After becoming a successful rapper and singer, Lucious uses his drug money to build his own record company, Empire. After announcing his plans to take Empire public, Lucious is informed that he has ALS and is given 3 years to live. He soon becomes engaged to a younger woman and debutante named Anika Calhoun.
Meanwhile, Lucious is approached by an attorney. Lucious is aware that their meeting is illegal, and tells her so. Roxanne Ford, the new prosecutor, makes an offer for Lucious - if he pleads guilty, he can make a deal where he can turn in some other killers at Empire, and in turn he will be protected in jail.
In the show's first season Cookie has her eyes on Empire's head of security, Malcolm DeVeaux, and Lucious is with Anika. Despite their situations the two still manage to find time to reconnect. In the show's second season Cookie has yet another boy toy, Laz (Adam Rodriguez) a promoter for her record label Lyon Dynasty.
Perhaps he and Lucious make a deal: Thirsty can defend Lucious in exchange for a record deal or at least some recording time at Empire Entertainment. On most TV shows, the presence and casting of a lawyer usually means a TV show is headed to court room. Thirsty could be defending Lucious to a jury.
Thirsty RawlingsThurston "Thirsty" Rawlings is a recurring character in the second season of Empire. He was the lawyer who represented Lucious Lyon, and is currently an employee at Empire Entertainment.
Royo also appeared as Lucious Lyon's (Terrence Howard) defense attorney Thirsty Rawlings on the FOX drama series Empire.
He is afflicted with bipolar disorder, and is on a spiritual journey to find his identity. He is the one Lyon "son" who chooses business over singing. He was in an interracial relationship, married to scheming character Rhonda (played by Kaitlin Doubleday).
Rhonda Lyon (wife) They are a married couple, but have been shown to both commit adultery multiple times. However, they both seem knowledgeable about each others cheating, and encourage one another to go through with it if it means that it will help them gain control of the Empire.
The Bronx, New York, NYAndre Royo / Place of birth
Bubbles has been clean for over a year. He is living in his sister Rae's basement and selling The Baltimore Sun on the street to make money. His Narcotics Anonymous sponsor is Walon.
Jeff is visited by Lucious, though their talk turns hostile and he is beaten until Giselle steps in and reveals Jeff is his son. Lucious is shocked as Jeff confirms the truth and this has Lucious visit Jeff's mother who confirms it.
Andre and Rhonda met and dated in college before marriage. During this time, however, Andre was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. However, despite Rhonda's awareness of his diagnosis, Lucious forced Rhonda not to reveal anything about it....Andre-Rhonda RelationshipDating Status:Married6 more rows
Clearly, the show's writers were trying to throw us for a loop, because as it turns out, Anika admitted to pushing Rhonda down the stairs. The dramatic episode concluded with a full-on brawl between Rhonda and Anika, finally leading to a confession from Anika.
In separate statements, Empire creators/executive producers Lee Daniels and Danny Strong addressed the abrupt ending of their show due to the coronavirus pandemic while holding out hope that they could film a proper finale one day. In light of the situation in the U.S., there are no current plans for that.
Oh yeah, Andre is in jail for his role in aiding Anika to fall over the glass barrier to her death. Thirsty was his attorney and according to Andre, it was the best way to get in and out jail in the shortest amount of time.
The show was forced to cut its final season short after the coronavirus pandemic shut down production. Co-creators Lee Daniels and Danny Strong told Deadline they hope to eventually give the series a proper finale.