Jussie Smollett still sees Lee Daniels as a close friend despite the latter saying their friendship is "complicated."
On Friday night, TMZ caught up with Smollett, who was out in New York City promoting his new film, The Lost Holliday, and the actor had some kind words to say about the Empire creator. Daniels had reflected on Smollett and the hate crime hoax he organized back in 2019 during an appearance on The Breakfast Club, and he couldn't come to terms with the aftermath of that situation.
According to Smollett, he still speaks to Daniels but rather keep their friendship private and out of the spotlight. Daniels gave Smollett his first big opportunity, and the actor explained his gratitude for that while adding that Daniels is "an open book" and will say what's on his mind.
"I talk to Lee often. It's something that-- I love Lee very much, but here's the thing, I don't talk about it. Lee is somebody that I love," Smollett said. "He gave me an opportunity that I'll always be grateful for, but at the same time, it's a relationship that's really important to me, so I don't feel the need to mediate that in the public."
He added, "Lee is also a little bit more of an open book, so he'll say things, but I love him so much. And, he knows that. We're always gonna be good."
Despite feeling Smollett's hate crime hoax was "complicated," Daniels stated he would still work with him as they still have a solid bond.
"I'd cast him in something," said Daniels during his interview with The Breakfast Club last month. "He was a son to me. And he also represented me. And he also represented the movement that I tried to start, which I didn't know I was starting."