From Bad to Worse: Smollett Reportedly Loses a Lead Acting Role after Hoax
Things are going from bad to worse for actor Jussie Smollett.
In the fallout from what authorities say was a hate crime hoax, Smollet has reportedly gotten the news that he was cut from consideration for a leading role on Broadway.
The disgraced actor was charged with 16 felony counts last month for allegedly filing a false police report related to the incident in January, when Smollett apparently staged a racist, anti-gay attack on himself in Chicago.
The actor first claimed that he was attacked by supporters of President Donald Trump in Chicago, but police investigators believe he orchestrated the attack, which was carried about by two brothers Smollett knew — not racist Trump supporters.
But the State Attorney’s Office, which has questionable ties to Smollett’s family, let Smollett off the hook with community service and an agreement that he forfeit his $10,000 bond.
The office of Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx might have let Smollett off the hook, but he’s still paying the price for the incident.
Broadway insiders told the U.K. Daily Mail that Smollett was cut from the lead role in the upcoming Broadway revival of “Take Me Out.”
According to rather lukewarm review of the play’s 2003 incarnation in TalkinBroadway.com, “it’s the story of a gay major league baseball player who comes out of the closet and (unintentionally) wreaks havoc on his team.”
So, Smollett’s high visibility as a gay actor in nighttime drama could have been a major draw.
According to BroadwayWorld, it won the 2003 Tony Award for Best Play, as well as Tonys for its director, Joe Mantello, and featured actor, Denis O’Hare.
So, a starring role could have been quite a catch for Smollett.
But then the incident in Chicago came, and it might have looked like Smollett might wreak some havoc of his own on the Broadway revival.
“Everything was set to go and the producers were planning to announce that Jussie [Smollett] and Zachary Quinto were starring in the play last month,” one source told the Daily Mail.
“Everyone was so supportive after the attack and then suddenly, everything shifted,” the source added.
It’s important to note that these are unnamed sources, but this comment seems to echo the treatment Smollett has received publicly by fellow actors.
Famous black comedians Chris Rock and Tracy Morgan have both made jokes at the disgraced actor’s expense.
Hollywood and Broadway are notoriously left-leaning, but it would make sense for liberal actors to turn against Smollett, even if only in private.
Not only did Smollett’s hate crime hoax make Hollywood liberals look really bad, but it also hurt actual victims of hate crimes, whose reports might be treated more skeptically now.
Sources who spoke to the Daily Mail said Smollett had also hurt himself, though.
“Here is a kid who is on a hit television show, has made a name for himself, and gets the chance of a lifetime,” another source added.
“He would have come off the sixth season of ‘Empire’ and kicked off the next leg of his career with a role on Broadway.”
“And not just that, the lead role in one of the best plays of the century in his Broadway debut,” the insider said.
“Why on earth would someone throw that all away?”
Smollett orchestrated a sickening hate crime and tried to frame conservatives — now he’s paying the price, even if he evaded justice.
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