Empire Star Jussie Smollett Attacked Over Hate Crime

“Empire” star Jussie Smollett was brutally attacked in an apparent hate crime so violent he had to be hospitalized … TMZ has confirmed.

The incident went down around 2 AM Tuesday in Chicago, and according to one report, 2 men wearing ski masks placed a noose around Jussie’s neck during the attack. ThatGrapeJuice.Net says Jussie had recently received a creepy letter with cut out letters spelling, “You will die black f**.” Law enforcement sources tell us Chicago PD is investigating the incident as a battery.

We know Jussie was admitted and treated at Northwestern Memorial Hospital after the attack, but he’s already been released.

The 35-year-old star confirmed he’s gay in 2015 during an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, and said he hoped to help other gay people feel less alone.