Anthony Anderson, Jussie Smollett.Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images; Jerod Harris/Getty Images
Anthony Andersonis sharing his thoughts onJussie Smollett.
Anderson, 48, spoke toVarietyon Wednesday, ahead of his gig hosting the NAACP Image Awards on Saturday. Smollettwas nominated foroutstanding supporting actor in a drama series for hisEmpirerole, though it’s unclear if he will attend Saturday’s ceremony.
On Tuesday, prosecutorsdropped charges againstthe actor, 36, stemming from hisindictment on 16 counts of disorderly conductfor allegedly staging an attack against himself in Chicago in January.
“I hope to see him here,” Anderson told the outlet. “I hope he wins. I’m happy for him that the system worked for him in his favor because the system isn’t always fair, especially for people of color.”
“So I’m glad it worked out for him,” theBlack-ishstarcontinued. “It’s not my place or any other person’s place to judge him or what not, but I’m glad that he’s nominated… I hope he wins because I’d be interested to hear his speech.”
It appears Smollett won’t be taking home a trophy, however:ABC Newsreports that the actor skipped the Image Awards dinner on Friday night, when he lost in his category toGrey’s Anatomy‘sJesse Williamsduring the untelevised portion of the show.
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Two menwho were acquaintances of Smollettwere later arrested and questioned but released after police said the men indicated they worked with Smollett to stage the incident.
Smollett was arrested Feb. 20 after an investigation and indicted on16 counts of disorderly conduct for making false reports.
Police said in a press conference following the arrest that they believed Smollettpaid $3,500to stage a “bogus” attack on himself because he was unhappy with hisEmpiresalary, though a source denied any dissatisfaction with money to PEOPLE.
Jussie Smollett.Paul Beaty/AP/REX/Shutterstock
Smollett, who has maintained his innocence,spoke out Tuesdayshortly after the charges were dropped, insisting he has been telling the truth about the attack since the very beginning.
“I’ve been truthful and consistent on every single level since day one,” he told reporters at the Cook County courthouse in Chicago. “I would not be my mother’s son if I was capable of doing what I was accused of.”
Smollett has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series three times prior, and he took home the trophy at the 2017 ceremony. He has also won music-related Image Awards forEmpire.
source: people.com
