Jurnee Smollett Breaks Her Silence on Jussie Smollett Hate Crime Scandal; ‘I Believe My Brother’
Many are still trying to figure out if Jussie Smollett’s hate crime is a hoax. The talented actor and singer’s account remains under much skepticism. His role on the hit FOX musical drama Empire was written out and he’s currently facing charges as prosecutors allege his story is a complete lie. One person who does believe him however is his sister, Jurnee Smollett.
Many do not believe Jussie Smollet’s hate crime allegations
Jussie stands by his original account. He says two men yelled racial and homophobic slurs, beat, and poured bleach on him.
But Chicago PD paints a different picture. They allege that Jussie concocted the entire story for publicity. In fact, investigators allege that Jussie was close friends with the two men and hired them to carry out the attack
Investigators released evidence they say links Jussie and the two men, including text messages and financial transactions between them.
Related: Jussie Smollett Allegedly Had a Relationship With 1 of His Attackers
Jussie says he was receiving fitness instruction from the men, which he says explains the monetary payments. The prosecution alleges Jussie and the two men are friends and the two men are aspiring actors.
In February 2020, Jussie was indicted by a grand jury on six felony counts of disorderly conduct.
The Associated Press reveals Jussie is charged with “making four separate false reports to Chicago Police Department officers related to his false claims that he was the victim of a hate crime, knowing that he was not the victim of a hate crime.”
Jurnee Smollett stands by Jussie Smollett’s account of his hate crime
Jussie has been keeping a low profile since making the original allegations. Despite a few interviews following his account, once speculation rose regarding a potential hoax, Jussie went MIA.
According to Jurnee’s recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jussie is staying busy “singing, writing, and working on music.” In recent months, Jussie has put out videos of him singing inspiration tunes in support of the Black Lives Matter Movement.
In the aftermath of Jussie’s alleged hate crime, his family’s support has never wavered. Jurnee opens up about the difficult time her family’s been dealing with to THR.
Related: What Was Jussie Smollett Just Indicted For?
“It’s been f**king painful – one of the most painful things my family’s ever experienced — to love someone as much as we love my brother, and to watch someone who you love that much go through something like this, that is so public, has been devastating,” she says. “But everyone who knows me knows that I love my brother and I believe my brother.”
Jurnee also praises Jussie for being “strong” throughout the ordeal. Jussie’s other siblings are also refusing to crumble amid the skepticism. In April 2019, his brother Jojo penned a lengthy essay showing his support of Jussie and slamming critics.
“What concerned me the most is, as the [Chicago Police Department] continued their campaign against Jussie, I started to notice an online ‘bandwagon’ approaching ignoring whether there were any real facts to suggest his guilt,” writes Jojo, as reported by CNN.
Jussie maintains his innocence.
