Was Malik Yoba Fired from 'Empire' for a Storyline, Outing Jussie Smollett, or Over Drug Use? Actor Says 'Fox Needed Someone To Die'

In last Wednesday's season finale of Empire fans were shocked when Malik Yoba aka Vernon Turner was killed. Now we have learned that someone had to die and Yoba's death on screen was only right after he has been allegedly battling a drug problem.

According to Inquisitr, Yoba has been causing problems on set and it's because of his alleged drug abuse, causing Fox to settle the issue, asking Lee Daniels to fire the actor, by killing off his character.

But if you ask Malik, he tells a different story. He doesn't deny Daniels calling him up, but doesn't mention drug problems being the cause of his termination.

"Lee called me and told me," Yoba revealed. "He said that someone at Fox said that someone needed to die in the season finale. So, I was like, 'Word?'"

Yoba later stated, "To this day, I don't know — in the infinite wisdom — who thought it was the best approach, but someone did. I never got a clear answer on it. But it wasn't about the work or ethics or work ethics. It was the plot line. Vernon's gone, but Malik lives on. And — as I've told you, Chuck, in private — it's a great opportunity to push forward the work that I'm doing in terms of building my own empire, if you will."

But one little birdie revealed that the actor was back on drugs causing the cast to be nervous.

The source said:

"Malik Yoba is back on drugs and he was making everyone on the set uncomfortable. One star of the show even threatened to quit during the 10th episode, but then they upped their pay to convince them to stay. Fox caught wind of what was going on and gave Lee Daniels an ultimatum: 'You tell Malik he's fired or we will.' Fox also threatened to shelve the show indefinitely if Daniels didn't do as he was told. So he did, and the rest is history."

But MStars News wants to know if Yoba was fired for allegedly revealing that his co-star, Jussie Smollett is gay.

No comments have been made by Daniels or Yoba on the drug rumors.