As news quickly spread about the assault against "Empire" star Jussie Smollett Monday night in Chicago, a number of celebrities took to social media to offer their support and condemn the attack, which police are investigating as a possible hate crime.
Smollett was beaten overnight in what police are investigating as a "possible racially-charged assault and battery" in Chicago, authorities said.
According to police the victim was walking when police say two people approached him and began yelling "racial and homophobic slurs."
Smollett came out as gay during a guest appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in 2015.
Police said the offenders began hitting him with their hands and poured an unknown chemical substance on him. At one point, one of the offenders also wrapped a rope around his neck, authorities said.
