Cast Members Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard, Directors Lee Daniels And Danny Strong From The Television Series 'Empire'
(L-R) Cast members Bryshere Gray, Jussie Smolett, Trai Byers, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard, directors Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, producers Ilene Chaiken and Francie Calfo from the television series "Empire" take part in Fox Broadcasting Company's part of the Television Critics Association (TCA) Winter 2015 presentations in Pasadena, California, January 17, 2015. Reuters/Kevork Djansezian

Promoted as series regular for “Empire” Season 2, 2015’s breakout star Ta’Rhonda Jones is enjoying her new found fame after playing Cookie Lyon’s (Taraji P. Henson) sassy assistant Porsha Taylor. Together with Lucious Lyon’s assistant Becky Williams, Gabourey Sidibe, Porsha is set to be getting a lot more camera time as the show advance to its sophomore season.

A scene-stealer in her own sassy way, Ta’Rhonda Jones is a native Chicago rapper who auditioned for the role of Tiana as she wants to show off her mad rapping skills. But the universe had a different plans for her, Jones landed the role of Porsha without any acting background.

“I didn’t know who he was,” Jones told Vulture the first time she met “Empire” showrunner Lee Daniels (“The Butler”). “I was very familiar with his name, but not his face. And the reaction he gave me just ignited something in me, I don’t know, I got fired up. I walked in the room and he said, “Yes, yes, yes.” And I was like, “Who is this man in his pajamas? And why is he acting like he crazy?”

No longer a struggling rapper from Chicago, the budding actress got her first taste of fame when her breakout role gained a massive following that even series creator Danny Strong is quipping about a Porsha spinoff. Considering that “Empire” is her first acting gig, Jones is currently prepping for “Empire” Season 2 as she is set to have more camera time compare to the previous season.

Jones described her TV role as “carefee and live-in-the-moment type of girl” and she can definitely relate to Porsha. She revealed that she also wears her own outfit and does her own make-up which makes the character more like her.

In an interview with the publication, Jones revealed that she’s been rapping since she was 7 and she would book shows as the opening act for Jody Breeze, Bobby Valentino and Jim Jones. When asked about a particular actor/actress on the show that she really likes working with, she admitted she likes working with Sibide and calls the Academy Award nominee as homie.

For questions/comments regarding the article, you may e-mail the writer at rornos.IBTimes@gmail.com.

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