AsEmpireactor Jussie Smollett recovers froman apparent homophobic and racially charged attack, the Fox show’s creator, Lee Daniels, is speaking out about the incident.
In a video posted to Instagram on Tuesday afternoon, the 59-year-old director began, “It’s taken me a minute to come to social media about this because, Jussie, you are my son.”
“You didn’t deserve — nor does anybody deserve — to have a noose put around your neck, to have bleach thrown on you, to be called, ‘Die, f—t n—r’ or whatever they said to you,” a visibly emotional Daniels continued.
Warning: This video contains NSFW language.
“You are better than that. We are better than that. America is better than that,” he added. “It starts at home … We have to love each other regardless of what sexual orientation we are because it shows that we are … [a] united front and no racist f—k can come in and do the things they did to you.”
“Hold your head up, Jussie,” Daniels continued. “I’m with you, I’ll be there in a minute. It’s just another f—in’ day in America.”
Serayah McNeila (who plays singer Tiana Brown onEmpire, also addressed the incident on social media.
“Your light will continue to shine bright, which is the part these disgusting people fail to realize,” the actress, 23, captioned a photo of herself and Smollett on Instagram. “I hope you make a speedy recovery and continue to educate, motivate, and inspire millions. Love you big bro.”
She signed the post with her nickname, Ray, a heart emoji, and the hashtags #stopthehate and #prayingpraying.
Other stars like John Legend, George Takei, Zendaya and Shonda Rhimes have also shown their support.
Jerod Harris/Getty
On Tuesday,TMZ reportedthat the actor was the victim of an apparent hate crime. The Chicago Police Departmentlater confirmed in a statement to PEOPLEthat a member of the hit Fox show was involved in a “racially-charged assault and battery,” though they did not name Smollett.
Jussie Smollett.David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty
The victim was transported to Northwestern Hospital and is in “good condition.”
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TMZ reports that his attackers allegedly yelled, “This is MAGA country.” PEOPLE has not been able to independently confirm this.
Smollett’s reps did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment released a statement on the incident: “We are deeply saddened and outraged to learn that a member of our EMPIRE family, Jussie Smollett, was viciously attacked last night. We send our love to Jussie, who is resilient and strong, and we will work with law enforcement to bring these perpetrators to justice. The entire studio, network and production stands united in the face or any despicable act of violence and hatred — and especially against one of our own.”
Smollett first spoke publicly about being gay onTheEllen DeGeneresShowin 2015, though he said he never considered himself to be in the closet.
“There’s never been a closet that I’ve been in,” he said, adding that deciding not to talk about his personal life is not an attempt to “hide or deny who God made me. There is, without a doubt, no closet that I’ve ever been in,” he reiterated, “and I just wanted to make that clear.”
In a statement about the attack toThe Hollywood Reporter, GLAAD said it reached out to Fox and Smollett’s team to offer assistance.
source: people.com
