(Los Angeles, CA) -- Jussie Smollett was the talk of the NAACP Image Awards despite skipping out this past weekend's event. The Empire actor was up for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, but lost out to "Grey's Anatomy" star Jesse Williams.
Chris Rock said he was told not to make any jokes about Smollett, then did just that as he presented one of the night's awards.
Smollett did get some support though as actress Yara Shahidi gave him a shout out, saying "I stand with Jussie" while the cast of Black-ish accepted the Outstanding Comedy award. His Empire co-star Taraji P. Henson picked up a win for Outstanding Actress in a Drama but was not present to accept the award.