Jussie Smollett: Newly released messages suggest actor texted about fitness and meal plan before 'hoax attack'
Texts mention Smollett's food preferences, meal plan, and workout habits
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Newly released texts suggest Jussie Smollett exchanged fitness-related text messages with one of the two brothers police say helped him stage an attack against himself, days before the alleged assault.
The messages, published by ABC News, were apparently sent from 20 to 28 January between Smollett and one of the brothers, who is referred to as Bon.
Smollett originally told police he was the victim of a racist, homophobic attack on 29 January in Chicago – during what authorities now allege was a hoax.
In a conversation dated 20 January, the Empire actor is asked how many times a day he eats (”Like twice”) and whether there are any foods he avoids (pork, beef and dairy, which is “horrible” for his voice).
On 22 January, Smollett’s conversation partner asks him when a music video shoot is due to take place, and on 25 January, he sends Smollett a meal plan. The actor responds saying he will check it on his computer and asks: “When do you leave town?”
Bon answers: I leave Tuesday night”, which would have been 29 January.
On 28 January, Bon, per the text conversation, tells Smollett to try to do 45 minutes of cardio, which the actor says he has done in the morning.
“Easy. Good work,” Bon replies.
ABC News also published a copy of a check Smollett apparently wrote to one of the two brothers, which has a memo line reading: “5 week Nutrition/Workout program (Don’t Go)”.
Sources close to Smollett told the network the actor was getting ready to shoot a music video titled “Don’t Go”.
Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, who delivered a powerful statement to the media last week after Smollett turned himself in, told Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts on Monday that there is “a lot more evidence that hasn’t been presented yet” as part of the case.
Johnson has accused Smollett of allegedly staging the attack because he was dissatisfied with his salary.
Smollett has denied orchestrating the assault and his lawyers have previously said the actor felt “victimized” by claims he had played a role in the attack.