His character Jamal Lyon just came out of the closet on Fox's Empire.

And while backstage on Monday's episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Jussie Smollet clarified his own sexuality for curious fans.

'There is, without a doubt, no closet that I've ever been in,' the bi-racial 31-year-old declared to the lesbian presenter.

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Art imitating life: His character Jamal Lyon just came out of the closet on Fox's Empire

'There is, without a doubt, no closet that I've ever been in': And while backstage on Monday's episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Jussie Smollet clarified his own sexuality for curious fans

'So lets not read into it the wrong way when I say that I don’t talk about my personal life, I'm saying that. But it is in no way to hide or deny who god made me. Ya know?'

The former child star continued: 'My mama knows. My mama likes me a lot, and yes, I take her to the Sound of Music Sing-A-Long every single year. So, any questions? But you know honestly, we're humans and we love and we do all that good stuff.'

Jussie then praised the 57-year-old host - who came out on her ABC sitcom in 1997 - and compared her to his hero Michael Jackson.

The bi-racial 31-year-old declared: 'My mama [Janet] knows. My mama likes me a lot, and yes, I take her to the Sound of Music Sing-A-Long every single year. So, any questions?'

'It was very, very important to me that my first talk show was with you': Jussie then praised the 57-year-old host - who came out on her ABC sitcom in 1997 - and compared her to his hero Michael Jackson

Remained mum on the air: Smollett opted not to speak about his sexuality for the actual broadcast, and instead called his mother Janet an activist and admitted to receiving 'some ignorant tweets every once in a while'

'What you've done within the LGBT community is very much, in my opinion, kind of like what Michael Jackson did with the Black community,' the California native said to Ellen.

'It was very, very important to me that as my first performance and talk show that it was with you.'

Smollett opted not to speak about his sexuality for the actual broadcast, and instead called his mother Janet an activist and admitted to receiving 'some ignorant tweets every once in a while.'

'Jussie is very committed to issues around the LGBT community': The timing of Jussie's announcement might have something to do with his Empire co-star Malik Yoba 'outing' him last month (pictured January 6)

The 47-year-old - who plays Vernon - told Black Film: 'You have the gay factor, right? So, obviously, Lee [Daniels] is gay. That was an important storyline for him'

The timing of Jussie's annoucement might have something to do with his Empire co-star Malik Yoba 'outing' him last month.

'I think it's important for people to see themselves. Even within the Black community. Like I know Jussie, he is gay, and he's very committed to issues around the LGBT community. He and I have a very close relationship,' the 47-year-old - who plays Vernon - told Black Film.

'I think that our show represents a huge opportunity to stay in the culture beyond entertainment value and there's an intrinsic nature of you have the gay factor, right? So, obviously, Lee [Daniels] is gay. That was an important storyline for him.'

'Wow what a day! Thank you #ELLEN for being my light!' Damage control or not, Smollett had a blast taping his first live TV performance on the NBC daytime talk show (pictured with sister Jurnie)

The Good Enough belter captioned a green room snap: 'All the ladies in my family came including my best friend in the world... My beautiful baby niece'

Days later, Yoba released a statement through his publicist: 'I was misquoted in the article. My reference to Jussie was only about his character and storyline on Empire.'

Damage control or not, Smollett had a blast taping his first live TV performance on the NBC daytime talk show.

'All the ladies in my family came including my best friend in the world... My beautiful baby niece,' the Good Enough belter captioned a green room snap.

Never shied away from gay roles: The Ask Me Anything actor previously played a gay medical student called Magnus (L) in the LGBT dramedy The Skinny back in 2012

More drama to come! Audiences can currently catch Jussie as Jamal Lyon on the musical soap Empire, which airs Wednesday nights on Fox

Last month, he revealed to Entertainment Weekly: 'There will be a Jussie Smollett album. I signed to Columbia. So darling, I'm label mates with Beyoncé and Adele and Barbra Streisand'

The Ask Me Anything actor previously played a gay medical student called Magnus in the LGBT dramedy The Skinny back in 2012.

Audiences can currently catch Jussie as Jamal Lyon on the musical soap Empire, which airs Wednesday nights on Fox.

'There will be a Jussie Smollett album,' Smollett revealed to Entertainment Weekly last month.

'I signed to Columbia. So darling, I'm label mates with Beyoncé and Adele and Barbra Streisand.'

Off-duty: Ellen was seen out shopping at Maxfields in West Hollywood later on Monday