Empire actor Jussie Smollett speaks out in first appearance since reported attack

Empire actor Jussie Smollett speaks out in first appearance since reported attack

Smollett performed songs from his debut record and the Fox show Empire, on which he portrays an openly gay R&B singer, at West Hollywood's Troubadour club, where he said he is "not fully healed yet, but I'm going to (be), and I'm gonna stand strong with y'all".

The actor said he was attacked in Chicago around 2am on Tuesday by "two unknown offenders" who yelled racial and homophobic slurs, poured an unknown "chemical substance" on Smollett and wrapped a thin, white rope around his neck.