A Complete Timeline of the Jussie Smollett Story
The initial news reports of a racist, homophobic attack on Empire actor Jussie Smollett were horrifying; in their immediate aftermath, presidential hopefuls Kamala Harris and Cory Booker called it "an attempted modern-day lynching." Now, not even a month later, Smollett faces accusations that he not only lied about who perpetrated the attack, but also orchestrated it himself. There have been so many claims, reversals, and reversals of those reversals that it's difficult to keep track of what's been confirmed (not much) and what's been denied (a lot).
What follows is a timeline of developments in this story since it broke late last month. Although we can expect more updates in the future, there's no telling when or if we'll get a resolution.
February 21: Smollett turns himself in to authorities
The Empire actor was arrested early Thursday morning for allegedly filing a false police report. According to a police briefing, the scratches on his neck were self-inflicted, and Smollett's dissatisfaction with his Empire salary was his alleged motive.
February 20: Smollett is officially classified as a "suspect"
According to Chicago Police communications officer Anthony Gugliemi, the actor is now officially classified as a suspect for filing a false police report.
Meanwhile, according to TMZ, the two Osundairo brothers were caught on camera purchasing ski masks, gloves, a bandana, and a red hat.
February 19: Smollett's attorneys say not yet.
Smollett's attorneys say that there are no plans to meet with Chicago police for a follow-up interview, though they “will keep an active dialogue with Chicago police on his behalf.”
February 17: Police want a follow-up with Smollett.
Chicago police announce that they're seeking a follow-up interview with Smollett, and say they are not "confirming, denying or commenting on anything" until then.
February 16: Investigation "shifts."
Guglielmi releases a new statement: “We can confirm that the information received from the individuals questioned by police earlier in the Empire case has in fact shifted the trajectory of the investigation. We’ve reached out to the Empire cast member’s attorney to request a follow-up interview.” Both CNN and CBS Evening News report that sources connected to the investigation claim Smollett paid the brothers to orchestrate the attack. Smollett's lawyer releases a statement denying the allegations and confirming that one of the brothers had worked as Smollett's personal trainer.
February 15: Persons of interest go free.
The Osundairo brothers, both of whom have reportedly worked on the Empire set, are released after questioning. Police also search their home and, according to the local CBS affiliate, an inventory of that search includes "a red hat and bleach." A source tells USA Today that police also find records showing the brothers "purchased rope from a hardware store that was used in the alleged attack."
February 14: Hoax claims appear and die hours later.
Local news outlets report that unnamed sources claim Smollett staged the attack himself, supposedly to raise his profile ahead of being written off of Empire. Shortly afterward, Guglielmi denies that police have any confirmation of those claims. Johnson reportedly contacts one outlet to tell them "their supposed CPD sources are uninformed and inaccurate." Writers for Empire deny that Smollett was ever in danger of being written off the show.
February 13: Good Morning America and two arrests.
Smollett appears on Good Morning America in his first interview following the incident. In it, he expresses frustration and anger at people who doubt his story, saying there wouldn't have been the same level of skepticism if he had reported being attacked by "a Muslim or a Mexican or someone black." That night, police arrest but don't charge two brothers, Olabinjo Osundairo and Abimbola Osundairo, in relation to the attack as they land in Chicago after returning from Nigeria.
February 11: Police get partial phone records.
CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirms that Smollett gave police "limited and redacted" phone records from early January 29.
February 3: Smollett's first public appearance.
Smollett appears at a previously scheduled show in Los Angeles, performing for a crowd of nearly 500 people, including Congresswoman Maxine Waters. Regarding the attack, he tells the audience, "Above all, I fought the fuck back.”
February 1: Police stress Smollett is a victim.
Chicago Police Department superintendent Eddie T. Johnson tells NBC Chicago that they wouldn't be demanding Smollett's phone records, saying he has been fully cooperative and that they are treating him as a victim.
January 30: Persons of interest.
Police release video footage of two persons of interest near and shortly before the reported attack. No footage of the attack itself was found, though. The same day, Smollett's manager tells Variety that he was on the phone with Smollett during the attack and heard one of the men yell "MAGA country."
January 29: It all starts.
Smollett is reportedly attacked by two men on the street while walking to his Chicago apartment in the early morning. The men reportedly beat him, yelled slurs, doused him with an unknown chemical, and put a rope around his neck. In a statement, Chicago police say, "Given the severity of the allegations, we are taking this investigation very seriously and treating it as a possible hate crime."
