Jussie Smollett is the absolutely amazing breakout star of Fox’s Empire , a drama that’s winning raves — as reported by the Inquisitr — for its writing and deep portrayals of gay characters like Jamal, played brilliantly by Jussie, a man who brings to life some of the real-life experiences that director Lee Daniels endured at the hands of his own father. It’s performances like this, one titled EMPIRE | “Tell The Truth” (Feat. Jussie Smollett) from “The Outspoken King” on the Empire YouTube channel, that’s winning Jussie even more raves.
In “Tell The Truth,” Jussie Smollett’s epic, haunting, and intentionally wavering voice compels viewers to want to know more about the man who is just bursting onto the national forefront in a big way. Not surprisingly, some people want to know: Is Jussie Smollett gay in real life, or does Jussie simply play a gay character on Fox’s Empire TV show?
After researching the status of Jussie’s sexual preference in real life, this journalist discovered it’s not an easy question to answer. There haven’t been found any definitive statements from Jussie Smollett stating, “Yes, I am gay.” And it’s not good to assume that simply because a guy plays a gay character on TV that he’s gay in real life.
Buzzfeed writes about Daniels’ direction causing Jussie Smollett to claim Empire is a vehicle that holds a mirror up to us all, and LGBT magazines like DBQ implore us to fall in love with Jussie. I’d say the viewing audience has already fallen in love with the uber-talented Smollett, as much as we already have with his sister, Jurnee Smollett.
Out has called Empire the gay black TV show you shouldn’t miss, all because of Jussie. Comcast asked Smollett if he was troubled that Jamal wasn’t the first gay role he has played — referencing a gay character the actor portrayed in the 2012 film The Skinny .
“No, because I really don’t care about that. To be honest with you, I just don’t care. I don’t want to do good roles and I want to do roles that challenge me and say something. I don’t want to play the same thing over and over. I could. I could and play it safe and that might work for a time being but I think it’s awesome that I get to play different characters. I was on The Mindy Project and I played a completely heterosexual cop, you know what I’m saying?”
So Jussie’s not worried, and there’s still no definitive word on Smollett being gay or not. Interestingly, Google suggests the terms “Jussie Smollett baby” and “Jussie Smollett wife” and “Jussie Smollett girlfriend” when one starts to Google him.
[Image via Buzzfeed ]