When “Empire” actress Taraji P. Henson appeared on “The View” Thursday, she revealed that co-star Jussie Smollett – who Chicago police and others still believe staged a hoax hate crime despite all charges being dropped against him – will return to the hit program next season.
Smollett told police that he was assaulted by two men, doused with chemicals and a rope placed around his neck, as his attackers shouted “This is MAGA country!” Smollett was later charged with filing a false police report and then mysteriously cleared of all charges not long after.
After all this, will Smollett still get to keep the acting gig that made him famous?
Taraji P. Henson Says Jussie Smollett Will Return to 'Empire' https://t.co/baca33YimZ
— TMZ (@TMZ) April 4, 2019
A partial transcript of Thursday’s “The View” would indicate so, at least according to Henson (emphasis added):
https://youtu.be/7aPw3DXIfKU
MEGHAN MCCAIN: So, there’s always a lot about Empire, it’s a hugely popular show. But, recently your co-star, Jussie Smollett, has been in the news. The charges against him have been dropped and you say you are, quote: “Happy the truth has finally been set free.” Have you spoken with Jussie?
TARAJI P. HENSON: Yeah, I talk to Jussie all the time and he’s doing well. Yeah, we’re all doing well, the show is doing well. We’re on hiatus right now, right, as we try to figure out what the next season is going to look like, what our storyline is going to be. Trying to drum up some really juicy stuff for you guys. So, that’s where we are right now.
JOY BEHAR: Is Jussie going to be on the show?
HENSON: Yes! I haven’t heard anything else. Yeah, I haven’t heard anything.
SUNNY HOSTIN: And this is the sixth season, I think.
HENSON: It would be going into the sixth season.
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Is Smollett Getting Exactly What He Wanted All Along?
“I talk to Jussie all the time and he’s doing well.”
Taraji P. Henson shares about life on the set of ‘Empire’ in light of the controversy surrounding Jussie Smollett: “We’re all doing well, the show is doing well.” https://t.co/f8u2wc159S pic.twitter.com/TWgpcWYnyf
— The View (@TheView) April 4, 2019
Police and others have said that Smollett might have staged a hate crime against himself to elevate his profile even more and perhaps earn more money.
After everything everyone has gone through with this ordeal, from the city of Chicago and beyond, is Jussie Smollett about to get exactly what he wanted all along?