Friday, February 22nd 2019, 12:47 pm
The executive producers of the television series "Empire" are removing Jussie Smollett's character from the last two episodes of the show's season "to avoid further disruption on set."
"The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us," seven producers said in a statement Friday.
The move to take the character, Jamal, off the show follows Smollett's arrest. Authorities say he orchestrated an attack against him as a "publicity stunt" because he was dissatisfied with his salary.
Read: Jussie Smollett Arrested, Accused Of Faking Attack
"While these allegations are very disturbing, we are placing our trust in the legal system as the process plays out," the producers said.
Smollett gave detailed instructions to two brothers who helped carry out the staged attack against him in downtown Chicago, where "Empire is filmed, prosecutors said Friday. He allegedly gave them specific slurs to yell and told them to shout "MAGA country" and drape a rope around his neck.
Smollett, who is black and gay, had described the January 29 attack to police as racist and homophobic.
Related: Jussie Smollett Charged With Filing False Police Report
On Wednesday he was charged with felony disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false police report. He was arrested and released Thursday on bond, which a judge set at $100,000.
February 22nd, 2019
March 22nd, 2024
March 14th, 2024
February 9th, 2024
March 28th, 2024
March 28th, 2024