In spite of the turmoil surrounding Jussie Smollett’s legal issues, Lee Daniels, the creator of Empire, has stated that he is eager to collaborate with the actor once more. Daniels recently called his relationship with Smollett “complicated,” but he also highlighted their close bond during an interview on iHeartRadio’s The Breakfast Club. To me, he was a son. Daniels acknowledged the important part Smollett had in the popularity of Empire, where he played Jamal Lyon for five of the show’s six seasons. “And he also represented me,” Daniels remarked.
In 2019, Smollett’s career took a complete turn for the worst when he was charged with fabricating a hate crime to garner attention. Despite the fact that the original allegations against him were withdrawn, they were later refiled, which resulted in his conviction for filing a fraudulent
police report. In addition to 150 days in jail and 30 months of felony probation, he was also mandated to pay restitution and a fine. Smollett was freed, though, while an appeal was pending, which the Illinois Supreme Court decided to consider early this year.
Daniels and Smollett have reconciled and are currently texting each other in spite of the legal issues. Guys, it’s very difficult. It’s really intricate. Daniels said, “Life is so complicated,” referring to the ambiguity surrounding Smollett’s case. “I still don’t know what to believe,” he said in agreement. “While some claim he didn’t do it, he actually did. Godspeed on his travels.”
Smollett has persisted in his career in the entertainment sector; he most recently had his festival debut with The Lost Holliday, a film he co-wrote, produced, and directed. “Sometimes you just gotta bite the bullet and let everybody think that you’re crazy, that you’re shady, that you’re a fraud, whatever they’re going to think,” Smollett said in response to his continued appeal.
