‘Empire’ EP Danny Strong Condemns “Hate Filled” Attack On Jussie Smollett

A violent and hateful attack upon Jussie Smollett earlier this morning in Chicago has earned the wrath of Empire co-creator Danny Strong.

Strong, who brought the Fox drama to life with Lee Daniels, bluntly took to social media as news of the assault upon the actor who plays the openly gay Jamal Lyon in Empire emerged:

I’m deeply horrified and saddened by the racist and homophobic attacks against @JussieSmollett. He is a kind and profoundly talented soul whom I respect with all my heart. The terror of racism and homophobia has no place in our society, it is the most indecent way to live…

— Danny Strong (@Dannystrong) January 29, 2019

…whoever did this, do not forget that you are nothing but hate filled cowards while Jussie’s talent and activism will continue to shine a bright light on to the world for decades to come.

— Danny Strong (@Dannystrong) January 29, 2019

“Overnight the Chicago Police Department received a report of a possible racially charged assault and battery against a cast member of the television show Empire,” said the police this morning. “Given the severity of the allegations, we are taking this investigation very seriously and treating it as a possible hate crime.”

Allegedly two men spat out homophobic and raciest insults at Smollett in a Chicago restaurant early this morning after the actor had returned from a trip to New York to the very cold Windy City where Empire is filmed. Identifying the actor from his role on Empire, the men then began punching Smollett and proceeded to pour a still unknown chemical substance on him. The actor went to a local hospital and is in good condition now, we hear.

While tests are still being conducted on what the substance is, it looks like it was bleach, a source tells Deadline.