PopUps: 'Empire' Actor Says He Didn't Out Co-Star
"Empire" actor Malik Yoba said Wednesday that he didn't out his co-star Jussie Smollett, who plays a gay R&B singer on the breakout Fox musical drama, when he gave a recent interview, saying his comments about Smollett being gay were all about his character.
"I was misquoted in the article. My reference to Jussie was only about his character and storyline on Empire," Yoba said in a statement to USA Today, referencing to his interview with Black Film.
In his interview, Yoba said:
"I think that our show represents a huge opportunity to stay in the culture beyond entertainment value and there's an intrinsic nature of you have the gay factor, right? So, obviously, Lee is gay," Yoba said. "That was an important storyline for him. I think it's important for people to see themselves. Even within the Black community.
"But if you aren't really, really taking it off of screen and making it live you aren't really, really taking it off of screen and making it live in the community in a significant way...like I know Jussie, he is gay, and he's very committed to issues around the LGBT community. He and I have a very close relationship," he continued.
Smollett plays Jamal Lyon, one of Luscious Lyon's (Terrance Howard) three sons, who is a gay R&B singer on "Empire" and came out publicly through song during last week's episode.
Smollett has yet to respond to the comments and will most likely remain hush on the topic as he refused to confirm or deny that he was gay when he was asked about his sexuality on "Sway in the Morning," adding that he doesn't like to talk about his personal life.
"I am not willing to confirm or deny anything, I live my life...if anyone is looking to put me in a box, then that's not going to happen," the 31-year-old actor said. "But if you really want to know about me, just watch, because I don't hide anything. I just don't choose to talk about my personal life."