Jussie Smollett attack: Empire actor discusses 'racist and homophobic' assault in new interview
Actor has shared his frustration towards those who don't believe he was attacked
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jussie Smollett has spoken out in his first interview since telling authorities he was brutally attacked by two people in Chicago.
The Empire star talked with Robin Roberts for a segment that is set to air in full on Thursday on Good Morning America.
“I’m pissed off,” he told Roberts, before detailing his frustration towards those who haven’t believed his account of the assault.
“It’s the attackers, but it’s also the attacks,” he said.
“It’s like, you know, at first it was a thing of, ‘Listen if I tell the truth, then that’s it, because it’s the truth.’”
He added: “Then it became a thing of, like, ‘Oh, how can you doubt that? How do you not believe that? It’s the truth.’
“And then it became a thing of, like, ‘Oh, it’s not necessarily that you don’t believe that this is the truth. You don’t even want to see the truth.’”
Smollett’s interview comes two weeks after police said a 36-year-old member of the Empire cast (who wasn’t named in the police statement but has been identified as Smollett) was attacked by two people at approximately 2am on Tuesday, 29 January.
According to police, the unknown offenders yelled racial and homophobic slurs at Smollett, then ”began to batter the victim with their hands about the face and poured an unknown chemical substance on the victim”.
“At some point during the incident, one of the offenders wrapped a rope around the victims neck. The offenders fled the scene,” the police statement adds.
Authorities have said that Smollett told them the alleged assailants had yelled: “This is MAGA country.”
Smollett took himself to the hospital and was in “good condition”, according to authorities.
The actor later said in a statement that he was OK, adding: ”My body is strong but my soul is stronger.”
Police have investigated the case but no arrests have been made.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments