Serayah McNeill of 'Empire' on Landing Her Dream Role at 20

Serayah McNeill talks music and Empire ahead of the season two premiere. (Photo: Trunk Archive)

Serayah McNeill isn’t just an actress on Empire, she’s building one of her own. The talented singer and actress is a favorite on the hit show that spotlights the drama surrounding a hip-hop music company. The 20-year-old actress plays recording artist Tiana Brown, whose character has a few buzzy singles. “[It’s a] dream come true,” says McNeill. “Two of my most favorite things to do in the whole world. What better first role could I have landed?” McNeill certainly isn’t stopping there. With plans to release a mix tape, she is eager to share her songs with fans. “Music is apart of me and how I express myself, so I will always release music,” she says. “I am working on my sound and perfecting that.”

Having been exposed to the limelight, McNeill says sometimes the complexities of celebrity life in reality and in scripts are one in the same. “Being in Hollywood has so many different perspectives and layers,” McNeill explains. “Tiana definitely showcases what some people do in everyday life to get ahead at what ever profession they are in. And if life wasn’t art, I don’t think art would exist,” she says, referring to the fake romantic relationship her character has in order to get ahead.

Instead of shams and scams, the California-born entertainer is taking legitimate advice from her seasoned co-star Terrence Howard, who plays Lucious Lyon. “He is an amazing person to start off with,” McNeill says. “[He’s] completely humble and caring. He leads by example everyday on set. I learn a bunch from him. He has told me, personally, to stay true to myself, and remain confident. Advice from Terrence really helped me carry out Tiana on season one on Empire.”

While filming, Howard isn’t the only cast member McNeill admires. She looks up to Taraji P. Henson as well. ”She’s an amazing actress. We all know it. I grew up watching her, so it was really a surreal experience.” On Henson’s character, Cookie Lyons, McNeill adds, “Cookie gives us all life. Her fur coats and powerful personality could help us all scare of a ‘boo boo kitty’ we are dealing with.” (Boo Boo Kitty is Lyon’s name for another character on the show, Anika Calhoun, who is the former flame of Lucious Lyon. It’s a nasty nickname that sounds sweeter, than say, the other b-word.)

McNeill as Tiana Brown in Empire, season one. (Photo: FOX)

In addition to more drama in season two, McNeill is excited that viewers might find more transparency from her character. “I hope some understanding and clarity as to why she does the things she does,” she says, could be in the cards.

Even though red carpets have become part of the performer’s life, the former high school basketball player admits she has “absolutely not” become accustomed to red carpets. ”It always gives me butterflies. I can never get used to seeing A-list celebrities, and photographers screaming your name.” Before she walks down a sea of flashbulbs, getting ready for interviews at premieres is no quick task. “I prepare at least a few days in advance,” admits McNeill. In her beauty bag, she utilizes more natural and sensitive items like tea tree oil, vitamin E oil and Dove products. For hair, she loves the Deva Curl line, but her overall look depends on her mood. “From what vibe I’m feeling for that event, to what nail color and design I should rock, I love details and I love trying clothes I only used to dream of wearing.”

Perhaps one ensemble she might have only worn in fantasy was from Taylor Swift’s Bad Blood music video. “I got a call to be apart of [it], and I met all of the wonderful girls in the video, at the shoot,” adding it was a pressure-free zone without any lectures. “When we have girl time it’s strictly that. Girls just wanna have fun.” McNeill made new, great friends on set. “[It was an] amazing empowering moment feeling comfortable with other women my age — all so humble yet with such celeb status.” Undoubtedly, she’s a proponent of ladies sticking up for one another. “Women have gone through such degrading times. For us to remember that is so important. We don’t want our young girls competing for attention by bashing their peers,” says McNeill. “We, as women, understand what women-hood entails, so why not just give dap and congratulate each other for our accomplishments?”

Among other females she applauds, at the top is the Queen B (or Bey, for that matter). “I was and still am a huge Destiny’s Child fan. I loved the group’s humbleness and integrity.” Other stars she admires include Sade and Janet Jackson. “I look up to greats like Michael Jackson, Sam Cooke and Pharrell — people who have changed the game and have been so impactful to the world by sharing a piece of their mind and their whole heart.”

Since McNeill is, after all, building her empire, she’s taking detailed notes. “The dedication and humility that they have makes me want to be a better person and start building my utopia.”

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