Nothing says idiotic quite like a privileged celebrity. While there are celebs who do the right thing, there are those who crave attention. Moreover, it shouldn’t matter their skin colour, sexuality or pedigree. Though, Empire actor Jussie Smollett didn’t put any of this into consideration when on January 29th, 2019, he staged a homophobic and racist hate crime against himself. He weaponised his mixed-race heritage and sexual orientation to get what he wanted.
When the alleged attack occurred, Smollett received an outpouring of condolences, including from now-Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris. However, the whole situation was one massive hoax. But, why would a privileged black man who had a role on a hit television series about African-American people in power do something like this? That’s what we’re about to find out.
Before we begin this post, we need to warn our readers that this article contains disturbing material and is only a brief rundown of events.
Who Is Jussie Smollett?
Before we jump into the alleged crime and case themselves, we need to look at who Jussie Smollett is.
Jussie Smollett was born on June 21st 1982, as one of six children. Several of his siblings, including his sister Jurnee are actors. Jurnee portrayed Dinah Laurel Lance/Black Canary in Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). Jussie starred as Jamal Lyon, a gay musician on Empire, which starred Terrence Howard as his father.
Smollett came out to the public in 2015 as gay, which also was the year Empire began as he was cast in 2014. At 19, he told his parents he was gay. Upon the announcement that he’d be playing a gay black man on the show, it was considered “groundbreaking”. This should have been a good thing, for Jussie, right? So what caused him to fake a crime against himself?
The Jussie Smollett “Hate Crime” Attack
On January 29, 2019, Jussie Smollett went to the Chicago police and said he had been assaulted by two caucasian men wearing MAGA (Make America Great Again) hats, according to Sandra Gonzalez of CNN at the time of the alleged attack. Allegedly, one of the assailants doused him in an unknown liquid (assumedly bleach) while another put a noose around the actor’s neck while screaming racial and homophobic slurs at him. He allegedly was also physically assaulted where he was kicked and punched.
A rallying cry of support for Jussie sounded across the world including the world of politics in which Kamala Harris voiced her support. Even 20th Century Fox Television, which distributed Empire put out a statement, as per the report from CNN linked above. GLAAD even put voiced their backing for him.
Jussie was treated at Northwestern University and was later, discharged. His manager allegedly called the Chicago police at 2:30 am which upset the actor as he didn’t want the police involved in the situation. Ten minutes later, Smollett had the noose around his neck when law enforcement arrived at the scene.
What’s more, is Smollett claimed that he thought his comments regarding Donald Trump’s presidency might’ve triggered the assault.
What Was Found During The Investigation
During the investigation, “two persons of interest” had their home raided. However, it gets interesting. These people were of Nigerian descent and worked as extras on Empire. Note that the ethnicity of these people is not important. What is, is the link they had to Smollett as they worked side-by-side, according to Tracy Swartz, Jeremy Gorner, and Annie Sweeney of the Chicago Tribune.
Bleach and various other unnamed items were pulled as evidence. The two men, who happen to be brothers, were arrested by not charged on suspicion of battery. They confirmed that they knew and worked with Jussie Smollett.
Two weeks later, the police were informed that Smollett had paid the brothers a sum of cash to falsify the attack, according to CBS Chicago. They [the brothers] bought the items used in the hoax, including a MAGA cap. What isn’t incriminating enough is that they were caught on CCTV buying the products.
Soon after, the FBI became involved in the case and started to examine whether Jussie had received a note of a threatening matter before the alleged attack, as per USA Today’s Jaymee Deerwester and Aamer Madhani.
The Reason For The Staged Crime An The Brothers Speak Out
It soon became apparent that the crime was a hoax set up to win Jussie Smollett sympathy so he would get a pay rise, alleges Erin Ailsworth of the Wall Street Journal. He took advantage of a sore spot in society and used it to make himself look like a victim. Racism and homophobia are two topics that get people talking and he knew this. He wasted police resources that should’ve been used elsewhere such as assisting rape victims or helping domestic abuse survivors find a safe place.
What’s more, is the Jussie Smollett attack was the actor’s Plan B. Stephanie Wash, Josh Margolin and Bill Hutchinson of ABC News reported that the brothers involved in the staging of the hate crime told the authorities that the letter which Smollett allegedly received, was not just sent to himself, but it didn’t pan out the way the actor had thought. In other words? He thought that given his “rising star”, the letter would get attention and him that pay rise he desired.
The Osundairo brothers also said they are not homophobic or racist and were born and raised in Chicago. What’s more, is the siblings were later withdrawn as suspects in the case.
What Jussie Smollett Has Allegedly Said And The Ripple Effect On Empire
There is also been reports that Smollett has claimed to have had a sexual relationship with one of the brothers when the second trial was in court, as per Brandon Yu of Mic. In the same article, it is alleged that the actor is still adamant there was a hate crime. Sorry to break it to you, but the evidence doesn’t lie. Also, the Osundairo brothers have come out against him.
Due to the high profile of the case and the aftermath of the crime being a hoax, Smollett was cut from Empire Season 5’s final two episodes. Also, Jussie’s contract had been renewed for the last season of the show’s run, but he was cut out altogether with Jamal moving to London with his husband between seasons.
Furthermore, the Empire spin-off surrounding Taraji P. Henson’s character Cookie wasn’t picked up by Fox, though it was being shopped to other networks. It is unclear whether the aftermath of Jussie Smollett’s hate crime affected the series going forward.
Our Thoughts On This Case
We have no sympathy towards Jussie Smollett. How can we? He was willing to use “race” to get what he wanted. Sorry, but the race card will get most people nowhere. All human beings were created to be equal. It doesn’t matter if you’re an average joe or a rich person. No one is above the law. What he didn’t take into account is that there were going to be holes in the narrative.
Also, we’re willing to bet that he didn’t see the Osundairo brothers were going to drop him and expose the truth. Jussie should’ve been thankful for the opportunities Lee Daniels gave him. It should never have been about the money. Also, why a hate crime? Wouldn’t it have been easier to go to Lee and ask for a pay rise? They knew each other quite well by what we’ve heard.
In conclusion, Jussie Smollett might think his sexuality and race will get people to do things for him. If you screw up on a criminal level, people will take note.
