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Home · Entertainment

Exclusive: 'Empire' To Air First Black Gay Wedding On Network TV

Chaka Khan will even be lending her legendary vocals to extend best wishes to the happy couple on tonight's historic episode.
Exclusive: ‘Empire’ To Air First Black Gay Wedding On Network TV
By Keyaira Boone · Updated October 23, 2020

Wedding bells are ringing on tonight’s episode of Empire. After five seasons, the show is still finding a way to push culture forward by airing the first wedding of a Black, gay couple during primetime on a major broadcast network.

The episode, titled “Never Doubt I Love,” will feature Jamal and his fiancé Kai, played by Jussie Smollett and Toby Onwumere, saying their I Dos and even jumping the broom.

Exclusive: ‘Empire’ To Air First Black Gay Wedding On Network TV
EMPIRE: L-R: Toby Onwumere and Jussie Smollett in the “Never Doubt I Love” episode of EMPIRE airing Wednesday, April 24 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2019 Fox Media LLC CR: Chuck Hodes/FOX.

The pair have planned an affair fit for hip-hop royalty, but their fairy tale nuptials are placed in jeopardy by a vindictive person, looking to lock the Lyons down no matter what the occasion.

Chaka Khan will even be lending her legendary vocals to extend best wishes to the happy couple.  She revealed how she felt about the momentous occasion in an exclusive behind-the-scenes clip.

“Today’s wedding is special and controversial,” she stated about her appearance. “But my answer to all that is just love is love.”

Article continues after video.

Other guest stars on the special episode include singer Mario and The Break’s Wood Harris.

The cast also shared how they felt about the couple’s groundbreaking nuptials in a behind-the-scenes video filmed on the set.  

“What’s fun about it is sort of getting to be at a weird kind of family function with your work family,” said Gabourey Sidibe, who plays assistant-turned-executive Becky on the hit series.

‘Empire’ Cast Pens Letter In Support Of Jussie Smollett, Wants Him To Return Next Season
EMPIRE: L-R: Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard in the “Never Doubt I Love” episode of EMPIRE airing Wednesday, April 24 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2019 Fox Media LLC CR: Chuck Hodes/FOX.

She also declared the episode the best Empire wedding ever, pointing out that unlike with Hakeem’s halted trip to the alter somebody actually got married at this one.

With Jamal being walked down the aisle by both of his gun-toting, record-slinging parents anything could happen so don’t miss out on Jamal’s big day on tonight’s episode of Empire, airing at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.  

TOPICS:  Empire Gabourey Sidibe Jussie Smollett wedding
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