Empire creator Lee Daniels knows that things will never be the same for the show’s cast and crew after the controversy following Jussie Smollett‘s alleged attack.
The 59-year-old exec took to Instagram on Wednesday night to give fans a bit more insight on how everything’s been going since the shocking story broke in late January.
Related: Jussie Smollett Pleads Not Guilty To Lying To Police About Alleged Attack!
As you know, Smollet first reported that he’d been the victim of a brutal attack by racist homophobes who recognized him from the hit FOX show. Chicago police later revealed they had evidence pointing to the Hollywood star lying about the attack, accusing him of paying his “attackers,” and setting the entire thing up for more attention and a bigger salary.
Daniels begins his video message to fans by calling it like it is, and acknowledging the crazy turn of events that have happened since then:
“I’m back. Oh my God, these past couple of weeks have been a freakin’ roller coaster.”
He continues that the entire experience has been a trying one, to say the least:
“Me and my cast have experienced pain and anger and sadness and frustration and really don’t know how to deal with it. You know? Cause it happened, everything has happened, what you are seeing tonight, prior to the incident. And this is not what the show was made for.”
Lee wraps things up by reminding us that his show never intended to be dragged into something like this in the first place:
“The show was made to bring America together, to talk about the atrocities that are happening right now in the streets.”
WATCH his video (below):
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvPj8BNn2Bu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
It sounds like Jussie’s old boss is staying strong, moving on and focusing on the success of Empire and his other show Star, instead.
Related: Jussie Strides To Hearing He Didn’t Have To Attend, Fights For Cameras In Court
Earlier this week, Smollett’s costar Taraji P. Henson also briefly referenced the scandal at the premiere of her new movie, The Best of Enemies.
Speaking to Extra in New York City on Sunday, the actress said:
“You have to stay strong, stay positive, full of hope.”
She also added that costars on the Fox show are “strong.”
Meanwhile, Jussie is also appearing to stay strong. The actor recently plead not guilty to the 16 charges stemming from his allegedly lying to police about being attacked in Chicago. If found guilty for his class 4 felonies, the disgraced actor could face years in prison.
[Image via Patricia Schlein/Ivan Nikolov/WENN]
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