Actor Jussie Smollett was attacked by two men in an assault involving homophobic and racial slurs yesterday, Jan. 29, in Chicago.
Image: Instagram/@jussiesmollett
Smollett, who stars in the musical drama series “Empire” and is openly black and gay, was walking in the street on his way home at 2 a.m. when he heard men yelling slurs at him, reported TMZ yesterday.
A police report stated that the actor was struck by the white men in ski masks and beat him up as he fought back. A chemical substance, said to be bleach, was poured on him. A noose was wrapped around his neck before the perpetrators left.
Smollett managed to bring himself to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and was reportedly in “good condition.” He told the Chicago police department that he heard his attackers yell, “MAGA country.”
Eight days before the attack, a letter addressed to the actor was sent to Fox Studios in Chicago with the message, “You will die black f*g.” “MAGA” (Make America Great Again)” was written on the envelope, which contained white powder.
Chicago PD said in a statement that it wa3rps treating the attack as a “possible hate crime.”
“Empire” creator Lee Daniels, rappers 50 Cent and T.I., actress Alyssa Milano, comedian Kevin Hart and singer Ariana Grande are among those in Hollywood who condemned the attack and expressed support for Smollett.
Daniels said in a video on Instagram, “You didn’t deserve nor anybody deserves to have a noose put around your neck, to have bleach thrown on you, to be called ‘die f*ggot n*gga’ or whatever they said to you.”
“You are better than that. We are better than that. America is better than that.”
“It starts at home. It starts at home, yo. We have to love each other regardless of what sexual orientation we are because it shows we are united on a united front and no racist f*ck can come in and do the things that they did to you.” Niña V. Guno /ra
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