Queen Latifah made it clear that she is standing by Jussie Smollett’s side until there’s solid proof that he staged the attack against himself.
Smollett was charged with filing a false police report last week and slammed by the Chicago Police Department for using “the pain and anger of racism to promote his career.” However, the legendary rapper turned actor insists, “The guy I’ve seen has always been someone who cares about people, who cares about others, and who’s very kind and who’s always been cool and sweet. And that’s just the guy I know. So until I can see some definitive proof – which I haven’t seen yet – then, you know, I gotta go with him until I see otherwise.”
During an appearance on Yahoo! News show, Through Her Eyes, Queen Latifah, who once guest starred on Empire for a crossover episode with the series’ sister show, STAR, commented I don’t even know what to make of it. All I know is that I hope everything works out in the end and everybody basically comes out unscathed,” in regards to the whole ordeal.
Smollett reported that he was attacked by two men who yelled racial and homophobic slurs. Authorities initially reported that it was a hate crime, then later discovered that the attackers were Empire acquaintances and were in cohorts with the show’s star to stage the attack. Smollett maintains his innocence.
You can watch the full episode of “Through Her Eyes” every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on Roku.
