Jussie Smollett Is Gay, ‘Empire’ Star Tells Ellen DeGeneres [Video]
Jussie Smollett has finally come out of the closet. Sort of. In a new video interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Smollett talks about not hiding who he is because he’s afraid of being gay, but instead, Jussie reiterated that he keeps his personal life personal in order to protect his family and those he loves. The amazing artist and the star of Empire on Fox, a show which got the royal teasing, spoofing treatment by SNL on Saturday — as reported by the Inquisitr — still may have left fans wondering, because although Jussie talked about not hiding in closets, Smollett still hasn’t come out and said the words, “I am gay.”
“After his character on “Empire” came out as being gay, Jussie faced a lot of scrutiny in his personal life. He had something meaningful he wanted to share with Ellen.”
With that sort of description on Ellen’s website, one would be prepared for a monumental statement from Jussie that once and for all cleared up all the rumors surrounding his sexuality, as clearly as Jamal grabbed that mic on Empire, danced around in white (with a big old scarf around his neck) on a stage and looked up at his dad — right in the eyes — and resolutely changed the lyrics to the song that talked about a man loving a man. Anyway, Smollett’s statement to Ellen was more elusive.
“There is no closet. I don’t have a closet. But I have a home. It’s most important for me to make that clear to you on your show.”
Therefore, although Jussie looked at Ellen’s camera and said that folks don’t have to ask anymore about being gay, the queries will probably continue for those who don’t like subtle shadings and inferences and metaphors and the like.
As reported by ET, Smollett’s coming out came on the heels of controversy over whether Empire co-star Malik Yoba accidentally outed Jussie as being gay to a reporter for Black Film, or, as Yoba claimed later after the snafu was made public in black and white pixels, that he was misquoted by the writer.
No matter what, it’s the show that keeps on giving with stars like Jennifer Hudson singing on Empire, as reported by People, a publication giving viewers a first listen to the Oscar winner’s new song to be featured on an upcoming show. Other publications go inside the phenomenon of ‘Empire‘, as the New York Post did in order to figure out its success.
[Image via Ellen]
