Terrence Howard got emotional while talking about Jussie Smollett in a recent interview.
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During a sit down with Billy Bush of "Extra," the star discussed filming the last season of "Empire" without Smollett, who exited the show after his hate crime scandal.
“I mean, Jussie has been the heart of the show. He's been my son for six years. I miss my son,” Howard said, while reaching for a tissue.
After playing the dad of Smollett’s character for five seasons, Howard said Smollett “fortunately” felt like his real son.
“This is real life,” he continued. “We’re not talking about dingleberries and apple sauce. This is real life.”
In January, the "Empire" actor told police he was confronted in Chicago in the early morning hours of Jan. 29 by a pair of men who yelled racial and homophobic slurs at him, hit him in the face, poured an unknown substance on him and wrapped a rope around his neck.
Officers later arrested Smollett on several counts of disorderly conduct in falsifying a police report, but all charges were dropped in March after the Cook County State's Attorney's office reviewed the facts and circumstances of the case, including the star's good standing and community service.
In April, the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit against Smollett for the cost of overtime authorities expended during the investigation. The two Nigerians involved in the case also filed a suit against Smollett, claiming he defamed their character.
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