Is it coincidental or deliberate that the producers of the hit show “Empire” are shooting a scene at the spot where Jussie Smollett was allegedly the victim of a homophobic and racist beatdown?
Photos from the “Empire” set show the now-infamous corner of Smollett’s former plush condo highrise where he said he was beaten by rabid MAGA fans at 2 a.m. in late January 2019, TMZ reports.
'Empire' Shoots Scene Where Jussie Smollett Was Allegedly Attacked https://t.co/TEVvh980vZ
— TMZ (@TMZ) August 14, 2019
Smollett has, of course, been exiled from the show that catapulted him to stardom after police and prosecutors were convinced he staged the event to increase his national profile and, therefore, enhance his earning power.
TMZ said there weren’t any of the real stars from the “Empire” show (that features Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard) on-site, just stand-ins. But no one from Fox or “Empire” can be ignorant or unaware of the magnitude of shooting in the very spot — the 300 block of East North Water Street — that eventually caused the show’s implosion after six seasons.
Because the police, prosecutors and city hall are convinced that Smollett conspired with two extras on “Empire” to stage the faux beatdown, he is being sued for $130,000 plus punitive damages for the cost of police man-hours to investigate him. This is despite the fact Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx dropped all 16 felony charges against Smollett.
Don’t expect Smollett to make a cameo appearance, either. Director and show creator Lee Daniels and Fox announced that Smollett has been pretty much been ex-communicated from the show.
