EmpireCreator Would 'Cast' Jussie Smollett in Future Project Despite Past Hoax Scandal: 'He Was a Son to Me'

Mar. 15, 2025

Lee Daniels (left) and Jussie Smollett (right).Photo:Roy Rochlin/2024 Getty; Derek White/Getty

Roy Rochlin/2024 Getty; Derek White/Getty

Lee Danielsis speaking out on where he stands withJussie Smollett.In aninterview on iHeart Radio’sThe Breakfast Club,theEmpirecreator, 64, opened up about his feelings five years after Smollett, 42, was convicted of making false accusations about a racist crime against him. For the first time sincewriting Smollett off the show, Daniels revealed he is open to teaming up with him on a future project.“I’d work with him again,” he said. “I’d cast him in something. He was a son to me. And he also represented me. And he also represented the movement that I tried to start, which I didn’t know I was starting. I was so busy, worried about Cookie’s hat and the music that we were playing [on Empire], this was beforeInsecure, this was beforeBlack Panther. We started it.”He added, “I was so worried about getting everything right that I didn’t know what was happening in the zeitgeist.”Adding that “the whole situation was complicated,” Daniels said he has never truly gotten clarity on the alleged incident.“That whole situation was complicated. I still don’t know what to believe,” he admitted. “Honestly, I don’t know what to believe. People say he didn’t do it, he did do it. God bless him on his journey.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.In January 2019, Smollett, who isa gay Black man, reported that two men attacked him on his way home from a late-night stop at a sandwich shop. He claimed that amid a slew of racist and homophobic slurs, the men also wrapped arope around his neckand poured bleach over him.After an investigation, authorities later alleged that theSkinnyactor paid brothersAbimbola “Bola” and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo$3,500 to stage a “bogus” hate crime attack against him. They claimed this was a response to Smollett’s dissatisfaction with hisEmpiresalary after appearing on the show for five seasons.Jussie Smollett.Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagicYears later, in March 2022, Smollettreceived a sentenceof 150 days in jail, 30 months felony probation, $120,106 in restitution and a $25,000 fine for the hate crime hoax as well as subsequently filing a false police report in connection to the incident. He was also released fromEmpirefor its sixth and final season.Smollett hasmaintained his innocence.“We are gratified that Jussie will be back with his family and loved ones and look forward to a dispassionate review and reversal of the serial injustices visited upon him,” one of Smollett’s attorneys, Tina Glandian of Geragos & Geragos, told PEOPLE at the time.

Lee Danielsis speaking out on where he stands withJussie Smollett.

In aninterview on iHeart Radio’sThe Breakfast Club,theEmpirecreator, 64, opened up about his feelings five years after Smollett, 42, was convicted of making false accusations about a racist crime against him. For the first time sincewriting Smollett off the show, Daniels revealed he is open to teaming up with him on a future project.

“I’d work with him again,” he said. “I’d cast him in something. He was a son to me. And he also represented me. And he also represented the movement that I tried to start, which I didn’t know I was starting. I was so busy, worried about Cookie’s hat and the music that we were playing [on Empire], this was beforeInsecure, this was beforeBlack Panther. We started it.”

He added, “I was so worried about getting everything right that I didn’t know what was happening in the zeitgeist.”

Adding that “the whole situation was complicated,” Daniels said he has never truly gotten clarity on the alleged incident.

“That whole situation was complicated. I still don’t know what to believe,” he admitted. “Honestly, I don’t know what to believe. People say he didn’t do it, he did do it. God bless him on his journey.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In January 2019, Smollett, who isa gay Black man, reported that two men attacked him on his way home from a late-night stop at a sandwich shop. He claimed that amid a slew of racist and homophobic slurs, the men also wrapped arope around his neckand poured bleach over him.

After an investigation, authorities later alleged that theSkinnyactor paid brothersAbimbola “Bola” and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo$3,500 to stage a “bogus” hate crime attack against him. They claimed this was a response to Smollett’s dissatisfaction with hisEmpiresalary after appearing on the show for five seasons.

Jussie Smollett.Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic

Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic

Years later, in March 2022, Smollettreceived a sentenceof 150 days in jail, 30 months felony probation, $120,106 in restitution and a $25,000 fine for the hate crime hoax as well as subsequently filing a false police report in connection to the incident. He was also released fromEmpirefor its sixth and final season.

Smollett hasmaintained his innocence.

“We are gratified that Jussie will be back with his family and loved ones and look forward to a dispassionate review and reversal of the serial injustices visited upon him,” one of Smollett’s attorneys, Tina Glandian of Geragos & Geragos, told PEOPLE at the time.

source: people.com