Daniels Would Rehire Smollett Despite Controversy

Lee Daniels has recently indicated his willingness to work with actor Jussie Smollett again, despite the controversy surrounding him. In an appearance on iHeartRadio’s The Breakfast Club, Daniels, who co-created the hit TV series Empire, spoke candidly about his relationship with Smollett.

Daniels described Smollett as a "son" to him and noted that Smollett played a significant role in the success of Empire, where he portrayed Jamal Lyon, a pivotal character in the show’s music industry-centered drama. The series, which aired for six seasons from 2015 to 2020, featured Smollett prominently before he was written out in the final season.

Smollett's legal troubles began in 2019 when he reported a violent attack involving racial and homophobic slurs. He claimed that the attackers, who were later alleged to be hired by him, put a noose around his neck and poured a substance on him. Although the initial charges were dropped, they were later refiled. Smollett denied the allegations and was eventually sentenced to 30 months of felony probation, with 150 days in jail and financial restitution to the city of Chicago. His conviction is currently under appeal, and he was granted release pending that appeal.

Daniels mentioned that he and Smollett, who had been out of touch for some time, now keep in contact via text messages. Despite the complexities of the situation, Daniels admitted, "It’s so complicated. Life is so complicated," and expressed uncertainty about what to believe regarding Smollett’s case.

In June, Smollett premiered his new film, The Lost Holliday, which he co-wrote, produced, and directed, at the American Black Film Festival in Miami. During the festival, he addressed his ongoing appeal and the public’s perception of him, saying, "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. And then they'll figure it out. They'll figure it out because I can't sit here forever trying to explain."

Daniels' remarks highlight the ongoing complexity of Smollett's situation and suggest that, despite the controversies, there remains a potential for future professional collaboration between the two.