Jussie Smollet Has New Music and Is Heading Back to TV in 2025

The case against Jussie Smollett is wildly complicated.

In January 2019, the Empire actor reported a hate crime to Chicago police that involved two men assaulting him while yelling homophobic and racial slurs.

A month later, he faced felony charges for filing false police reports as two men, who are brothers, admitted to being paid by Smollett to attack him.

According to CBS News, the state subsequently dropped the charges in March 2019, but it didn't end there.

A special prosecutor was appointed to look into the case after it was revealed that Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx was texting with an attorney about relocating the case. Smollett was once again charged with falsely reporting a hate crime, but this time, he was found guilty and, in March 2022, was sentenced to 150 days in jail.

He ended up serving six days, and in November 2023, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned his conviction. So, where is the semi-disgraced actor now? Here's what we know.

Just a few days before the release of The Truth About Jussie Smollett? on Netflix, Jussie dropped a new song and music video for his fans.

The song, titled "Break Out," shows off the vocal abilities that made him famous on Empire.

"BREAK OUT is gaining traction on UK RADIO," Jussie wrote on Instagram. "Grateful for it all." His album of the same name is set for release in September 2025.

In the Netflix documentary, Jussie maintained his innocence.

"At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter whether someone likes me or doesn’t like me... That’s unimportant," he said. "What is important is, regardless of what you think about me, flaws and all, flaws and greatness, whatever you think — joy and sorrow. I didn’t do that and that’s all that matters."

Jussie also announced his engagement to his longtime partner Jabari Redd in June 2025.

"I’ll be spending my birthday with my Fiancé… He said YES," Jussie captioned photos of the proposal. His sister, Jurnee Smollett, congratulated the couple, writing, "Screaming with tears of joy! My whole heart loves both of you."

Jussie is also making his big comeback to FOX. The 43-year-old is part of the celebrity cast of Season 4 of the competition reality series Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.

His return to TV comes five years after the finale of Empire (Jussie was written off the series during Season 6).

"It was at this moment I said… “I should’ve just done The Masked Singer," Jussie joked on Instagram about joining the show. "Let’s get it."

Jussie will be joined by Teresa Giudice, Brittany Cartwright, Chanel Iman, and other celebs.

Season 4 of Special Forces premieres on Monday, September 25, at 9 p.m. EST on FOX.