Latest news with #Jussie
Buzz Feed
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Jussie Smollett Denies Alleged 2019 Hate Crime Was Hoax
Back in 2019, Jussie Smollett — who you probably know best from his performance on Empire — was indicted on 16 felony counts by a Chicago grand jury for allegedly filing a false police report regarding a hate crime that he claimed to be the victim of. When filing the report, Jussie alleged that two men shouted racial and homophobic slurs at him while putting a noose over his neck and pouring bleach on him. In 2021, he was found guilty of falsely reporting a hate crime, but in 2024 the conviction was overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court. In a new interview with Variety that was published ahead of the forthcoming Netflix documentary The Truth About Jussie Smollett?, the actor maintained his innocence and claimed that he was a victim of the hate crime that he was eventually charged for allegedly making a false report of. 'The villains are the two people who assaulted me, the Chicago Police Department and, if I may be so brave, the mayor,' he said, referring to former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel. Jussie also alleged that the 2014 murder of teenager Laquan McDonald by Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke played a role in the scrutiny surrounding him. 'Could it be that they had just found out about the missing minutes and the missing tape from the murder of Laquan McDonald? he said. "Could it be that the mayor helped hide that?' 'We're living in a world where the higher-ups, their main mission, in order to do all of the underhanded things that they're doing, is to distract us with the shiny object," he added. Jussie went on to address the pair of brothers, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, who eventually alleged to authorities that they'd planned the hate crime hoax along with the actor. 'All I can say is, God bless you, and I hope it was worth it,' he said. 'Every single other person's story has changed multiple times. Mine has never. I have nothing to gain from this.' When asked why exonerating evidence supporting Jussie's claims hasn't yet emerged six years after the initial report, he replied, 'To be honest with you, I don't really know. I'm not an investigative reporter or a detective. I can't sit and tell you exactly, beat by beat, what happened." "I can only tell you what did not happen. And what did not happen is the story that's been out there for almost seven years, that somehow I would have even a reason to do something as egregious as this.' You can read the entire interview here.
Perth Now
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Jussie Smollett engaged
Jussie Smollett is engaged. The 43-year-old 'Empire' actor revealed he proposed to partner Jabari Redd and he 'said yes'. Jussie shared some pictures on Instagram and wrote: 'I'll be spending my birthday with my Fiancé… He said YES.' The series of photos showed a frame-by-frame timeline of how Jussie popped the question on a sidewalk outside a restaurant. His actress sister Jurnee Smollett commented: 'Screaming with tears of joy! My whole heart loves both of you @jussiesmollett. Welcome to the family @jabariredd.' And, their other sister Jazz Smollett, added, 'I was WAITINGGGGGG!!!!!! congratulations you 2‼️‼️ I pray blessings cover you as you've covered each other.' Jussie's 'Empire' co-star Taraji P. Henson wrote: 'My babies.' Meanwhile, back in 2019, Jussie alleged he was the victim of a hate crime. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail in March 2022 after being found guilty of lying about being a victim of a racist and homophobic attack and making a false police report, but his convictions were overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court after his legal team lodged an appeal. Smollett's attorneys claimed that the actor's rights were violated after a special prosecutor decided to retry him, even though the initial charges against him were dropped. Smollett has always maintained his innocence, insisting "there was no hoax" and that he was the target of a hate crime.
