“Empire” fans may be seeing a huge casting shake up! Trai Byers, who plays Andre Lyon, reportedly wants off the hit Fox show and is letting everyone know about it.
‘Empire’ Spoilers: Will Andre Be Killed Off?
According to Page Six, Trai Byers wants off the show because he believes the character of Andre Lyon is simply beneath him as he thinks of himself as a classically trained actor.
“Trai wants out,” an insider said. “He feels that he studied at Yale and he’s a ‘true thespian’ . . . The character is beneath him. He has an idea of himself as being this big Shakespearean actor.”
Trai Byers was reportedly thrilled to land the role on “Empire” at first, but lately hasn’t liked the direction the show has taken in its sophomore season.
“At first, being on ‘Empire’ was major for him. But he feels his character is not as important this season, and he hates not being the star,” said the source. “He thinks he has the acting chops of Taraji and Terrence. He doesn’t get how the show benefits him, and he feels he has way too much talent when he’s not the star by any means.”
Trai Byers allegedly has been causing trouble on set as well as he thinks he’s just as good of an actor as his “Empire” on-screen parents Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard, but isn’t the screen time that they do as Cookie and Lucious Lyon.
FoxTrai Byers Wants Off The Show?
“Trai threw a temper tantrum during filming in the past few weeks, saying, ‘I don’t get to do enough, I might leave.’ But producers called his bluff and said, ‘Fine, if you’re not happy, we don’t need you.’ He thinks he is a brilliant guy who deserves a better role, but he’s hardly one of the most popular or dynamic actors on the show.”
Trai Byers was also reportedly furious when he lost out of the role in a new Muhammad Ali film. The “Empire” star, who engaged to his co-star Grace Gealey who play Anika on the show, is said to have fired his entire team after losing out on the role. “He fired [his team] when he didn’t, and now no one knows how to reach out to him. He’s even fired ICM.”
However, as for now, Trai Byers, has continued to film Season 2 of “Empire” and hasn’t quit or been fired as of yet. “It’s the last week of filming the season, and he’s not quitting, nor is he being fired, for now.”
