Empire actress Tasha Smith told TMZ reporters to kiss her where the sun doesn't shine after they questioned her about her co-star Jussie Smollett, but Power actress Naturi Naughton isn't as shy about sharing her opinion. Smollet may be free of all 16 charges that the Chicago Police Department stacked against him, but the actor still faces an uphill battle when it comes to restoring his reputation in the industry.
The NAACP Image Awards is upon us, and Smollett is once again, for the fourth year in a row, nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. There are those who are calling for Smollett to gracefully bow out of the category considering his recent run-ins with the law, but the actor doesn't look as if he's planning on doing so.
One person who thinks it's time for Smollett to be "canceled" is Power actress Naturi Naughton who caught up with TMZ at an airport. When asked about Smollett's Image Awards nomination, Naughton said, "This is tricky because we actually both won last year as best supporting actors. I’m a fan and I love him, but if anyone else was indicted on 16 counts for committing a hoax would you want to have them represent the NAACP? That’s not what NAACP stands for so I feel like he should kinda get canceled," adding "I can’t believe they dropped all the counts but that’s what money and power will do for you."
Meanwhile, Image Awards host Anthony Anderson told Variety that he hopes Smollett scores a victory in his category. “I hope he wins," Anderson said. "I’m happy for him that the system worked for him in his favor because the system isn’t always fair, especially for people of color. So I’m glad it worked out for him. So I’m glad it worked out for him,” Anderson continued. “It’s not my place or any other person’s place to judge him or what not, but I’m glad that he’s nominated…I hope he wins because I’d be interested to hear his speech.”