Here For It: Jussie Smollett on Shutting Down His ‘Empire’ Character Having White Boyfriend “We Have a Such a Beautiful Opportunity To Show Two Black Men In a Healthy Relationship Together”

Posted November 16, 2018

via Jussie Smollett Instagram

If you watch ‘Empire‘ on FOX then you’re well aware that Jussie Smollett‘s character Jamal Lyon has had his fair share of partners over the past five seasons.

From his male producer who was still in the closet and didn’t want to go public with Jamal for fear of not being accepted in the world of Hip Hop, to his therapist who slowly began to develop feelings for Jamal which led to a a “The Boy Is Mine” story line between both guys for Jamal’s love.

Fast forward this season Jamal is in a committed and open relationship with his new partner, Kai (played by Toby Onwumere) and the two are engaged to be married.

Well now, Smollett is revealing that he had to fight to ensure that this love story was told and that he wasn’t forced into a relationship with a white male character in order to appease mass audiences. He revealed he wanted to make sure there was representation for the black male on male couples, who get little to no camera time on TV.

During his visit to ‘The Clay Cane Show‘ on SiriusXM Urban View he revealed:

“There was talk about Jamal having a white boyfriend and I said, ‘Fuck no!’ Not for any reason except we have a responsibility and we have a such a beautiful opportunity to show two Black men in a relationship together, in a healthy relationship — Jamal is just getting to his healthy relationship.”

“But it was important and that wasn’t anything against white men. It was just a thing of… this is what I hope, this is what I want to see, this is what I wished I had seen as a kid because if I had seen certain things as an adolescent, I would have had a much different understanding of who I am in an earlier space. I do think that is important to show.”

We’re so here for it! get into the interview below.

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