Queen Latifah Cast in ‘Empire’ Co-Creator Lee Daniels’ Unnamed Pilot Inspired by the Supremes

Lee Daniels is creating his own empire, starting with a queen.

After starring in NBC’s critically acclaimed production of The Wiz Live!, Queen Latifah will soon find herself in a familiar role—salon owner. The actress has been cast in Empire co-creator Lee Daniels' untitled pilot for Fox about a white woman named Star who forms a girl group with two black women. She previously played a hairdresser-turned-salon owner in 2005’s Beauty Shop.

During the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour, Daniels opened up about his upcoming series. "Star is white and she is thrust into a world of blackness," he said, according to the Wrap. "She has a sister who is half black, Simone, and she has a best friend who is black, and they move to Atlanta to form a girls group." It's rumored the show could be the Empire spin-off (fingers crossed) that Daniels claimed would happen "without question" a couple months back.

He added:  "It’s based on LaBelle, it’s based on the Supremes, it’s based on TLC, it’s based on Destiny’s Child. Same sort of inspirations, same sort of template when we created Empire."

Swizz Beatz will create the music for the show. 

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