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Back in early 2019, Jussie Smollett’s name was everywhere in mainstream news. At the time, he was one of the breakout stars of Empire, a drama that had become a cultural staple for Black television audiences. Then came the night of Jan. 29, when Smollett told Chicago police he had survived a brutal hate crime. According to his story, two masked men yelled racist and homophobic slurs, doused him in bleach and put a rope around his neck, which immediately caught media attention.
Then came the outpouring of support from other stars, politicians and activists. They and the general public rushed to stand with him as he stood against the great injustice he allegedly endured. But within weeks, the case shifted from sympathy to suspicion. Authorities even accused Smollett of orchestrating the attack, which sparked years of court battles, media scrutiny and questions that still divide opinion today.
The Jussie Smollett saga wasn’t just a celebrity scandal – it became a national conversation about race, sexuality, the power of media and public trust. For Black audiences in particular, it hit close to home. Here was a rising star who had carved out rare representation on mainstream television, but had ended up at the center of a story that felt both confusing and alarming.
With all the moving parts of the case, it’s understandable that people might not have been able to keep up. If you need a refresher of the finer details, read on for a breakdown of how the case unfolded, with a bit of context to explain why each moment really mattered.
Per Vanity Fair, in late January, Jussie Smollett received a threatening letter at the Empire studio in Chicago, including ransom-style cut-out letters, a sketch of a hanging figure, and powder, which was later identified as crushed ibuprofen. The letter was stamped “MAGA” with a return address that reads, “Smollett Jussie, you will die black f**.”
Around 2 AM, Smollett reported an assault near his Chicago apartment, BBC reports. He said that two masked individuals hurled racist and homophobic slurs at him. They then allegedly wrapped a rope around his neck and poured a mysterious substance, which was later confirmed to be bleach, on him. They also apparently shouted, “MAGA country.”
At the time, many people in the Black and LGBTQ+ community saw Jussie Smollett’s alleged attack as yet another troubling example of hate crime violence. The actor visited a doctor, and police described his condition as “good.” The next day, several celebrities showed love to Smollett via social media, including Viola Davis, Janelle Monae, Grace Byers and Empire creator Lee Daniels. The latter posted a video to Instagram, saying, “Hold your head up Jussie. I’m with you.”
After reviewing hours of footage, the Chicago PD was stumped since the surveillance does not show the attack. What was captured only showed grainy stills of two unidentified people walking in the area. Once they release pictures of the two individuals seen nearby, they are established as persons of interest. But the lack of direct evidence (along with Smollett’s refusal to hand over his phone) planted the first seeds of doubt. Rather than pressing the issue, police explained, “He’s a victim. We don’t treat him like a criminal,” noting they wouldn’t demand Smollett’s phone.
When speaking out for the first time on Feb. 1, the 42-year-old said, “The outpouring of love and support from my village has meant more than I will ever be able to truly put into words,” in a statement. “I am working with authorities and have been 100% factual and consistent on every level,” he added.
The next day, Jussie Smollett spoke out again at a concert, BBC reports. “I’m not fully healed yet, but I’m going to,” he read from a piece of paper. “Just because there has been a lot of stuff said about me that’s absolutely not true. I’m sure my lawyer’s sitting up there like ‘No, Jussie, no,’” Smollett continued. He finished, “Above all, I fought… back. I’m the gay Tupac.”
After refusing to hand over his phone, the California native gave police a PDF file of his cell records. As NBC Chicago shares, investigators realized that files have been redacted to seemingly aid in a cover-up, although they had no reason to suspect wrongdoing on Smollett’s part.
As the investigation continued, clues led police to Nigerian-American brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo. Both of whom worked on the show Empire as extras and occasionally went to the gym with Smollett, according to their lawyer. Although they weren’t treated as suspects, items seized from their home include an Empire script, recipts, a red hat, bleach, a phone and a black face mask. After nearly 48 hours in custody, they are released with no charges, CBS News reports.
While the Osundairo brothers were dealing with authorities, Jussie Smollett appeared on Good Morning America to tell his story. “If I had said [the attackers] was a Muslim, or a Mexican or someone Black, I feel like the doubters would have supported me a lot much more,” the actor expressed while suggesting his attackers were white. Although rumors of the attack being staged began to swirl at the time, BBC notes that Chicago police said they have “no evidence to support” the speculation.
In just a matter of days, the tables turned. On Feb. 20, reports confirm that Jussie Smollett was arrested and charged with felony disorderly misconduct, as well as filing a false police report. He is accused of lying to the police about the attack due to filing a false police report. In a widely covered press conference, Chicago police accused him of staging the assault to “promote his career,” raise his profile and negotiate a higher salary.
The day after being charged, Smollett handed himself in to the police, who asserted that the embattled entertainer sent the aforementioned racist letter to himself. Authorities also claimed that Smollett wrote the Osundairo brothers a $3,500 check to stage the attack.
“We understand the seriousness of this matter and we respect the legal process. We are evaluating the situation and we are considering our options,” Fox Entertainment and 20th Century Fox wrote in a statement. Ultimately, they opted to suspend Smollett from Empire, labelling the allegations against him as “disturbing.”
On Mar. 1, the Osundairo brothers’ attorney, Gloria Schimdt, released a statement on their behalf. “My clients have tremendous regret over their involvement in this situation, and they understand how it has impacted people across the nation,” it read. “Particularly minority communities and especially those who have been victims of hate crimes themselves.”
Midway through the month, Empire returned to the air. An on-screen appearance from Smollett’s Jamal Lyon might have impacted ratings negatively, according to Variety. On Mar. 14, the West Coast native pleaded not guilty while in court facing 16 counts of disorderly conduct tied to false reporting. Each count stems from individual statements he made to police in the aftermath of the alleged attack.
In a surprise turnaround, prosecutors dropped all charges against Smollett after he completed community service and forfeited a $10,000 bond. In response, city officials and police reacted angrily, claiming justice has not been served.
On Mar. 28, President Donald Trump addressed the situation on X, describing it as “outrageous” and an “embarrassment to the nation.” At the same time, he confirmed that the FBI and Department of Justice would investigate further. For its part, the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit seeking approximately $130,000 in investigative costs in mid-April, insisting that Smollett “orchestrated” the attack, leading to a misuse of time and resources.
Besides feeling the heat online and in Chi-city, Jussie Smollett’s legal team also took a hit from the Osundairo brothers, who sued them for defamation, per BBC. Their suit came as a result of continued accusations damaging their reputations. The Empire cast members’ lawyers called the lawsuit “comical” and “ridiculous.”
In June 2019, footage of Smollett wearing the noose in his apartment was released by police. While that made rounds and sparked debate online, it wasn’t until February 2020 that the case progressed any further.
Special prosecutor Dan Webb is appointed to review how the earlier case was handled. After reexamining evidence, a grand jury once again indicts Smollett on six counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly lying to police, BBC reports.
It wasn’t until November 2021 that Jussie Smollett’s trial began, with Webb arguing that he “developed a secret plan that would make it appear there was actually a hate crime that actually occurred against him by supporters of Donald Trump.”
While it had been some time since the alleged attack, new information continued to surface in court. During the trial, Smollett claimed he was involved in a sexual relationship with Abel Osundairo before the incident. He also maintained that the $3,500 check was for a meal and workout plan.
When asked why he didn’t call the police, he explained, “As a Black man in America, I don’t trust the police. I’m sorry.”
After a week-long trial, a Chicago jury found Smollett guilty and convicted him of five of six counts of disorderly conduct. The Osundairo brothers testified in detail how the alleged attack was staged, even claiming they rehearsed it with Smollett. Despite their testimony, Smollett maintained his innocence.
Smollett is sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation and more than $120,000 in restitution to the city. One of the standout occurrences of his sentencing was when he loudly declared, “I am not suicidal,” which sparked questions about his mental state.
Videos of his courtroom outburst spread on social media, so speculation was thriving. He then served just six days in Cook County Jail before being released on $150,000 bond pending appeal.
The Illinois Supreme Court overturned Smollett’s conviction on due process grounds, but more specifically for being recharged after a plea agreement. With this, the court pointed to his earlier agreement with prosecutors, which dropped charges in exchange for community service, saying he should have not been charged. But the legal reversal is procedural, not an exoneration. So, this legal victory for Smollett does not clear up the public divide on the case – it simply clears his record.
More recently, NBC News reports that Jussie Smollett resolved the city’s lawsuit by agreeing to make a $50,000 donation to a Chicago arts nonprofit. This settlement ends the city’s pursuit of reimbursement for police investigative costs. And although the move is seen as a step towards closure, there are still debates over accountability.
The Truth About Jussie Smollett?, a Netflix original directed by Gagan Rehill, revisits the case with interviews, investigation analysis and some never before seen footage. Smollett himself appears in the documentary, still proclaiming and doubling down on his alleged innocence.
In the height of his career, Smollett carved a historic space for queer Black men on Empire as Jamal Lyon. His character’s journey to acceptance offered visibility, hope and blunt honesty. The fallout after Jussie Smollett was allegedly attacked shook his career trajectory though since public discourse about the case was popular.
Smollett was swiftly written off Empire’s final season, as Entertainment Weekly describes. With his name tangled in controversy, his spotlight dimmed significantly and it seemed his career was going downhill.
Yet more recently, he has been attempting a comeback since some of the scandal of the case has seemingly simmered down. He even directed and starred in The Lost Holliday, which was his first acting role since Empire. He’s also set to return to the screen in a reality competition series, Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.
What is Jussie Smollett’s real name?
The controversial entertainer was born Jussie Langston Mikha Smollett on June 21, 1982, in Santa Rosa, California.
Is Jussie Smollett a singer in real life?
Yes, he can sing in real life. Smollett both wrote and performed music for his role on the show Empire.
Why was Empire cancelled?
As Deadline reports, the cost of doing business, low ratings and the spiraling controversy surrounding Smollett’s case all negatively impacted the show. These factors ultimately led to a surprising end in April 2020.
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