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Empire’s Jussie Smollett was reportedly attacked early this morning in Chicago by two white men who screamed racial and homophobic slurs at him. Then Chicago PD says, “The offenders began to batter the victim with their hands [around] the face and poured an unknown chemical substance on the victim. At some point during the incident, one of the offenders wrapped a rope around the victim’s neck.” The actor took himself to the hospital and he is in “good condition.”
According to TMZ, the substance thrown in his face was bleach, which is being tested now for confirmation. As the men were attacking him they shouted, “This is MAGA country.”
The suspects got away and Chicago PD is looking for any tips to capture them. If you know anything, then contact “Area Central Detectives at 312-747-8382 or report it anonymously to www.cpdtip.com.”
When it comes to why he was out so late. The flight he was on coming back from NYC was delayed several hours. A two-hour flight took seven and that got him around 1a. He posted the above photo around 1:30a CST detailing the events of the flight. When he finally got home, TMZ says he was hungry and went to get some Subway. That is when he was attacked.
TMZ says the cast and crew of Empire held a meeting this morning about the attack and were very upset over what happened. They also discussed getting extra security for the remaining few episodes they are filming this season. Which makes sense because ThatGrapeJuice.net reports that before the incident he got death threats sent to him where they film the Fox drama in Chicago.
Fox released this statement to The Hollywood Reporter, “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 stand united in the face of any despicable act of violence and hate — and especially against one of our own.”
No word if and when Smollett will resume filming on Empire this season. Also, at this time it is unclear if he will still be performing in LA on February 2nd.
None of that matters at this time. All that matters he gets better and know we are here for him.
It saddens and infuriates me that this is still happening in 2019. No one should be that full of hate that they would attack a complete stranger for his skin color and whom he loves. We all bleed red, translation, we are all the same. I hope these men are caught quickly and serve the rest of their lives in jail. Disgusting attacks like this need to end, thus why the punishment should be so severe.
Smollett is all about love and hopefully this incident will not change him too much. They say what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger and he will come out much stronger and continue to help people be comfortable in their own skin.
UPDATE: Empire creator Lee Daniels tearfully sends out a message to his son Jussie. To see what he had to say, then click here!
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