Jussie Smollett investigation: 'Good Morning America' staffers had 'doubts' during interview with Robin Roberts

As Jussie Smollett left the room following his "Good Morning America" interview, multiple ABC staffers felt doubtful about his claims, according to The Blast.

Insiders say that before the validity of his account was in question, Smollett went to ABC requesting to do the sit-down, and the network was happy to oblige because "everyone wanted this interview."

But as the interview wrapped and Smollett's team departed, there was "immediately" a feeling that "something was amiss."

He allegedly requested that Robin Roberts conduct the conversation because he, to some extent, knows her personally: She appeared on an April 2018 episode of "Empire."

He was "adamant" about appearing on the show, The Post reports.

The interview aired Thursday, Feb. 14, just over two weeks after Smollett claimed two men attacked him with rope and bleach in Chicago while shouting racist and homophobic slurs. The men in question, two brothers who have also appeared on "Empire," have since said that Smollett paid them to fake the attack.

Roberts on Monday defended the network's decision to air the interview, which was taped on Tuesday, Feb. 12.

“At that time, on Tuesday, police officers were saying that his account was consistent, it was credible, and that he was being cooperative," Roberts said. "Now this was all before the interview aired on Thursday, and then we found out about the brothers."

Now awaiting Smollett are not only potential legal consequences -- a grand jury begins hearing evidence Tuesday that could lead to felony indictment for allegedly filing a false police report -- but serious career ones, as well.

While he is working on set of "Empire" on Friday of this week, TMZ reports that "Empire" writers are quickly re-writing the season's final episodes. The second-to-last episode is currently being shot, and Smollett was supposed to have nine scenes and a "big musical number," but five of his scenes and the entire musical number have been slashed.