Jussie Smollett Returns to the Spotlight, Credits Black Women for Support During Difficult Years

After years of keeping a low profile following his 2019 hate crime hoax scandal, former “Empire” star Jussie Smollett is stepping back into the spotlight. As he reemerges in Hollywood, Smollett is expressing deep gratitude to the Black women who stood by him through his most challenging times.

Smollett’s return comes with the release of his new film, The Lost Holliday, a project he wrote, directed, and produced. The family drama stars Vivica A. Fox as Cassandra Marshall, a grieving mother who travels to Los Angeles to arrange her estranged son Damien Holliday’s funeral.

To her surprise, she discovers the funeral is already being organized by Damien’s husband, Jason Holliday, played by Smollett—a man and marriage she was unaware of.

The film explores complex family dynamics, grief, and generational trauma, while celebrating LGBTQ+ representation. Smollett highlights the significance of the film for both the LGBTQ+ and Black communities, but also notes how creating the movie became a key part of his personal healing journey.

He credits the film’s leading actress, Fox, and executive producer Mona Scott-Young for offering him emotional support throughout the project’s development.

“These women, Mona and Vivica, would check in on me constantly,” Smollett told Black Enterprise. “Mona would encourage me to push through my feelings of doubt and depression, telling me to get up and keep going. Vivica didn’t just call when something hit the blogs—she was always there, making sure I was okay.”

Smollett explained that the inspiration for The Lost Holliday came from observing the grace and forgiveness his Black mother extended toward his late father’s family, despite their earlier opposition to his parents’ interracial marriage.

Their reconciliation inspired Smollett to mend his own relationship with his father before his death, a process that influenced the themes of forgiveness and acceptance in the film.

However, Smollett’s journey to creating the movie was far from easy. In 2019, he was embroiled in controversy after being convicted of staging a hate crime attack in Chicago. In 2021, Smollett was found guilty of five felony counts related to the hoax and sentenced to 150 days in county jail, along with being ordered to pay over $120,000 in restitution for the police investigation.

Earlier this year, Jussie Smollett completed five months of rehab for substance abuse, following what sources described as an “extremely difficult few years.” Now, after a period of outpatient treatment and ongoing legal battles to appeal his conviction, Smollett is eager to return to his work in the film industry.

Smollett credits Black women for being his unwavering support system throughout his personal and professional struggles. “I firmly believe it’s better to say thank you too much than not enough,” he reflected. “These women have guided me and loved me when the rest of the world made me feel unlovable.”

Fox, who signed on to star in the film early on, played a pivotal role in getting The Lost Holliday off the ground. Her involvement helped Smollett secure further backing for the project. Additionally, Scott-Young used her influence to get Smollett’s earlier film, B-Boy Blues, distributed on BET+, and ensured The Lost Holliday reached theaters nationwide.

Smollett’s mother, who also serves as an executive producer on the film, is another figure he credits for her constant support. “There’s a level of respect and love that I have for Black women that I can’t explain,” he shared. “If you can’t understand and respect the power and grace that Black women bring to this world, then I don’t know what there is to talk about.”

Smollett’s return to Hollywood comes with a renewed sense of purpose, bolstered by the women who have stood by him. As The Lost Holliday hits theaters, Smollett hopes its themes of family, grief, and acceptance will resonate with audiences and serve as a testament to the power of forgiveness.

The Lost Holliday was released in theaters on September 27th.