Empire Co-Creator Lee Daniels Speaks about The Jussie Smollett Scandal

In an interview with Vulture, Lee Daniels says he is “beyond embarrassed” by the Jussie Smollett Scandal. Andrew Goldman further probes him for his reaction regarding the incident. With Empire running in its two final seasons, Lee speaks up about the many controversies involving Jussie and the show.

Chuck Hodes/FOX

With regards to Jussie, Lee clarifies that he did not expect what happened. At any point, he did not suspect Jussie to do anything near what happened. Before the investigations after the incident, Lee mentions that “when it happened, I had a flash of me running from bullies. I had a flash of my whole life, of my childhood, my youth, getting beaten.” Since then, Fox cut Jussie’s appearances in the show. Also, Jussie will no longer appear in Empire‘s last season.

The issue became a painful experience for Lee. Still, he clings on to hope, saying that “Of course, there’s some doubt. I’m telling you that because I love him so much. That’s the torture that I’m in right now because it’s literally if it were to happen to your son and your child, how would you feel? You would feel, Please, God, please let there be that glimmer of hope that there is some truth in this story. That’s why it’s been so painful. It was a flood of pain.”

Ultimately, Lee eventually had to leave the story alone. According to him, “I can’t judge him. That’s only for the fucking lady or man with that black robe and God. I had to detach myself and stop calling him because it was taking away the time I have for my kids, the time I have for my partner. It was affecting my spirit and other shows, everything.”

The show must go on for both Lee Daniels as well as Empire. Lee has other projects that demand his attention. On the other hand, Empire reached its sixth and final season. Undoubtedly, the last season ends with a blast. Still, it is sad to see that it will end without one of its principal characters. Hopefully, somewhere in the future, a resolution to Jussie’s case surfaces. It would be nice to have Lee Daniels and Jussie work on a project together once again.