Empire bosses aren’t buying accusations Jussie Smollett staged his attack because he was upset with his salary, it has been claimed.
The 36-year-old was hospitalised after claiming to have been beaten and abused by two strangers in MAGA hats, who poured unknown chemicals on him and tied a noose around his neck in what was thought to be a hate crime.
However, Jussie has since been charged with disorderly conduct and filing a false police report on 29 January, with Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson accusing the actor of staging the controversy to increase his pay packet.
According to TMZ, sources from Empire have debunked any suggestion Jussie was unhappy with his wage, and never once asked for a pay rise. He was already making a reported $125,000 (£95,000) per episode, while his co-stars Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard are said to take home $250,000 (£187,000) each instalment. Read more