFLECTN OF REALY, OF EVERYDAY LIFE AND THE TTH OF THE MATTER IS, THERE ARE BLACKS, WH, ASIANS, LATOS, STRAIGHTS, GAYS, BISEXUALS AND SHOULDN’T BE A BIG AL THAT THERE’S A GAY CHARACTER BEE THERE’S GAY PEOPLE THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT I THK IS IMPORTANT AND I THK ’S GREAT THAT THERE ARE MORE AND MORE GAY CHARACTERS ON TV. I THK ’S GREAT THAT EMPIRE IS SHOWG A NON-STEREOTYPIL, NORMAL GAY PERSON LIKE JAMAL AND LIKE MICHAEL. I THK ’S IMPORTANT TO TRY TO STAY AWAY OM WHAT WE’VE ALREADY SEEN SO MANY TIM, WHICH IS THE GAY CHARACTER BEG THE STEREOTYPE OR THE EDIC RELIEF, THE BUFFOON OR THE JOKE. I MEAN THAT’S FE AND WHATEVER BUT WE WANT TO SEE REAL HUMAN BEGS, REAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF FIVE, TEN YEARS OM NOW? DO YOU WANT TO STILL BE DOG TV? FILM? THEATER?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I WANT TO DO ALL. I DON’T REALLY HAVE A LIM. I DON’T THK THAT WAY. I WOULD LOVE TO DO BROADWAY. I WOULD LOVE TO DO AMAZG FILMS. I WOULD LOVE TO BE ON AMAZG TV SHOWS. I WOULD LOVE TO BE ON SEASON FIVE OF EMPIRE! I’D LOVE TO PRODUCE MY OWN STUFF, I’D LOVE TO BE MAKG MIC. WE’LL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EMPIRE AIRS WEDNDAYS AT 9PM ON FOX. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A PREVIEW OM TONIGHT'S EPISO....{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

In real life, Rafael is openly gay, and he is reportedly prevly married to Atralian actor Hugh Sheridan. “I always knew [I was gay] om a very young age. I never really told myself ‘I’m gay’.

Durg an terview, la Fuente, 28, talked about the posive feedback he’s received om viewers on Empire featurg a gay character, and why he feels ’s so important to have Lato creators workg on TV shows wh Lato rol. On playg a gay character.