Will Jussie Smollett’s Actions Get Jamal Lyon Killed?

On January 29, 2019, African-Americans, the LGQBT community, professional athletes, entertainers, and actors voiced their outrage as media outlets released the story about a cast member on the hit show “Empire” being physically attacked by two men in Chicago. The two men assaulted the actor, threw a chemical substance on him, and shouted racial and homophobic slurs. To add insult to injury, they tied a noose around the television star’s neck.

Fox, the network that airs “Empire” identified the cast member who was attacked to be Jussie Smollett, an openly gay, black actor. Police spokesman said the “Empire” star was going to get something to eat around 2 a.m. when he was approached by two masked white men. The two men shouted at Smollett, punched him in the face, poured bleach on him, and tied a noose around his neck. While being interviewed by law enforcement, Jussie Smollett told them the attackers were yelling “This is MAGA country”, a reference to Donald Trump’s campaign slogan “Make America Great Again.” 

“Empire” creator Lee Daniels was visibly upset with what allegedly happened to the Empire cast member. 

“Jussie, you are my son. You didn’t deserve nor anybody deserves to have a noose put around your neck or to have bleach thrown on you,” Daniels stated in a social media video.

“Sending love to Jussie and the Smollett family after this horrific attack,” John Legend posted.

“Four years ago Jussie Smollett came out on my show. I’m sending him and his family so much love,” Ellen DeGeneres tweeted.

Celebrities and political figures reached out with their full support. However law enforcement wasn’t ready to back the actor just yet. As law enforcement dug deeper into the alleged hate crime, they noticed area cameras picked up images of the two suspects. The only problem was the fact that the two men weren’t white, but they were of African-American descent.

Law enforcement tracked the men down courtesy of them using cabs and ride shares after the assault was executed. Police also identified the two men as brothers who took a trip to their native Nigeria immediately after the attack. When they returned to U.S. Soil, Investigators met the two men at customs, and while in police custody, the American-born brothers of Nigerian descent flipped on Jussie Smollett.

The siblings told investigators that Smollett paid them $3,500 to stage the Jan. 29th attack. They also stated how the actor had a threatening letter sent to him on the “Empire” set on Jan. 22nd. The letter contained racial and homophobic language. According to the  brothers, when the letter didn’t generate enough of attention, Smollett decided to stage the attack.

With credible evidence supporting their claims, the brothers were released from custody.

Police have the $3,500 check in their possession and they also have surveillance video of the brothers purchasing red hats, ski masks, and gloves in a beauty supply store. In addition to that, phone records show Smollett contacted the brothers before and after the rehearsed attack. 

Valentine’s Day is a day of love, but law enforcement showed no love for Jussie Smollett as they announced they were investigating if Smollett staged the attack. On Feb. 20th it was announced that the “Empire” actor was being accused of felony filing of a false police report. At 5:15 a.m. on the morning of Feb. 21st, Jussie Smollett turned himself in. Hours later he was released on $100,000 bail.

Evidence is pointing towards Smollett staging this attack, because he was dissatisfied with his salary. Smollett makes approximately $20,000 per episode, while Terrence Howard bankrolls approximately $175,000 per episode. Despite the apology Jussie Smollett delivered to the cast and crew, the decision was made to remove his character from the final two episodes of season 5. Fans may wonder if this move is leading towards the death of Jamal Lyon? It is highly possible, as it has been confirmed that producers of the show have signed off on decision to remove Jussie Smollett.