Jussie Smollett Announces Engagement (with Pics) on Social Media

Jussie Smollett announced he is engaged to partner Jabari Redd via Instagram to his 4.5M followers on Friday, the Daily Mail reports.

"The 43-year-old former 'Empire' actor – whose 2021 conviction for allegedly faking a hate crime was overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court last year – shared the happy new with his 4.5 million followers in a joint post with his beau."

"The posting consists of a series of snapshots (photographed by @artbyalyx) that show the progression of Smollett presenting the ring, Redd's shocked expression, and the couple's subsequent embrace," the DM added.

"I'll be spending my birthday with my Fiancé," Smollett captioned the images. "He said YES. 💍"

Friends and family flooded the comments section with congratulatory messages of love and support.

"Screaming with tears of joy!" sister Jurnee Smollett, also an actor, posted. "My whole heart loves both of you. @jussiesmollett. Welcome to the family @jabariredd. ❤️❤️."

Their older sister Jazz joined in with: "Yaaaass!!! Welcome to the family Jabari!!! Love y'all!! Sooooo happy for you both!"

"Empire" co-star Taraji P. Henson recalled her TV character's relationship to Smollett's, writing, "MY BABIES ❤️❤️❤️."

"The couple recently collaborated on the film 'The Lost Holliday,' which premiered at the 28th annual American Black Film Festival in June 2024," the DM recalled. "It starred Jabari, Jussie, and Vivica A. Fox and was released across select AMC theaters in September. This past May it was made available on Prime. It marked Smollett's second directorial effort following 2022's 'B-Boy Blues.'"

People Magazine writes that in Jussie stars in "The Lost Holliday" as Jason, "a character who becomes a single father to his adopted daughter when his partner Damien (Jabari Redd) is tragically killed. The film also stars Smollett's aunt Vivica A. Fox as Cassandra, Damien's estranged mother, who travels to Los Angeles to plan the funeral of her son."

Despite the film's tragic circumstances, he called it "a hopeful film."

"I think that's what I really get from this film for my own life, is that it's so hopeful. It so, 'Well, what is the next day going to be like? What is tomorrow going to bring me?' It could bring something great, it could bring you something not so great, but it's about what you do with [it]."

"As a gay Black man, Smollett included 'elements of the LGBTQIA community,'" People detailed, "noting 'everyone can identify with this film,' as it tells a universal story of love, grief and hope."

Smollett was one of the breakout stars on "Empire," but saw his career in tatters after he was accused of fabricating a homophobic hate crime in 2019. "In March 2019, Smollett was originally indicted with 16 counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false report, claiming that, while on his way home from a Subway sandwich shop in Chicago, two men attacked him late at night. He was found guilty on five counts in 2022, but maintains his innocence as he continues to fight for an appeal before the Illinois Supreme Court," People recounted.

In his remarks to People, Smollett noted that it was his cirlce of family and friends, "notably Vivica A. Fox and his 'Empire' mom Taraji P. Henson," who served as his "North Star."

"She was fearless in her support and her understanding and love for the project, for 'The Lost Holliday' and for the character of Cassandra," Smollett said of Fox. "This film would not have gotten made had it not been for Vivica stepping in."

Henson, he said, has "been there for me from day one" and "been like my heart. She's one of my favorite people.

"I genuinely love her," Smollett added of his TV mother. "She's one of my favorite people and just the kindest heart, the most genuine soul. She'll be the first one to be like, 'Keep right, stay right with your spirit. Stay right with your spirit.' And she's right. I love that woman."