Director pushes through fear with ‘Empire,’ ‘Star’
ATLANTA — Oscarnominated director Lee Daniels says he is consumed by fear each time he films a new scene.
Even after Daniels found meteoric success through films such as “Monster’s Ball,” “Precious” and “The Butler,” along with his popular TV series “Empire,” he still worries that his work won't live up to people’s expectations.
“Right before I yell ‘action’ in whatever I'm doing, I am as scared as a 9-year-old child,” the producer-director-writer says. “All of my past has given me the courage and confidence on whatever I'm going to do next, because I have to challenge myself. But I'm still scared.”
Daniels expects to experience the same anxiety before his shows “Empire” and “Star” premiere backto-back tonight starting at 9 on Fox. The two music dramas will combine their story lines with some characters from each show appearing in the other.
“Empire” kicks off its fourth season after Terrence Howard's character Lucious Lyon has awakened from a coma with amnesia. The series stars Golden Globe winner Taraji P. Henson as Lyon's ex-wife Cookie who along with their three sons is fighting for a share of the family entertainment company.
On “Star,” in its second season, three young women are looking for a fresh start in Atlanta in hopes of becoming music stars as an all-girl group. The series stars Jude Demoerest (Star), Brittany O'Grady (Star's sister Simone) and Ryan Destiny (Alexandra).
Queen Latifah, who plays Carlotta Brown, the girls' surrogate mother, is calling the premiere of both shows “Lee Daniels Night.” She has known Daniels for nearly 10 years, and believes he's capable of meshing both shows together.
“He has a skill, a talent,” she said. “He's able to bring people to life and bring stories to life and characters to life that you might not see. He can do that like nobody else, and he should. He's not afraid to tackle any subject.”
Daniels has explored homophobia in the AfricanAmerican community through “Empire” and tells the story of a transgender woman on “Star.” He believes the best way to enlighten viewers on these topics is through music, but there has been some backlash for the gay story lines on “Empire.”
Daniels, who is gay, said he found the comments hurtful but felt he needed to push forward.
“I'm here to elevate the gay, LGBT and black cause. It's ultimately about human rights. From the very beginning of my career, everything has been about elevating the human cause. And not just in front of the scenes, but behind the scenes,” he says.
Daniels is developing a couple of drama series projects with Fox and he is teaming up with Oprah Winfrey to remake the 1983 film “Terms of Endearment.” He also wants to tell the story about Bayard Rustin, a civil-rights leader who fought for gay rights.
Ultimately, Daniels wants to build a school for young filmmakers who cannot afford it.
“This is about telling stories and giving a voice to people who don't have one — and a face for people who are not seen,” he said. “Earlier on, I thought it was all about me. It's not. As you grow older, and you realize that your time on this Earth is a gift from God to pass along what you've learned — to inspire others what you have done. Make them fearless so they can break down barriers that are in front of them.”