Jussie Smollett Spotted At Friendly Lunch With “Empire” Execs: Report

Yesterday Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard, both cast members of the television series Empire, filed a petition to keep Jussie Smollett on the show. The cast continues to support and maintain their co-star’s innocence amidst the kidnapping hoax. In an open letter, the Empire actors begged for Smollett to return to the show in time for their return to the previously halted show’s shooting schedule. “Together, as a united front, we stand with Jussie Smollett and ask that our co-star, brother, and friend be brought back for our sixth season of Empire,” states the shared letter penned by Howard and Henson.

Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

Most recently, Empire creator and exec Lee Daniels also hinted Jussie Smollett’s possible return to the show. During an interview with the syndicated radio show The Breakfast Club, Daniels somewhat dodged the question but affirmed his supportive stance with regards to the Smollett scandal. He went onto say “I’m standing by him […] because regardless of the outcome, I can’t discard someone…It’s like discarding my son,” and some took this as a high probability Smollett would repress his role as “Jamal Lyon” in the Fox series.

Recent reports indicate Jussie was spotted having lunch in Lafayette with series’ exec Brett Mahoney. According to Page Six, a reporter approached Smollett shortly afterward for more details, but the actor politely turned him down and stated: “I wish I could talk.”