'Arguments erupt' on Empire set after Jussie Smollett's arrest

The cast of Empire is divided over Jussie Smollett's arrest, with some standing by the actor and believing his innocence while others want him to be fired. 

Smollett went straight to the Cinespace studio on Thursday after being released on a $10,000 bond. 

He reportedly pleaded with his colleagues to believe that he did not pay two Nigerian brothers to attack him in a staged hate crime so that he could get a raise, as is alleged by police. 

Some of the stars are 'f*****g furious' about the allegations and believe he should be fired for bringing shame to the entire production, according to TMZ.  

Others, however, are standing by him and do not believe he is capable of concocting such an elaborate hoax. 

The divide has led to 'arguments' on set, according to the sources.  

20th Century Fox, which said it is 'considering its options' in light of the scandal, is yet to confirm if Smollett will continue to appear in the show. 

A spokesman told DailyMail.com on Friday morning that they were not aware of any heated arguments about him taking place on the set but gave no further details. 

He was sent home on Thursday without filming any scenes because it was so obvious that he had been crying, according to production sources. 

Among the actors who appear to be walking back their support of him is Gabby Sidibe, Smollett's one-time roommate and one of his closest friends. 

On Wednesday, before he handed himself in to police, she uploaded an Instagram post with the caption: 'I know him, I believe him, I stand with him.'  

The post was a photograph of Malcolm X and a quote about the 'irresponsible media' which turns victims into villains and vice versa. 

Sidibe had reposted it from one of Smollett's siblings' accounts.