"Empire" Star Turns the Page on Bullying With New Children's Book
Grace Byers' character Anika has seen plenty of twists and turns during her four-season run on "Empire," but it's the actress' own childhood that inspired her to write her first children's book. Byers joins Cheddar to discuss what she hopes young people get out of "I Am Enough."
She takes us back to her years growing up in the Cayman Islands as a multiracial child of hearing-impaired parents. Despite featuring illustrations of female characters, Byers says the book is meant to empower children of all genders. She recounts a story of a near-death experience and how it changed her outlook on life. The star also tells us what it's like playing a character prone to bullying others.
"Empire" shattered expectations for what's possible from a network television show. Byers reveals whether she thinks the series is changing the model for success in the streaming era. She also gives her take on what the series finale might entail at some point down the road.
After serving an in-school suspension over his hairstyle, a Black high school student in Texas immediately received the same punishment when he arrived at school Monday wearing his hair as before in twisted dreadlocks tied on top of his head, his mother said.
Jackie Siegel, best known for her 2012 documentary 'The Queen of Versailles,' joined Cheddar News to reflect on the death of her daughter due to a drug overdose. She also discussed how she's using her platform to advocate for awareness of overdoses and to help with prevention.
