ILLINOIS: Jussie Smollett is heading to treatment following what his representatives describe as an "extremely difficult past few years," as the actor continues to fight his conviction in Chicago. The 'Empire' star has filed an appeal against his conviction in December 2021 for fabricating an anti-gay, racist attack on himself and then lying to Chicago police about it.
According to TMZ, Jussie is in an outpatient facility in an undisclosed location. "Jussie has had an extremely difficult past few years. He has quietly been working very hard for some time now, and we are proud of him for taking these necessary steps," the actor's rep said in a statement.
It's unclear why Jussie is going to rehab, although testimony throughout the trial suggested severe drug use.
Jussie Smollett appealed his hate-crime hoax conviction
After being imprisoned for faking the attack on himself, Jussie petitioned for a fresh trial in March. During the investigation, Chicago officers determined that Jussie had hired brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo to commit the crime.
Last year, he was sentenced to 150 days in prison. In December, Jussie was convicted on five counts of disorderly conduct for lying to police about being the victim of a racist, anti-gay attack conducted by Trump supporters yelling "This is MAGA country."
He informed authorities that he was approached on a darkened roadway by two masked people. The attackers wrapped a noose around his neck and poured chemicals on him while chanting racial and homophobic obscenities and professing support for then-President Donald Trump, according to his description of the incident.
The two attackers were black Nigerian brothers, Abel and Ola Osundairo. The brothers, who testified in court, said Jussie hired them to stage the incident in order to promote his popularity.
Jussie then alleged that in the days leading up to the stunt, when prosecutors said he and the brothers were practicing the attack, they were instead using marijuana together. He stunned the court when he said he "made out with" and "masturbated" with Abimbola Osundairo at a bathhouse.
The actor told the jury that he believed the brothers faked the incident to terrify him into thinking he required bodyguards and therefore give them the job. A court sentenced the actor to 150 days in jail in March 2022, three months after a jury convicted him of felony disorderly conduct.
Jussie was six days into his sentence when an appeals court ordered his freedom pending the outcome of his conviction and sentence appeal.The Osundairo brothers have already filed a defamation lawsuit, claiming that Jussie's words were part of an attempt to depict them as racist, homophobic, and violent guys who actually attacked him.
Is Jussie Smollett returning to movies?
As the legal process plays out, Jussie has been sighted working on film sets in California, including a movie starring Vivica A. Fox that he appears to be directing.
He's also been seen on a walk, in L.A. with his old 'Empire' costar, Taraji P. Henson, so he hasn't been attempting to hide, even attending the BET Awards last year, which drew some criticism from some who were surprised to see him there.
How many siblings are there in the Smollett family?
Joel and Janet (née Harris) Smollett welcomed Jussie into the world in Santa Rosa, California, where he was born. Jussie has has five siblings, including three brothers and two sisters – Jake, Jocqui, Jojo, Jurnee, and Jazz.
Jussie is Jewish and mixed-race. His father is Jewish, while his mother is African-American.
