UPDATE 20/2/19: Fox has issued a statement in which the network praised the embattled star and reiterated that it has no plans to cut him out of Empire. “Jussie Smollett continues to be a consummate professional on set and as we have previously stated, he is not being written out of the show,” the statement read, according to Variety.
See the original story below.
Reports surface that Jussie Smollett's screen time on Empire will be taking a hit after news that he allegedly staged his attack in Chicago.
On Tuesday, Feb. 19, sources tell TMZ that the show has decided not to feature any scenes where Smollett is the focus. As a result, the actors nine scenes have been cut down to just four, x'ing out five scenes where Smollett was the sole star on the screen. In addition, it is said that Smollett's musical number that is planned for the end of the season is also in jeopardy of hitting the cutting room floor.
This had led to a major hit in Smollett's storyline. It is said that instead of being on set every day, he is only working Friday and possibly Thursday without rehearsing with the cast.
This follows reports that Chicago Police believe Smollett orchestrated his attack by recruiting two Empire crew members to stage a racist, homophobic assault. It has been reported that these accomplices will testify in the upcoming grand jury hearing to decide if Smollett should be subjected to a felony for filing a false police report.
However, Jussie Smollett's lawyers maintain their client's innocence and state he is "angered" by the allegations.
"Jussie Smollett is angered and devastated by recent reports that the perpetrators are individuals he is familiar with," Smollett's attorneys stated. "He has now been further victimized by claims attributed to these alleged perpetrators that Jussie played a role in his own attack. Nothing is further from the truth and anyone claiming otherwise is lying."
