Jussie Smollett to speak in Netflix documentary about hate crime hoax
The streamer announced Tuesday that 'The Truth About Jussie Smollett?' will be released on the platform Aug. 22, according to Deadline.
Producers of the true-crime hits 'Tinder Swindler,' 'Trainwreck' and 'Don't F**k with Cats' are behind the 90-minute project, comprised of interviews with police officials, lawyers, journalists and Smollett himself.
The film centers on the yearslong legal saga launched by Chicago investigators, who determined the 'Empire' actor staged a 2019 hate crime attack as a 'publicity stunt' to advance his career.
The documentary has been described as the 'shocking true story of an allegedly fake story that some now say might just be a true story.' In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, director Gagan Rehill said the film 'is a thrilling ride, and we were lucky enough to have access to the key players.'
Smollett claimed in January 2019 that unknown assailants attacked him on a Chicago street, punching him in the face, pouring a chemical substance on him and putting a noose around his neck while yelling racial and homophobic slurs.
Two brothers associated with Smollett, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, later confessed to having been involved in a scheme orchestrated by the openly gay actor to make it look as though he'd been accosted by Trump-supporting extremists.
The 43-year-old NAACP Image Award winner was arrested and later found guilty on a handful of charges related to the incident. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail in 2022, but was released after six days pending an appeal.
His conviction was overturned last November as part of a plea deal with prosecutors in exchange for community service and the forfeiture of his $10,000 bond.
Smollett, who has always denied any wrongdoing, also agreed to donate at least $50,000 to Chicago's Building Better Futures Center for the Arts organization to resolve the city's lawsuit against him.
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