“Oh my God, I can’t wait to get started!” “Magic Mike XXL” actor Adam Rodriguez told Latin Post in an exclusive interview regarding his new role in the Fox hit series, “Empire.”
Rodriguez, who is turning up the heat on the big screen, will also turn up the heat on the small screen alongside “Empire’s” firecely talented Taraji P. Henson aka “Cookie.” While Season 2 just kicked off its production, Rodriguez offered a few teasers for die-hard “Empire” fans. “They might just have actually just started shooting the first episode of the second season. I’ll start shooting in mid-August. My character is introduced in the fifth episode of the second season,” he explained.
What can Rodriguez dish on the juicy new season?
“Honestly, this is all I know so far, they are keeping everything really hush-hush. There are a lot of great surprises in store for the season. I won’t know until I get my script and when we get closer to shooting, but I know that I am playing a character named Larry Delgado and I am a politic promoter,” he explained.
“I am battling PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) because I am a police officer and a first responder after 9/11, as you can imagine is a pretty traumatic thing for many reasons,” he added. “Cookie and I sort of share a common affliction and I recognize that in her and I think because of that we start to form a bond that I think is going to become something more.”
Rodriguez said he’s brainstorming up some ideas to share with the wardrobe team, especially because they bring some slamming outfits to the show.
“Whatever it’s going to be (referring to his wardrobe on ‘Empire’) I am going to make it sexy that’s for sure! There will be no thong I can promise you that! (referring to his male stripper role in the upcoming movie “Magic Mike XXL.”) I will only be in a thong for the ‘Magic Mike’ movies!” he laughed.
Rodriguez plays “Latin sensation, Tito” in “Magic Mike XXL,” which hits theaters on Wednesday, July 1.
“Magic Mike XXL” reunites Rodriguez with Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash and Gabriel Iglesias, the stars of the 2012 worldwide hit “Magic Mike.”
The story line picks up three years after Mike gave up his life of stripping at a time when he was on fire in the industry. “Magic Mike XXL” finds the remaining Kings of Tampa also ready to turn in their thongs for a normal lifestyle.
They won’t go down without some laughs, killer moves and good times on the road with stops in Jacksonville and Savannah as they make their way down to Myrtle Beach for one last major gig, alongside the top headliner Magic Mike.
Joining the returning cast, in brand new roles, are Amber Heard (“The Rum Diary”), Donald Glover (“Community”), Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss (“Step Up Revolution”) and Michael Strahan (“Live with Kelly and Michael”), with Andie MacDowell (“Footloose”), Elizabeth Banks (“The Hunger Games” franchise) and Jada Pinkett Smith (“Gotham”).
Rodriguez is best known for his role as Eric Delko on the CBS crime drama “CSI: Miami,” for which he won an Alma Award in 2011. He also starred in Tyler Perry’s “I Can Do Bad All By Myself,” for which he won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture, and “About Last Night” alongside Michael Ealy and Paula Patton.
The New York native also starred in the final season of ABC’s “Ugly Betty” and has been featured in Jennifer Lopez’s breakthrough video, “If You Had My Love.” He is currently recurring on NBC’s “The Night Shift.”
“Empire” Season 2 kicks off on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 9 p.m. ET on Fox.
Article by: Melissa Castellanos (Latinpost)
