What Happened to Jussie Smollett?
Jussie Smollett is an American actor and singer who gained prominence for his role in the TV series 'Empire.' His career was significantly impacted by a 2019 incident where he reported a hate crime, which police later alleged he staged. After a conviction that was subsequently overturned on procedural grounds in 2024, Smollett has been working to rebuild his career, releasing new music, directing films, and making public appearances, including a recent performance at Harlem Pride in June 2026.
Quick Answer
Jussie Smollett's conviction for staging a hate crime in 2019 was overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court in November 2024 on procedural grounds, though the court did not rule on his innocence. He settled a civil lawsuit with the City of Chicago in 2025 by making a charitable donation. As of June 2026, Smollett is actively working on his music and directing career, recently performing at Harlem Pride, and has reportedly begun a new relationship with Karamo Brown.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Reports Alleged Hate Crime
Jussie Smollett tells Chicago police he was attacked by two men who yelled racial and homophobic slurs, poured a substance on him, and put a noose around his neck.
Charged with Disorderly Conduct
Chicago police charge Smollett with disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false police report, claiming he orchestrated the attack.
Initial Charges Dropped
Cook County prosecutors drop all 16 felony charges against Smollett in exchange for bond forfeiture and community service, sparking public outcry.
City of Chicago Files Civil Lawsuit
The City of Chicago files a civil lawsuit against Smollett, seeking to recoup $130,000 in investigation costs.
Re-indicted on New Charges
A special prosecutor re-indicts Smollett on six counts of felony disorderly conduct.
Found Guilty by Jury
A jury convicts Smollett on five of six counts of felony disorderly conduct.
Sentenced to Jail and Probation
Smollett is sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation, and ordered to pay restitution and a fine. He is released after six days pending appeal.
Stars in and Directs 'The Lost Holliday'
Smollett stars in and directs the film 'The Lost Holliday,' marking a return to acting and directing.
Illinois Supreme Court Overturns Conviction
The Illinois Supreme Court overturns Smollett's conviction on procedural grounds, citing a violation of his due process rights from the initial non-prosecution agreement.
Settles Civil Lawsuit with Chicago
Smollett settles the City of Chicago's civil lawsuit by agreeing to make a $50,000 charitable donation to a local arts nonprofit.
Appears on 'Special Forces: World's Toughest Test'
Smollett joins the cast of the reality competition series 'Special Forces: World's Toughest Test' on Fox.
Performs at Harlem Pride
Smollett headlines Harlem Pride's '17 Shades of Pride' celebration, marking his first full performance in eight years.
Reported to be Dating Karamo Brown
TMZ reports that Jussie Smollett is dating 'Queer Eye' star Karamo Brown, weeks after his engagement to Jabari Redd reportedly ended.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Jussie Smollett, an actor best known for his role as Jamal Lyon on the Fox series 'Empire,' became the center of a national controversy in January 2019 when he reported being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago. Smollett claimed two masked men assaulted him, yelled slurs, poured an unknown substance on him, and placed a noose around his neck.
The Chicago Police Department initially investigated the incident as a hate crime, but their focus soon shifted to Smollett himself. By February 2019, police alleged that Smollett had orchestrated the attack, paying two brothers, Abel and Ola Osundairo, to stage the incident to boost his public profile and potentially his salary. Smollett was charged with disorderly conduct for filing a false police report.
In March 2019, Cook County prosecutors controversially dropped all 16 felony charges against Smollett in exchange for him forfeiting his $10,000 bond and performing community service. This decision sparked widespread criticism, leading to the appointment of a special prosecutor to review the case. In February 2020, Smollett was re-indicted on six counts of felony disorderly conduct.
After a trial in December 2021, a jury found Smollett guilty on five of the six counts. In March 2022, he was sentenced to 150 days in county jail, 30 months of probation, and ordered to pay over $120,000 in restitution to the City of Chicago and a $25,000 fine. Smollett served approximately six days before being released pending an appeal.
A significant turning point occurred in November 2024 when the Illinois Supreme Court overturned Smollett's conviction in a 5-0 ruling. The court found that his Fifth Amendment rights were violated by the second prosecution, as he had already fulfilled a non-prosecution agreement in 2019. However, Special Prosecutor Dan Webb clarified that the ruling was procedural and 'has nothing to do with Mr. Smollett's innocence,' noting that the court did not disturb the jury's verdict or the overwhelming evidence presented at trial.
In 2025, the civil lawsuit filed by the City of Chicago to recoup investigation costs was dismissed after Smollett agreed to make a $50,000 charitable donation to a Chicago arts nonprofit. Despite the legal complexities, Smollett has been working to revive his career. He made his feature directorial debut with 'B-Boy Blues' (2021) and starred in and directed 'The Lost Holliday' (2024). He also participated in the reality competition series 'Special Forces: World's Toughest Test' in 2025 and released his sophomore album, 'Break Out,' in September 2025. Most recently, in June 2026, Smollett performed at Harlem Pride's '17 Shades of Pride' celebration, marking his first full performance in eight years, and was reportedly seen dating 'Queer Eye' star Karamo Brown, following the amicable end of his engagement to Jabari Redd.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Jussie Smollett made different choices?