Stars of Twentieth Century FOX's EMPIRE Are Set to Embark on Their First-Ever USO Tour to the Pacific

WHAT: USO EMPIRE tour

WHO: Taraji P. Henson (aka "Cookie Lyon")
Jussie Smollett (aka "Jamal Lyon")
Bryshere Y. Gray (aka "Hakeem Lyon")

WHEN: December 13 – 17, 2015

WHERE: Japan

WHY: Taraji P. Henson, Jussie Smollett and Bryshere Gray of Twentieth Century FOX's EMPIRE will travel to Japan and participate in their first-ever USO tour Dec. 13-17. The trio will spend the week traveling to three bases, where they will visit with military units, meet with base leadership, dine alongside service members and host two holiday-inspired White Parties. Among the bases the group is scheduled to visit are Naval Air Facility Atsugi and Yokota Air Base (Dec. 15) as well as Misawa Air Base (Dec. 16).

Having taken TV audiences by storm in its record-setting first season, EMPIRE entered its second season as the No. 1 series on broadcast television. From its jaw-dropping storylines to its chart-topping hip-hop soundtrack, EMPIRE instantly gained a legion of die-hard fans, creating a social media frenzy and making "Cookie" a household name.

EMPIRE stars Terrence Howard as "Lucious Lyon," the king of hip-hop. An immensely talented artist, the CEO of Empire Entertainment and a former street thug, "Lucious'" reign has been unchallenged for years. But, after battling what he believed to be a terminal disease, "Lucious" challenged his sons (Jussie Smollett as "Jamal," Bryshere "Yazz" Gray as "Hakeem," and Trai Byers as "Andre") to compete for his throne, a task made all the more complicated by the return of their mother and Lucious' ex-wife, "Cookie" (Taraji P. Henson), who was released from prison.

The hit series is created by Lee Daniels (The Butler, Precious and Monster's Ball) and Danny Strong (The Butler, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 and Part 2), and is executive produced by Daniels, Strong, Brian Grazer, Ilene Chaiken and Francie Calfo.

EMPIRE is ranked number one in its time slot and is scheduled to return in Spring 2016.

About the USO

The USO strengthens America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. At hundreds of locations worldwide, we are united in our commitment to connect our service members and their families through countless acts of caring, comfort, and support. The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs, services and entertainment tours are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.

In addition to individual donors and corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by President's Circle Partners: AT &T, the BNSF Railway Foundation, Clark Construction Group, LLC, The Coca-Cola Company, Johnson & Johnson, Kroger, NFL and Four-Star Partners: BIC, ConAgra Foods, FedEx, GEICO, JCPenney, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, Starbucks, TKS and the Wawa Foundation. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381). To join us in this important mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.

A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=38119