Jussie Smollett is candid about his return to the limelight after being released from prison.
The Empire actor was sentenced to 150 days behind bars for falsely claiming to be the victim of a hate crime in 2019, but was released after a few days.
He returned to the red carpet last night at the BET Awards, held at LA’s Microsoft Theater, and was delighted to return to the limelight amid his legal troubles.
During the bash, the 40-year-old explained that he “never thought I’d work myself back” after the incident, but has enjoyed the “great” chance to return to work for his directorial debut, B-Boy Blues. †
“This has always been the plan, to expand my empire, so to speak,” he said. “To expand the level of what I want to do…
“To usher in a new generation of artists and actors and these amazing talents.”
In addition to his work behind the camera, Smollett revealed he will soon have “good music” for fans – after releasing a self-reflective song in April.
To those who have stood by him over the years, he added to Entertainment Tonight, “I say them with all my heart, just thank you. They never renounced, they never straddled the fence, and I’m eternally grateful to you for that. I don’t take that lightly, I don’t take it lightly for a moment.
“My family, my friends, the real ones, if I never get to hug you in person, I know there’s a hug in my heart that I really mean.”
Smollett was famously convicted of lying to police after he allegedly fabricated a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago in January 2019.
He had told police that he had been attacked by two men wearing ski masks, who shouted racist and homophobic insults at him and put a noose around his neck.
The actor — who played Jamal Lyon in the music drama — claimed they told him he was in “MAGA land” — referencing Donald Trump’s presidential campaign slogan, even putting a noose around his neck.
Detectives soon turned their attention to Smollett, who was accused of paying two men he knew to carry out the attack, instructing them what to say and do.
A jury convicted Smollett in December of five offenses for lying to police and he was sent to prison earlier this year but was released on March 16 after serving six nights of his sentence.
He reportedly plans to appeal the verdict after his release from prison.
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