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Official White House Photo by Amanda LucidonAlthough Empire hasn’t been on TV in a few months, stars of the Fox drama have been keeping busy.
Jussie Smollett, who will be seen in the upcoming WGN America slave series Underground, joined a diverse list of fellow hit makers paying tribute to the late, great Ray Charles Wednesday night at the White House.
Smithsonian Salutes Ray Charles: In Performance at the White House also featured the likes of Usher, Demi Lovato, Andra Day, Anthony Hamilton, Alabama Shakes‘ Brittany Howard, The Band Perry and soul legend Sam Moore performing classic tunes by Charles.
Smollett belted out a spirited version of Charles’ 1954 classic “I Got a Woman” and he wowed the crowd.
Before the performances, President Obama offered a few remarks. “From the tiny clubs in which he started out to the arenas he eventually filled, Ray was an electrifying performer. He couldn’t see us, but we couldn’t take our eyes off him,” the president said.
Smithsonian Salutes Ray Charles: In Performance at the White House will air this Friday on PBS and TV One at 9 p.m. Eastern time.
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