Jussie Smollett’s role on “Empire” has been cut dramatically amid the ongoing investigation into an alleged attack in Chicago, according to a new report.
Smollett alleged that he was assaulted by two white men on Jan. 29 at around 2 a.m. in freezing temperatures. Two Nigerian brothers who know Smollett were recently arrested on suspicion of being the assailants but they were released after reportedly telling detectives the actor hired them to attack him.
Production sources told TMZ that Smollett was supposed to have nine scenes and a big musical performance in the second-to-last episode of “Empire,” which is currently shooting.
According to the sources, that slate has been cut down to four scenes. The musical number has also been slashed.
In addition, while Smollett remains in four scenes he will no longer be the focus of those scenes and will be in an ensemble, with a number of other cast members now being introduced into the scenes.
Because of the cut in the number of scenes, Smollett is scheduled to be on set for only a day or two and he won’t be rehearsing, according to TMZ. The script for the episode underwent multiple revisions on Monday, Feb. 18, and more were expected.
Publicly, “Empire” cast members and producers have stood by Smollett or declined to comment amid mounting evidence that the alleged attack wasn’t carried out as he described.
I believe and stand by @JussieSmollett . Keep your head up. @EmpireWriters @EmpireFOX
— Brett Mahoney (@TheBrettMahoney) February 18, 2019
Brett Mahoney, showrunner for the show, took to Twitter on Sunday to offer his continued support for Smollett. “I believe and stand by Jussie Smollett,” he wrote. “Keep your head up.”
On Jan. 29, Mahoney wrote that the alleged attack was “an attack on everything that is great about America.”
He added,” Keep your head up Jussie. We stand with you. Love will always conquer hate.”
Fellow cast member Taraji Henson wrote on Jan. 30: “I wish what happened to my baby was just one big bad joke but it wasn’t and we all feel his pain right now. Jussie Smollett is pure love to the bone AND THAT IS WHY SO MANY ARE FEELING HIS PAIN BECAUSE IT IS OUR PAIN!”
“The devil and his minions are very busy right now,” she added. She has not issued any further statements.
Lee Daniels, who created “Empire,” took to Instagram after the attack was reported to say: “It’s just another [expletive] day in America.”
“It’s taken me a minute to come to social media about this because, Jussie, you are my son. You didn’t deserve, nor anyone deserves, to have a noose put around your neck, to have bleach thrown on you, to be called die[expletive [expletive] or whatever they said to you,” he said.
“You are better than that. We are better than that. America is better than that. It starts at home. We have to love each other regardless of what sexual orientation we are.” A day later, he shared an update from the Chicago Police Department but in the intervening weeks he has not commented further.
Latest Developments
The Chicago Police Department said over the weekend that the Nigerian brothers were released and that information they gave detectives “changed the trajectory of the investigation.”
A spokesman said that police want to speak with Smollett again in light of the new information but wouldn’t confirm what the brothers detailed to officers.
“We are not doing any interviews or making any official statements until we can corroborate some information that was shared with police. Until we meet with the Empire cast member, we are not able to confirm, deny, or comment on any of the information that was released unofficially,” a spokesman told CBS Chicago.
“When this investigation is over, we will have a detailed accounting of the case. While we are not in a position to confirm, deny, or comment on the validity of what’s been unofficially released, there are some developments in this investigation and detectives have some follow-ups to complete, which include additional investigation and speaking to the individual who reported the incident.”
Smollett through his attorneys has denied the reports that the attack was staged and insisted he is innocent and was a victim of an attack. He admitted he knows the brothers and said he hired one of them as a personal trainer.
Smollett’s representatives told media outlets that he would not speak with the police on Monday and police officials said the actor had not informed them of any plans to submit to an interview.
The brothers spoke publicly for the first time late Monday, issuing a statement.
“We are not racist. We are not homophobic and we are not anti-Trump,” they said. “We were born and raised in Chicago and are American citizens.”
