Katlynn Simone – Empire

By starrymag | April 17, 2019

By: Kelly Kearney

 

 

Q) How did the role of Treasure on “Empire” come to you?

Katlynn: I have been kind of living in L.A. and singing and acting for almost ten or eleven years now. So, I’ve been going out for different roles and trying to get that next big thing. This just happened to be something that was like a perfect fit since I had been acting and singing since I was a little girl. So, I went out for the role and it was pretty simple. It was just a call back and they called me and said that I booked.

Q) You have a tremendous voice. Did you always want to sing and act?

Katlynn: You know, I would say singing is definitely my first love and then my mom noticed that I was a little shy, especially when people would ask me to sing. So, she thought theater would help out. I started doing theater in and around Houston, locally, where I grew up and I ended up falling in love with it. I ended up going to high school and majoring in musical theater because I went to the Performing Arts High School in Houston and I thought, “Ok, I think I’m going to go ahead and start acting, too.”

Q) Who were your musical influences growing up?

Katlynn: Well, you know, I’m from Houston so Beyoncé is a big major role model, but I always grew up singing the old school classic artists, like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone. I’m also a really huge Lauryn Hill fan. She’s one of my favorites.

Q) When you came on the show Treasure was a prison guard with the voice of an angel. Everybody wanted to know who this newcomer was. How has your life changed since being cast on Empire?

Katlynn: I’ve been fortunate to work on a few shows with some very cool fanbases, but this one I think is the most powerful. There are people who run into me every day and either they’re super excited to meet me or they can’t stand me and hate my guts. I tell them, “At least I’m doing my job right!” I guess that’s what Treasure is supposed to be doing right now, pissing everyone off [laughing].

Q) The cast is full of some of the most talented performers on TV. What has it been like working with and learning from Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard?

Katlynn: It’s kind of surreal! I was already entering the show, basically five years late. So, it was like coming to school when everybody’s been in school together for five years. Then, not only that, my first scene that I ever had a chance to work on for the show it was just me, Terrance (Lucious) and Taraji (Cookie). I was sitting there like, “Oh my gosh! This is a nice position I’m in right now.” It was a little overwhelming and I had to take a couple deep breaths, but they were just so welcoming and also great teachers. They definitely gave me some tips because, even though I tried so hard not to look nervous, they kind of got a glimpse that I might’ve been a little nervous and they would try to make me feel a little more comfortable. Yeah, I am so honored to just work with the entire cast because I learn something from everyone. Whether it’s music wise or acting wise, it’s just a really great experience. I feel like I’m growing as an artist and as an actor.

Q) What do you think was going through Treasure’s head when she made that play for Lucious? That move set off a chain of events that could eventually bring down the entire Empire.

Katlynn: It was definitely a poor decision. I think that Treasure, she really…I don’t think she had any malicious intent. Because, I mean if Empire goes down, she’s going down with them. So, I definitely don’t think she was thinking that far ahead. Sometimes people make decisions and sit back afterwards like, “Oh wow, this could’ve affected me and everyone else in a bad way.” At the time she had been drinking and he was there for her. She doesn’t really have anyone in her corner, even at the label everyone is kind of reassuring her to do her job. They know that she’s talented, they know that she can be this star, but at the same time everyone is on the fence about Treasure. So, when Lucious came in and was talking to her, heart to heart, I think she just didn’t know what to do and the alcohol effects that as well, you know?

Q) What do you think Treasure’s reaction would be if/ when she finds out Lucious murdered her manager, Joe?

Katlynn: One thing that I definitely feel I can predict about Treasure is the fact that she did not want Joe (Steve O’Connell) around at all. So, one part of me feels like she will definitely be relieved, but the other part of me feels like that is not necessarily a side she’s seen of Lucious. It might be a little scary and she might be questioning what this means for her. I mean, people are going to associate Joe with Treasure so if Joe is no longer around [laughs] I don’t know who they’re going to question first. You know what I mean?

Q) Last week Treasure went to Cookie and apologized for going after Lucious. She seemed sincere and Cookie forgave her. Do you think she’s learned her lesson? Are we seeing a new side of Treasure?

Katlynn: Yeah, I always try to explain to a lot of the fans who ask me questions on why Treasure made this decision, but you know I’m not Treasure. But I think I do have a little bit of insight. There’s a lot of young women in this industry that definitely don’t know what they’re getting into, are confused and might have been led astray or given advice that’s not the best. I feel like Treasure just really, really wants this dream she’s had for her entire life and she may not know how to tackle it and exactly show appreciation or how to be competitive but still supporting other people on the label. She’s just kind of lost and remember this last episode she goes back to Cookie and apologizes. It kind of shows her growing as a woman and as an entertainer. I just think she’s growing and starting to be like, “Okay. I don’t have to be this way,” and I think it was a nice lesson learned for her and also a nice story because this kind of thing happens all the time.

Q) Tiana and Treasure have been at each other’s throats all season. As a result of their feud, Treasure took a tumble off the stage and was mortified. Is that it for these two or will we ever see Tiana and Treasure make peace and become friends?

Katlynn: I don’t know if the writers did that on purpose, but “TNT” is a thing that is kind of a huge coincidence with those two. I feel like we’ve kind of seen glimpses of them…they both want to be on top and this is another thing we see every day in the music industry with women. There’s this idea that there just can’t be more than one at the top and that’s not necessarily true. I feel like with all of the trials that have gone on, the two ladies will finally kind of put things aside and realize they can work together. I mean, this duet they did they ended up killing the performance and making it work out. I think that’s already proof they’re starting to move forward in the right direction and get the work done, instead of being petty. Me and Serayah joke all the time on set because, you know, Serayah’s been on the show five seasons now and we get along genuinely off set. She is like, “Man, I just wish my character could get along with another female on the show.” So, we’ll see! Hopefully the audience gets to see that real soon.

Q) The fans love when you perform. What has their reaction been like on social media? Do you enjoy their instant fan feedback to episodes?

Katlynn: Yes, yes, I do. For me, personally, I’ve been singing for years but as far as performance goes, this is really my first go at it, especially with full on choreography and costumes and dancers. So, it was really intimidating at first and like I said, the first scene I ever had I’m literally performing in front of Taraji P. Henson, Terrance Howard, Nicole Ari Parker and the list goes on. So, it was a lot of pressure, but when the episode aired and the fans came out really supportive like “wow, that was amazing” and it did look really great thanks to the awesome director and everything. It was really exciting and it really motivated me more into my music as well.

Q) What can you tease is in store the remainder of the season for Treasure?

Katlynn: Yeah, well you know the label is on tour right now. I think Treasure was prematurely thrown into the pit right now and that’s basically what Cookie said, “That wasn’t right. I’m pissed off at you, but at the same time I can see you need a little bit of growing,” and I think that was really strong of Cookie. I mean, everybody wanted Cookie to whoop Treasure. I think it was very strong of her as a woman. After that episode a lot of the fans on social media thought it was right of Treasure to step forward and apologize and they appreciated that, but they also had never seen that side of Cookie. It was amazing and almost a turning moment for both those characters. Going back to women empowerment, an older woman looking at this young girl and noticing that she needs help and I’m going to make sure she gets what she needs. I think Treasure is going to figure out how to take care of herself and do what she promised Cookie and Lucious she would do, which was make music and make money.

Q) Now that “Empire” has finished filming for the season what’s next for you, Katlynn? Are you working on any other projects the fans can look out for?

Katlynn: Yeah, I’m finishing up my music project and I’m hoping to drop that before next season. Now I’m back in L.A. We were in Chicago the whole time shooting and now that I’m back I’ve been going out for different roles and trying to find that next project. Right now, I’m really concentrating on my music before we head back into filming Season Six.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of your work?

Katlynn: I would like to say, number one, thanks for welcoming me with open arms. At the beginning of the season there was a lot of awesome welcoming energy and I know now that I (Treasure) have made a lot of people mad, but I’m really hoping you guys continue to watch and sympathize with Treasure’s story and realize humans make mistakes. But, honesty, I just want to say thank you! I appreciate you guys and I’m excited to be a part of this awesome show.