Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson claimed Jussie Smollett staged his own attack to get a pay raise but the executives at Empire aren't buying it, according to TMZ. Empire sources claim they never even heard whispers of Smollett's frustration about his salary at the show and if there were, he never mentioned it.
Jussie Smollett was reportedly making $125K per episode which is on par with his co-star Bryshere Y. Gray. Taraji P. Henson and Terrance Howard reportedly make $250K per episode. The actor was in the midst of a long-term contract with Empire but he nor his reps ever inquired about it.
However, other sources claim that Jussie Smollett's motive for allegedly staging his own attack was the release of upcoming music. Smollett was dissatisfied with the reception of his album and he became more and more stressed after over the debut of new music.
Smollett's fate on Empire is still up in the air, despite his contractual agreements. Last week, it was revealed that he was cut from the final episodes of Empire season 5 in order to "avoid further disruption on the set." A few days later, it was reported that Smollett's character, Jamal Lyon, could be re-cast in upcoming seasons of the show.
Smollett was charged with felony disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false police report which carries a maximum 3-5 year sentence.
