"Empire" star Terrence Howard is standing by his co-star Jussie Smollett after his arrest for allegedly plotting a hate crime attack against himself. Howard posted the following video on Instagram Saturday showing his support for Smollett, who was released on bond last week, yet told to surrender his passport.
Some Instagram users were outraged Howard could defend the embattled actor. But, according to him, Smollett could never do something so "ugly."
“Sorry you feel that way but that’s the only Jussie I know,” Howard wrote in one reply. “The Jussie I know could never even conceive of something so unconscious and ugly. His innocence or judgment is not for any of us to decide."
Yet, Chicago PD revealed last week that they have evidence to prove Smollett did do something that sinister. In a press conference, Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said they have reason to believe the actor paid two Nigerian brothers $3,500 to pretend to be racist and homophobic Donald Trump supporters and attack him on the streets of Chicago. In the police report, Smollett claimed the two men hurled slurs at him and tied a rope around his neck. He made the story up, according to authorities, because he was "dissatisfied" with his Fox salary.
Smollett returned to the "Empire" set Thursday to apologize to his costars, but maintained his innocence.
The producers have written his character off of the final two episodes of the season. As for the Chicago PD, they want an apology and a reimbursement for all the resources the actor cost the city.