By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
FOX’s new hit “Empire” is racking up the ratings and the network hopes that will continue as long as the celebrity guest appearances keep rolling in.
Unfortunately for the network, music heavyweight Diddy just pulled the plug on his son’s cameo on the hit show.
Page Six writes:
Lee Daniels’ hip-hop drama “Empire” is the hottest show on TV, and actors and musicians are lining up for roles. But Sean “Diddy” Combs pulled his adopted son, Quincy, from the cast after getting into a fight with 20th Century Fox TV over music rights, Page Six has exclusively learned.
Sources say Quincy was guaranteed a role on the show about a family-run hip-hop record label starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, but Diddy hit the roof when he learned that his son would have to sign over a portion of his music rights in relation to the show to Fox.
Stars on the show are subject to music contracts similar to those on other shows like “Glee” or “American Idol,” which propel their players into superstardom. “Empire” features a score curated by hit-maker Timbaland and includes original songs that are sold on iTunes and Spotify.
A source told us: “Diddy kicked up a huge stink and called all the top brass at 20th Century Fox TV to get them to change their rules over music rights,” but he didn’t get his way. “He said there was no way his son was signing over his intellectual property. So he banned him from the show.”
FOX hasn’t completely given up on the idea of having Quincy on the show, and the network hopes it can persuade Diddy to agree to Quincy doing a guest appearance next season.
Interestingly enough, sources tell E! News Page Six got it wrong. E! writes:
Fox doesn’t comment on casting rumors. However, multiple sources tell E! News that Quincy was never actually offered a role on Empire. He did have some very preliminary talks, but Diddy’s son never tested for a role, and wasn’t offered a part. There was never an issue regarding his music rights. Timbaland has been Empire’s music director from the get-go, and the show uses his library of music, as well as original songs that are sold on iTunes.
I know it might bit be an unpopular position, seeing as how Quincy just dropped a tune. But Diddy knows that his son shouldn’t be signing away his rights. Artists try their whole lives to get those back after signing them away…and they’re usually unsuccessful. Good looking out Diddy!
Well Diddy should know a bad contract when he sees one. I mean he’s made multiple artists sign them throughout his career.
Lol!
#DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lmao
LOL this!
I’m really not a fan of Diddy’s but if this is true, then I have to say he did the right thing as a parent. You have to always look out for kids when you’re able to.
The motherf-cking irony.
I don’t want Fox to start piling up the celebrity cameos on Empire. It’s only going to hurt the show in the long run.
This is one of those American idol contract
Well snakes can spot other snakes.
I can’t even blame him.