Entertainment Africa
The popular Actor Jussie Smollett is reportedly being cut from the production of the drama series Empire seen on FOX (DStv 125) as an investigation continues.
In late-January Jussie Smollett ended up in hospital after a brutal attack and alleged hate crime in Chicago. The actor alleged that he was attacked in a racial, homophobic altercation, punched, drenched in chemicals and had a rope tied around his neck.
Chicago police then announced that it now believes that Smollett paid two brothers and suspects, Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo from Nigeria to stage the attack on him. One of the brothers had made an on-screen appearance on Empire during the show’s second season.
Chicago police say Smollett allegedly paid the extras $3 500 to stage the attack on him. Ola played a prison inmate during the second season of Empire, while Abel (the other brother’s nickname) said he also worked on the show.
Both brothers through their lawyer now admit that they know Smollett. The actor said in a statement he’s “victimised by claims attributed to these alleged perpetrators”.
Smollett still hasn’t talked to the police again after the new “developments”.
Deadline reports that Smollett is getting cut from Empire’s production, all of his scenes that were due to be filmed this week have been removed from the filming schedule.
It was reported that he was supposed to have 9 scenes and a big musical number in the second to the last episode of the current season which is being filmed, but that 5 scenes have been axed as well as his appearance in the musical number.
A previous run in with the law has also now surfaced.
According to our Associated Press, Smollett had a misdemeanor complaint filed against him in California in 2007 when he was pulled over by a police officer on the suspicion of driving under the influence.
The complaint says that he gave the name of his younger brother, Jake Smollet and also signed a false name on the promise to appear in court.
The publication further reports that court records show he pleaded no content to a reduced charge of giving false information, in addition to driving under the influence and without a valid license.
In May 2008 he completed an alcohol an education treatment program and the terms of his sentence.
Actor Jussie Smollett was accused in 2007 of giving his younger brother's name and signing a false name on a promise to appear in court after he was pulled over for DUI. He pleaded no contest to giving false information. https://t.co/Y8Sx6WSnRF
— AP Central U.S. (@APCentralRegion) February 20, 2019
