BY IKENNA OBIOHA
“Ok, it is either this guy is telling the truth or he deserves an Emmy for that interview, because if all of that is just a performance, I don’t care what he is lying about, you can’t cancel him; he is too good not to be on TV.” – Talk host show Trevor Noah weighing in on the Jussie Smollett ABC interview after his alleged attack.
American television star Jussie Smollett almost struck gold in his career following reports that he made detailing how he was attacked by two men in ski masks while on his way to grab a bite at a subway fast food on January 29. In his account that lacked any form of evidentiary materials to corroborate his tale; he leveraged his growing fame as a regular on popular TV series, Empire to set in motion an outcry for justice from the public. Although his fame wasn’t what necessarily riled people into activism that saw the birth of #justiceforjesse, it was the tale’s symbolism that identifies with the black and queer communities.
An almost perfect plan, Smollett became the centre of national discussion when footage of two men alleged to have carried out the attack was recovered from a surveillance camera. Investigations linked the assault to two Nigerian brothers. The two brothers were invited to the Chicago police department for questioning where they revealed that the actor had paid them to carry out the assault on him.
Their confession to the police changed the trajectory of the investigation to shift from solving an assault case to one that checks for veracity of reports by Smollett. Also, authorities searched for and discovered some of the items Smollett mentioned in his account, and on further investigation, revealed that the brothers had ties with the actor, a claim which Smollett later denies in a statement made through his lawyer.
“Might need your help on the low. You around to meet up and talk face to face?” he messaged Abimbola “Abel” Osundairo, Smollett’s co-worker and alleged sometime ecstasy dealer.
This text was sent by Smollett days before the assault was carried out. Meeting on January 25 at Cinespace Studios, Smollett walked Osundairo through the plot of the assault plan. Smollett drove Osundairo to his apartment in the Lakeview neighbourhood. Outside the residence, they summoned Osundairo’s brother, Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo, to the car, and both brothers agreed to take part in the plot. In the course of the meeting, Smollett gave them a $100 bill to purchase rope, ski masks, gloves and red baseball caps that would look like the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) famous within the circle of trump supporters.
Though the plot crumbled, but its details show how much work he put in exploiting the attention that that racism and sexuality attracts.
The black history month is a yearly tradition that recognises and celebrates black culture and people. Harnessing this platform, Beyonce last year themed her entire Coachella set to reflect black excellence, which is a good thing.
However, black history month is not always noted for good music and elaborate fireworks. Earlier this month, fashion brand Gucci was blasted for designing a mask that looks like a blackface (blackface is a theatrical production where white people colour their faces with black paint to appropriate black people and culture). Also, pop superstar Katy Perry came under backlash for designing footwear that had a semblance of blackface on it. But more recently was Burberry’s inclusion of a noose in one of its designs. The noose is of significance to the black population considering that black slaves were killed by hanging.
Black and gay, Smollett is perceived as a double minority, especially with a political atmosphere that is tense with black lives matter movement rights, #Metoo movement and LGBTQ rights in the face of a Trump led government. With these minority groups fighting fiercely to be heard, the entire situation presented self as a veritable tool to advance his career.
Smollett “took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career,” said Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, who is black. “I’m left hanging my head and asking why? Why would anyone, especially an African-American man, use the symbolism of a noose to make false accusations?”
In recent happenings, it has been reported that the crew of Empire are working arduously to rewrite scenes that are eccentric from Smollett’s character. The team also announced that it is looking for new faces, though they didn’t state actively if they will permanently get Smollett off the show.
A move to boost his career now turns into one that slowly smoulders it. It will never remain the same for the actor, at least in the entertainment industry where he has now lost all credibility with his peers.
