Lee Daniels recently shared his thoughts on Jussie Smollett during an appearance on ‘The Breakfast Club’ on iHeart Radio, sparking renewed interest in their relationship. Daniels, the acclaimed creator of the hit series Empire, addressed the controversy surrounding Smollett, who was convicted five years ago for making false accusations about a racially motivated crime against him. In a surprising turn, Daniels expressed openness to working with Smollett again, despite the complex nature of the situation that led to their professional separation.
“I’d work with him again,” Daniels stated, reflecting on their past collaboration.
“I’d cast him in something. He was like a son to me.
And beyond that, he also represented me and the movement I inadvertently started. Back then, I was so preoccupied with the details of Empire—from Cookie’s hat to the music we were featuring—that I didn’t fully grasp the cultural shift we were part of. This was before Insecure and Black Panther. We were at the forefront of something much bigger.”
Daniels’ remarks reveal his deep emotional connection to Smollett, as well as his acknowledgment of the broader impact of Empire on the entertainment industry and society. The show, which featured a predominantly Black cast and tackled issues of race, sexuality, and identity, played a significant role in shaping the cultural zeitgeist. Daniels now recognizes how much the show resonated with audiences and contributed to the ongoing conversation about representation in media.
However, Daniels also admitted that the controversy surrounding Smollett remains a source of confusion for him. “The whole situation was complicated,” he said, reflecting on the events that led to Smollett’s departure from Empire.
“I still don’t know what to believe. Honestly, I don’t know what to believe. People say he didn’t do it; others say he did. God bless him on his journey.”
In January 2019, Smollett, who is both a gay Black man and a prominent figure in Hollywood, reported that he was the victim of a brutal attack while walking home from a sandwich shop late at night. According to Smollett, the assailants hurled racist and homophobic slurs at him, physically assaulted him, placed a noose around his neck, and poured bleach over him. The alleged hate crime sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and sparked widespread outrage and support for Smollett.
However, the narrative took a dramatic turn when authorities accused Smollett of orchestrating the attack himself. According to the investigation, Smollett allegedly paid brothers Abimbola “Bola” and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo $3,500 to stage the attack, reportedly as a reaction to his dissatisfaction with his salary on Empire, where he had been a cast member for five seasons. The case, which drew extensive media coverage, culminated in Smollett being charged with filing a false police report and staging a hate crime hoax.
In March 2022, Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of felony probation, and ordered to pay $120,106 in restitution, along with a $25,000 fine. He was also dismissed from *Empire* for its final season, a move that marked a significant turning point in his career. Despite the legal outcome, Smollett has consistently maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal.
Tina Glandian, one of Smollett’s attorneys from Geragos & Geragos, expressed hope for justice, stating,”We are gratified that Jussie will be back with his family and loved ones and look forward to a dispassionate review and reversal of the serial injustices visited upon him.”
Daniels’ recent comments suggest a willingness to move beyond the controversy and potentially rekindle a professional relationship with Smollett in the future. As both men continue their respective journeys in Hollywood, the possibility of their collaboration offers a glimpse of hope for those who admired their past work together on Empire. Whether or not that collaboration comes to fruition, it’s clear that Daniels’ feelings toward Smollett remain complex and deeply personal.
