Jussie Smollett remains confident that justice will eventually prevail in his case. The actor, best known for his role in the hit TV series Empire, reflected on the ongoing legal challenges and emotional aftermath of his 2021 conviction in a recent interview with a news channell. Despite the controversies that have surrounded him, Smollett has expressed his hope for healing and redemption, even if it may take years to achieve. He said “I’ve moved on, and I know that the world, one day – it might be long after I’m gone – but one day the world is going to fix this,”
Smollett shared in the interview, which was published on a Saturday. “I just can’t wait for that to happen because I have a life to live. But the world is going to fix it all.”
In December 2021, Smollett was found guilty of staging a racially and homophobically motivated attack on himself in January 2019. The incident, which initially garnered widespread sympathy for Smollett, soon turned into a highly publicized legal battle. Smollett, who is both Black and openly gay, was convicted on five counts of disorderly conduct, one for each time he was accused of providing false information to the police in the immediate aftermath of the supposed attack.
In his original police report, Smollett claimed that two men physically assaulted him, placed a noose around his neck, and hurled racist and homophobic slurs at him. He also alleged that the attackers shouted, “This is MAGA country!” in reference to former President Donald Trump’s campaign slogan before fleeing the scene. However, as the investigation progressed, Chicago police determined that the attack had been staged, and Smollett was charged with fabricating the incident.
Smollett’s sentence included 150 days in county jail, 30 months of felony probation, and a restitution payment of $120,106, along with a $25,000 fine. Although he was sentenced to jail time, Smollett was released after serving just six days due to a pending appeal.
During Smollett’s trial, brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo testified against the actor, claiming that he had recruited them to help stage the attack near his Chicago home. According to their testimony, Smollett orchestrated the hoax and directed them to rough him up in front of a surveillance camera. They alleged that Smollett wanted the incident to be captured on video so it could later be shared on social media, amplifying the appearance of a hate crime.
In February 2023, Smollett filed an appeal with the Illinois Supreme Court, arguing that he is protected by double jeopardy, a legal principle that prevents someone from being tried for the same crime twice. However, in December 2023, an Illinois appeals court upheld Smollett’s conviction and jail sentence in a 2-1 ruling, affirming the earlier verdict.
In his interview with a news channel, Smollett opened up about the emotional toll the case has taken on him, particularly in the days following his arrest. He described feeling “numb” and struggling to make sense of the situation. ,” Smollett explained,
“I didn’t know how to connect the dots. I really genuinely did not know. I couldn’t make sense of what was going on, and I couldn’t make sense of what people were actually thinking… what exactly do they think happened? I couldn’t put two and two together,”
Smollett also recounted hitting rock bottom when he was arrested in February 2019. “That was a pretty dark day because that’s when everything clicked to me, of what was happening,” he said. “A lot of things tested my strength, a lot of things tested my mental, but the one thing I never lost — I never started thinking that I am somebody that I’m not. That is the one thing that did not happen.”
Despite the challenges he has faced, Smollett remains determined to move forward. “I’m not going to sit here and victimize myself and be like, ‘Woe is me,’ because there are so many people who don’t have the platform or the resources that I have to protect themselves,” he said. Smollett also acknowledged his privilege in being able to navigate his legal troubles with access to resources others may not have.
Looking to the future, Smollett is preparing for his return to the big screen. He directed and stars in the upcoming drama The Lost Holiday, alongside actors Jabari Redd and Vivica A. Fox. He recently attended a screening of the film in New York City, signaling his intention to continue his career in the entertainment industry despite the ongoing legal challenges.
Ultimately, Jussie Smollett remains hopeful that one day the truth will come to light, allowing him to fully move on from this chapter of his life. For now, he is focused on healing, continuing his career, and building a legacy that he hopes will make his future children proud.
