Jussie Smollett reflects on Lee Daniels’ comments and says he loves director

Jussie Smollett‘It’s always cool Lee Daniels …says he appreciates the director giving him his big break – and that he prefers to keep their relationship private.

We met the embattled actor outside a movie theater in New York City on Friday on the same day that “The Lost Holliday” — a project directed by JS — was in wide release … and we had to ask about Daniels’ recent comments about him.

Jussie says he has a lot of love for LD…and admits he appreciates the opportunity Lee gave him – his starring role in ‘Empire’ – and he doesn’t like to talk about their relationship publicly because it’s so special it.

Smollett says he doesn’t feel the need to mediate their relationship in the press…although he understands Daniels speaking out about it publicly – and says Lee has always been an outspoken man.

When asked if he and Daniels are good, Smollett says they will always be good no matter what is said.

ICYMI… Lee mentioned it recently Charlemagne is God on “The Breakfast Club” which is his relationship with Smollett is “complicated” – he admits he doesn’t know what to think of Jussie’s hate crime hoax case.

That said, Daniels revealed that he would be casting him again… although it doesn’t sound like they’ll be working together anytime soon.

Jussie also talks about his relationships with castmates in the clip… saying he had to discuss certain topics to stay comfortable on set – before adding that everyone he works with knows his character.

His aunt, Vivica A. Foxrecently told us that “The Lost Holliday” will be by Jussie comeback video …and he just had to do the work to show people who he is. It sounds like he was trying to do exactly that.