Main content

Jussie Smollett - the actor who faked his own hate crime

The American actor, Jussie Smollett, claimed he was the victim of a racist, homophobic assault. He's now been convicted of lying to police for faking his own hate crime.

The American actor, Jussie Smollett, claimed he was the victim of a racist, homophobic assault. He's now been convicted of lying to police for faking his own hate crime. Prosecutors said the star of the US TV drama, "Empire", also lied to the jury at his trial for "hours" on end. The court heard that Smollett paid two masked men to attack and racially abuse him - so he'd earn sympathy and boost his earning potential. Newsbeat's Imran Rahman-Jones has been following the story since it first broke in January 2019, when the actor told police he was the victim of an attack as he was out walking late at night in Chicago.

This is 5 Minutes On - Jussie Smollett - the actor who faked his own hate crime.

Image Credit: Getty Images

Release date:

Available now

5 minutes