March 08--Chicago rapper-turned-actress Ta'Rhonda Jones will have been featured in two network dramas this season, and she didn't even have to leave her hometown to film the roles.
Jones is a regular on Fox's massive hit drama "Empire," where she plays Porsha Taylor, assistant to Cookie Lyon (played by Taraji P. Henson). The Simeon Career Academy alum is also scheduled to appear in an upcoming episode of NBC's "Chicago P.D.," which, like "Empire," films in Chicago.
"I filmed it about a week ago," Jones said of her "Chicago PD" role over the phone Friday. "Claire Simon, who is a casting director, went over the "Chicago P.D." storylines and was like, 'Oh my god, I've got the perfect person for this,' and she gave me a call. I auditioned for it and got the role."
Jones -- who was coy about what the "Chicago P.D." role involved -- had no acting experience and was working at Renaissance Park South nursing home in the Roseland neighborhood when she auditioned in front of Simon for the role of Tiana Brown on "Empire." That role eventually went to Serayah McNeill, with Jones instead getting cast as Taylor.
