Tyrese Gibson has joined the cast of Lee Daniels’ upcoming new Fox drama “Star,” to play Queen Latifah’s character’s love interest.

Gibson’s character, named Pastor Bobby Harris, who presides over Carlotta’s (Latifah) congregation, is described as a handsome ex-thug who has turned his life over to God, as he begins a relationship with Carlotta (Latifah), the quasi-matriarch who looks over the show’s 3 young leads. Their romance will be challenged on many fronts and which will ultimately create a crisis of faith for them both.




Gibson confirmed the news of his joining the series’ cast on Instagram late Thursday, and included the above on-set photo of himself and Latifah hugging.

This marks Gibson’s most significant TV role to date. He joins a cast that also includes Naomi Campbell, who will play the role of Rose Spencer, described as the beautiful, wealthy and cultivated London-born mother of one of the 3 leads, Alexandra, played by newcomer Ryan Destiny. The series also stars Benjamin Bratt as Jahil, newcomer Jude Demorest as Star, Brittany O’ Grady as Simone, and Amiyah Scott as Cotton.

Featuring a soundtrack of original music and music performances, “Star” follows three talented singers, desperate for a new start and with ambitions of stardom, as they navigate the cut-throat music business on their road to success.

Like Daniels’ other Fox musical drama series, “Empire,” expect guest stars on “Star,” like Lenny Kravitz, who’s set to appear during the upcoming first season of the series.




About “Star,” Daniels called it “the antithesis of ‘Empire'” adding the following with regards to expectations: “… These girls [the series’ 3 leads] will do whatever it takes. They’ll murder. They’ll f— you. They’ll rob you. [The characters] Star and Simone are very, very poor. They come from the foster-care system, and we explore the atrocities that happen there… That performance that Teyana Taylor did at the MTV Video Music Awards? Well, we’re going to get down in the dirt with mine. You’ll see the girls with the gay boys voguing in a way [TV audiences] have yet to see. It will be very much like ‘Paris Is Burning,’ which influenced me growing up.”

“Star” is a production of 20th Century FOX Television in association with Lee Daniels Entertainment. Lee Daniels and Tom Donaghy are the creators and executive producers of the series. Pamela Williams and Effie Brown also serve as executive producers.

Charles Pratt will serve as showrunner for the series.