*Trai Byers is shutting down reports that he wants to quit Fox’s hit music drama series, “Empire.”
The actor plays Andre Lyon in the primetime soap opera, and a source recently revealed to Page Six that Byers wants to be written off the show because “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.”
According to the insider, Byers is a diva who doesn’t like the direction the show is going in. Not to mention, “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 has taken to Instagram to respond to the foolishness. “I don’t normally spend my time dispelling rumors, but there is something I’d like to address,” Byers wrote on Instagram. “I have nothing but love and respect for ‘Empire’ and all who are involved on the show.”
“I have a fabulous relationship with FOX, and hold myself to the highest standards professionally,” he wrote. “How could I think of demanding something larger than Andre, where I get to express a man with Bipolar disorder, who is on a spiritual journey to find his identity? I’m so proud, so happy, and so lucky to be a part of this cast. This show has started my career. See you in Season Three!”
Byers made his television debut with the recurring role on the ABC daytime soap opera, “All My Children,” and the following year had role in The CW teen soap, “90210.” He played civil rights activist James Forman in the 2014 historical film, “Selma” directed by Ava DuVernay. In 2015, Trai and his “Empire” co-star, Grace Gealey, announced their engagement.
