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Playing a gay character on Empire, Jussie Smollett has faced a lot of scrutiny about his own sexuality. While he’s stayed quiet on the subject, co-star Malik Yoba recently outed him, though he then dialed back insisting he was only describing the character as gay, not Smollett (this would be more believable if the interview’s exact quote wasn’t “Jussie, he’s gay.”
After taping an appearance on Ellen today, Smollett knocked on the host’s door and said he wanted to talk to her. Sitting with DeGeneres and with the cameras on, Smollett confirmed what many had suspected or assumed — he is a gay man. But, don’t call this coming out of the closet. Smollett says there’s never been one.
There is no closet. There’s never been a closet, that I’ve been in. I don’t own a closet. I have a dresser, but I don’t have a closet. But I have a home, and that is my responsibility to protect that home. So that’s why I choose not to talk about my personal life, but there without a doubt no closet that I’ve ever been in.
Before you go thinking Smollett is announcing that he is an out and proud owner of one piece of furniture and very little storage space, he elaborated.
So let’s not read into it in the wrong way 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. My mama knows. My mama likes me a lot. And yes, I take her to the Sound of Music Sing-a-long every single year, so any questions? But honestly, we’re human and we love and we do all that good stuff, so I’m honored for this opportunity and I’m honored to be here with you.
Good for you, Jussie. And if anyone doesn’t like it, they can take it up with Cookie.
Source: EllenTube
