Hate Crime Hoaxer Has Scenes Cut From Hip Hop TV Series

Things are looking bad for Jussie Smollett following a big break in the hate crime hoax case that led to him being charged with at least one felony count over last month’s bogus attack that he had orchestrated with the help of two Nigerian brothers.

Smollett, who checks off two boxes on the left’s “intersectionality” checklist because he is both black and gay is a star on the Fox News television series about a hip hop company and as a celebrity, he was given instant credibility by a craven media looking to exploit the “attack” as another smear against “white supremacist” Trump supporters.

But despite the media feeding frenzy and crass exploitation by Democrats like Kamala Harris and Cory Booker, Smollett’s story didn’t pass the smell test and the more that police investigated, the stronger that the fishy aroma became.

A major break in the case came over the weekend after police were able to trace the rope’s purchase to the two brothers who copped to being paid by the actor to help him stage what has the makings of a major hate crime hoax.

The two sang like canaries and according to reports, a grand jury is being convened in the case and Smollett has also hired a criminal defense attorney and even his allies are now distancing themselves from him.

The latest blow for the actor?

It has been announced that he is being erased from upcoming episodes of “Empire” as producers likely realize that Smollett could be going away for an extended stay in the iron bar hotel once the other shoe drops.

According to showbiz gossip site TMZ, “Jussie Smollett Empire Role Slashed”:

Jussie Smollett’s “Empire” screen time is getting slashed in the wake of a growing sentiment that he staged the so-called “attack.”

Production sources tell TMZ … Jussie was supposed to have 9 scenes and a big musical number in the second to the last episode — which is being shot now — but, 5 of his scenes have been cut, and his musical number has been 86’d.

As for the remaining 4 scenes … we’re told he’s no longer the focus. The scene features an ensemble, meaning he’s flanked by a number of cast members.

With his duties pared down, Jussie will be spending way less time on set. Instead of working every day this week, we’re told Jussie’s working Friday and possibly Thursday, and he won’t be rehearsing.

Additional details via Deadline Hollywood, “Jussie Smollett Cut From ‘Empire’ Episodes As Attack Probe Continues”:

Deadline has confirmed with well placed sources that Smollett’s scenes in episodes of the Lee Daniels and Danny Strong co-created series are being slashed for production on Empire this week.

While the show is back at work today in the Windy City after the long weekend, Smollett will be a rare presence on the set of the Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard led show.

The actor has also been absent as Chicago PD request another interview with him. As Smollett himself has become the subject of deeper inquiry into the supposed assault that occurred in the early hours of January 29, detectives want to know more about the actor’s version of what happened that day on the streets of Chicago and any possible knowledge he may have to indicate the incident could have been preplanned.

The widely condemned attack was previously described as a racist and homophobic barrage that left Smollett beaten, drenched in bleach and with a rope slung around his neck. Openly gay, Smollett portrays the openly gay Jamal Lyon on Empire.

Now the reality appears to be more complex or at least convoluted.

There are no plans right now to make any changes to the remaining episodes of the fifth season of Empire that are already in the can, I hear.

Yet, despite the strongly expressed renewed support by Empire showrunner Brett Mahoney on February 17, upcoming episodes have seen serious rewrites in recent days to reduce the increasingly besieged Smollett’s role both in dramatic stints and musical performances.

While Smollett can take some comfort that he can likely keep his thespian skills sharp during a turn with the prison theater group, his despicable act may be of more importance if in the bigger scheme of things, it brings down the curtain on the media hate crime hoax industry.