The seeds for Jussie Smollett’s alleged hate-crime hoax may have been planted when an emotional “Empire” creator Lee Daniels spoke out about his cousin getting assaulted because he’s gay, according to a report.
The theory among some “Empire” cast members is that Smollett sought to play on Daniels’ emotions in the hopes of becoming “an LGBT hero” and curry favor with his boss, TMZ reported, citing anonymous sources.
The 59-year-old Daniels, using the handle, theoriginalbigdaddy, posted a heartfelt one-minute video on Instagram on Jan. 10 advising his “gay brothers and sisters” that it “was OK to be who you are” and “inevitably right will be done.”
Daniels captioned the post, “This past week my cousin was beat up for being gay and I am sick of hearing these stories…” and “For all the people who are hurting, who are struggling, and who are trying to find some meaning in this life, I am here to say if you need a safe place or a ear to listen, then I’m here.”
After his cousin’s attack, Daniels showed up to the “Empire” set and “shared more about the story. Everyone was visibly upset that Lee’s family had gone through this horrific ordeal,” the TMZ report said.
If Smollett was looking to tug at Daniels’ heartstrings, he was initially successful.
On Jan. 29, the day of Smollett’s alleged hoax attack, Daniels tweeted, “We got this,” accompanied by rainbow and black hand emojis.
In a whirlwind turn of events, Smollett, a 36-year-old gay and black actor, was charged Thursday with felony disorderly conduct for allegedly faking his own hate attack.
The actor claimed he was slugged by two strangers who called him a “f—-t,” a “n—-r” and shouted, “This is MAGA country!” just outside his apartment before dousing him in bleach and throwing a rope around his neck.
Chicago authorities said he plotted the bizarre scheme to bolster his own career and get a raise.
Smollett denies it was a hoax, and has told cops he has an “untreated” drug problem.
Smollett’s character on “Empire” will be removed from the final two episodes of this season in the wake of his arrest. Fox has requested security from Cook County cops when it films scenes for an episode on Wednesday.