A trailer for the documentary, premiering on August 22, teases an interview with Smollett who is ready to tell his side…
With so many twists and turns, the 2019 attack and subsequent case of Jussie Smollett felt more like the plot of a TV series. What started as an investigation into an alleged hate crime quickly turned into allegations of a hoax by the Chicago police and mayor. The events would see Smollett serve jail time and his conviction overturned. Now the producers of The Tinder Swindler will try to unfold the six year long affair.
The Truth About Jussie Smollett? is the “shocking true story of an allegedly fake story that some now say might just be a true story.” Debuting on August 22, the 90-minute documentary will examine the complexities of the case. It will feature interviews from police, lawyers, journalists and investigators who say there is new evidence. The title itself, posed as a question, suggests Netflix is asking the audience to decide the truth for themselves.
Throughout the trailer, viewers get a glimpse into the case’s escalation along with the mounting confusion it caused. The trailer ends, with Smollett taking a seat and staring into the camera.
The trailer comes as Vanity Fair published the article “Jussie Smollett Slams Chicago Police, Rahm Emanuel as ‘Villains’ While Denying Hate Crime Hoax and Mounting a Comeback: My Story ‘Has Never’ Changed” on August 13. In the piece, the Empire actor speaks about the case. In his opening quote the actor says “The villains are the two people who assaulted me, the Chicago Police Department and, if I may be so brave, the mayor [Rahm Emanuel].”
The actor goes to tell Vanity Fair about what is next for him after his “six year exile.” He also discusses the documentary saying he did the interview over a year ago and has yet to see the final product.
What happened to Jussie Smollett?
Trigger warning: This section deals with graphic subject matter.
Smollett reported two assailants attacked him in the early morning of January 29, 2019 in Chicago. He told police the men approached and hurled homophobic slurs. Then the altercation became physical. The assailants hit him in the face, poured a chemical substance on him and wrapped a rope around his neck. Authorities responded to the incident with Smollett telling them he was the victim of a hate crime. He also noted the attackers made references to MAGA slogans.
Hollywood quickly showed its support for the actor with Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy saying the attack was “horrifying.” Then vice president Kamala Harris stated on X, formerly Twitter, that the attack was ”an attempted modern-day lynching.” She also said “No one should have to fear for their life because of their sexuality or colour of their skin. We must confront this hate.”
The actor released a statement telling fans he was okay and thanked them for the support. He also said “I am working with authorities and have been 100% factual and consistent on every level.”
Two ‘persons of interests’ were arrested on February 14, but not charged. The two were brothers, Obabinjo (Ola) and Abimbola (Abel) Osundairo, and apparently knew the actor. They had worked as extras on Empire and went to the gym with him.
In the days following, the police said they wanted to speak with Smollett. On February 20, the actor was charged with disorderly conduct and filing a false police report. He turned himself in the following day.
A little under a month later, Smollett pleaded not guilty on 16 counts of disorderly conduct. All charges were dropped on March 26. While cleared, the Chicago Police and mayor held a press conference where they accused Smollett of committing a hoax.
Smollett was then charged in February 2020 with six counts of lying to police. In November 2021, his trail began. Authorities alleged the actor planned the attack on himself. They stated he did it because he was “dissatisfied with his salary” on Empire. They also claimed he sent a racist letter to himself at a Fox studio and paid the Osundairo brothers to stage the attack.
On December 9, he was found guilty by a jury. He was sentenced in March 2022 to 150 days in jail and fined $145,000 USD. The actor served six days in prison and his conviction was overturned in 2024.
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