# data[].attributes.headline
11. An Article on Smollet not coming back to Empire

# data[].attributes.subject
11. An Article on Smollet not coming back to Empire

# data[].attributes.body
Now it said that the tv show Empire is ruined because of the incident. It was said that Smollet filmed multiple Scenes before the final season but had to cut out some scenes of him since he won't be returning to the show.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
is no longer standing by its man. The Fox drama has suspended Jussie Smollett in the wake of the actor's arrest for allegedly staging last month's hate-crime attack against himself. Smollett's sorta-dismissal comes as the Fox drama was winding down production on Season 5; there's no word how his character Jamal's absence in this season's final two episodes will be explained.

In a statement, Empire EPs Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer said, "The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us. Jussie has been an important member of our Empire family for the past five years and we care about him deeply. While these allegations are very disturbing, we are placing our trust in the legal system as the process plays out. We are also aware of the effects of this process on the cast and crew members who work on our show and to avoid further disruption on set, we have decided to remove the role of Jamal from the final two episodes of the season."

Smollett, who has played Jamal on the Fox drama since its debut, was arrested early Thursday in Chicago and faces a felony criminal charge of disorderly conduct/filing a false police report in connection with his alleged attack. At the time, 20th and Fox maintained, "We understand the seriousness of this matter and we respect the legal process. We are evaluating the situation and we are considering our options."

In late January, Smollett reported to Chicago police that he was the victim of an early morning attack in which two men taunted the actor/singer with racist and homophobic slurs, then beat him, poured a liquid on him and placed a noose around his neck. Per Smollett, the men also referenced "MAGA," or President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again"slogan, during the incident. The actor elaborated on the attack in a February Good Morning America interview, telling Robin Roberts that he'd been "forever changed" by what happened to him.

When later developments seemed to contradict Smollett's account, his lawyers insisted that he played no role in the attack, and the show's producers denied that his part on the series would be reduced as a reaction to the controversy. "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 production company said in a statement at the time.

In a press conference Thursday, Chicago police alleged that Smollett hired two men to fake the attack because he was dissatisfied with his Empire salary. Shortly thereafter, the actor's legal team released a statement saying,"Today we witnessed an organized law enforcement spectacle that has no place in the American legal system. The presumption of innocence, a bedrock in the search for justice, was trampled upon at the expense of Mr. Smollett and notably, on the eve of a Mayoral election. Mr. Smollett is a young man of impeccable character and integrity who fiercely and solemnly maintains his innocence and feels betrayed by a system that apparently wants to skip due process and proceed directly to sentencing."

Empire is scheduled to kick off the second half of its current fifth season on Wednesday, March 13.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Jussie Smollett Out at Empire : Fox Drama Opts to 'Remove' Embattled Actor From Season's Final 2 Episodes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
is no longer standing by its man. The Fox drama has suspended Jussie Smollett in the wake of the actor's arrest for allegedly staging last month's hate-crime attack against himself. Smollett's sorta-dismissal comes as the Fox drama was winding down production on Season 5; there's no word how his character Jamal's absence in this season's final two episodes will be explained.

# data[].attributes.body
All this trouble cause most of the cast from empire to be pretty mad and most of them don't know what to say about the incident. TMZ has said that “almost everyone” is worried about how Smollett’s hate crime hoax will hurt the reputation of the show and how it “could continue to do so if he remains part of the cast.” Smollet has apologized to the cast for his mistake he said ”I’m sorry I’ve put you all through this and not answered any calls. I wanted to say I’m sorry and, you know me, I would never do this to any of you, you are my family. I swear to God, I did not do this,” he reportedly told the cast and crew.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Jussie Smollett went straight back to work after posting bail on Thursday, which was set at $100k (£77,000).

The Empire actor was scheduled to film scenes on set and according to TMZ had kept his cast mates and crew waiting for 30 minutes before arriving.

However sources told the site that producers postponed filming because it was clear he had been crying and was told to come back later.

Surrounded by his family for support, Smollett allegedly begged the Empire cast to believe he's innocent.

Chicago Police have charged Smollett, 36, with filing a false police report after "faking a hate crime" with claims made yesterday in a police press conference it was because the actor was "dissatisfied" with his salary.

According to a TMZ source Smollett said: "I'm sorry I've put you all through this and not answered any calls. I wanted to say I'm sorry and, you know me, I would never do this to any of you, you are my family. I swear to God, I did not do this."

The American actor turned himself in and was arrested in Chicago on Thursday.

Following a hearing that saw Cook County Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke Jr set a $100,000 (£77,000) bond, which is the equivalent of Jussie's fee per episode of Empire.

Jussie's release was confirmed after he paid $10,000 dollars (£7,670) to secure his release, as well as surrendering his passport.

He left Cook County Jail shortly before 5pm on Thursday, surrounded by hordes of photographers and protected by his family.

He will return to court on March 14 to face the felony charge of filing a false police report.

If found guilty of the class 4 felony, Jussie faces a prison sentence of between one to three years but could also receive probation.

Jussie said he had been attacked by two masked men in downtown Chicago on January 29, telling police his attackers shouted racist and homophobic abuse and tied a noose around his neck.

The actor, who is black and came out as gay in 2015, made a tearful appearance on Good Morning America this month and said he had been "forever changed" by the alleged attack.

However, Chicago police allege that the attack was a hoax orchestrated by the actor as he was "dissatisfied with his salary" on Fox network drama Empire.

They claim he hired two brothers, who are black, to help stage a "phony attack" on him last month, but that his plan was thwarted because the surveillance camera was not faced in the right direction to capture the beating.

Police say the brothers are co-operating with the investigation.

Smollett's legal team later issued a statement calling the actor "a young man of impeccable character and integrity who fiercely and solemnly maintains his innocence".

They said: "Today we witnessed an organized law enforcement spectacle that has no place in the American legal system. The presumption of innocence, a bedrock in the search for justice, was trampled upon at the expense of Mr. Smollett and notably, on the eve of a Mayoral election.

"Mr. Smollett is a young man of impeccable character and integrity who fiercely and solemnly maintains his innocence and feels betrayed by a system that apparently wants to skip due process and proceed directly to sentencing."

Superintendent Eddie Johnson kicked off the press conference yesterday by saying: "I wish the families of gun crime victims got the same attention as this case has."

He went on to allege Smollett paid £2,680 to choreograph a "publicity stunt" to "further his career" because he was "dissatisfied" with his salary.

The actor had previously alleged that he was the victim of a racially motivated and homophobic attack, claiming he was beaten and had a noose looped around his neck.

Officials now claim he paid two men to stage the attack - and even tried to get it all on camera.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Jussie Smollett heads back to Empire set and apologises to cast

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Jussie Smollett went straight back to work after posting bail on Thursday, which was set at $100k (£77,000). The Empire actor was scheduled to film scenes on set and according to TMZ had kept his cast mates and crew waiting for 30 minutes before arriving.

# data[].attributes.body
After learning of the news scandal, his cast members were pretty upset and wanted him fired while some people were standing by him. After his arrest, he was released on $10,000 bond. Jussie Smollett went down to the studio on Thursday he told his cast that what happened was not true and it was a lie. The day before his arrest one of his closest friend from Empire and cast stood by his side Gabby Sidibe she posted an Instagram post about the situation but the next day she deleted the supportive post.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A stern Jussie Smollett was released on $100,000 bond in a court hearing Thursday afternoon after being arrested this morning on multiple felony charges stemming from an alleged assault late last month.

With police and prosecutors insisting the star staged the seemingly racist and homophobic attack against him January 29, the late-starting hearing saw a series of texts from last month between the Empire actor and brothers Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo planning the attack being read out in court.

Those messages included preparing money to buy supplies, buying drugs, setting up meetings and ensuring that MAGA hats and chants were part of the assault, which occurred in the early morning hours in front of Smollett's Chicago apartment and lasted less than a minute.

In addition, besides the previously known $3,500 check Smollett wrote the siblings, extensive details were provided outside the hearing by Assistant D.A. Risa Lanier of the Cook County state's attorney office. Those details include that the original plan was to pour gasoline over Smollett, not the bleach actually used, and that the attack was scheduled for January 28 but the actor was delayed in returning from NYC to Chicago.

As family members such as Underground alum Jurnee Smollett and his lawyers stood behind Smollett, the openly gay actor who plays the openly gay Jamal Lyon on the hit Fox hip-hop drama was seen shaking his head, looking around and taking a series of deep breaths as the information and more was revealed in court.

Although defense lawyers insisted Smollett need to get back to work on Empire, the judge today seemed to care less, calling the incident "utterly outrageous" and "despicable" if the actor is found guilty.

The defense fought back, proclaiming Smollett returned to Chicago on Wednesday to face the coming charges and "wants nothing more than to clear his name."

Smollett's attorneys also said today that Fox has "pushed" production this week for Smollett on the series.

While scenes in the episodes currently being filmed that were to include Smollett have been cut or trimmed, sources close to the set of Empire say production is remains ongoing, even today.

In court, Smollett was wearing the same clothes he was arrested in earlier in the day. Seen as a possible fight risk, the actor was asked to surrender his passport during the hearing, which lasted just less than 20 minutes. He also was told to hand over $10,000.

If found guilty in this case, Smollett could face up to three years in jail for disorderly conduct and filing a false police report. More than likely, the prosecution and lawyers will strike a deal that will include probation, a source close to the situation told me today.

Prosecutors on Thursday noted that the actor was upset that a doctored, rage-filled letter threatening Smollett and sent to the Chicago studio did not get the attention he hoped it would, and that the assault was a Plan B to garner greater exposure. Because the letter was sent to the Chicago studio through the mail, a federal investigation is ongoing that could see further charges against Smollett.

Thought almost inconceivable mere weeks ago, the bond hearing today comes after the lawyer accompanied Smollett to turn himself in early this morning.

As the actor sat in an isolated cell, Chicago Police stepped in front of the cameras Thursday for what became a damning press conference. Highlighted by a openly "pissed"-off Superintendent Eddie Johnson , the police claimed Smollett "orchestrated this crime" and the attack last month to "promote his career" and get a pay raise by taking "advantage of the pain and anger of racism."

There was actually little mention of such a pay raise in the courtroom this afternoon. Smollett is paid $100,000 an episode on Empire.

Not long after that scathing stint in front of the cameras, Empire's network and production company released its most tepid statement of support in the Smollett matter. "We are evaluating the situation and we are considering our options," 20th Century Fox TV and Fox Entertainment said Thursday morning.

Those options could see Smollett suspended or even booted off Empire just days after Fox was adamant the actor was "core" to the drama toplined by Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard.

The incident in question originally was described by Smollett as an attack that left him beaten, drenched in bleach, and with a rope slung around his neck. Previously identified by cops as "persons of interest" in the case, the Osundairo brothers are said to be "fully" cooperating with authorities. The siblings were seen Wednesday entering the criminal courtroom in downtown Chicago, where a recently convened grand jury is sitting. At the same time, subpoenas were issued to go through Smollett's phone, financial and other records and files.

Speaking on Good Morning America on February 14 in his first interview after the alleged attack, Smollett said he thought he was targeted because of his high profile criticism of Donald Trump. "I come really, really hard against 45," the actor told GMA co-host Robin Roberts at the time. "I come really, really hard against his administration, and I don't hold my tongue."

Trump., who called the attack on Smollett "horrible" a couple of days after it occurred, today tweeted: "What about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments?"

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Jussie Smollett Out On $100K Bail After Court Hearing On False Attack Claims

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A stern Jussie Smollett was released on $100,000 bond in a court hearing Thursday afternoon after being arrested this morning on multiple felony charges stemming from an alleged assault late last month.

# data[].attributes.body
this is a video of the incident about Jussie Smollet and how different news report and tv host talk about his scandal if its real or fake. he and everyone in the video tell their opinion on the scandal and how they feel about. asking themselves why would he do it what was his intention for doing this.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Gutfeld on new twists in Jussie Smollett investigation

# data[].attributes.body
this post was posted by Gabby Shaby (a close friend of Smollet) from her Instagram talking about the incident. this was posted a couple of days before Smollett got arrested. later on, Gaby had deleted her post.

# data[].attributes.body
This is one of the posts from Twitter giving their supportive support to Smollet after the incident.

# data[].attributes.body
Later it was known that the actor staged the whole incident. he had paid two American-Nigerian brothers 3,500 each to attack him and to file a false police report. the reason he did that because he was not satisfied with his salary on Empire. He was taking advantage of the racism and anger to help out his career which was what the police stated. later on, he was arrested and charged with a felony for allegedly filing a false police report.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Jussie Smollett released from jail after posting bond

# data[].attributes.headline
9. Director Speaks On Behalf of Empire Video

# data[].attributes.subject
9. Director Speaks On Behalf of Empire Video

# data[].attributes.body
Lee Daniels talks about the feeling the cast are going through. he talks about their pain, confusion, and anger. he also talks about why he hasn't updated his social because of how he was taking all the news that was going around. he tells how that Smollett was like family to him and was very close with each other and the fact that this happen was a shock to him.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
'Empire' creator Lee Daniels talks 'pain,' 'anger' and 'sadness' following the Jussie Smollett scand

# data[].attributes.body
Justin Smollett also as "Jussie" was born June 21, 1982, he is a singer an American actor. he is part of the cast in the show Empire and plays the role of Jamal Lyon. A couple of months ago, Smollett was involved in an accident on January 29, 2019, where two men who yelled racist and homophobic slurs, poured unknown liquid, beat him up, as well as tied a rope around his neck.

# data[].attributes.body
From CNN News - Smollet has been charged with 16 counts of disorderly conduct. One of Smollet's Attorney said that he remains innocent and called the indictment "prosecutorial overkill". He also said that "this redundant and vindictive indictment is nothing more than a desperate attempt to make headlines" - Mark Geragos

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6733099/Jussie-Smolletts-cast-mate-Gabby-Sidibe-deletes-messages-support-Empire-star.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jussie_Smollett
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_(2015_TV_series)