Fox Entertainment’s hit show “Empire” was officially picked up for a sixth season — but without one of its controversial mainstays, Jussie Smollett.
By mutual agreement, the studio has negotiated an extension to Jussie Smollett’s option for season six, but at this time there are no plans for the character of Jamal to return to ‘Empire,’” Fox Entertainment and 20th Century Fox TV issued in a statement to Fox News on Tuesday.
Smollett was spotted vacationing in Hawaii earlier this month after he had 16 felony disorderly conduct charges dropped against him in Chicago for his alleged role in a hate-crime scandal. He also was seen last week having lunch with “Empire” showrunner Brett Mahoney in North Hollywood.
In a stunning reversal, the Cook County State Attorney’s office announced on March 26 that all felony counts against Smollett were being dropped and the record in the case sealed. Smollett voluntarily forfeited his $10,000 bond, and Smollett’s attorney, Patricia Brown-Holmes, said the funds would likely go to the city of Chicago.
Smollett, who has maintained his innocence, previously pleaded not guilty to all 16 counts against him.
The city of Chicago sued the actor in early April for the cost of investigating his controversial case, as promised, one week after the “Empire” actor refused to reimburse the city…Continue Reading
