The season three premiere of “Power” in Manhattan was a parade of beautiful people in gorgeous outfits that rivaled anything you’ve seen on Starz’ most highly rated series.
Steeped in the seductive nightlife of New York’s beautiful people and the violent underworld of international drug cartels, “Power” stars Omari Hardwick as James St. Patrick, owner of highly successful and glitzy nightclubs. The handsome nightclub owner is newly out of the drug game, and back with his first love, Angela (Lela Loren), who also happens to be the Assistant United States Attorney sworn to bring him to justice.
Struggling to put his criminal past behind him, when he was known as “Ghost,” forces and consequences from his previous actions keep threatening to get in the way of his plans for a new life. Meanwhile, his estranged best friend Tommy (Joseph Sikora) is trying to take over Ghost’s previous drug operation and is on a mission to kill his former pal.
Before the screening of the fast-paced first episode of the new season, Starz CEO Chris Albrecht proudly introduced show creator Courtney A. Kemp (“The Good Wife”) and executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (who also appears in the drama). Kemp called 50 Cent her “inspiration and partner in crime.”
50 Cent, the charismatic rapper, producer and actor, looked elegant in a smartly tailored suit and was clearly the star of the evening. Besides his executive producer duties, he also plays violent gangster Kanan, who may or may not be dead by the end of season two.
In his amusing introductory comments, where he spoke about how thankful and happy he was for the success of his first television show, he also noted the empty seats in the first few rows. As hard as it is to believe, 50 Cent said he was turned down when he requested more tickets. “Didn’t have any more tickets?” he exclaimed. “If they’d given me more tickets,” he said, the premiere “would have had Beyonce and Rihanna.”
Media mogul Jason Binn and his DuJour Magazine hosted the elegant after party at Top of the Standard.
Season three of “Power” premieres Sunday, July 17 on Starz.
