Jussie Smollett’s Net Worth Reveals How Much He Lost After He Was Fired From Empire Following His Hate Crime Hoax Controversy
Jussie Smollett is telling his side of the story. The Empire actor revealed where he is in life after he claiming that he was a victim of a hate crime.
In 2019, Smollett, who is Black and gay, claimed that he was attacked by two men who yelled racist and homophobic slurs at him, poured bleach on him and wrapped a noose around his neck. Chicago investigators believed that Smollet had made up the crime when two brothers, Abimbola and Ola Osundairo, claimed Smollett paid them $3,500 to jump him on a Chicago street to raise his reputation because he was unhappy with his role on Empire.
Smollett was convicted of five counts of disorderly conduct and sentenced to 150 days in jail in 2021, but was released after only six days behind bars while he appealed his case. After many years of legal battles with the city, Smollett lost his job on Empire and his reputation was smeared.
“Every single other person’s story has changed multiple times. Mine has never,” Smollett told Variety. “I saw firsthand how narratives are built. I saw firsthand the way that someone can take the exact opposite of who you are and literally sell it.”
What is Jessie Smollett’s net worth?
Jessie Smollett’s net worth is currently estimated $300,000, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The site previously reported that he was worth $500,000 in July 2022.
Smollett earned about $100,000 per episode when he starred in Empire, according to Variety. He was written off the final episodes of the Fox show.
The actor was ordered to pay a $25,000 fine and $120,000 in restitution to the city of Chicago. However, the actor refused to pay them. In May 2025, he revealed that he settled with the city by donating to a charity.
The actor made a $50,000 donation to Building Brighter Futures Center for the Arts, which he described as “a local nonprofit doing incredible work nurturing self expression, creativity and exploration of the arts for Chicago youth.”
“Despite what happened there politically, Chicago was my home for over 5 years and the people became my family,” he explained in an Instagram post. “Therefore, making a donation to benefit Chicago communities that are too often neglected by those in power will always be something I support.”
“This organization was of my choosing and I’m comforted that there will be at least one winner from this experience,” he added.
In light of the Netflix documentary The Truth Behind Jussie Smollett?, Smollett stands by his innocence and is focusing on his music career and jumpstarting his acting career again. He recently signed a deal with Rowdy Records. His lead single, also called “Break Out,” dropped on Aug. 12, with the full album launching in late September. He’s released a Tubi film titled The Lost Holliday, which he directed, co-wrote, produced and starred in. He’s also a cast member of the new season of reality endurance show Special Forces.
