Now in its second season, Fox’s “Empire” is still one of the hottest series on television. With the Lyon family split into two factions, Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) and Hakeem (Bryshere Gray) have formed their own record label, Lyon Dynasty, and plan on shaking up the music industry with a Latina version of Destiny’s Child called Mirage a Trois. While the trio has already had to replace its lead member, core singers Carmen (Yani Marin) and Marisol (Raquel Castro) seem to be in it for the long haul. And that makes Castro extremely happy.
“It was very unexpected, for sure,” said the actress and singer about her role on the hit television program during an exclusive interview with Headlines & Global News. “To be part of this crazy show? Um, it’s amazing!”
Twenty-year-old Castro has been in the entertainment business since she was a child, but she still has the wonder and excitement of a newbie. Born in Long Island, N.Y., to a singer-songwriter (her Puerto Rican father) and an acting coach (her Italian mother), she began regularly appearing on “Sesame Street” when she was just 4 years old.
Castro’s career got a major boost in 2004 when she starred in the film “Jersey Girl” as Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s characters’ precocious daughter Gertie. She even won a Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film — Young Actress Age Ten or Younger for the role.
Do you still live in Long Island?
Yes. I lived in L.A. for two years, I moved there when I was 18, and I’m back in Long Island right now. I loved L.A., but at first I was a little on edge about it. People out there are not like New York people. It’s hard to find genuine, real people out there, but then I ended up finding a really awesome group of friends. Then a bunch of personal things happened and financially it was like, “I don’t know if this is worth it.” So I moved back to New York. But, honestly, I would love to be bicoastal — that would be the ideal situation. I’ve thought about it because I was set on moving back, but now I’m like, “You know what? My nephew was just born, and I need to be here.” I can always go to L.A. and stay there for two weeks if I want to — that’s how I’m looking at it now.
You’re turning 21 Nov. 17.
Yes! I’m excited about that. I don’t know what I’m going to do yet. I was thinking, maybe, just going out with a group of friends in the city. I really do want to hit up Vegas, but I feel like the time needs to be right for that. I was thinking about doing Atlantic City too.
For more on Raquel Castro, visit her on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
