A Day In The Life Of “Empire” Star Terrell Carter

TC_009 - ERIC HOBBSPhoto Credit: Eric Hobbs

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to spend a day in the shoes of a celebrity? Now you can. Here, newly minted Empire star Terrell Carter shares a day in his.


 

You might recognize the Buffalo-born Carter from his hit FOX series, Empire, where he plays Warren Hall, the love of interest of Jussie Smollett’s character, Jamal, an attorney slash aspiring musician. Dun, dun, dun… he also happens to be a member of the Lyon family’s sworn enemies, the Dubois.’ In addition to Lee Daniels’ Wednesday night staple, Carter has also starred in the USA Network drama, Shooter, as well as in Tyler Perry’s Diary Of A Mad Black Woman and Think Like A Man Too.  In addition to his plethora of film credits, this triple threat actor, singer and songwriter spent several years touring as a lead in the Perry-produced plays Madea’s Class Reunion, Meet the Browns and What’s Done in the Dark. He also spent his first five years in the entertainment industry touring with Fred Hammond as part of his musical group, Radical for Christ. At the end of the tour, he reconnected with childhood friend Stevie J. and worked with him under Diddy and the Bad Boy umbrella as a songwriter and vocalist in Manhattan. Within a year, Carter was signed by Quincy Jones to work in music publishing as a singer-songwriter and made his move to Los Angeles. He went on to work with a number of recording artists, including Patti LaBelle, Beyoncé, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera.

And now… won’t you step into his shoes?


 

Terrell Carter and Jussie Smollett in the "Evil Manners" episode of EMPIRE on FOX
Terrell Carter and Jussie Smollett in the “Evil Manners” episode of EMPIRE on FOX

Photo Credit: Jean Whiteside/FOX

5:30am

I wake up, drink a protein shake, and head downstairs to do a brief work out with 20 min of cardio, a light work out just to get the day going.

7:00am

I have a healthy breakfast of 8 egg whites with spinach, toast with fruit, and some yogurt.

7:30 am
The car picks me up to head to set to film EMPIRE.

8:00 am
I arrive on the set of EMPIRE and drop all my things off in my trailer.

8:15am
Head into hair and make up and then get into my wardrobe for the scene.

9:15 am
The AD comes and picks me up to walk me over to the set and we do a rehearsal for the the scene that we are getting ready to shoot. The Director makes all of the last minute changes and does blocking. Then there is about a 10 min break as the cameras and lighting are all set up.

10:00am
Start filming Scene 1

2:00pm
Break time for lunch on set. I usually bring a healthy lunch with me with broccoli, grilled chicken and rice with a protein shake. I love to take this time to just relax in my trailer and watch the ID channel and FORENSIC FILES.

3:00pm
The AD comes and gets me from the trailer to head over to set to start filming the second scene of the day. After rehearsal and blocking we start filming the scene.

7:00pm
Head back to the trailer to change clothes, drink a protein shake, and get in the car to be taken home.

7:30pm
I get home and have a nice dinner and unwind from the day. I’ll answer emails and listen to all of the new music and songs that I have recorded for my next projects.

9:00pm
Head back down to the gym to get in a great workout with more cardio.

10:00pm
Shower and drink a protein shake. Then head to the movie room and watch my favorite horror movie with popcorn and healthy goodies. I relax until I find that the movie is watching me, then I go and get some rest so that I can get up and do it all over again tomorrow.


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