Empire actor Jussie Smollett has been released on bail after being accused by police of staging his own racist and homophobic attack. Authorities claim he faked the assault because he was dissatisfied with his salary. Sky News host Rita Panahi said the actor's claims about the incident and details surrounding it didn't add up, which 'is why so many conservative and libertarian commentators felt comfortable questioning it'. Smollett, who plays Jamal Lyon in the US TV drama Empire, claimed he was targeted by two masked men, apparently Trump supporters, as he walked home from a sandwich shop.

Jussie Smollett has evidence that disputes allegations he paid two brothers $3500 ($A4900) to help stage his hate attack, according to a new report.

A cheque showing that amount and made payable from the Empire star’s account to one of the men, Abimbola Osundairo, also has “5 week Nutrition/Workout program (Don’t Go)” written in the memo line, TMZ reported on Sunday.

According to the New York Post, police and prosecutors said the checque, dated January 23, is evidence that the 36-year-old paid Osundairo and his brother Olabinjo to carry out the hoax assault in Chicago six days later.

But sources told TMZ that the payment was really for training to help Smollett get into shape for a music video for his song, “Don’t Go.”

The singer-songwriter wanted to lose weight for the video — because he was supposed to appear shirtless in it — so he hired Abimbola, a jacked bodybuilder whom he knew from the gym and called “Bon.”

Other evidence weighing in Smollett’s favour are a series of texts between him and “Bon” beginning on January 20, which outlined a healthy meal plan including chicken thigh, Starkist tuna, eggs and peanut butter and various fruit.

“This is the meal plan and the breakdown of macronutrients. Also includes projected fat loss,” Abimbola texted Smollett.

Another one, dated Jan. 28 — hours before the attack, the gym buff wrote to Smollett, “I know you’re travelling today, make sure you get at least 45 mins of cardio.”

The $US3500 ($A4900) total cheque accounted for $US600-a-week ($A841) for five weeks of the workout plan and $US100-a-week ($A140) for the food plan, also for five weeks, sources told TMZ.

Another text seems to show that “Don’t Go” was slated to film on February 23. Meanwhile, a screenshot from Venmo shows Smollett had paid “Bola” $US100 ($A140) on September 27 for “training” — potentially giving credence to the actor’s claims that the $US3500 ($A4900) wasn’t related to the January 29 “attack.”

Both brothers testified before a grand jury that the payment was for training.

Smollett is charged with felony disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false police report.

He is free after posting 10 per cent of $US100,000 ($A140,000) bond.

It comes Smollett’s Empire co-star Terrence Howard backed his friend, telling fans “the Jussie I know could never even conceive of something so unconscious.”

Howard, who plays Lucious Lyon on Empire, voiced his support for his on-screen son in an Instagram post on the weekend.

“All your lil homies got you … We love the hell outta you,” Howard captioned a video showing the 36-year-old actor playing with Howard’s young son, Hero.

Howard also fiercely defended Smollett against fans who were critical of his support.

“Sorry you feel that way but that’s the only Jussie I know,” he wrote in a reply to one fan. “The Jussie I know could never even conceive of something so unconscious and ugly. His innocence or judgment is not for any of us to decide.

“Stay in your lane and my lane is empathy and love and compassion for someone I’ve called my son for five years. It’s God’s job to judge and it’s ours to love and hope, especially for those that we claim to have loved.”

This story first appeared in the New York Post and is republished with permission.