'Empire' star Jussie Smollett reportedly hospitalized after suspected ‘homophobic attack’ in Chicago

Jussie Smollett, the actor best known for “Empire,” was taken to Northwestern Hospital in Chicago after being involved in a possible homophobic and racist incident.

As TMZ reported, the actor was in Chicago after flying in from New York. At around 2 am today (January 29), he allegedly went to a Subway to eat something. When he walked out, two White men wearing ski masks yelled racial and homophobic slurs at him.

Soon after that, they supposedly attacked him, put a rope around his neck, poured bleach on him, and left the scene yelling, “this is MAGA country,” referring to President Donald Trump slogan Make America Great Again.

MORE DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT

The Chicago Police Department revealed that Smollett “was self-transported” to Northwestern Hospital, where doctors treated him and released him later during the same day of the attack. The actor is in good condition, revealed ET.

Chicago Police Department spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi released a statement addressing Jussie’s case, labeling as a “possible racially-charged assault and battery.”

“Given the severity of the allegations, we are taking this investigation very seriously and treating it as a possible hate crime. Detectives are currently working to gather video, identify potential witnesses and establish an investigative timeline,” added Guglielmi.

So far, Smollett has not addressed the situation on social media. The last post he made on Instagram before the attack showed him in good spirits after finally arriving in Chicago after waiting for a long time in the plane in New York.

THE ACTOR ADDRESSING HISS SEXUALITY

Smollett first discussed his sexuality on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show," saying that he had never been in the closet, but instead he preferred to keep his private life out of the spotlight.

In that first interview, he wasn't that clear with his words. But a few months later, he revealed to Out magazine, "If I had to label myself, I would label myself as a gay man." However, he made sure to point out that he could fall in love with a woman, too.

HE COULD BE IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH A WOMAN

"I would hope that people would not close themselves off from what could be if, lo and behold, you meet somebody that just sweeps you off your feet, and you just can't do anything about it," said the actor. And continued:

“If we truly believe that we are born this way, then why do we try to stifle the way we were born? If I fall in love down the road with a woman, I'm going to love that woman."

At the moment, little information about the attackers is known. Guglielmi is asking people who were present during the incident to contact Area Central Detectives at 312-747-8382 or report anonymously to www.cpdtip.com.