For Jussie Smollett, who plays the smoldering, just-out-of-the-closet Jamal Lyon on Fox’s runaway hit “Empire,” art almost definitely imitates life.

While the 31-year-old actor refused to discuss his sexuality on today’s episode of the “Ellen DeGeneres Show,” he opened up to her after their taped chat, citing his respect for her own coming-out moment on her titular TV show in 1999.

“I choose not to talk about my personal life (on TV), but there is without a doubt, no closet that I’ve ever been in, and I just wanted to make that clear,” said Smollett. “It was most important for me to make that clear to you on your show at this time in the world. And that’s where I’m at. So let’s not read into it the wrong way when I say that I don’t talk about my personal life.

“My mama knows. My mama likes me a lot… I take her to the Sound of Music sing-along every, single year. So, any questions? But you know honestly, we’re humans and we love and we do all that good stuff. So I’m honored for this opportunity and I’m honored to be here with you.”

Malik Yoba, Smollett’s co-star, appeared to out him during an online interview last month with BlackFilm.com. Said Yoba during the chat, “I think that our show represents a huge opportunity to stay in the culture beyond entertainment value and there’s an intrinsic nature if you have the gay factor, right? So, obviously, Lee (Daniels, co-creator of “Empire”) is gay. That was an important storyline for him. I think it’s important for people to see themselves. Even within the Black community.

“I know Jussie, he is gay, and he’s very committed to issues around the LGBT community. He and I have a very close relationship.”

Yoba ultimately insisted he was misquoted and was discussing the sexuality of Smollett’s onscreen character after the comments went viral.