“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett comes out publicly: “There’s never been a closet that I’ve been”

We know Jamal Lyons on Empire is gay and he came out in spectacular fashion a few weeks back.

The next week, one of his co-stars said in an interview that Jussie Smollett, who plays Jamal, is gay. Then the actor claimed to have been misquoted.

Now Smollett has cleared it all up by having a chat with Ellen DeGeneres that aired earlier today:

He said: “It was really important to me to make sure that it got across that there is no closet. There’s never been a closet. That I’ve been in. I don’t own a closet, I got a dresser, but I don’t have a closet, but I have a home and that is my responsibility to protect that home. So that’s why I choose not to talk about my personal life. But there is without a doubt, no closet that I’ve ever been in, and I just wanted to make that clear, but it was most important for me to make that clear to you on your show at this time in the world. And that’s where I’m at.”

He said his desire in his personal life ‘is no way to hide or deny who God made me. My mama knows. … I told Ellen. Who else do I need to tell?’

Said Ellen: “I am proud of you.’