After Faking A Hate Crime, Smollett Will Not Be Welcomed Back To ‘Empire’

Jussie Smollett, who was accused of faking a hate crime against himself to boost his career prospects, will not be returning to the Fox series “Empire.”

In late January, Smollett reported that he had been attacked in downtown Chicago by masked assailants who poured bleach on him, called him racial slurs, and put a noose around his neck. Smollett, who is gay and African-American, was later accused of staging the attack with the help of two brothers who worked as his personal trainers.

Smollett denies the allegations, and criminal charges against him were dropped. However, it seems the scandal has cost him his role on “Empire.”

“By mutual agreement, the studio has negotiated an extension to Jussie Smollett’s option for season six, but at this time there are no plans for the character of Jamal to return to ‘Empire,’” Fox Entertainment and 20th Century Fox said in a statement. They did not elaborate on why Smollett’s character had been written out of the show.

In a separate statement, a spokesperson for Smollett thanked fans and the cast and crew of “Empire” for their support, and said Smollett’s character might re-appear at a later date.

“We’ve been told that Jussie will not be on Empire in the beginning of the season but he appreciates they have extended his contract to keep Jamal’s future open,” Smollett’s spokesperson told Fox News. “Most importantly he is grateful to Fox and Empire leadership, cast, crew and fans for their unwavering support.”