Jussie Smollett Speaks Out After Attack

Fri, 01 Feb 2019 18:29:48 +0000

Jussie Smollett is breaking his silence.

The “Empire” star was the victim of a brutal attack in Chicago earlier this week. Two men allegedly assaulted him while yelling racial and homophobic slurs as he was leaving a Subway restaurant. They doused him with an unknown chemical substance and tied a rope around his neck before fleeing the scene. Smollett reportedly fractured a rib and checked himself into the hospital.

In a statement to Essence on Friday (Feb. 1), Smollett says he is “OK” and is working with police.

.@JussieSmollett speaks following his attack. We're continuing to lift him up in prayer. https://t.co/GVaCOuqQSC pic.twitter.com/0g8yU7IPwX

— ESSENCE (@Essence) February 1, 2019

“Let me start by saying that I’m OK,” said the 36-year-old actor. “My body is strong but my soul is stronger. More importantly I want to say thank you. The outpouring of love and support from my village has meant more than I will ever be able to truly put into words.”

“I am working with authorities and have been 100 percent factual and consistent on every level,” he continued. “Despite my frustrations and deep concern with certain inaccuracies and misrepresentations that have been spread, I still believe that justice will be served.”

“As my family stated, these types of cowardly attacks are happening to my sisters, brothers and non-gender conforming siblings daily. I am not and should not be looked upon as an isolated incident. We will talk soon and I will address all details of this horrific incident, but I need a moment to process,” he said. “Most importantly, during times of trauma, grief and pain, there is still a responsibility to lead with love. It’s all I know. And that can’t be kicked out of me.”

On Wednesday (Jan. 30), investigators released images from surveillance video that shows two “potential persons of interest” allegedly involved in the attack.

Photos of people of interest who were in area of the alleged assault & battery of Empire cast member. While video does not capture an encounter, detectives are taking this development seriously & wish to question individuals as more cameras are being reviewed pic.twitter.com/xJDDygtocr

— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) January 31, 2019

Smollett’s family has also spoken out following the homophobic and racist attack. “Jussie is a warrior whose light cannot be dimmed,” the family’s statement read. “We want people to understand these targeted hate crimes are happening to our sisters, brothers and our gender non-conforming siblings, many who reside within the intersection of multiple identities, on a monthly, weekly, and sometimes even daily basis all across our country.”

The actor-singer will return to the stage to headline a previously scheduled performance at the Troubadour in West Hollywood on Saturday (Feb. 2).

View this post on Instagram

Because there’s a light in him that cannot be dimmed, because we are a family of joyful warriors, we will not let this get the best of us. Although this is a picture from happier times, this is the spirit to which we chose to move forward…they will not steal, our joy. ________________________________________________________Statement from our family: “ In the early hours of Tuesday morning, our beloved son and brother, Jussie, was the victim of a violent and unprovoked attack. We want to be clear, this was a racial and homophobic hate crime. Jussie has told the police everything from the very beginning. His story has never changed, and we are hopeful they will find these men and bring them to justice. Our family thanks everyone for their prayers and the huge amount of love he has received. We are thankful to our village for your immense support during this trying time. We are so grateful that God saw him through this cowardly attack alive. Jussie is a warrior whose light cannot be dimmed. We want people to understand these targeted hate crimes are happening to our sisters, brothers and our gender non-conforming siblings, many who reside within the intersection of multiple identities, on a monthly, weekly, and sometimes even daily basis all across our country. Oftentimes ending fatally, these are inhumane acts of domestic terrorism and they should be treated as such. They will continue to occur until we hold each other accountable. Make no mistake, words matter. Hateful words lead to hateful actions. Radical love is the only solution, but passivity will be our downfall. We, as a family, will continue to work for love, equity and justice until it reigns supreme in our nation and all over the world. With love & gratitude, The Smollett Family”

A post shared by Jurnee Smollett Bell (@jurneebell) on Jan 31, 2019 at 7:36pm PST

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