FOX Removing Jussie Smollett as Jamal From Final Episodes of Empire, Cast and Crew Reportedly Feel Betrayed by Smollett

TMZ reports that FOX has issued a statement announcing that Jussie Smollett is being cut from the final two episodes of Empire this season due to the ongoing controversy of the actor allegedly orchestrating a hoax assault. You can read the statement from Fox below.

“The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us. Jussie has been an important member of our EMPIRE family for the past five years and we care about him deeply. While these allegations are very disturbing, we are placing our trust in the legal system as the process plays out.”

“We are also aware of the effects of this process on the cast and crew members who work on our show and to avoid further disruption on set, we have decided to remove the role of ‘Jamal’ from the final two episodes of the season.”

According to the TMZ report, the FOX Network confirmed that Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer all signed off on the decision to remove Smollett as Jamal Lyon from the episodes.

Additionally, the report also has details on the emotions running through the cast and crew that likely led to the decision to remove Smollett from the final episodes of the season. The report states that the cast of the show felt betrayed by the recent revelations in the investigation of what started as a hate crime committed against Smollett. Many of the actors are rumored to have been “f***ing furious” with Smollett. They are said to believe if the brass at FOX do not fire him, hen Smollett should agree to quit the show himself because he no longer deserves his spot on the show.

It was stated by the Chicago Police Department Superintendant Eddie Johnson that Smollett orchestrated an alleged hoax because he was unhappy with his salary on Empire and wanted to promote his career. After new evidence surfaced that appears to suggest Smollett orchestrated a fake attack on himself, many of his friends and cast members feel hurt and embarrassed.

Also, it’s stated that “almost everyone on set” is concerned about how Smollett’s alleged actions have damaged the reputation for the show. They feel if he continues on the show, his presence will continue to harm the show’s reputation.

The same sources did admit that there are some cast and crew members who believe Jussie Smollett is telling the truth about what happened. Per the report, they believe him because they cannot fathom him concocting a hoax such as this. It appears there have even been arguments that with the crew on how to handle the situation.

Jussie Smollett is said to be aware of the dissension that started on set before his removal. Cast members who were angry with him were reportedly blowing up his phone. He then changed his number and only gave his new one to people who still believe in him.

As previously reported, Jussie Smollett returned to the set of filming the show this week after he was arrested and posted bond for the charge of filing a false police report. He was later released on bail and returned to the set.

While there, Jussie Smollett reportedly told the cast and crew,”I’m sorry I’ve put you all through this and not answered any calls. I wanted to say I’m sorry and, you know me, I would never do this to any of you, you are my family. I swear to God, I did not do this.”

Chicago PD Superintendent Johnson also claimed that Smollett was responsible for the hate letter sent to Fox Studios that appeared to threaten the actor. If he is found guilty of creating a hoax for this attack, his career could be facing irreparable damage.