Empire: Cast of “Fires of Heaven”

The third episode of Empire Season 2 (9/30/2015) was “Fires of Heaven.” Lucious claimed he was a god but he was the type of god who invites his enemies to dinner and lets one of them pull all the food off the table. Here are some of the actors who were in the supporting cast of this episode.

Umar ‘Big Ooh’ Abdul-Alim was the “Rap Battle Dude.” Freda Gatz (Bre-Z) didn’t like his rap so she pulled out a gun with intent to kill but Lucious was there with intent to sign and tried to convince her not to throw her life away. She ran away with her homies. In real life, wouldn’t most producers see her as more trouble than she is worth and just sign Big Ooh.

Last week, we met Valentina Galindo (Becky G) who didn’t want to be in a girl group. This week, she was the lead singer of Mirage à Trois, the new name someone cleverly came up with to replace Rainbow Sensation. Carmen and Marisol, the other girls in Mirage, were played by Yani Marin and Raquel Castro.

But, guess what? Lucious signed Valentina with a better offer after Cookie whipped them into shape and right before the group was supposed to debut on Sway Calloway’s radio show. So we’re not sure that group even exists anymore but we don’t think that the two other Mirages went with Lucious. Cookie was of course pissed but she told Lucious that he forgot one thing: “You can’t keep Cookie down.” Wouldn’t it be a hoot if Cookie took over Valentina’s spot?

Pitbull and Timbaland guest starred as themselves. Pitbull sang with Jamal at an “I’m Out on Bail” party for Lucious.

But guess what? Cookie and Hakeem hijacked the party. Hakeem sang a declaration of war rap that warned “Little Mally” that he was first on the hit list. Timbaland later joined Hakeem on stage.

More Notes:

• Andre told Lucious about Rhonda’s pregnancy. Lucious was both happy and alarmed because he speculated that the baby might be bipolar, having another flashback where his mother, Leah, bought him toys for his birthday instead of food. He also accused Andre of trying to manipulate him with that bit of information. Andre should be worried, but not about his maternal grandmother — heaven forbid the baby inherits any of Lucious’ toxic traits.
• Lucious tried to get Anika to help him destroy Cookie’s new vision. Anika has one current goal and that is to hurt Lucious so she played along but went to Cookie with the information. Cookie treated her like shit. (What? very shabby just doesn’t describe it). Anika, do yourself a favor, and run away from the entire Lyons family.

Gabourey Sidibe’s recap of “Fires of Heaven”

The Stars of Empire:
Terrence Howard – Lucious Lyon
Taraji P. Henson – Cookie Lyon
Bryshere Y. Gray – Hakeem Lyon
Jussie Smollett – Jamal Lyon
Trai Byers – Andre Lyon

Also in this episode:
Grace Gealey – Anika Calhoun
Kaitlin Doubleday – Rhonda Lyon
Gabourey Sidibe – Becky
Ta’Rhonda Jones – Porsha
Serayah Serayah – Tiana Brown
Andre Royo – Thirsty Rawlings
Tyra Ferrell – Roxanne Ford
Kelly Rowland – Leah Walker
Sway – Sway Calloway
AzMarie Livingston – Chicken
Lihtz Kamraz – Homeboy
Shannon Brown – Little Dwight Walker
Karin Anglin – Reporter #1
Jason Bradley – Reporter #2