Netflix is intensely scrutinizing the alleged fake hate crime incident involving Jussie Smollett, a storyline that held the spotlight in news headlines for several months, and which, after six years, appears to have reached its conclusion.
Four years into Empire’s run, its main actor found himself entangled in controversy. He initially reported being assaulted, but subsequently faced accusations that the incident was actually orchestrated by Smollett himself.
This documentary presents ongoing refutations, court fights, and a whirlwind on social media, encouraging viewers to make up their own minds about the reality surrounding Jussie Smollett’s story.
Continue reading to discover the fascinating story that sparked widespread conversation, unveiling its conclusion and shedding light on Jussie Smollett’s current circumstances.
What happened to Jussie Smollett?
In January 2019, Chicago police reported an investigation into what they believed was a hate crime against Jussie Smollett. The authorities claimed that two masked men attacked Smollett, who they said was subjected to physical assault, having a substance poured over him (which they didn’t identify at the time), and a rope placed around his neck.
In simpler terms, during a conversation with the police, Smollett claimed that his attackers mentioned “MAGA,” which stands for a popular phrase associated with Donald Trump, who was then serving as the U.S. President.
In a statement issued following the attack, Smollett expressed gratitude towards his fans and colleagues for the abundant display of affection and backing they showed.
He stated that he’s collaborating with relevant parties, and has maintained absolute truthfulness and consistency throughout all aspects.
Next month, brothers Ola and Abel Osundairo, who had previously been extras on Empire and had exercised with Smollett, were apprehended and questioned by law enforcement officials. However, they were eventually freed without any charges being filed against them.
Later, Smollett became a suspect for possibly filing a fake police report and was taken into custody on February 21, 2019. After his arrest, the producers of Empire announced that the actor would not be featured in the last two episodes of the season, expressing concern over the accusations against him as they were “troubling”.
Smollett entered a plea of not guilty to 16 counts of disorderly conduct, and only two weeks later, he was acquitted of all the charges against him.
In a statement, his attorney stated that he was unjustly portrayed as the wrongdoer, when in fact, he was actually the one harmed.
In February 2020, it was announced by Special Prosecutor Dan Webb that he intended to pursue additional charges against Jussie Smollett. As a result, the actor faced six counts of deceiving the police.
It was asserted that Smollett had arranged for the Osundairo brothers to fake a hate crime attack, ostensibly to boost his career. According to their testimony in Smollett’s trial, they were compensated with $3,500 by him to assist in planning and executing the staged attack.
Smollett vehemently refuted the claims, asserting under oath in court that there was absolutely no hoax involved, and deemed the brothers’ story as completely untrue.
Smollett was found guilty on five of six counts.
Did Jussie Smollett go to jail?
In March 2022, Jussie Smollett was given a 150-day prison sentence, required to pay a fine of $145,000, and is now under supervision for 30 months as part of his probation.
However, he was released after serving six days in jail following an appeal from his lawyers.
2024, in the chilly month of November, a surprising turn of events unfolded: my argument for Smollett’s case was successful. I, as his lawyer, argued fervently that it was unjust to recharge him after his previous charges had been dismissed, in exchange for relinquishing a $10,000 bond and fulfilling community service.
In the end, the Supreme Court of Illinois overturned Smollett’s conviction based on due process issues, without expressing an opinion on the actual guilt or innocence of the case, as Smollett has repeatedly proclaimed his innocence throughout this process.
Where is Jussie Smollett now?
As a passionate cinema enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that Jussie Smollett has made his comeback on the big and small screens once again! His latest venture sees him starring in the reality series “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test,” which shares a resemblance with the UK’s popular show, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. It’s an exciting time for us fans as we eagerly await his performance!
Apart from that, he’s been creating fresh tunes as well; his latest single, “Break Out,” dropped on August 12th, while his upcoming album is slated for release in September.
In May, Smollett chose to contribute $50,000 to a Chicago-based charity, resolving a lawsuit that the city had initiated against him.
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2025-08-22 11:06