Empire‘s Season 2 has had its more than its fair share of celebrity guest stars and cameos this season — Vivica A. Fox, Chris Rock, Rosie O’Donnell, Ludacris, Kelly Rowland, Naomi Campbell, and more — so Alicia Keys as Skye Summers just seemed like another one. But she actually has another connection to Empire: She’s married to Swizz Beatz, one of the main producers of the music on the hit TV drama. Pretty cool, eh?
Swizz Beatz and Keys got married in 2010 and have two sons, Egypt and Genesis. Swizz Beatz has also appeared on-screen in Empire during the Season 2 premiere and is one of the show’s music production team, producing several tracks.
Empire isn’t Keys’ first foray into acting, either. The Grammy-winnings singer has also appeared in the movie The Nanny Diaries, The Secret Life Of Bees, Smokin’ Aces, and Charmed. It’s no wonder Skye Summers was able to charm Jamal Lyon on Empire.
But does that mean Keys will be back — and is there more acting in her future? Summers seems like she might make a good rival or mentor for Lyon Dynasty singer Tiana or even Hakeem’s girl group Mirage A Trois. and what if Jamal changes his mind and decides to pursue the connection he has with her? That would certainly be different — and as their song says, “Powerful.”
Keys also put a lot of thought into Skye’s character, according to the behind the scenes video below. “I really want people to get lost in Skye and not Alicia,” she says. Goal achieved. Now let’s hope she returns for the rest of Season 2.