“Until somebody can show me some proof otherwise, I’m going with him. Cause the guy I’ve seen has always been someone who cares about people, who cares about others, and who’s very kind and who’s always been cool and sweet. And that’s just the guy I know. So until I can see some definitive proof [that he’s lying], which I haven’t seen yet, then, you know, I gotta go with him until I see otherwise.”Queen Latifah speaking to Yahoo! News about Jussie Smollett’s alleged attack.
Related: Robin Roberts rips into Jussie Smollett for bogus interview, says he arrived two hours late to set
MISTERJETT
me too, Queen!!!
ShiningSex
believing he’s innocent is a joke. it’s obvious he lied or he wouldn’t have been arrested so quickly.
He’s scum and I hope his career is over for hurting those truly affected by hate crimes.
Black Pegasus
Yeah whatever Latifah. I won’t drag you for standing by your friend but please do your reputation a favor by simply shutting up about it! The public doesn’t need to know how easily it is for you to place aside the truth in favor of your alliances. It makes you look like a sociopath.
DCguy
I get what you’re saying, in her defense, I have’t seen any “Proof” either, just statements from the Chicago PD, but I don’t have a problem with her standing by her friend, as long as she is open to the proof when/if it is released.
Jack Meoff
I thought the proof was that the two guys admitted to being paid by Smollet for the whole thing.
truthseeker
@DCguy
But we haven’t seen footage of Jussie being attacked. So by your logic, if footage doesn’t exist, it didn’t happen, right?
Plus in Jussie’s case, we do have evidence that the Nigerian twins attacked him from their first-hand direct witness testimony and footage of them buying rope, ski masks, gloves, and red hats. The police also have publicly released the police report and publicly stated they found the Nigerian brothers from security footage and Uber transactions because they rode away from the scene in an Uber. They also admitted that they beat up Jussie. If they didn’t beat him up, why would they admit to it?
Kangol
@Truthseeker, the brothers are Nigerian-Americans. They were born in the United States.
Also, they did not “beat up” Jussie. There was an attack but he was not “beat[en] up.”
Lastly, it’s Queen Latifah’s right to stand by her friend until all the evidence is in. As it turns out, the Chicago Police Department press conference issued incorrect information (about the payment, etc.), so what’s the problem in waiting to see what the investigation shows?
CobraPowers
Good for her! Yes, innocent until proven guilty. Now how about all those celebrities who maligned Trump supporters? Did they ever give Trumpers the benefit of the doubt? No?
DCguy
Oh look, Republicans playing victim.
Please point out examples.
ShiningSex
Trumptards are ignorant and so Queen Latifah
Daggerman
..well I find the whole business so strange and I am inclined to go along with the way Q. Latifah feels about it.
ShiningSex
really? wow.
it’s obvious he lied. i hope his career is over. shame on him for screwing over those that have REALLY been attacked for their race/sexuality and for those in the future that will have a tough time being believed because of the scumbag
Jboo
She might be queen, but she done abdicated her intelligence. *snap*
Brian S
The proof is that Smollett positively identified his two “attackers” and they both gave sworn statements describing the plot and how it was carried out. The police corroborated their statements with forensic evidence every step of the way. Assistant State’s Attorney Risa Lanier laid out the case pretty clearly; search for it on Youtube to hear it for yourself.
DCguy
Except none of that has been released publicly. They’ve been leaked. There have also been other leaks reported that stated his texts said something different than what police said they did.
Personally I think it looks fishy, but if Queen Latifa wants to wait until definite proof is released because she knows the guy, fine.
Rock-N-RollHS
And the left criticizes Trump supporters for being blind. lol.
Kangol
Well, the right has yet to criticize or call for the resignation of the grossly corrupt, pathologically lying, horribly racist Traitor-in-Chief Drumpf, so there you go!
ShiningSex
You are a moron if you think he’s being honest. Did Queen Latifah ever come out? If not, sit down until you’re honest about your own life.
It’s obvious he lied. The cops have proof or they wouldn’t have arrested him!!! DUH!!!!
Henreid
I follow the principle that the American judicial system follows: innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, in a court of law. Once the case has been presented in a trial (or Jussie Smollett offers a plea to avoid a trial) I’ll make my decision. I try to avoid reaching conclusions based on partial information and second-hand reports, especially since in a situation like this, being patient doesn’t cost me a thing.
jcoberkrom
Wait, has she come out of the closet yet????
GayEGO
I thought they have records of Smollett talking to the guys on the phone and paying the two guys who later went and bought some rope!
Kangol
No. The check was for something else. Also, the phone records only show conversations, but Smollett was close friends with the younger brother. The whole thing is a mess and Smollett probably did try to pull of a stunt, but until all the facts are established, why shouldn’t Queen Latifah stand by her friend? Hell, the Steele Dossier has almost been completely proved correct yet Trumpistas stand by Drumpf, for crimes that far exceed any that any previous president even thought of committing!
NCSilverBear
I’ve said before that I believe he’s innocent until proven guilty. Beyond that I certainly have no proof, one way or the other. Press is always quick to hang someone out to dry. And we jump to the bait. Personally, I like Smollett. But, the only thing I know about him is from his acting. So, I can’t say I really know the person, only the actor. Besides, we stopped watching Empire last season because it seems to have gone off the rails (IMO), like so many good shows with flash beginnings.