Empire star Jussie Smollett has confirmed he’s gay after his co-star, Malik Yoba, outed him in a recent interview. Smollet talked to Ellen DeGeneres about his sexuality, which is a big topic on the hit Fox show surrounding his character.
Yoba first confirmed Smollet is gay after the actor has made it clear he didn’t want to talk about it publicly. Yoba later said he was “misquoted,” but Smollett has now taken it into his own hands.
Smollett said he’s never been “in the closet” so to speak, and “just wanted to make that clear.”
“So let's 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,” he continued, USA Today reports.
He has previously told Sway during an interview that he will never put himself in a “box,” making it clear he didn’t want to discuss his sexuality.
"I'm not willing to confirm or deny anything,” he said about being gay. “I live my life. If someone is looking for a box to put me in, that's not going to happen.”
Smollett plays Jamal Lyon on Empire, who has just come out as gay in a recent episode.
image via Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com