Lee Daniels Open to Working with Jussie Smollett Again, Despite Controversy
In a recent interview with The Breakfast Club, acclaimed director and producer Lee Daniels revealed that he would be willing to work with Jussie Smollett again, despite the actor’s conviction for falsely reporting a hate crime. Smollett’s scandal rocked the entertainment industry in 2019, and Daniels’ willingness to forgive and give him another chance has raised eyebrows.
Daniels, who has worked with Smollett on the hit TV show Empire, described the scandal as “complicated” and admitted that he never gained full clarity regarding the alleged incident. He confessed that he still doesn’t know what to believe, stating that “people say he didn’t do it, he did do it. God bless him on his journey.”
The director-producer also shared that he was “beyond embarrassed” for rushing to defend Smollett initially, stating that he had a flash of running from bullies and was overwhelmed by the pain of the situation.
Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of felony probation, and ordered to pay $120,106 in restitution and a $25,000 fine for the hoax and filing a false police report. He has maintained his innocence and filed an appeal, but the conviction was upheld as of December 2023.
Daniels’ willingness to forgive and give Smollett another chance is a testament to the complexity of the situation and the importance of human connections. Despite the controversy, Smollett’s talent and dedication to his craft remain undeniable, and it will be interesting to see if he will be given another chance to redeem himself.
For more information on the Jussie Smollett scandal and its aftermath, check out the links below:
- Vibe.com: Jussie Smollett’s Guilty Plea
- Vibe.com: Jussie Smollett’s Jail Sentencing
- Vibe.com: Jussie Smollett’s Conviction Upheld
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