"Empire" actor Jussie Smollett recently opened up about his sexuality while speaking to Ellen Degeneres, ABC News reports.

While appearing on "The Ellen Show," Smollett addressed the success of the show and his life as an independent artist prior to taking on his "Empire" role.

But after the show, Smollett was a bit more candid in a rare backstage interview with DeGeneres that was later posted on the comedienne's YouTube channel.

In the video, DeGeneres explains that Smollett approached her after the show for a sit-down to reveal something about himself and the speculation surrounding his sexuality.

In a unique and creative way, Smollett came out as gay by explaining that he has never been in any closet and is proud of who he is, the Huffington Post reports.

"It was really important to me to make sure that it got across that there is no closet," he said. "There's never been a closet that I've been in. I don't own a closet. I got a dresser, but I don't have a closet, but I have a home and that is my responsibility to protect that home."

"Let's not read into it in the wrong way when I say that I don't talk about my personal life," he added. "It is in no way to hide or deny who God made me."

Prior to coming out publicly, Smollett said in a previous interview on "Sway in the Morning" that he did not want to talk about his sexuality and his personal life in the media, BET reports.

"I'm not willing to confirm or deny anything. I live my life. I don't hide anything; I just don't choose to talk about my personal life," he said.

But Smollett's co-star Malik Yoba accidentally outed Smollet in his interview for Black Film and later retracted his statement. Now that Smollett has put the rumors to rest, fans have flocked to Twitter to praise the young actor for his courage to come out.

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