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Things continue to spiral downward for Jussie Smollett.
On Friday, a grand jury indicted the Empire star on 16 felony counts claiming he falsely reported he was a victim of a racist and homophobic attack.
These new charges are in addition to the previous charge of filing a false police report for which he pled not guilty and was released on $100K bail.
While Smollett maintains he did not stage the attack, the 36-year-old was written out of two episodes of the Fox series and producers are reportedly considering re-casting the role entirely.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Although no decision has been made, here are five out gay actors (apologies to the two Nigerian brothers) who could potentially step into Smollett’s shoes and take over the part of Jamal Lyon.
1. Frank Ocean
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While we can’t vouch for his acting, the queer rapper definitely has the singing chops to fill the role of Jamal. Last year the 31-year-old was reportedly set to make his big screen debut in an indie film entitled Ships Passing in the Night, but that role has yet to materialize. Since it’s been almost three years since Ocean released his last album Blonde, jumping on the Lyon train could be just the kind of exposure to take his stardom to the next level.
2. Milan Christopher
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The loud & proud former Love & Hip-Hop star has been very vocal believing Smollett’s alleged assault was all a hoax from the get-go. He also claims Smollett had a hand in banning him from ever appearing on Empire, so it’s not much of a stretch to think the 35-year-old would take pleasure in stealing his job and showing the world a side of himself they haven’t already seen in Paper magazine.
3. Brian Michael Smith
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Empire could contribute to more trans visibility on broadcast television by casting Smith as Jamal.
Smith – who came out as a transgender man in 2017 – currently stars as a trans police officer on OWN’s Queen Sugar. Prior to that, he played cis characters on Girls and Blue Bloods.
Interestingly, while Empire doesn’t currently feature any trans stars in regular roles, its spin-off Star features transgender actress Amiyah Scott as Queen Latifah’s trans daughter.
4. Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman
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Chapman may be the most natural replacement for Smollett simply because they’ve worked together in the past.
While fans know Chapman from Unreal, American Horror Story: Apocalypse and guest judging on RuPaul’s Drag Race, they may not be as familiar with his performance alongside Smollett in the gay romantic comedy The Skinny. In the 2012 film, the two actors played former college friends that reunite for gay pride weekend in NYC.
This prior history may work in Chapman’s favor if he were to take over the role simply because it might be the one choice Smollett has least issue with …or most!
5. Billy Porter
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At 49, the Pose star may be too old to play middle son Jamal Lyon. Then again, we’d be willing to suspend disbelief (um, it is Empire after all!), because in Porter’s hands the weekly fashion battles between Jamal and Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) would be absolutely legendary, boo boo kitty!
Who do you think would make a good Jamal on Empire? Sound off in the comments section below…
JessPH
I thought that this article was serious until I read Billy Porter. It will take more than a suspension of disbelief if Billy Porter will play the son of Taraji P Henson and Terrence Howard.
@HarryB at q-meet.us
Absolutely agree with you
DeQuan
HA! At #2 I decided I made a horrible decision by clicking but powered through. Nearly died from laughter at Billy Porter.
Jack Meoff
Shouldn’t that show have been cancelled a few seasons a go?
Kangol
Why? It’s a popular show. You may not watch it, but quite a few others do, including Melania Trump.
Toofie
It does okay ratings wise. But it’s a fraction of what it was averaging (barely reaches 5 million now as opposed to 16 at it’s height).
Kangol
Have Bowyer-Chapman replace him, and have Ocean play his love interest. Or Milan Christopher. Billy Porter can make a guest appearance as a diva friend of Cookie Lyon’s.
Zambos271
Darryl Stephens would be a good choice. I say no to Billy Porter (he’s superb as Praytell) and no to Milan Christopher.
deacon
This is the worst and saddest example of “JUST BECAUSE THEY’RE GAY” I’ve ever seen. What did you do, think of the first five gay black males in entertainment you could think of. 4 out of the 5 look nothing like Jussie, what is this the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? This is an insult not only to to gay men of color it’s a insult to black people in general.
Black Pegasus
@deacon
Agreed. The list was a joke. Almost satirical in tone. But I guess that’s to be expected from this rag.
man5996853
Jussie is an awful actor so, “just because they’re gay” would pretty much cover it.
Billy Porter is a ridiculous choice but the other four couldn’t do any worse than Jussie in the role.
Rock-N-RollHS
How about a hologram of a young Michael Jackson. That’s sure to stir things up, you PYT’s!
skeldare
How about just kill him off or simply just write him out of the show instead?
sydboy007
You have shown a very diverse range of potential replacements.
Now that I’ve put on my intersectional lenses I can see that there is little physical diversity to these potential replacements.
I wonder why Hollywood tends to favour those who already have the privilege of good looks? If Hollywood is all about diversity, why are the majority of actors anywhere from average to extremely fit builds? Where are the differently able?
Shouldn’t there be trans disabled POC lesbian in a TV series by now?
QueerTruth
OMG. Frank Ocean. All the way!