Empire

If "Empire" really did rip off one of its characters from real-life NBA star Iman Shumpert -- you can't blame Terrence Howard ... 'cause Terrence says he's honestly never even heard of the guy.

As we previously reported, Iman suggested that producers based the characters of Hakeem and Tiana after him and his GF Teyana Taylor ... and pointed to their hairstyles as evidence.

But if that's true ... it's definitely news to the star of the show, Terrence Howard ... who told us he doesn't know Iman and he doesn't watch basketball.

That's ok ... Iman says he doesn't watch "Empire" either.

NBA star Iman Shumpert tells TMZ Sports ... he does NOT hate the show "Empire" -- and does not believe producers ripped off his life for a story line ... despite reports to the contrary.

Earlier today, it was reported that Shumpert was calling out "Empire" -- claiming two of the characters were direct rip-offs of himself and his GF girlfriend Teyana Taylor ... and even sported similar hairstyles.

But Shumpert says the whole thing has been blown out of proportion ... saying, "The 'Empire' story pertaining to myself and my girlfriend Teyana has gotten out of hand."

"Fans of the show and friends have told us on many occasions that couple favors us but we do not at all feel that our lives are being copied/stolen."

Shumpert continues, "I apologize to the actors on the show because they're just being professionals and don't deserve slander that's not what I was trying to portray and I have to be more careful with my choice of words."

"I do not appreciate the writer using his questions with my answers to draw quotes like I was making these elaborate answers but that's the media. The writer took a 2-3 min convo of locker room talk after a GREAT TEAM WIN and made it look like a sit down interview and it wasn't."

If you think "Empire" is a huge TV sensation now ... just imagine if you could hear the n-word during those heated scenes! Terrence Howard thinks it would add authenticity.

One of the show's honchos isn't quite ready to add it yet. Not without a black-approved stamp, anyway!

Mo'Nique just did something remarkable ... fearlessly speaking out about her feud with Lee Daniels -- one of the most powerful directors in Hollywood -- for claiming she's been blackballed.

The 2010 Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actress came on TMZ Live to reveal what went down when her "Precious" director Daniels -- who's also co-creator of "Empire" -- called her to say Hollywood execs think she's "difficult" ... and don't want to work with her.

Actors almost never take on a director in public, but this interview is different -- Mo'Nique did not back down to Daniels. As for what started the beef -- Mo'Nique thinks it's all because she didn't name drop someone during her Oscar speech. Check out the clip.

White TV writers have no business deciding if the N-word should be hurled around ... so says the guy who wrote Wednesday night's episode of "Empire."

David Rambo was leaving The Man Cave Sports Bar in L.A. when our photog asked him about Terrence Howard's desire to sprinkle "Empire" scripts with that word ... and he wants it with an "er."

Everyone loves Taraji P. Henson on "Empire" ... but can you imagine her in the White House?? It was closer to happening than you think -- since TPH used to work inside the Pentagon.

President Cookie! Think how awesome that would've been ... boo boo kitties.

When Taraji P. Henson flashed dat ass on "Empire" there was a lot of talk she might have artificially enhanced her goodies for the scene. Well one our photos got the low low straight from TPH!

And we shoulda known ... Cookie don't play when it comes to cake.

"Empire" creator Lee Daniels says the inspiration for the show's main character didn't come from a famous hip-hop mogul ... it came in part from the Kennedy matriarch.

Lee was heading out of Equinox when he shot down rumors P. Diddy or Jay Z may have been the germ of the idea for the show. There were multiple inspirations ... a little here, a little there, but it seems the Kennedy influence loomed large.

Hint: it's not JFK.

Terrence Howard just got busted making too much cash ... according to his ex, who says even though he's getting big paychecks for a new TV show -- he still refuses to pay up the $500k he owes.

Michelle Howard says she filed a subpoena to get Terrence's contract for his new series "Empire" -- and found out he's making $125k per filmed episode. Then she went to imdb.com and found out he's shot 3 so far ... did the math ... and figured he's got a cool $375,000 to put toward his tab with her.

In the docs, Michelle says Terrence owes the cash to her, her attorneys, and also for late fees since he continues to stiff her. As we previously reported ... Terrence filed docs back in July, claiming he was broke as a joke and couldn't make the payments.