Jussie SmollettandEmpirewill be making television history this week.
“The influence ofEmpirestill extends out well beyond America and it’s culturally relevant and I really appreciate the show for that. In its fifth year, it’s still going — as evidence to the wedding that’s going on, it’s still culturally relevant, so I think it’s beautiful,” Onwumere, 29,toldExtraabout the monumental episode.
“I think it’s different than what we’ve seen in past seasons ofEmpire, which is a breath of fresh air,” he continued. “I really love what Kai and Jamal have. I think it’s beautiful.”
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The episode comes nearly one month after charges against Smollett, 36, were dropped after he allegedly staged a hate crime.
Smollett was arrested Feb. 20 after an investigation and indicted on16 counts of disorderly conduct for making false reports.
Police previously accused the starof paying $3,500to stage a “bogus” attack on himself because he was unhappy with hisEmpiresalary, though a source denied any dissatisfaction with money to PEOPLE.
In late March, all charges weredroppedagainst the star. He thenspoke outand insisted that he has been telling the truth about the attack since the very beginning. “I’ve been truthful and consistent on every single level since day one,” he told reporters at the Cook County courthouse in Chicago. “I would not be my mother’s son if I was capable of doing what I was accused of.”
Jussie Smollett.Leon Bennett/Getty
Since the scandal, Onwumere has been in touch with Smollett — “Oh, yeah, I’ve talked to him, and he’s doing well,” he toldExtra— though he’s uncertain what will happen to Jamal on the series.
“Look, I am the last person they tell … I have no idea, so we’re waiting to see,” he said.
“It’s family business,” Onwumere said, “so we’re all just coming together and supporting one another.”
Costars Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard signed a letter to network executives asking that he be brought back ifEmpireis picked up for another season, according toDeadline.
“Throughout Empire’s five seasons working with Jussie and watching how he has conducted himself throughout this traumatic event, we have come to know not just the character Jussie portrays, but also truly come to know Jussie’s personal character,” the cast wrote. “He is kind. He is compassionate. He is honest and above all he is filled with integrity.”
Empireairs Wednesdays (8 p.m. ET) on Fox.
source: people.com
