Laura Marano, Shawn Mendes, Ross Lynch and Michelle Rodriguez

among Choice Stars Scheduled to Appear

EMPIRE’s Jussie Smollett and Bryshere “Yazz” Gray will hit the TEEN CHOICE 2015 stage for a live performance when the special airs live Sunday, Aug. 16 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. In addition, Laura Marano (“Austin & Ally”), recording artist Shawn Mendes, Ross Lynch (“Austin & Ally”) and Michelle Rodriguez (“Furious 7”) join previously announced stars scheduled to appear Jack Black, Vin Diesel, Scott Eastwood, Sarah Hyland, Victoria Justice, Bethany Mota, Tyler Oakley, Gregg Sulkin, Bella Thorne and R5. The special also will feature previously announced performances by 5 Seconds of Summer and Little Mix.

TEEN CHOICE 2015 celebrates the hottest teen icons in television, music, film, sports, fashion, comedy and the web. The final wave of nominees will be announced on Wednesday, July 29 at 12:00 PM PT.

On EMPIRE, Smollett and Gray play JAMAL and HAKEEM LYON, brothers battling for control of their father’s vast entertainment conglomerate.

EMPIRE, broadcast television’s biggest hit, returns Wednesday, Sept. 23 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. The series will pick up three months after the shocking arrest and incarceration of Empire Entertainment head LUCIOUS LYON (Terrence Howard). Knowing Lucious won’t be held much longer in prison, COOKIE (Taraji P. Henson) and her allies within the Lyon family make a desperate attempt to seize control of the company. But as the Lyons continue to battle each other, a bigger external threat emerges that could force them to unite.

An accomplished actor, singer and songwriter, Jussie Smollett will next will be seen in the pre-Civil War series “Underground.” Smollett’s feature film credits include “The Mighty Ducks” and Rob Reiner’s “North.” He also appeared in the made-for-TV movie “Alex Haley’s Queen,” as well as the telefilm “A Little Piece of Heaven,” opposite Cloris Leachman. He then went on to star with his five real-life siblings in the network comedy “On Our Own.” He has appeared on “Revenge” and “The Mindy Project.” He also was featured as British racecar driver Tariq Hamilton in the feature film “Born to Race: Fast Track,” and was seen in the independent film “Ask Me Anything,” alongside Britt Robertson and Justin Long. In the 2012 film “The Skinny,” Smollett received rave reviews for his portrayal of “Magnus,” a gay medical student hosting his college friends in New York City. Smollett is actively involved in numerous charities and was named by the Black AIDS Institute as one of the 30 artists under 30 truly making a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS. He was recently inducted into its hall of fame. He sits on the Board of Artists for a New South Africa, and he supports the Jenesee Foundation, a shelter for battered women.

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“TEEN CHOICE 2015” EMPIRE PERFORMANCE – Page 2

An accomplished musician, Gray (aka Yazz The Greatest) has performed at Jay-Z’s 2013 Man in America Festival, Sunoco’s Welcome America 4th of July Celebration, the annual Roots Picnic Festival, Philadelphia’s signature annual ODUNDE Celebration and Power 99’s 2013 Powerhouse concert. He also has opened for rappers Fabolous and 2 Chainz. Gray spent this past spring on the “YTG Tour” of juvenille facilities to help kids at risk. Also in 2015, he appeared on the Billboard Music Awards and “Good Morning America.”

TEEN CHOICE 2015 is executive-produced by Bob Bain and Michael Burg. Paul Flattery and Kelly Brock serve as producers and Greg Sills serves as supervising producer. “Like” TEEN CHOICE 2015 on Facebook at facebook.com/TeenChoiceAwards. Follow the action on Twitter @TeenChoiceFox and join the discussion at #teenchoice. See photos and videos on Instagram by following @teenchoicefox.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: To apply for press credentials for TEEN CHOICE 2015, please visit www.foxcredentials.com.]

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