We’re still scratching our heads about this turn of events and the message it’s sending to the audience. What’s more, Jamal, who never mentioned being bisexual, hooked up with Alicia Keys with no real explanation other than music has the power to toss your sexuality out the window. Then, Season Two happened: Jamal and former BF Michael (Rafael de la Feunte) were quickly reunited-and broken up again-after Michael got some oral attention from a sleazy photographer. The Lee Daniels-produced series tackled homophobia head-on and even gave Jamal several relationships-and some great musical numbers. Henson) and gay son Jamal (Jussie Smollett). Where did things go wrong with Empire? The show was an instant phenomenon when launched earlier this year, with the fierce Cookie Lyon (all hail Taraji P.