Jussie Smollett’s name is still a lightning rod because his case never stayed in the neat box people wanted. What began in January 2019 as his report of a hate-motivated attack in Chicago quickly turned into a national spectacle after police and prosecutors alleged the incident was staged—an allegation Smollett has repeatedly denied. Years of legal twists followed, including a 2021 conviction that was later overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2024 on procedural grounds, which only added more confusion to an already polarizing story.
Now the topic is back in the spotlight because Netflix has released a new documentary, The Truth About Jussie Smollett?, which revisits the competing narratives and includes Smollett’s own perspective alongside voices involved in the case. This guide breaks down where he is today, where the legal situation stands, what the documentary actually covers, and which parts are fact versus interpretation.
Where is Jussie Smollett now?
As of 2025, Smollett is largely focused on restarting his career and building a personal life away from Chicago courtrooms. PEOPLE reports he proposed to his partner, actor Jabari Redd, in June 2025, and he’s been talking openly about wanting to become a father. He’s also been working steadily: he directed and starred in the 2024 film The Lost Holliday, has music plans (including an album release reported for September 2025), and is participating in a Fox reality competition series (Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test season 4, per PEOPLE).
What happened in the Jussie Smollett case?
In January 2019, Smollett reported that he was attacked in Chicago and described it as a hate-motivated incident. Authorities later alleged the incident was staged and that two brothers connected to him were involved, which triggered years of legal proceedings and intense public debate. Smollett has consistently denied wrongdoing.
Where does the legal case stand now?
This part is where people get sloppy online—so keep it precise. Smollett was convicted in 2021, but in November 2024 the Illinois Supreme Court overturned (threw out) those convictions on procedural/fairness grounds connected to how the case was prosecuted after earlier charges were dropped. That ruling does not function as a factual declaration that “everything was fake” or “everything was true;” it’s about whether the state was allowed to prosecute the way it did.
What’s the deal with the City of Chicago settlement?
Separately from the criminal case, Smollett and the City of Chicago reached a settlement in 2025 to resolve the city’s lawsuit connected to investigative costs. Reporting says the resolution included a $50,000 charitable donation (and additional giving he announced), while Smollett maintained that the agreement was not an admission of guilt.
What is the new Netflix documentary, and what does it cover?
Netflix’s documentary is titled The Truth About Jussie Smollett? and it premiered on August 22, 2025. Netflix’s own description frames it as an investigation into competing claims—“hate crime or hoax?”—and says Smollett “tells his story” in the film. Coverage from PEOPLE and Deadline says the documentary includes interviews with law enforcement, journalists, and others involved, alongside Smollett’s participation.
So… is the documentary claiming he’s innocent?
Netflix’s positioning (and most reputable coverage) treats the documentary as a re-examination rather than a final verdict. Smollett continues to maintain his innocence in public statements, and the film leans into that tension by putting his account next to investigators and officials who argue the opposite.
If you’re publishing this, don’t call it a “hoax” as a settled fact unless you’re explicitly attributing that claim to police/prosecutors at the time. The clean wording is: “Smollett reported an attack; authorities later alleged it was staged; he denies wrongdoing; the convictions were later overturned on procedural grounds.”
