UPDATE:Fox announced Friday thatJussie Smollett has been removedfrom the final two episodes ofEmpires current fifth season.
EARLIER:Lets get this straight, Im in it with Jamal for the long run.
That feels like years ago as Smollett is suddenly embroiled in one of Hollywoods strangest and surprising controversies.
Matt Dinerstein/FOX
We are evaluating the situation and we are considering our options.
Smollett is also the most important musical element ofEmpire.
Gray) as the prominent artists on the show.
Speaking to EW, crisis communication expert Don Tanner suggests Fox not do anything rash.
We see it time and time again including in this case.
Any actions related to firing the actor should be deferred until more is known.
But I do think that our stories are firm and grounded.
And I definitely would say that I want us to dip out while were still telling great stories.
But that time is not now, not with season 5 on the horizon.
Well, the time could be now for Jamal Lyon.
Lynette Rice contributed to this report
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