Can we move closer to a time when issues like an actor’s sexuality aren’t a big deal?
Jussie Smollett, who plays the newly-out son of Lucious and Cookie Lyon the FOX smash hit Empire, has been hedging questions about his own sexuality since the show premiered in January. His personal life is his own business, but unfortunately, his non-answers have only intensified online gossip on the issue even further.
In an interview on the Ellen DeGeneres Show that will air today, the host gave Jussie an opening to discuss his own sexuality, but he did not bite. After the taping, the actor stopped by Ellen’s dressing room for a frank talk. Yes. He is gay. But no, he’s not nor has he ever been in the closet. He’s just a private guy protecting his “home” after being thrown into the fame gauntlet.
“It was very, very important to me that, as my first performance and talk show that it was with you. You’ve been such an inspiration to so many, but also to me,” he told Ellen. “What you’ve done with, in the LGBT community is very much in my opinion kind of like what Michael Jackson did with the black community just that you are who you are. And he was just Michael and you’re just Ellen, so it was really important to me to make sure that it got across that there is no closet. There’s never been a closet. That I’ve been in. I don’t own a closet, I got a dresser, but I don’t have a closet, but I have a home and that is my responsibility to protect that home.”
“I am so proud of you that you say there is no closet there never has been a closet,” Ellen said. “You’ve never pretending to be anything that you aren’t.”
“Ever, ever,” he replied. “So lets not read into it the wrong when I say that I don’t talk about my personal life, I’m saying that. But it is in no way to hide or deny who God made me. Ya know?”
“I think when I brought up the fact that your character came out and we talked about it and you were expressing yourself,” said Ellen, “I think a lot of people are still questioning and when we finished the show they were like ‘well is he isn’t he?’
“I think the most important thing is talent,” Ellen added, “The most important thing is what we do. We don’t want anything to get in the way of that. But there are questions out there, and that’s why it was my responsibility to at least give you the opportunity.”
“Now you don’t got to ask no mo'” said Jussie, laughing. “I told Ellen. Who else do I need to tell!”
Jussie’s Frank Talk with Ellen
Read more and watch a clip from the show at Too Fab
