Empire creator Lee Daniels took to Instagram on Tuesday after news broke regarding one of the show’s cast members, Jussie Smollett, who was hospitalized following a brutal racist and homophobic attack in Chicago on Monday night.
“We have to love each other regardless of what sexual orientation we are because it shows that we are united on a united front, “Daniels continued. “And no racist fk can come in and do the things that they did to you. Hold your head up, Jussie. I’m with you, I’ll be there in a minute, it’s just another fking day in America.”
20th Century Fox and Fox Entertainment issued a statement, writing, “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 of any despicable act of violence and hate — and especially against one of our own.”
According to multiple sources, Smollett was hospitalized in Chicago after two unknown suspects approached him while he was walking, yelling out racial and homophobic slurs towards him. Police confirmed that the men began to beat him and pour bleach onto him.
Lee Daniels spoke out about the alleged racial, homophobic attack on Empire star Jussie Smollet that occurred early Tuesday in Chicago. Smollett, 36, had arrived in Chicago Monday night. He was on his way to get something to eat at 2 a.m. when he was allegedly attacked.
Sources tell WENN.com two masked men recognized Smollett from his role as openly homosexual singer/songwriter Jamal Lyon on Empire, and shouted, "Aren't you that f**got Empire n**ger?"
Police claim the suspects began beating Smollett and poured bleach on him, before tying a rope as a noose around his neck. Smollett drove himself to the hospital. He was discharged in "good condition" after receiving treatment for minor injuries including a cracked rib.
"It's taken me a minute to come to social media about this because, Jussie, you are my son," an emotional Daniels said in a video on his Instagram page on Tuesday. Daniels, who is openly homosexual, captioned the video, "We got this @jussiesmollett," alongside a rainbow flag and two Black power symbols.
Daniels added: "You didn't deserve - nor anybody deserves - to have a noose put around your neck; to have bleach thrown on you; to be called 'die fa--ot, ni--a,' or whatever they said to you. We are better than that. You are better than that. America is better than that. It starts at home."
Smollett, 36, is in Chicago to film the upcoming season of Empire. Daniels is the creator and director of the scripted TV series.
