‘Empire’ Co-Creator Lee Daniels Responds To Jussie Smollett Attack

In a powerful and moving Instagram video, Empire co-creator Lee Daniels expressed his love for Jussie Smollett and his ire at the men – and the hate – that put the Empire actor in the hospital.

“It’s just another f*cking day in America,” Daniels says at the end of his raw and forceful message. Watch the video below.

Earlier today, Chicago police confirmed that Smollett, who is black and openly gay, was allegedly attacked outside a restaurant around 2 a.m. by two men yelling racist and anti-gay epithets. The men, according to the police report, also poured an unknown chemical substance over the Empire actor and wrapped a rope around his neck before fleeing the scene.

Smollett drove himself to a nearby hospital, where he remained today. Daniels recorded his message as he was headed to visit Smollett.

Read Empire EP Danny Strong’s response to Smollett’s attack here, Fox’s response here and the outpouring of Hollywood reactions here.

Here is Daniels’ statement, in full:

“It’s taken me a minute to come to social media about this because, Jussie, you are my son. You didn’t deserve, nor anyone deserves, to have a noose put around your neck, to have bleach thrown on you, to be called die f*ggot n*gger or whatever they said to you. You are better than that. We are better than that. America is better than that. It starts at home. We have to love each other regardless of what sexual orientation we are. Because it shows we are united on a united front, and no racist f*ck can come in and do the things that they did to you. Hold your head up Jussie. I’m with you. I’ll be there in a minute, because it’s just another f*cking day in America.”

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