EwtNet

Tag: jussie smollett

  • Jussie Smollett returns to stage after attack

    Jussie Smollett returns to stage after attack

    Jussie Smollett made his first public appearance at a Los Angeles club Saturday night, just days after the Empire actor was the victim in an attack that is being investigated as a possible hate crime.

    “I had to be here tonight, y’all. I couldn’t let those motherfuckers win,” Smollett told the crowd at West Hollywood’s Troubadour. “So I will always stand for love. I will never stand for anything other than that.

    Regardless of what anyone else says, I will only stand for love.”

    Smollett continued, “I’m okay… I’m not fully healed yet but I’m going to, and I’m going to stand strong with y’all.”

    He also added “Be as black, be as brown, be as gay as the fuck you want to be. Now is the time: Be blacker, be gayer, do it right the fuck now.”

    Chicago suntimes reports, Smollett had made his first public comments about the incident on Friday in a written statement that said he had been “consistent on every level” with the police during their investigation, countering comments on social media saying he had changed his story and been uncooperative with investigators.

    “I am working with authorities and have been 100% factual and consistent on every level,” the statement said.

    Chicago police also said Smollett has been cooperative and they have found no reason to think he’s not being genuine.

  • Police Launch Investigations on Jussie Smollett Attack

    Police Launch Investigations on Jussie Smollett Attack

    American actor Jussie Smollet, an empire star has been attacked in Chicago, by two men who shouted racist and homophobic slurs. Chicago police are investigating it as a hate crime.

    Police say the 36-year-old Empire cast member was walking home from a 24-hour Subway restaurant in the 300 block of E. Lower North Water Street around 2 a.m. when two men allegedly began yelling homophobic and racial slurs at the actor on North Lower Water Street near Smollett’s apartment.

    Chicago police say along with the verbal attack Smollett reported the men threw an unknown substance on him and placed a rope around his neck.

    Sources say Smollett left the rope on his neck roughly 45 minutes until police arrived.

    But the alleged attacked is not captured on the hundreds of surveillance videos the 12 detectives assigned to the case have poured through.

    “I know the police department is working aggressively,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. “The alleged statement of what happened her is horrific, and there’s no place for it in the City of Chicago.”

    Smollett also told police the attackers allegedly yelled, “This is MAGA country,” referring to President Donald Trump’s slogan.

    Police say there is video of Smollett inside the Subway, and they located video of the people wanted for questioning Wednesday.

    Detectives are working the incident as a possible hate crime.

    Smollett, who was not seriously hurt, talked to CNN’s Don Lemon who said “Smollett was shaken and angry” and “fought back at the attackers.” Chicago CBS reports.

    “The racist, homophobic attack on Jussie Smollett is an affront to our humanity. No one should be attacked for who they are or whom they love,” House speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a tweet. “I pray that Jussie has a speedy recovery and that justice is served. May we all commit to ending this hate once and for all”