Jussie Smollett: The Story Behind The Headlines

What’s Jussie Smollett’s Net Worth?

Let’s talk about Jussie Smollett. This American actor, singer, and photographer has a net worth of $300 thousand. But there’s so much more to Jussie’s story than just numbers. He skyrocketed to fame as Jamal Lyon on the hit TV series "Empire," which aired from 2015 to 2019. And while his acting career was thriving, Jussie also became embroiled in a high-profile controversy involving an alleged hate crime attack in Chicago in 2019. We’ll dive deeper into that later, but first, let’s break down his journey.

Early Life: From California to New York

Now, Jussie wasn’t born yesterday. He came into the world on June 21, 1982, in Santa Rosa, California, as Justin Smollett. His parents, Janet (née Harris) and Joel Smollett, were a tight-knit family, raising Jussie alongside his three brothers and two sisters. One of his sisters, Jurnee Smollett, is an actress herself and has been nominated for an Emmy for her role in "Lovecraft Country." When Jussie was just two years old, the family packed up and moved to New York City, settling in the Elmhurst neighborhood. But life kept moving, and they eventually returned to California when Jussie was seven. Later, the family relocated to New Jersey, where Jussie graduated from Paramus Catholic High School in Paramus. It was a whirlwind childhood, but it set the stage for his future in the spotlight.

Career: From Child Model to Star of "Empire"

Jussie’s career didn’t happen overnight. He started young, working as a child model in New York City before transitioning to acting as an extra on movie sets. Some of his early credits include films like "Mo' Better Blues" (1990) and "New Jack City" (1991). He even landed roles in "The Mighty Ducks" (1992) and "North" (1994). But his big break came in 1994 when he starred alongside all five of his siblings in the ABC sitcom "On Our Own." After a hiatus from the spotlight, Jussie returned with a vengeance in 2012, starring in the LGBTQ romantic comedy-drama "The Skinny" as Magnus. That same year, he guest-starred on "The Mindy Project," and in 2014, he appeared in "Revenge." But the role that changed everything? Playing Jamal Lyon on "Empire," where he co-starred with Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. While on the show, Jussie also appeared in "Underground" alongside his sister Jurnee and acted in films like "Alien: Covenant" (2017) and "Marshall" (2017).

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But acting wasn’t enough for Jussie. He also pursued a music career, releasing his first EP, "The Poisoned Hearts Club," in 2012. In 2015, he signed a recording contract with Columbia Records, and his debut studio album, "Sum of My Music," dropped in 2018. Jussie even co-wrote original songs for "Empire," including "I Wanna Love You" and "You're So Beautiful," which were featured on the show's Season 1 soundtrack.

Chicago "Attack" Incident and Aftermath: The Controversy

On January 29, 2019, Jussie’s life took a dramatic turn when he reported being attacked by two masked men in Chicago. He claimed the attackers tied a noose around his neck, poured gasoline on him, and shouted racial and homophobic slurs, referencing President Donald Trump’s "Make America Great Again" slogan. The story quickly gained national attention, but as investigations unfolded, the narrative shifted. Authorities discovered that Jussie may have orchestrated the attack himself, paying two brothers who worked as extras on "Empire" $3,500 to stage the incident. In February 2019, a grand jury charged him with a class 4 felony for filing a false police report. He surrendered to the Chicago Police Department but was later cleared of all charges in March. However, the city of Chicago filed a new case against him, resulting in six counts of filing a false police report.

Following the incident, Fox executives announced that Jussie would not return for "Empire’s" sixth season. While he was reportedly paid off for his contract, he was effectively removed from the show. In a rare interview in September 2020, Jussie spoke out about the case, maintaining his innocence with activist Marc Lamont Hill on Instagram Live. On March 10, 2022, Jussie was sentenced to 150 days in jail for lying to police. He was also ordered to serve 30 months of felony probation and pay $120,106 in restitution to the city of Chicago. His lawyers quickly filed an appeal, and an Illinois appeals court released him on a $150,000 bond. As of March 2023, Jussie’s legal team continues to appeal the 150-day sentence.

Personal Life and Real Estate: Beyond the Spotlight

Jussie’s personal life is just as fascinating as his career. In March 2015, he publicly came out as gay during an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, a moment that resonated with fans around the world. When it comes to real estate, Jussie splurged on a Los Angeles home in 2016 for $1.687 million. Unfortunately, he sold it in July 2019 at a $30,000 loss, likely due to the fallout from the Chicago incident. Despite the challenges, Jussie continues to navigate life with resilience and determination.