A WOMAN in the US is suing hit TV show Empire, claiming that co-creator Lee Daniels copied her life story, right down to a gay family member.
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Fox and “Empire” creator Lee Daniels have been slapped with a $300 million lawsuit by a woman claiming to be the real Cookie Lyon. “There so much ripe story there” to explore the origins of Taraji P. Henson’s character of Cookie Lyon and her rough and tumble upbringing in Philadelphia, as well as the roots of Terrence Howard’s hip-hip mogul Lucious Lyon. Page Six reports that in 2011, Eggleston met with a LA screenwriter, giving her a copy of her book, claiming ideas would be pitched to Daniels.
In 1992, Eggleston was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the death of Rodney Meeks in Detroit and served almost four years in prison, according to court records. Fans believe that she will target the Lyon family with her schemes. “I’m having the time of my life”.
Eggleston points out multiple similarities between her life and Cookie’s characteristics including their similar “behavior, style of dress, and background”.
“When I’m afraid, when I say do we really want to do this? then I know I’m in a safe place”, Daniels said. “I cannot inform you (any extra)”. She said Miller called her in 2012 and told her that she had everything set up and that she would be meeting with Daniels to formalize the paperwork.
In the lawsuit, Eggleston said that she gave a memoir called “The Hidden Hand” about her “early drug lifestyle” to screenwriter Rita Grant Miller.
Instead, in 2015, Empire came out, and Eggleston said the similarities were uncanny. This isn’t the only time the origin story of Empire was questioned.
Empire’s new season premieres September 23 at 9 p.m. on Fox.
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As it turns out, Sophia will be representing herself if the case ever goes to trial. “To be part of the discovery for Yazz (Bryshere Gray) and Jussie (Smollett) and see how they’re handling it, not just the work, and how they’re growing…It’s insane and it’s exciting”.
