‘Empire’ star hearts Miami

Rafael De La Fuente was enjoying his off time in Miami over the weekend, as he should.

The Empire star, 28, took in the iHeartRadio Latina Fiesta at AAA Saturday night and painted the town a little bit, staying in South Beach and checking out the “happening” scene in Wynwood.

The native Venezuelan, who cut his acting teeth in Miami on such Telemundo telenovelas as Más sabe el diablo (The Devil Knows More) and Aurora, felt like home while here.

“I always love coming back to Miami. It’s where I started my career and where I did a lot of growing up.”

As for what viewers can look forward to from the sudsy Fox drama about the goings-on at an NYC record label: “Definitely expect unexpected twists and turns,” he said. “Anything can happen on this show, and that’s something I think people like a lot. Keeps you on the edge.”

De La Fuente appreciates the opportunity to be part of this successful show, now in season 2.

“I’m just so lucky to be working alongside such an incredibly talented cast and crew,” said the former costar of Every Witch Way, filmed at Blue Dolphin Studios in Doral. “The whole experience has been awesome because it has been a challenge and also it has had a bigger purpose other than entertainment.”

On what it’s like to play long suffering Michael Sanchez, the on-again, off again boyfriend of Jamal Lyon (Jussie Smollett):

“His character and personality have gotten stronger,” said de La Fuente. “He’s evolved in the sense that he has a stronger sense of self and is willing to stand his ground when he doesn’t agree with certain circumstances.”

This story was originally published November 10, 2015 at 5:40 PM with the headline "‘Empire’ star hearts Miami."