Actor Jussie Smollett was supposedly the victim of a homophobic hate crime but after the Chicago Police Department investigated the matter, they determined that the attack was staged. Smollett had paid two brothers to carry out an elaborate stunt in hopes to negotiate his episodic salary.
There have been rumblings that the actor could return for the next season of Empire but after some speculation, Lee Daniels has officially put those rumours to rest. Variety claimed that there was a chance Jussie Smollett could return to television as part of the series, Lee Daniels, co-creator of the show, has confirmed that the actor will not be back.
The filmmaker broke the news in a tweet to the publication, responding to a report that writers on the show were preparing for Smollett’s return. “This is not factual,” said Daniels. “Jussie will NOT be returning to Empire.”
@Variety @JoeOtterson This is not factual. Jussie will NOT be returning to Empire. -LD
— Lee Daniels (@leedanielsent) June 4, 2019