Introduction to the Jussie Smollett Case
Six years after claiming that he was the victim of a hate crime, actor Jussie Smollett is continuing to push back against the narrative put forth by Chicago officials that it was all a "hoax."
In "The Truth About Jussie Smollett?", a new Netflix documentary that debuts Thursday, the former "Empire" star revisits the legal battle surrounding the alleged attack, which police and city officials said he orchestrated against himself.
Background of the Alleged Attack
Smollett, who is Black and gay, first reported a hate crime committed against him in January 2019, alleging that two men confronted him with racial and homophobic slurs, wrapped a rope around his neck, and poured bleach on him. However, city officials sued Smollett and accused him of submitting a false police report on Jan. 29, 2019, saying he knew his attackers and planned the attack. The city’s lawsuit sought $130,000 in expenses spent on the police investigation. Smollett countersued, denying that he orchestrated the attack.
The Documentary and Its Revelations
In the documentary, Smollett spends much of his interview segments defending himself and maintaining his innocence. "At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter whether someone likes me or doesn’t like me," Smollett said in the documentary, adding that "the fact is: I didn’t do that. And that’s all that matters." The documentary features interviews with Smollett’s attorney; former Chicago police officials; the Osundairo brothers; their attorney; and journalists who covered the case.
The Osundairo Brothers’ Testimony
Brothers Olabingo and Abimbola Osundairo, who worked on the "Empire" set and authored a book titled "Bigger Than Jussie: The Disturbing Need for a Modern-Day Lynching," said they were paid by Smollett to stage the hate crime and testified against the actor during his trial. "I believe he wanted to be the poster boy of activism for Black people, for gay people, for marginalized people," "Bola" Osundairo said of Smollett in the documentary. "Ola" Osundairo said when Smollett asked them to "beat him up," he "thought it was crazy." "But at the same time, I’m like, ‘It’s Hollywood.’ This is how it goes," he said in the documentary.
The Trial and Its Aftermath
Smollett was found guilty on five criminal counts of felony disorderly conduct in December 2021 and sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 months’ probation in March 2022. But the Illinois Supreme Court overturned the conviction in November 2024. The state high court ruled that Smollett should have never been charged in the first place after entering a nonprosecution agreement with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Conclusion
The Jussie Smollett case has been a long and complex one, with many twists and turns. The new Netflix documentary provides a detailed look at the case and its aftermath, and allows the audience to decide for themselves who is telling the truth. Smollett maintains his innocence, and the documentary raises important questions about the nature of truth and the power of narrative.
FAQs
Q: What is the name of the Netflix documentary about Jussie Smollett?
A: The documentary is called "The Truth About Jussie Smollett?".
Q: What were the allegations against Jussie Smollett?
A: Smollett was accused of submitting a false police report and orchestrating a hate crime against himself.
Q: Who are the Osundairo brothers?
A: The Osundairo brothers are two men who worked on the "Empire" set and claimed to have been paid by Smollett to stage the hate crime.
Q: What was the outcome of Jussie Smollett’s trial?
A: Smollett was found guilty on five criminal counts of felony disorderly conduct, but his conviction was later overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court.
Q: What is Jussie Smollett doing now?
A: Smollett is currently promoting his new R&B album and is a contestant on the reality show "Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test".
