Buckle up for the next wave of the Jussie Smollett controversy. The singer has been living his best life away from scandal but is about to return to the true crime limelight. It was announced this week that a new docuseries about Smollett's 2019 encounter with the Osundairo brothers is being made. Fox Nation helms Jussie Smollett: Anatomy of a Hoax, a five-part series set to premiere on March 13.
In early 2019, Smollett alleged that while walking in Chicago, he was attacked by two white men. He claimed he was taunted with racist and anti-gay slurs and even appeared with a noose around his neck. He received widespread support from activists and fans, but later, Chicago police alleged Smollett staged the entire incident. A lawsuit was even filed against the actor, and as more information was shared, he was let go from Empire.
The Osundairo Brothers Say It Was All Fake
Later, police tracked down Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, brothers, athletes, and small-time actors. They reportedly met Smollett on the set of Empire and had regular correspondence with him. They claimed they worked with the actor in the attack, and it was speculated that Smollett orchestrated the event for sympathy. He denied every theory of blame and, until today, maintains his innocence. In court documents, Smollett demanded a new trial and stated, “In the present case, instances of prosecutorial misconduct were clear and egregious." His legal team also alleges prosecutorial misconduct.
However, in 2021, he was convicted of five counts of felony disorderly conduct. There was reportedly a sixth count involving lying to investigators, but he was acquitted. Smollett was released from jail pending his appeal, but he still faces 150 days. Meanwhile, Fox Nation issued a statement about their upcoming docuseries.
A "Deep Dive Into A Scam"
“Anatomy of a Hoax takes a deep dive into a scam that reverberated through the worlds of entertainment, pop culture, and politics. We’re excited for viewers to hear the real stories behind this scandal from the Osundairo brothers for the very first time," said John Finley, Fox Nation Executive Vice President.
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