Arts & Entertainment
Queen Latifah supports Jussie Smollett until there’s ‘definitive proof’ he lied
The actress calls the ‘Empire’ star a ‘cool,’ ‘kind’ person
Queen Latifah is standing by Jussie Smollett until she sees “definitive proof” he lied.
During an appearance on the Yahoo News series, “Through Her Eyes,” host Zainab Salbi asked Latifah for her thoughts on Smollett, who is accused of allegedly staging a hate crime.
“Until somebody can show me some proof otherwise, I’m going with him,” Latifah says.“Cause the guy I’ve seen has always seen has always been someone who cares about people, who cares about others, and who’s very kind and who’s always been cool and sweet. And that’s just the guy I know. So until I can see some definitive proof — which I haven’t seen yet — then, you know, I gotta go with him until I see otherwise.”
Salbi asks if the case should be looked at from “a racial justice lens” and Latifah replies that it should.
“This whole thing started off from him allegedly being attacked by some guys who appeared to be white guys wearing a hat that said “Make America Great Again,” yelled epithets at him, and said, This is MAGA country,” Latifah says. “The whole thing started off being like that. So how could you not take that into account?”
As for Smollett’s arrest and charge for filing a false police report, Latifah says she “doesn’t even know what to make of it.”
“Everything that’s happened since then… I don’t even know what to make of it,” Latifah continued. “All I know is I hope everything works out in the end and everybody basically comes out unscathed.”
Watch below.
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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