«Breaking News» Empire actress AzMarie Livingston looks forward to welcoming Jussie Smollett back on set

She has a recurring role as Chicken on Fox's Empire.

And on Tuesday, AzMarie Livingston reacted swiftly to news that actor Jussie Smollett has had all charges against him dropped in Chicago.

The 32-year-old actress told People: 'I’m happy his charges are being dropped and look forward to seeing Jussie on set and his character Jamal back on Empire.'

Happy: She has a recurring role as Chicken on Fox's Empire. And on Tuesday, AzMarie Livingston, 32, told People she's looking forward to having Jussie Smollett back on set

Hit show: Livingston is pictured standing between the show's stars Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson in a scene from the season 2 finale that aired in 2016

Famous role: Smollett stars as R&B singer-songwriter Jamal Lyon, one of three sons of Lucious Lyon, a hip hop mogul and CEO of Empire Entertainment 

There was also a public show of support from the writers on the hit drama that stars Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard.

Smollett, 36, was cut from the final two episodes of Empire after he was charged with 16 felony counts for allegedly lying to police about being the victim of a homophobic and racist attack in Chicago.

But Tuesday @EmpireWriters tweeted out a screenshot of CNN coverage of the Smollett decision along with: 'See y’all Wednesday' and a winking emoji. 

Fox put out a statement which said: 'Jussie Smollett has always maintained his innocence and we are gratified that all charges against him have been dismissed.' 

Drama: Smollett, 36, was cut from the final two episodes of Empire after he was charged with 16 felony counts for allegedly lying to police about being the victim of a homophobic and racist attack in Chicago. But on Tuesday, all charges against him were suddenly dropped

'See y'all Wednesday': There was a public show of support from the writers on the hit drama as they tweeted out a screenshot of CNN coverage of the Smollett decision

'Gratified': The Fox network also issued a statement although so far there's been no official word of the actor's reinstatement on Empire

The second half of Season 5 returned to the air on March 13 without Smollett's character.

Days after Smollett's February 20 arrest, Empire co-creators Lee Daniels and Brett Mahoney explained in a statement: 'The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us. Jussie has been an important member of our EMPIRE family for the past five years and we care about him deeply. While these allegations are very disturbing, we are placing our trust in the legal system as the process plays out.'

Speaking outside court on Tuesday, Smollett told the media that he had been 'truthful and consistent on every single level since day one.'

He went on: 'I would not be my mother's son if I was capable of even one drop of what I have been accused of.' 

'This has been an incredibly difficult time, honestly one of the worst of my entire life. But I am a man of faith and I am a man that has knowledge of my history.' 

Relieved: Speaking outside the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago on Tuesday, Smollett told the media that he had been ' truthful and consistent on every single level since day one'

The Smollett family also put out a statement rejoicing that the actor had been 'vindicated.' 

'Our son and brother is an innocent man whose name and character has been unjustly smeared,' the statement read. 'Jussie is a son, a brother, a partner, a champion for human rights, and a genuine soul who would never be capable of what he was falsely accused of. He was the victim of an assault and then falsely blamed for his own attack. This morning truth has prevailed.' 

Smollett claimed he was attacked on January 29 by two men he said he could not identify and who he said called him racial and homophobic slurs.

On Tuesday, an emergency hearing was scheduled during which the charges were suddenly dropped. Smollett agreed to surrender his $10,000 bond but walked out of court a free man.

Support: Smollett left court a free man accompanied by his attorney Patrica Brown Holmes, far right, and family members. His family said in a statement that 'truth has prevailed'

There is no doubt that brothers Abel and Ola Osundairo attacked him but so far, no other motive other than that Smollett asked them to and paid them to do it has emerged.

It remains unclear what prompted the decision but the Cook County's State's Attorney's office said it was due in part to Smollett's 'volunteer service in the community.' 

It didn't take long for Chicago's mayor and chief police officer to hit back at his claims of innocence.

They slammed prosecutors' decision to drop all charges against him on Tuesday.

Furious: Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson on Tuesday at a press conference to condemn the outcome in the Jussie Smollett case

Speaking at a press conference with the equally enraged Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson on Tuesday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel insisted repeatedly that Smollett was guilty of staging a hoax attack on January 29 and that he did it for a pay raise on Empire.    

'Without a doubt this is a whitewash of justice and sends a clear message that if you are in a position of influence and power, you'll be treated one way. 

Assistant State's Attorney Joe Magats said he had decided to drop the charges because Smollett was not a violent threat to the community 

'It is wrong,' Mayor Emanuel said.  

He went on to condemn Smollett for speaking out after the court hearing and protesting his innocence. 

'Mr. Smollett is still saying that he is innocent, still running down the Chicago Police Department... how dare him. How dare him after everybody saw. Is there no decency in this man?' 

Johnson, who publicly condemned Smollett last month and said his lies were 'despicable', also slammed the star for asking that the evidence be sealed. 

'I would want my day in court to clear my name. They wanted their day in court with TV cameras,' he said, referring to Smollett's team allowing cameras in the courtroom. 

Smollett was indicted on 16 felony counts that were returned by a grand jury which Emanuel said it proved that it was not just the police department which thought he was guilty.   

Key moments since Jussie Smollett reported Chicago attack

'Empire' actor and R&B singer Jussie Smollett told Chicago police in January that two men attacked him and yelled racial and homophobic slurs. Here are some key moments in the story:

January 22

- Smollett receives a racist and homophobic threatening letter at the studio in Chicago where 'Empire' is filmed. Police later say that they believe Smollett sent the letter himself.

January 29

- Jussie Smollett tells police he was physically attacked by two men in downtown Chicago while out getting food from a Subway restaurant at 2am. The actor says the men used racial and homophobic slurs, wrapped a rope around his neck and poured an 'unknown substance' on him. Police say Smollett, who is black and gay, told detectives the attackers also yelled he was in 'MAGA country,' an apparent reference to President Donald Trump's 'Make America Great Again' campaign slogan.

January 30

- Chicago police say they've reviewed hundreds of hours of surveillance camera footage, including of Smollett walking downtown, but none shows the attack. Police obtain and release images of two people they would like to question, calling them 'persons of interest.'

- Reports of an assault on Smollett draw outrage and support for him on social media from politicians and celebrities.

January 31

- Trump tells reporters at the White House that he saw a story the night before about Smollett, saying, 'It doesn't get worse, as far as I'm concerned.'

- Smollett's family issues a statement calling the attack a racial and homophobic hate crime. Smollett's family says he 'has told the police everything' and 'his story has never changed,' disputing assertions leveled on social media that he had been less than cooperative and changed his story.

February 1

- Smollett issues a statement telling people he's OK and thanking them for their support. He says he's working with authorities and has been '100 percent factual and consistent on every level.'

February 2

- Smollett gives a concert in West Hollywood, California, opening with an emotional speech, saying he had to play the show because he couldn't let his attackers win.

February 12

- Chicago police say Smollett turned over some, but not all, of the phone records detectives requested as part of their investigation. Police say the heavily redacted files aren't sufficient. Smollett says he redacted information to protect the privacy of contacts and people not relevant to the attack.

February 13

- Chicago police pick up two men they identify as Nigerian brothers at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on their return from Nigeria after police learn at least one worked on 'Empire.' Police question the brothers and search the apartment where the men live.

February 14

- Chicago police say local media reports that the attack against Smollett was a hoax are unconfirmed.

- Producers of 'Empire' dispute media reports that Smollett's character, Jamal Lyon, was being written off the show.

February 15

- Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielimi says the two 'persons of interest' are now considered suspects. He says the men - identified previously by police as two brothers from Nigeria - are in custody but have not been charged with a crime.

- Chicago police release the two men without charges after arresting them on suspicion of assaulting Smollett and holding them for nearly 48 hours. A police spokesman says the two are no longer considered suspects and that investigators have new evidence to consider as a result of questioning them.

February 16

- Police say the investigation has 'shifted' after detectives question the two brothers about the attack and release them without charges. Police say they've requested a follow-up interview with Smollett. Smollett's lawyers say the actor feels 'victimized' by reports that he played a role in the assault.

- Smollett's account of what happened is met with some skepticism on social media in the wake of the new developments.

February 17

- Chicago police say they're still seeking a follow-up interview with Smollett after receiving new information that 'shifted' their investigation of a reported attack on the 'Empire' actor. Guglielimi says police reached out to Smollett's attorney, but says an interview has not been conducted.

- Guglielimi declines to address reports that a grand jury may hear evidence in the case, saying: 'We're not confirming, denying or commenting on anything until we can talk to him and we can corroborate some information that we've gotten.'

February 19

- Chicago police investigate tip that on the night Smollett reported being attacked, he was in an elevator of his apartment building with the two Nigerian brothers. Police later dismiss the tip, saying it's not credible based on video evidence.

- Chicago's top prosecutor, Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx, recuses herself from the investigation. Her office says the decision was made 'out of an abundance of caution... to address potential questions of impartiality based upon familiarity with potential witnesses in the case.' No details were provided. Foxx later says the reason for the recusal is that she had conversations with a Smollett family member after the incident was reported in late January.

February 20

- Chicago police say Smollett is officially suspected of filing a false police report when he said he was a victim of a racist, homophobic attack in downtown Chicago in January. Police also say that two brothers who were questioned about the attack were testifying before a grand jury and detectives were presenting evidence to the grand jury.

- Chicago police say the Cook County State's Attorney has charged Smollett with disorderly conduct for filing a false police report that he was attacked by two masked men. Police detectives were contacting Smollett's attorneys to arrange his surrender for arrest.

February 21

- Chicago police say Smollett turned himself in to face a felony charge of disorderly conduct, which could bring up to three years in prison.

- Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson says Smollett staged a racist and homophobic attack because he was unhappy with his salary and wanted publicity. Investigators say they have a $3,500 check that Smollett used to pay the two brothers to help him.

February 22

- Producers of 'Empire' say Jussie Smollett's character will be removed from the final two episodes of this season.

March 7

- A Cook County grand jury returns a 16-count indictment charging Smollett with falsely reporting an offense.

March 26

- Attorneys for 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett say charges alleging he lied to police about attack have been dropped.

Link hienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2019/03/27/empire-actress-azmarie-livingston-looks-forward-to-welcoming-jussie-smollett-back-on-set/
Main photo article She has a recurring role as Chicken on Fox’s Empire.
And on Tuesday, AzMarie Livingston reacted swiftly to news that actor Jussie Smollett has had all charges against him dropped in Chicago.
The 32-year-old actress told People: ‘I’m happy his charges are being dropped and look fo...

It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.

Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.

Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca





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