'I'm OK': 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett breaks silence after hate attack

Empire actor Jussie Smollett says he believes justice will be served, after he was allegedly attacked by assailants who yelled homophobic and racial slurs.

Actor and singer Jussie Smollett says he's working with police to identify his attackers. Source: AAP

Jussie Smollett says he is OK and confident that "justice will be served" in his first public comments since he was attacked in Chicago.

The Empire actor, 35, says he's working with authorities on a case that Chicago police are investigating as a possible hate crime.

"Let me start by saying that I'm OK," Smollett said in a statement obtained by the New York Daily News.

"My body is strong but my soul is stronger. More importantly I want to say thank you.

"The outpouring of love and support from my village has meant more than I will ever be able to truly put into words."

Actor Jussie Smollett says he's OK after he was attacked in Chicago. Source: AAP

Smollett's attackers allegedly hit the actor, placed a rope around his neck, poured an unidentified substance on him and yelled homophobic and racial slurs at him, Chicago police said.

Police have not seen video of the confrontation but say they viewed security footage showing Smollett with a rope draped around his neck.

"I am working with authorities and have been 100 per cent factual and consistent on every level," Smollett said in his statement.

CCTV shows two people of interest in an attack on 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett walking along a street in Chicago. Source: Chicago Police Department

"Despite my frustrations and deep concern with certain inaccuracies and misrepresentations that have been spread, I still believe that justice will be served."

Officials released an image on Wednesday showing two persons of interest in the case.

Police have not identified any suspects, and no arrests have been made.

The new remarks from Smollett, who came out as gay in 2015, follow his family's statement one day earlier calling the attack a "racial and homophobic hate crime".

Smollett said in his statement, "As my family stated, these types of cowardly attacks are happening to my sisters, brothers and non-gender conforming siblings daily.

"I am not and should not be looked upon as an isolated incident."

He said he will further address the situation after taking a moment to process it.