Although all 16 felony charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped Tuesday (March 26) his former Empire cast-mates still appear to be playing it safe now that the case has reached its new outcome.
Tasha Smith, who plays Smollett’s aunt on the Fox drama, was caught outside of Chelsea Studios in New York on Thursday (March 28).
A TMZ cameraman pointed out Smith was one of several Empire cast-mates who deleted their supportive Instagram post in the wake of Smollett’s arrest in February.
The video catches some light banter between the TMZ correspondent and Smith before she candidly tells the persistent cameraman to “kiss my black ass!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPgpg_98vWs
Empire alumni Naomi Campbell, Xzibit, Vivica A. Fox, Serayah McNeill, Grace Byers, all deleted their Instagram post in support of Smollett as did fellow thespians Michael B. Jordan, Tracee Ellis, Tina Larson, Lance Gross and Jesse Ferguson.
Sources close to the production of the show have expressed the division between writers and cast-mates about the innocence or guilt of their former co-star.
Taraji P. Henson previously spoke about the atmosphere on set following the arrest describing it as “great.”
Fox released a statement to TMZ in February after Smollett’s arrest detailing their decision to axe the actor.
“Jussie has been an important member of our EMPIRE family for the past five years and we care about him deeply. While these allegations are very disturbing, we are placing our trust in the legal system as the process plays out. We are also aware of the effects of this process on the cast and crew members who work on our show and to avoid further disruption on set, we have decided to remove the role of ‘Jamal’ from the final two episodes of the season.”
The FBI is still looking into the origin of the offensive letter sent to Smollett days before the attack. Evidence proving Smollett sent the letter himself would result in federal charges.
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They knew it was a hoax from the start… And anyone who didn’t think it was a hoax, is just plain stupid, blind, or WANTED it to be true. His story from day 1 did not logically add up. People need to be less biased and use their brains. People called people like myself racist for doubting the authenticity of his supposed encounter. Again, his story did not logically add up. Only those who hoped it was true actually beleived it.
Nobody believes that clown now and I didn’t from the jump. Aint no white boys in MAGA hats roaming the streets of Chicago looking for gay ninjas!
You’d be surprised
No, you wouldn’t be surprised lol. I’m a MAGA hat wearer… Most of us are normal people. Peacful, just different political mind sets than some. But we certainly aren’t roaming Chicago streets at 2am with hats on, especially in 15 degree weather, ESPECIALLY considering WE would be targeted by the people out that late. I know it may sound surprising, but wearing that hat is like putting a target on my back. People harassed me many times, I just smile and continue walking. Ain’t cool to dehumanize others for their political views… And if MAGA hat wearers did assault Jussie, I’d hate them for it. I’d want them denounced as supporters, and tell them they aren’t welcome in our political party. I don’t hate anyone… I just want more affordable health care form you family, and more money in my pocket, and nobody trying to take away my guns.
See but there’s nobody trying to take your guns. And Trump’s not gonna make us magically richer or solve health care. I appreciate that you’re not coming from a place of hate but those are things citizens across the board generally agree on despite political affiliation. It feels like the maga thing is more of a personal identity thing than about actually making America itself prosper. Should be “Make my life great again.”
This girl real as fuck. Thought she only acts like.
I’d pipe her woohoo
This has nothing to do with hip hop. Just because its mostly black actors in the show doesn’t make it hip hop.
True.
But. It’s still a part of the culture.
Culture? WTF are you on about- culture? What, because he’s black??
Ur an idiot. Smh
I hope this stupid show gets canceled because of Juicy Mullet! That smug ash hole was walking around with his stupid shades on crying “but it really did happen” in front of the cameras all while having that little smug ass smirk on his face. I hope Smollet gets his ass kicked for real this time by some drug dealing caravan jumpers fresh from south the border. That would confuse the Phuck out of the Democraps. They wouldn’t know who to side with! Lol
Well said.
Dude’s a scumbag for sure but don’t bring all the political bullshit into it because it’s not very hard to list Republican scambags either. Shit the president is the poster boy of scum.