Empire stars Taraji P.Henson and Terrence Howard arrived in Johannesburg on Sunday ahead of a 5-day press blitz in the country.
On Monday the stars of the hit show were at a press conference in Johannesburg where they spoke out about a number of issues. Here's 5 things that we learnt about them...
Terrence speaks out about the death of Muhammad Ali
In 2000 Terrence played the part of Muhammad Ali in the TV movie, King of the World. Speaking during the press conference in Randburg, he said that Ali was the first person in his generation that used freedom of speech "in the way that we are supposed to."
"We're made in God's image, so why aren't we worshiping ourselves? That's what Ali told me 25 years ago. I thought it was a wonderful passing of him for him to now finish hi course in this dimension and I can't wait to see how he will shake up the heavens.
Terrence and Taraji's dynamic in incredible
The two arrived at the press conference together and from the word go they were poking fun at each other. When asked how their roles on Empire came about, Taraji couldn't resist making fun of her co-star.
"Well, Terrence Howard owes everything to me. Go ahead, take it away Terrence. Go, tell 'em. Tell 'em."
Terrence then explained that it was Taraji that put his name forward for the role of Lucious Lyon. "Lee (Daniels - a writer for the show) wanted somebody else. He called Taraji and he was trying to interview her over Skype to see what her thoughts were on it. Taraji wasn't feeling it and she said the only person she'd do with is Terrence. She said 'If I'm not doing this with Terrence I'm not doing it.'"
The impact of Empire on black people
A question was posed about the role of Empire and how it reflects on black people in society. Terrence explained that being African American means that you are telling the African story and taking it to an entirely "different place."
"The disenfranchised nature of being black in America, being impoverished, being separated and not having the economic opportunities, anyone that can gain an economic equality in the states, that's a success. We tell some of the negative comments of being black in white America, but at the end of the day it's still a family show. So any time we win, every episode or every end of the season, the family is really what's at stake. So as long as the family is there it's still a very positive and uplifting show."
Taraji echoed his sentiments, saying that "everybody knows that in America black people don't come with silver spoons in their mouth."
"We're not born into properties. We're not born into money. Our families are poor, basically. It really bothers me when people judge how these characters made something out of nothing. You can judge whether they sold crack or whatever. Yeah, that's a horrible thing to do. But they did that to save their boys. Cookie took the fall, went to jail and served her time. But guess what, she saved her boys by doing that."
Taraji says black women need to unite
The actress was very vocal on black women coming together to support each other.
"Strength comes when women unite, not drag each other down. That's why I make it a point to show that. We're more powerful when we're together. I just hate to see women drag each other down and talk about each other. It's frivolous. Like why?"
Terrence addresses is Xhosa accent in Madiba flick
The actor played the role of Nelson Mandela in the flick, Winnie Mandela. During the press conference, he was called out for his Xhosa accent.
Terrence took it in his stride, with himself and Taraji making fun of it.
