ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Comedian Arsenio Hall is demanding an apology from 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett who is being removed from the final two episodes of this season of the Fox Television series after police say he faked a hate crime to promote his own career.
Smollett, who is black and gay, is accused of lying to investigators and saying men threw liquid in his face, yelled racist and homophobic slurs at him, then looped a noose around his neck.
Now, police say Smollett orchestrated the whole thing.
"There are a lot of gay men and black men who are in a struggle every day," Hall said. "I'm sad for them because this muddies the water of their true struggle."
Hall said if it turns out that Smollett is guilty, he will have hurt the movement on many levels.
"He owes America an apology," Hall said.
Smollett is charged with making a false police report in Chicago where he claimed he was attacked.
Related: Arsenio Hall confirms 'Coming to America' sequel, says Eddie Murphy already signed contract
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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