Drip Dry: Bryshere Gray, ‘Empire’ Star, Charged With Battery

Source: Variety / Getty

Life for Bryshere Y. Gray after Empire could’ve been an episode of Empire.

The show, which ran for six seasons, ended in 2020. In May 2020, Gray was sued by his landlord for more than $26,000 in damages to his property. 

Later that same year Gray, who played Hakeem Lyon, was arrested in Arizona for allegedly abusing his wife. Gray’s wife, who had visible bruises, flagged down a passerby to get help. She claimed that Gray strangled her and was taken to the hospital for help. Gray refused to leave his home. SWAT and crisis negotiators responded. Gray eventually left without incident. In May 2021, Gray received a 10-day jail sentence and three years of probation for the altercation. 

In November 2022, he violated probation and faced abuse charges against a different woman.

Gray, 31, has now been charged with assault and battery in Virginia, according to news station WAVY. Chesapeake police told the news station that Gray was not arrested as the charge was taken out by a citizen. Court documents viewed by TMZ claim that Gray was working with a man named Dustin Wilkins, who goes by the name Chosen Wilkins. Wilkins claims that after an argument over money Gray charged him and the two men began fighting. 

“As I was explaining to him that he can’t just leave without paying, adding you have enough problems,” Wilkins said in court documents. “ …I am trying to save your life. He then charged towards me from around the car. Charged into me with his shoulder…and fighting me as I was recording the incident over the phone…a blunt blow into me and punching me.” 

The incident occured on Friday afternoon at Homewood Suites, but charges were not filed until Sunday. 

Gray told WAVY in an interview that Gray “suffers from a mental health disorder and added that the actor is not a bad person. 

“Something took place in a mental health aspect. I can not disclose what happened, I can not disclose the details of that,” Wilkins said. “All I can tell you is Bryshere is a friend, he’s like my brother. He is just someone who is dealing with some very interesting mental health issues.”

Wilkins added that he worked to get Gray a bond.

“Bryshere doesn’t need to be in jail. He wouldn’t survive in jail. He needs mental help,” Wilkins explained.