Where Jussie Smollett’s Sisters Stand With Him After His ‘Painful’ Hate Crime Hoax Scandal
They’ll always be by his side. Jussie Smollett‘s sisters have always had their brother’s back, even when it comes to a notorious court case.
In 2019, Jussie Smollett claimed that he was attacked by two unknown men who called him, a gay Black man, homophobic and racial slurs. He also claimed that the perpetrators poured bleach on him and wrapped a noose around his neck. Chicago investigators believed that the Empire actor 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 the Fox TV show.
Since then, Jussie has been the subject of various legal battles from the city. In 2021, he was found guilty of five felony counts of disorderly conduct for making false reports to investigators. The actor was sentenced to 150 days in jail in 2021, but was released after only six days behind bars while he appealed his case. In 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned his convictions.
Who are Jussie Smollett’s sisters?
Jussie Smollett’s sisters are Jurnee and Jazz Smollett. Both of his sisters are in show business: Jurnee is an actress who has starred in True Blood and Lovecraft Country, and Jazz is a producer and host of Living By Desigs. Jussie also has three brothers: JoJo, Jake, and Jocqui.
From the beginning of his trial, his sisters have been supportive of Jussie. Jurnee posted an Instagram post with the text #FreeJussie. “Black Americans are incarcerated in state prisons at nearly five times the rate of White Americans. Jussie is innocent,” Jurnee wrote in the caption. “And… you don’t have to believe in his innocence to believe he should be free.”
The actress elaborated more about the situation with The Hollywood Reporter in 2020. “It’s been f—king painful,” Jurnee recalled “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. I was already in a very dark space for a number of reasons, and I’ve tried to not let it make me pessimistic. But everyone who knows me knows that I love my brother and I believe my brother.”
When the Empire actor’s case was overturned in Dec. 2024, Jurnee told the Associated Press that she still supports her brother. “I mean that’s my family, you know,” she said. “And the beautiful thing about family is you know, you love your family and we’re moving on.
The sisters also congratulated Jussie on his engagement to longtime boyfriend, Jabari Redd, in May 2025. “Yaaaass!!! Welcome to the family Jabari!!! Love y’all!! Sooooo happy for you both! 🥰🥰🥰,” Jazz commented on Jussie’s Instagram post. Jurnee also wrote, “Screaming with tears of joy! My whole heart loves both of you @jussiesmollett. Welcome to the family @jabariredd. ❤️❤️”
