‘Empire’ costars Grace Gealey, Trai Byers reportedly getting hitched
“Empire†stars Grace Gealey and Trai Byers are reportedly engaged. Here, the pair attend the GBK 2015 Pre-Oscar Awards luxury gift lounge on Feb. 20, 2015, in Los Angeles.
Anika and Dre?! “Empire†costars Grace Gealey and Trai Byers are reportedly getting married -- in real life.
The actors, who have been romantically linked since March and kept their relationship hush-hush, are said to be making it official, according to Us Weekly and People.
A rep for both stars declined to comment on her clients’ personal lives.
Gealey plays Empire Entertainment’s A&R head Anika Calhoun, who is engaged to Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) on the drama. Byers plays Lucious’ scheming eldest son, Andre. If you’re struggling to wrap your head around those relationships (Anika is Andre’s potential stepmother), just know if this romance ever became a story line, it wouldn’t be too farfetched for the twisty soap. Go ahead, clutch your debutante pearls.
The engagement news comes just after the “Selma†actor threw Gealey a surprise 31st birthday party at Chicago’s Kinmont restaurant on Sunday, E! News reported. Gealey was spotted wearing a diamond engagement ring during the celebration.
“Had so much fun celebrating @gracegealey’s life!!†the “All My Children†and “90210†actor wrote on Instagram, posting a collage of the festivities (and a small pic of himself and Gealey). “Happy Birthday to an exquisite human being! Thank you @kinmontchicago for hosting us. Amazing spot, wonderful food, UNFORGETTABLE night.â€
The actress (a.k.a. “Boo Boo Kittyâ€) thanked fans for their birthday greetings and posted a collage of her own, though her rumored fiance did not show up in her Instagram post.
“To all who sent greetings, called, messaged and came out to celebrate yesterday, thank you. It was an incredibly unforgettable day. And looking forward to an incredibly unforgettable year. #31HereWeCome #empirefam #arthurmurrayfam #famfamâ€
Reports said the couple was joined by about 20 friends and family members, including their “Empire†costars Kaitlin Doubleday, Gabourey Sidibe and Jussie Smollett.
“Empire,†which premiered in January, earned three Emmy Award nominations earlier this month, one of which went to its breakout star Taraji P. Henson, who plays sassy matriarch Cookie Lyon. The hit show returns for Season 2 on Sept. 23 with a slew of real-life recording artists making guest appearances.
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