Adam Rodriguez Joins ‘Empire’: Will He Become Cookie’s New Man?
It’s official — actor Adam Rodriguez joined the cast of the hit Fox series, Empire!
According to Variety, the Magic Mike XXL star will have a recurring guest star role in the highly-anticipated second season.
.@EmpireFox Adds @_adam_rodriguez to Cast http://t.co/FyrgXMffrr
— Variety (@Variety) June 2, 2015
Rodriguez will play Laz Delgado, a New York native EMT-turned-concert promoter that is known for his first-class hustling skills and charisma.
It would seem only right to match one smooth talker with another, which is apparently what Empire creators Danny Strong and Lee Daniels have planned.
Multiple sources confirm that Adam Rodriguez could potentially become Cookie’s new man — especially since his character reportedly develops an interest in her.
It would definitely not be the first time that Adam Rodriguez was romantically linked to Taraji P. Henson while in character. Rodriguez and Henson showcased their on-screen chemistry in the 2009 Tyler Perry film, I Can Do Bad All By Myself.
When Adam Rodriguez confirmed the news of joining the Empire cast for Season 2, he also mentioned his excitement about reuniting with his friend and former co-star.
So excited to be joining my friend @TherealTaraji and the rest of the cast of @EmpireFOX pic.twitter.com/BmOQb2aF3l
— Adam Rodriguez (@_Adam_Rodriguez) June 2, 2015
Based on some of the reactions and responses on Twitter from fans and critics, Adam Rodriguez and Taraji P. Henson are apparently not the only ones excited about their on-screen reunion.
Ooh, who remembers the chemistry between Taraji P. Henson and Adam Rodriguez on the set of “I Can Do Bad All By… http://t.co/Cis6IQUe5e
— Thomasena MMT Farrar (@ledfarr) June 2, 2015
seeing Adam Rodriguez & Taraji P. Henson back on screen together will be nice. #LRT #EmpireFOX
— BrittyBritt™ (@Britt_Nicole12) June 2, 2015
Adam Rodriguez will not be the only new face that appears on Empire when the record-setting hit series returns this fall for its second season. Previous reports have already confirmed such names as Chris Rock, Alicia Keys, Ne-Yo, and Lenny Kravitz as additional guest stars.
However, it will be very interesting to see just how well Taraji P. Henson and Adam Rodriguez connect together. Perhaps Laz Delgado and Cookie Lyon will have the same heat and tension that Cookie had during the show’s first season with Malcolm (played by Derek Luke).
Empire fans will just have to wait and see what happens with Adam Rodriguez’s new character when the second season premieres on Wednesday, September 23.
However, fans and critics of Adam Rodriguez will not necessarily have to wait until September to see him in action, since Magic Mike XXL will premiere in theaters on July 1.
[Image Credit: Daily News and Frazer Harrison / Getty Images]
